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Biomedical subjects

B T Martin

Publications and source records attributed to B T Martin.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1985

Are problem drinkers dangerous drivers? An investigation of arrest for drinking and driving, serum gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities, blood alcohol concentrations, and road traffic accidents: the Tayside Safe Driving Project.

Serum gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activity was measured in 440 drivers at the time of arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. The results were compared with information gathered by the arresting police officer. One third of drivers over the age of 30 had abnormal gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities at the time of arrest. Among drivers who required a driving license for their work, and older drivers, a disproportionately high number had raised gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities indicating problem drinking. In drivers over the age of 30 a strong association was found between gamma glutamyltranspeptidase activities and road traffic accidents but not alcohol concentrations or previous convictions. These findings argue against the Department of Transport's criteria for high risk offenders and indicate a clear need for new measures against problem drinkers among drinking and driving offenders.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1985

The effect of chronic treatment with a non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist on the enteroinsular axis and intermediary metabolites.

In a single-blind randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study in hypertensive patients we have examined the effects of treatment with the non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist nadolol on the responses of glucose, intermediary metabolites and the hormones of the enteroinsular axis to the ingestion of a mixed meal. During treatment with nadolol the plasma insulin concentration 30 min after ingesting the meal was significantly lower than on placebo and the plasma glucose rose more slowly. Plasma concentrations of GIP tended to be higher during nadolol than placebo treatment. No significant effects of treatment with nadolol were noted on pancreatic glucagon or intermediary metabolites.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1984

Beta adrenoceptor blockade and responses of serum lipids to a meal and to exercise.

During a randomised placebo controlled trial of the effects of nadolol in hypertensive patients serum lipid profiles were obtained while the patients were fasting and during and after a meal and an exercise test. Treatment with nadolol was associated with a significant reduction in high density lipoprotein cholesterol at all time points. Serum triglyceride concentrations during treatment with nadolol were higher in the fasting state, though not significantly so, increased further postprandially, and were significantly higher during and after exercise. The changes in high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations during beta adrenoceptor blockade may be secondary to a reduction in lipoprotein lipase activity.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1981

Seasonal changes in the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase.

This paper reports a seasonal variation in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in the serum, with low values occurring in summer and high in winter. These variations were found both in indoor and outdoor workers and in a group of elderly women in a long-stay ward. The seasonal change in ALP was in the opposite direction to the seasonal change in the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. No such change was seen in the serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase. It is suggested that the seasonal change in plasma ALP could be due to changes in the bone isoenzyme. Serum levels of calcium remained unchanged; the change in ALP may reflect a homeostatic mechanism controlling plasma calcium, which compensates for seasonal variations in vitamin D supply.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2↗
PubMed1975

The effect of dexamethasone on the control of plasma aldosterone concentration in normal recumbent man.

In order to evaluate the control of the circadian rhythm of plasma aldosterone concentration in man, plasma aldosterone, cortisol, sodium and potassium concentrations, and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured in samples obtained at 20-minute intervals from 0200 to 0800 in sodium repleted (180 mEq. per day of diet) and sodium depleted (22 mEq. per day of diet) normal subjects. During sodium replete studies, plasma aldosterone and cortisol concentrations were significantly correlated (p greater than 0.01) in all 4 subjects. Plasma aldosterone also correlated with PRA (p greather than 0.01) in 2 subjects and with potassium (p greater than 0.01) in one. Episodic increases in plasma aldosterone concentration were observed despite suppression of ACTH by dexamethasone treatment. Plasma aldosterone concentrations were significantly correlated with PRA (p greater than 0.05 and p greater than 0.01) in only 2 of 4 subjects under these conditions. Following sodium restriction, plasma aldosterone concentrations were not significantly correlated with plasma cortisol and only infrequently with either PRA or potassium. When dexamethasone was administered during the low sodium diet, correlations with PRA (p greater than 0.001) were seen in 2 of 3 subjects and with potassium (p greater than 0.01) in 1 of 3 subjects. There was no significant correlation between plasma aldosterone and sodium concentration during any of the studies. These results are compatible with the concept that the relative importance of PRA, ACTH, and potassium in inducing changes in aldosterone production during the early morning hours is partially dependent upon dietary sodium, but also varies between individuals studied during similar sodium diets. The episodic alterations of plasma aldosterone concentration continued after ACTH was suppressed by dexamethasone pretreatment. These changes, in the absence of a consistent significant correlation with PRA and sodium and potassium concentrations, further suggest that another factor(s) may be important in controlling aldosterone production in recumbent normal subjects.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of acute and varying amounts of alcohol consumption on alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase.

Acute alcohol consumption has no effect on the levels of enzymes in serum. Regardless of the amount consumed, no significant changes in serum enzymes were observed. Age-related differences in gamma-glutamyltransferase were not apparent. Peak blood alcohol concentration and consumption are not related to the body mass. Screening of drunk drivers for detecting problem drinkers could be undertaken by performing biochemical measurements of serum enzymes, especially gamma-glutamyltransferase.

Adolescent↗