Biomedical subjects

C H Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to C H Thompson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Brain biochemistry in Williams syndrome: evidence for a role of the cerebellum in cognition?

OBJECTIVE: To determine what biochemical changes may occur in the brain in Williams syndrome (WS) and whether these changes may be related to the cognitive deficits. BACKGROUND: WS is a rare, congenital disorder with a characteristic physical, linguistic, and behavioral phenotype with known cognitive deficits. METHODS: We obtained 31P magnetic resonance spectra (MRS) from a region consisting of mostly frontal and parietal lobe of 14 patients with WS (age, 8 to 37 years) and 48 similarly-aged controls. 1H MRS (27 cm3) localized to the left cerebellum obtained from the WS cohort were compared with those from 16 chronological age- and sex-matched normal controls. A battery of cognitive tests were administered to all subjects undergoing 1H MRS. RESULTS: WS brains exhibited significant biochemical abnormalities. All 31P MRS ratios containing the phosphomonoester (PME) peak were significantly altered in WS, suggesting that PME is significantly decreased. Ratios of choline-containing compounds and creatine-containing compounds to N-acetylaspartate (Cho/NA and Cre/NA) were significantly elevated in the cerebellum in WS cf. controls, whereas the ratio of Cho/Cre was not altered. This suggests a decrease in the neuronal marker N-acetylaspartate in the cerebellum. Significant correlations were found between the cerebellar ratios Cho/NA and Cre/NA and the ability of all subjects at various neuropsychological tests, including Verbal and Performance IQ, British Picture Vocabulary Scale, Ravens Progressive Matrices, and Inspection Time. CONCLUSIONS: The correlations can be interpreted in two ways: 1) Our sampling of cerebellar biochemistry reflects a measure of "global" cerebral biochemistry and is unrelated to cerebellar function, or 2) The relations indicate that cerebellar neuronal integrity is a requirement (on a developmental time scale or in real-time) for ability on a variety of cognitive tests.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1997

Identification and typing of molluscum contagiosum virus in clinical specimens by polymerase chain reaction.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which enables the detection of molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) genomes in either fresh or formalin-fixed clinical specimens is described. The primers used were designed to amplify a 167 bp region of the 3.8 kbp HindIII fragment K of the MCV 1 genome. The ability of this PCR to detect three common MCV types (1, 1v and 2) in clinical specimens was confirmed using frozen extracts from 75 molluscum lesions, and digests of single sections of 11 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lesions; all of which had been previously typed by Southern hybridisation. In addition, 2 specimens previously negative by hybridisation were shown to be positive for MCV DNA by PCR. Confirmation of the identity of the PCR products and distinction between the two major MCV types (MCV 1/1v versus MCV 2) was achieved by comparison of the results of cleavage with the restriction endonucleases Hhal and Sacl. Sequencing of the PCR products revealed complete homology between MCV 1 and 1v, but minor nucleotide variations between MCV 1/1v and MCV 2 were identified. As well as providing a highly sensitive means of diagnosis, the technique may also prove useful for investigations into the pathogenesis, epidemiology and natural history of molluscum contagiosum infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Sequence variation in the upstream regulatory region of HPV 18 isolates from cervical cancers.

This study describes sequence variation in both the enhancer and promoter segments of the upstream regulatory region (URR) of 28 human papillomavirus (HPV) type 18 isolates from cervical cancers, 25 from women treated at an Australian center and three from overseas included for comparison. No large-scale changes were found in either region. Fourteen substitutions were identified in the enhancer region with the number in individual isolates ranging from one to eight. Four substitutions impacted cellular transcription factor binding sites but there were no obvious associations with clinicopathological variables. The promoter segment was found to be more highly conserved than the enhancer, but four of the five point mutations identified involved cellular transcription factor binding motifs including a substitution of C for T at nt 104 which affected 21 samples. This change was found to impact upon a previously unrecognized Yin Yang (YY1) binding site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) showed that this substitution significantly reduced protein-DNA binding and evidence was sought for its possible clinical implications. Of the 24 women with less than Stage III disease and known clinical outcome, tumor recurrence was observed in all of the 6 women whose isolates had the "prototype" T at nt 104, whereas only 8 of the 18 cancers with the mutation at this YY1 site recurred. This is the first report on URR variation in HPV 18 isolates from the South Pacific region. The study also provides initial data on diversity in the promoter region and preliminary evidence suggesting that a specific point mutation in this region may be clinically significant.

