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Biomedical subjects

D Lemonnier

Publications and source records attributed to D Lemonnier.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Value of serum transthyretin measurements in the assessment of marginal protein-energy malnutrition in rats.

The influence of a wide range of protein and/or energy intakes on the serum level of rat transthyretin was studied. Young and adult rats were fed ad libitum diets containing 18, 9, 6, 4 and 0.5% protein (wt/wt) or were fed a control diet in restricted amounts. The transthyretin level was lower in young rats and was normal or slightly higher in adult rats fed low protein diets than in those fed the 18% protein diet. It was decreased with decreasing energy intake in all energy-restricted rats. Moderate energy restriction in rats fed equivalent amounts of protein also lowered the transthyretin level. Rats with similar body weights and similar protein intakes showed marked differences in serum transthyretin level, depending on the amount of energy consumed. Serum transthyretin changes were discussed in relation to the level of transthyretin in cerebrospinal fluid and to the serum concentration of albumin, transferrin and thyroid hormones. The results show that serum transthyretin is more closely related to the protein and energy intakes than to the protein and energy content of the diet. Our results indicate that serum transthyretin measurement is a reliable marker in the detection of early moderate and severe protein-energy restriction.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Ureteropelvic junction syndrome. Apropos of 59 cases diagnosed with fetal echography].

We reviewed 59 cases of ureteropelvic junction obstruction diagnosed in 55 fetuses by echographic examination during prenatal period between 1981 and 1987. Postnatal excretory urograms and voiding cysto urethrography were obtained in all patients. Quantitative renal scans with 99 m technetium labeled dimercaptosuccinic acid or 99 m technetium labeled diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid were used in 49 patients and demonstrated a renal impairment in 19 cases (38%). 8 neonates were not operated, 1 required unilateral nephrectomy and 50 were treated by the Anderson-Hynes surgical procedure. 46 (92%) among those 50 obtained a significant improvement of pelvi-caliceal dilatation or excretion; 4 (8%) only a stabilisation. Early recognition of congenital hydronephrosis is now very common. After birth renal scans provided better estimation of renal function than excretory urograms but for the graduation of the obstruction the data did not appear to be always reliable (10% of false negatives in this study). The real problem is to know within which period of time the neonates whose renal function is impaired need surgery. In our study that question cannot be given a definitive answer because of too few post operative renal scans. However, we think, just as literature data tend to prove, that those neonates required early surgery if normal renal function is to be obtained.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Effect of an hypercholesterolemic diet on the level of several serum lipids and apolipoproteins in nine rat strains.

To detect the response of different strains of rats to an hypercholesterolemic diet, 9 different strains of male rats were fed successively a control diet (C) containing 20% casein for 4 weeks, then a high-protein, cholesterol-rich diet (HC) containing 50% casein and 1.2% cholesterol for 12 weeks. When the rats were fed the control diet, the highest cholesterolemia was found in the LOU strain and the lowest in the WAG and Brown-Norway (BN) strains. The latter strain had the highest free to esterified cholesterol ratio and showed a marked band in beta position (LDL) on agarose gel electrophoresis. Administration of the HC diet induced an increase of cholesterolemia in all the strains except in Fisher (FIS) and LOU. This hypercholesterolemic diet decreased the free to esterified cholesterol ratio only in the BN and FIS strains. On agarose gel, all the strains showed a highly increased band in pre-beta position (VLDL). On polyacrylamide gel, a single, tight band in HDL position was revealed in the BN strain, while a large band or two bands were seen in the other strains. The percentages of some apoproteins in serum total lipoproteins were determined in rats fed the HC diet; the apoprotein E level was inversely correlated to the difference between the cholesterolemia of the rats given the HC and C diets (r = - 0.72; P less than 0.05). So, the BN rats had the lowest apo E level with the highest cholesterolemia increase due to the HC diet.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Thyroxine-binding prealbumin, overnutrition and apolipoprotein A1.

Thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA) seems to be more useful than other biochemical markers for the detection of subclinical protein-energy malnutrition. Accordingly, one can question whether its sensitivity to nutritional supply could be used in healthy populations for the discrimination of groups with low or high energy intakes; if such were the case, could TBPA serve as an index of overnutrition? In order to answer these questions, we measured TBPA circulating levels in three groups of healthy French subjects from a working population, with relatively low, medium or high levels of energy intake. We also observed the correlations of this protein with nutrient intakes and with some biological parameters related to the general nutritional status of the subjects. The observed figures did not support the hypothesis that TBPA could be used to discriminate healthy subjects with relatively low or high energy intake nor as an index of overnutrition. This study disclosed a positive relation of TBPA with alcohol consumption and related parameters such as body mass index or gamma-glutamyl transferase as well as a negative one with alpha 2-globulin and gamma-globulin. Other investigators have found similar results in chronic alcoholics, surgical patients, or patients suffering from severe illnesses such as cancer. Here, the study population consisted of adult men, neither undernourished nor suffering from any severe pathology and who could not be considered excessive drinkers. Positive relations were also observed between TBPA and apolipoprotein A1 and HDL cholesterol levels, which are negatively associated with coronary heart disease risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Thymulin (Zn-facteur thymique serique) activity in anorexia nervosa patients.

Thymulin (or FTS-Zn) a well-defined thymic hormone was studied in fifteen female patients hospitalized for anorexia nervosa. The circulating hormone was measured together with the plasma levels of thyroid hormones, cortisol and zinc. Thymulin activity determined by the rosette assay was significantly reduced in the anorexia nervosa patients compared to sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects. The patients were characterized by very depressed plasma levels of triiodothyronine (T3) but exhibited normal concentrations of thyroxine (T4), thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), cortisol and zinc. The distribution of their peripheral lymphocyte cells into several subsets was not affected. The observed decrease of thymulin activity in this illness might be the consequence of thymic atrophy secondary to malnutrition and/or hormonal disturbances. Our results suggested that the fall in thymulin level might explain the variability of cellular immune responses in anorexia nervosa patients and occurrence of energy when their weight loss is far advanced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Description of a new model of genetic obesity: the dbPas mouse.

A new strain of genetically obese mouse, the dbPas mouse, has been studied in terms of fat pad cellularity, serum parameters and thermogenesis. This obesity was observed in the inbred DW strain of mice at the Institut Pasteur-France, and is due to a recessive mutation on chromosome 4 at the diabetes locus. The mice became grossly obese, gaining weight until at least 16 mo of age. By 6 mo of age they exhibited hyperphagia, hypercholesterolemia, severe hyperinsulinemia, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of adipocytes, and impaired fertility. In contrast with other diabetic strains of mice, glycemia was normal in females and slightly elevated in males. This result indicates that the mutation of the db locus does not necessarily lead to a frank diabetes. Body temperature was normal either at 22 degrees C or after a cold exposure at 4 degrees C. GDP (guanosine diphosphate) binding to brown adipose tissue mitochondria was normal in obese mice as compared to lean. These data differentiate this model from other genetic obesities in mice and rats. This new model of genetic obesity offers interesting characteristics for the study of obesity.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1985

Variations in plasma thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA) in relation to other circulating proteins in post-operative patients during rapid oral refeeding.

Variations in plasma thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA) were investigated in 15 well-nourished patients who underwent minor orthopaedic surgery and resumed normal oral feeding on the first post-operative day. TBPA fluctuations were analysed together with those of other nutritional and inflammatory markers including albumin (ALB), some acute-phase reactant proteins, C-reactive protein (CRP), orosomucoid also named alpha 1-acid-glycoprotein (alpha 1GP), alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) as well as cortisol and haematocrit. Measurements were conducted the day before operation, after the administration of anaesthesia, 2 h after the patient regained consciousness and then daily for a period of one week (days 1 to 7). Assays showed that TBPA and ALB levels began to decline by day 1 reaching minimum values by day 3 (with 35 and 15 per cent total decreases respectively compared to the initial levels). CRP levels began to rise on day 1 reaching maximum levels by day 2, alpha 1 GP and alpha 1 AT started to increase on day 1 and 2 respectively and displayed maximum concentrations by day 3. Cortisol, on the other hand, showed a rapid, yet short-lived increase after the patient regained consciousness on the day of operation. Haematocrit levels decreased from day 1 to day 3 and these low values were maintained until the end of the study. Aside from cortisol and CRP, the initial levels of the other parameters were not yet restored by day 7. These results show that despite an early return to normal oral feeding in post-operative patients, the commonly observed pattern of variation in TBPA levels persisted, indicating that such a pattern seems to be mainly influenced by stress-induced post-operative responses rather than by nutritional supply.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

In vivo and in vitro studies of thymulin in marginally zinc-deficient mice.

Thymulin (or serum thymic factor, FTS-Zn), a well-defined thymic hormone previously shown to be a nonapeptide binding the metal zinc, was studied in mice subjected to a long-term marginally Zn-deficient diet. In spite of the absence of thymic atrophy, we observed a significant decrease in the serum levels of thymulin as early as two months after the onset of treatment. However, these levels could be consistently restored after in vitro addition of ZnCl2. The analysis of thymuses from Zn-deficient mice showed that, despite the apparently normal network of epithelial cells, there was a progressive increase in the number of thymulin -containing cells (assessed by immunofluorescence with anti- thymulin monoclonal antibodies) that was already significant after two months of treatment. These results are in keeping with those of previous investigators, showing a specific, altered, thymic endocrine function following Zn deprivation. Nonetheless, our results strongly suggest that the nonactive Zn-deprived peptide is secreted under these experimental conditions. Furthermore, the fact that the augmented numbers of thymulin -containing cells were observed in the thymuses following a decrease in the peripheral thymulin (biologically active) brings further evidence for the existence of a feedback mechanism for the secretion of this hormone.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Dietary-induced obesity: effect of dietary fats on adipose tissue cellularity in mice.