DNA, Viral↗

PubMed1997

Proton efflux in human skeletal muscle during recovery from exercise.

In recovery from exercise, phosphocreatine resynthesis results in the net generation of protons, while the net efflux of protons restores pH to resting values. Because proton efflux rate declines as pH increases, it appears to have an approximately linear pH-dependence. We set out to examine this in detail using recovery data from human calf muscle. Proton efflux rates were calculated from changes in pH and phosphocreatine concentration, measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, after incremental dynamic exercise to exhaustion. Results were collected post hoc into five groups on the basis of end-exercise pH. Proton efflux rates declined approximately exponentially with time. These were rather similar in all groups, even when pH changes were small, so that the apparent rate constant (the ratio of efflux rate to pH change) varied widely. However, all groups showed a consistent pattern of decrease with time; the halftimes of both proton efflux rate and the apparent rate constant were longer at lower pH. At each time-point, proton efflux rates showed a significant pH-dependence [slope 17 (3) mmol x l(-1) x min(-1) x pH unit(-1) at the start of recovery, mean (SEM)], but also a significant intercept at resting pH [16 (3) mmol x l(-1) x min(-1) at the start of recovery]. The intercept and the slope both decreased with time, with halftimes of 0.37 (0.06) and 1.4 (0.4) min, respectively. We conclude that over a wide range of end-exercise pH, net proton efflux during recovery comprises pH-dependent and pH-independent components, both of which decline with time. Comparison with other data in the literature suggests that lactate/proton cotransport can be only a small component of this initial recovery proton efflux.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Fetal growth and insulin resistance in adult life: role of skeletal muscle morphology.

1. Thinness at birth is associated with insulin resistance in adult life and an apparent delay in activation of glycolysis/glycogenolysis in exercising skeletal muscle. As developmental abnormalities of skeletal muscle histology or metabolism may explain this association we examined muscle histology, biochemistry and blood flow in a group of 27 adult women whose birth details were known. 2. Subjects were examined by near-infrared spectroscopy to determine forearm muscle oxygen supply, and by muscle biopsy and forearm plethysmography. Those with a ponderal index at birth < 23 kg/m3 were insulin resistant (assessed by the short insulin-tolerance test-mean rate constants for glucose disappearance = 4.14 compared with 4.83%/min, P = 0.045) and had significantly more rapid muscle reoxygenation than the remainder of the subjects (13 compared with 22 s, P = 0.004). 3. Thinness at birth did not influence muscle capillary density, muscle glycogen content, glycogen synthase activity, citrate synthase activity or resting forearm blood flow. 4. Insulin resistance seen after fetal malnutrition was not associated with abnormal muscle histology, resting muscle blood flow, mitochondrial volume or glycogen content. 5. The increase in muscle reoxygenation rate in adult subjects who were thin at birth could occur to promote oxidative ATP synthesis in compensation for the delay in activation of glycolysis/glycogenolysis. It suggests altered regulation rather than structure of the muscle microcirculation. These changes appear to antedate the structural and biochemical changes seen in muscle from patients with established diabetes.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗

PubMed1997

High serum D-lactate in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: As abnormally high serum D-lactate levels may cause neurological impairment, we determined whether patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with lactate-containing fluids have increased serum D-lactate concentrations. METHODS: D- and L-lactate concentrations were determined in peritoneal dialysis fluids and in serum from control subjects (n = 10), haemodialysis patients (n = 10), and CAPD patients (n = 30) before and after 1 h of dialysis. RESULTS: We found the median D-lactate concentration in Dianeal CAPD fluid to be 26 mM (range 19-27), whereas it was less than 0.5 mM in DPCA2 fluid. Control, haemodialysis, and CAPD (DPCA2) patient median serum D-lactate concentrations were below 0.07 mM. However, CAPD (Dianeal) patient serum D-lactate concentrations were 4-fold higher than controls (P < 0.0001), at 0.28 mM, an hour after instillation of D-lactate-containing fluid. Three patients, whose serum D-lactate averaged 0.59 mM, were found to have D-lactate concentrations at 0.22 mM after overnight cessation of dialysis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that CAPD with D-lactate-containing fluids raises serum D-lactate to abnormal levels.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Abnormal skeletal muscle bioenergetics in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the skeletal muscle metabolic manifestations of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. DESIGN: A case-control study. SETTING: 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the calf muscle was performed on volunteers from a centre specialising in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. PATIENTS: Five patients with abnormal beta myosin heavy chain protein in cardiac and skeletal muscle and five patients with a troponin T abnormality in cardiac muscle were compared with healthy controls. RESULTS: High energy phosphate metabolism in vivo was examined in a non-invasive manner. In resting muscle, the beta myosin heavy chain group had a higher ratio of phosphocreatine to ATP concentration (4.51 (SD 0.17)) than either the troponin T group (3.88 (0.42)) or controls (n = 16; 4.04 (0.40)). Exercise duration was reduced compared to controls, and during the fourth minute of exercise phosphocreatine depletion and muscle acidification were greater in both patient groups. After exercise, the recovery of phosphocreatine-an index of oxidative metabolic capacity of the muscle-was slower in the beta myosin heavy chain group (mean half time 0.65 (0.08) minutes) than in the troponin T group (0.60 (0.17) minutes) or controls (0.48 (0.14) minutes). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise metabolism was abnormal in both groups of subjects, and the affected contractile protein determined the metabolic changes in muscle at rest and during recovery. In patients with abnormal beta myosin heavy chain protein, there was a decrease in oxidative capacity consistent with the reduction in mitochondria reported in muscle biopsy studies of similar patients.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1997

Intracellular free magnesium concentrations in skeletal muscle in chronic uraemia.

Low intracellular free magnesium concentrations ([Mg2+]i) are associated with essential hypertension and may reflect a disordered cellular ionic environment. 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to study skeletal muscle [Mg2+]i in a group of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients and data were compared with a group of control subjects of similar age. Other data including the patients' blood pressure, medication and plasma biochemistry were collected. There was a significant inverse correlation of [Mg2+]i with systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) in the CRF population. In CRF [Mg2+]i was similar (0.52 +/- 0.01 mM, SEM) to controls (0.53 +/- 0.01 mM; p = 0.20), even if just the normotensive patients and controls were compared. There was no correlation of [Mg2+]i with plasma parathyroid hormone, total [Mg2+] or [Ca2+]. Similar to studies in subjects with essential hypertension, these data support a role for [Mg2+]i specifically, and an abnormal intracellular environment more generally, in the pathophysiology of hypertension in CRF.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The effect of propionyl L-carnitine on skeletal muscle metabolism in renal failure.

The effect of propionyl L-carnitine on skeletal muscle metabolism in chronic renal failure. Carnitine deficiency, resulting in defective oxidative ATP synthesis, has been implicated in the myopathy of chronic renal failure. Using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy we examined calf muscle metabolism in 10 dialysed patients before and after 8 weeks of propionyl L-carnitine (PLC) 2 g.p.o. daily. Resting phosphocreatine/ATP (4.41 +/- 0.20 [SEM]) decreased to normal control levels on PLC (3.98 +/- 0.14; controls 4.00 +/- 0.06). In contrast, there was no effect of PLC on aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of muscle during or following 2-10 min exercise. The maximal calculated oxidative capacity (Qmax) remained below normal (28 +/- 3 mM/min before and 24 +/- 3 mM/min after PLC; controls 49 +/- 3 mM/min). Qmax correlated positively with hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) after PLC (p < 0.03). Oxidative capacity assessed by phosphocreatine recovery T significantly improved with PLC administration (0.93 +/- 0.1 to 0.74 +/- 0.08 min) in those patients (n = 6) with [Hb] > 10 g/dl. [Hb] was rate limiting to oxidative metabolism in recovery from exercise but only following treatment with PLC. Patients with anemia or those subjects who use relatively more non-oxidatively synthesized ATP during exercise, do not respond to PLC. Oxidative metabolism did not normalize on PLC suggesting that anemia and carnitine deficiency are not the only causes of mitochondrial dysfunction in renal failure.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1997

Ageing: effects on oxidative function of skeletal muscle in vivo.

31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies were carried out on calf muscle of 144 normal male and female subjects age 20-83 years in order to investigate age-related changes in muscle metabolism. Compared to the young adults (20-29 years), oxidative capacity was higher in the children (6-12 years) and was significantly decreased in the elderly (70-83 years). In the adults, the intracellular pH change during exercise diminished with increasing age, resulting in higher calculated free [ADP] and possibly serving as an adaptive mechanism to stimulate mitochondrial ATP production. Children also had higher pH and [ADP] in exercise, but unlike results from the elderly, this was associated with higher oxidative capacity and more rapid metabolic recovery from exercise.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1996

Is pH a biochemical marker of IQ?

We have measured intracellular brain pH in vivo in 42 boys and found a significant correlation between this biochemical parameter and samples of intelligent behaviour. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported relation between a biochemical marker which is within normal physiological values and intellectual ability. pH is one of the most accurate parameters that can be measured by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy and it reflects sensitively cellular ionic status and metabolic activity. The observed correlation, although not implying a causal relation, raises the possibility that intelligent behaviour may be influenced by the ionic status of brain tissue, or vice versa.

Brain↗

PubMed1996

Regulation of oxidative and glycogenolytic ATP synthesis in exercising rat skeletal muscle studied by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements of pH and the concentrations of orthophosphate and phosphocreatine were used to estimate rates of glycogenolytic and oxidative ATP synthesis in rat leg muscle during 6 min sciatic nerve stimulation at different rates (1-4 Hz). To study the regulation of glycogenolysis during exercise, the apparent 'glycogenolytic capacity' (L(MAX)) was calculated from glycogenolytic ATP synthesis rate and orthophosphate concentration as a measure of the Ca2+-dependent activation of glycogen phosphorylase. This was found to be proportional to the total ATP synthesis rate (F), and to decline with time; expressed relative to total ATP turnover rate as L(MAX)/F, its initial value was 2.9+/-0.6, declining with half-time 1.4+/-0.4 min. The apparent 'mitochondrial capacity' (Q(MAX)), calculated from oxidative ATP synthesis rate and [ADP], was independent of ATP turnover rate, but increased with half-time 0.8+/-0.1 min to 29+/-2 mmol kg(-1) min(-1): thus [ADP] was the predominant but not the only influence on oxidative ATP synthesis. Numerical simulation shows that time-dependent changes in L(MAX)/F exert a strong influence on pH and on the concentrations of phosphocreatine and ADP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1996

Modulation of bryostatin 1 muscle toxicity by nifedipine: effects on muscle metabolism and oxygen supply.

Bryostatin 1, an anti-neoplastic agent and protein kinase C activator, has dose-limiting toxicity manifesting as myalgia. Studies in vivo have suggested that this myalgia may be caused by impairment of oxidative metabolism as mitochondrial capacity, muscle reoxygenation and proton washout from muscle are reduced by bryostatin, possibly as a result of vasoconstriction. To investigate these mechanisms further, and to enable use of bryostatin for prolonged periods, the effect of a vasodilator on the established effects of bryostatin on calf metabolism was studied using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy and near infrared spectroscopy. Six patients with disseminated melanoma were examined on four occasions: before and 1 week after initiation of long-term nifedipine (10 mg twice daily) treatment and then 4 and 48 h after bryostatin infusion (25 micrograms m(-2)). Nifedipine impaired muscle oxidative metabolism but had no effect on proton efflux or muscle reoxygenation rate. In the presence of nifedipine, two of the effects of bryostatin, impaired reoxygenation rate and reduced proton efflux, were abolished, but the impaired mitochondrial activity remained. These results show that nifedipine counteracted the vasoconstrictive effect of bryostatin 1. However, because nifedipine itself had an unexpected effect on mitochondrial metabolism, it was not possible to assess whether nifedipine modified bryostatin's effect on this variable. There was no additive detrimental effect of bryostatin on mitochondrial metabolism and nifedipine did not reduce the clinical toxicity of bryostatin 1, which cannot therefore be due to vasoconstriction.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Increased oxidative and delayed glycogenolytic ATP synthesis in exercising skeletal muscle of obese (insulin-resistant) Zucker rats.

1. To examine metabolic correlates of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, we used 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study glycogenolytic and oxidative ATP synthesis in leg muscle of lean and obese Zucker rats in vivo during 6 min sciatic nerve stimulation at 2 Hz. 2. The water content of resting muscle was reduced by 21 +/- 7% in obese (insulin-resistant) animals compared with lean animals, whereas the lipid content was increased by 140 +/- 70%. These results suggest that intracellular water content was reduced by 17% in obese animals. 3. During exercise, although twitch tensions were not significantly different in the two groups, rates of total ATP synthesis (expressed per litre of intracellular water) were 48 +/- 20% higher in obese animals, suggesting a 50 +/- 8% reduction in intrinsic "metabolic efficiency'. Changes in phosphocreatine and ADP concentration were significantly greater in obese animals than in lean animals, whereas changes in intracellular pH did not differ. 4. These results imply that oxidative ATP synthesis during exercise is activated earlier in obese animals than in lean animals. This difference was not fully accounted for by the greater increase in the concentration of the mitochondrial activating signal ADP. Neither the post-exercise recovery kinetics of phosphocreatine nor the muscle content of the mitochondrial marker enzyme citrate synthase was significantly different in the two groups. The increased oxidative ATP synthesis in exercise must therefore be due to altered kinetics of mitochondrial activation by signals other than ADP. 5. Thus, the insulin-resistant muscle of obese animals may compensate for its decreased efficiency (and consequent increased need for ATP) by increased reliance on oxidative ATP synthesis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1996

The effects of gemfibrozil upon the hypercoagulable state in dyslipidaemic patients with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: The dyslipidaemia of chronic renal disease could contribute to a hypercoagulable state by activation of blood coagulation and/or impairment of fibrinolysis, thereby increasing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. METHODS: We measured the coagulation activation marker prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 (F1 + 2), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI1), interleukin-6 (IL6), insulin, lipids and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), in 12 patients with chronic renal disease before and after gemfibrozil. RESULTS: Gemfibrozil significantly reduced triglycerides by 44% and increased HDL-cholesterol by 31% without significant change in LDL cholesterol. Before treatment, patients had increased F1 + 2, fibrinogen and IL6, but similar PAI1 compared with the controls, consistent with a hypercoagulable and persistent inflammatory state. Following treatment, F1 + 2 decreased to within the normal range and this reduction correlated with the decrease in triglycerides and inversely with the increase in HDL-cholesterol. A non-significant decrease in fibrinogen was inversely correlated with a significant increase in albumin. However, Lp(a) and PAI1 activity significantly increased whilst insulin and IL6 were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Gemfibrozil improved the uraemic dyslipidaemia and hypercoagulable state by reduction in activation of blood coagulation, indirectly suggesting a reduction in lipid-dependent extrinsic pathway activity which should contribute to reduced risk of thrombosis and CVD. Reduced fibrinogen and increased albumin are consistent with a reduction in the acute phase response. Increased PAI1 and Lp(a) could impair fibrinolysis and potentially increase CVD risk, although the mechanism for these effects is uncertain but does not appear related to cytokine or insulin mediated mechanisms and requires further study. Large prospective studies are required to determine if gemfibrozil can reduce CVD events in uraemia.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Effect of creatine on aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle in swimmers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a relatively low dose of creatine on skeletal muscle metabolism and oxygen supply in a group of training athletes. METHODS: 31P magnetic resonance and near-infrared spectroscopy were used to study calf muscle metabolism in a group of 10 female members of a university swimming team. Studies were performed before and after a six week period of training during which they took either 2 g creatine daily or placebo. Calf muscle metabolism and creatine/choline ratios were studied in resting muscle, during plantar flexion exercise (10-15 min), and during recovery from exercise. RESULTS: There was no effect of creatine on metabolite ratios at rest or on metabolism during exercise and recovery from exercise. Muscle oxygen supply and exercise performance were not improved by creatine if compared to placebo treated subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Oral creatine supplementation at 2 g daily has no effect on muscle creatine concentration, muscle oxygen supply or muscle aerobic or anaerobic metabolism during endurance exercise.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1996

Abnormalities in exercising skeletal muscle in congestive heart failure can be explained in terms of decreased mitochondrial ATP synthesis, reduced metabolic efficiency, and increased glycogenolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To distinguish between the effects of reduced oxidative capacity and reduced metabolic efficiency on skeletal muscle bioenergetics during exercise in patients with congestive heart failure. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Patients were studied by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy during aerobic exercise and recovery, and results compared with controls. RESULTS: In flexor digitorum superficialis muscle (26 patients) there was a 30% decrease in oxidative capacity compared with control (mean (SE) 36 (2) v 51 (4) mM/min) and also a 40% decrease in "effective muscle mass" (5 (1) v 9 (1) arbitrary units), probably at least partly the result of reduced metabolic efficiency. Both contribute to increased phosphocreatine depletion and intracellular acidosis during exercise. However, an increased concentration of ADP (an important mitochondrial regulator) during exercise permitted near-normal rates of oxidative ATP synthesis. Results were similar in gastrocnemius muscle (20 patients), with a 30% decrease in maximum oxidative capacity (29 (4) v 39 (3) mM/min) and a 65% decrease in effective muscle mass (5 (1) v 13 (2) arbitrary units). Exercise training improved maximum oxidative capacity in both muscles, and in gastrocnemius effective muscle mass also. CONCLUSIONS: Skeletal muscle exercise abnormalities in patients with congestive heart failure results more from decreased metabolic efficiency than from the abnormalities in mitochondrial oxidation. Both decreased efficiency and defective mitochondrial oxidation result in an increased activation of glycogen phosphorylase, and may be improved by exercise training.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1996

Effect of parathyroid hormone on rat skeletal muscle in vivo.

The secondary hyperparathyroidism of chronic renal failure has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic abnormalities in skeletal muscle. We studied the muscle metabolism in a model of hyperparathyroidism (Wistar rats injected with parathyroid hormone or saline for 4 days). 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy allowed measurements of the concentration of cytosolic metabolically active inorganic phosphate [Pi] at rest and the rates of oxidative and anaerobic adenosine triphosphate turnover during exercise and recovery. Parathyroid hormone caused significant reductions in plasma [Pi] and intracellular [Pi], but had no effect upon oxidative or glycogenolytic adenosine triphosphate turnover.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