1. Male and female mice, 4 weeks old, were fed ad lib. diets containing various amounts of lard (0-300 g/kg) or various kinds of dietary fats (300 g/kg) for 13 weeks. Fat cell number and size were determined by a histological method in three different adipose sites. 2. Lard at 200 g/kg diet (43% energy from lipids) was sufficient to promote fat cell hyperplasia in the parametrial fat. Hyperplasia was also observed in the subcutaneous fat in males. The relationship between fat cell hypertrophy and the level of lard in the diet was dependent on site and sex. 3. Obesity was produced whatever the kind of dietary fat eaten: lard, beef tallow, sunflower oil or soya-bean oil. In the subcutaneous depot of males given lard, fat cell size and number were increased, but only cell hypertrophy was observed in those given soya-bean oil. In the female groups of mice fat cell hyperplasia or hypertrophy or both were related to the adipose site but not the kind of dietary fat. 4. It is concluded that dietary fats of different origin can induce obesity in mice. The effects on adipose tissue cellularity depend on the levels and kind of fat eaten, the adipose site and sex.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1983

Effects of whey protein, casein, soya-bean and sunflower proteins on the serum, tissue and faecal steroids in rats.

Four groups of rats were fed for 49 d on one of four semi-purified diets, without added cholesterol and containing 230 g/kg of the following isolated proteins: casein, whey, soya-bean or sunflower. Whey, soya-bean and sunflower proteins, when compared with casein, decreased the level of serum high-density-lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. These low cholesterol levels were accompanied by an increase in the daily faecal excretion of neutral sterols and bile acids in the case of soya-bean protein, and by a decrease in the liver cholesterol content, when rats were fed on whey protein. Considering the amino acid composition of the four purified proteins, we observed that serum total and HDL-cholesterol levels had a significant positive correlation with tyrosine and glutamic acid, and a negative correlation with cystine and alanine. The present study showed that the hypocholesterolaemic effect of dietary proteins was not related to their animal or vegetable origin.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Early nutritional experiments: effects on the humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of varying intake during the suckling period on the immune responses of mice. Female mice were bred in litters of 4, 9 or 20 pups. Litters of nine pups were considered control groups. Overfeeding (litters of 4) during this period did not change the serum protein profile nor the humoral and cellular immunity of the weanling mice, as judged by their plaque-forming cell responses to SRBC and lymphocyte stimulation in vitro by Con A or LPS. Conversely, mice bred in large litters showed, at weaning, decreased serum levels of albumin and alpha-globulins but did not exhibit marked alterations of their immune responses, although they were in a severe state of protein-energy deficiency. After weaning, feeding a normal diet ad libitum normalized all the altered parameters tested in the malnourished mice. However, when malnutrition was followed by intermittent feeding, the studied immunological functions were significantly affected: the humoral, as well as the cell-mediated immune responses were depressed. These observed alterations were not related to changes in the levels of serum corticosterone or zinc. Our findings suggested that differences in the length of dietary deficiency rather than its severity may explain some of the conflicts in reports on functional immune tests in protein-energy malnutrition.

Aging↗
PubMed1983

[Effect of moderate protein-calorie deprivation on cell-mediated immunity in mice].

Mild protein-calorie deprivation in mice decreases their early nonspecific inflammatory response to an injection of BCG or tuberculin into the footpad. After an injection of BCG, the size of the granuloma and the delayed hypersensitivity reaction to tuberculin significantly decreased. This decrease in cell-mediated immunity was paradoxically accompanied by a fall in bacillus multiplication at the popliteal ganglion, i.e. the site of BCG injection. A reduction in microbial multiplication was also observed in the spleen after intraperitoneal injection of Listeria and in the liver after intravenous injection.

Aging↗
PubMed1982

Effect of early postnatal under- and overnutrition on the development of IgA plasma cells in mouse gut.

Development of gut IgA plasma cells was studied in early postnatal under- and overnutrition. Female mice were allowed to suckle in litters of 4, 9 or 20 pups to produce a state of obesity (litter of 4) or protein-energy malnutrition (litters of 20). Litters of nine were considered as control groups. Overfeeding during the suckling period did not change the development and the number of IgA plasma cells of the small intestine. By contrast, the weanling protein-energy malnourished mice had shorter intestines, reduced weight of gut mucosal, muscular and serosal layers and reduced length of villi. However, protein-energy malnutrition, when limited to the suckling period, had no marked effect on the development of IgA plasma cells. A diminished number of these cells was observed only when a more severe and prolonged state of malnutrition was induced.

Animal Population Groups↗
PubMed1982

Early cholesterol feeding: are there long-term effects in the rat?

The effects of exposure to cholesterol in early life on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in adult rats were investigated. Experiment 1: dams and their offspring received either a control or a cholesterol-enriched diet during gestation and lactation; at 7 weeks of age half of the rats fed each diet were switched to the other diet for 50 weeks. Experiment 2: adult males 6 months old were fed one of the 2 experimental diets for 10 weeks, at which time half of the rats in each group were switched to the other diet for 50 weeks. Cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids were determined in liver, serum, heart and aorta at different ages. In both experiments, feeding a cholesterol-enriched diet induced an increase in serum and liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but serum phospholipid levels were not influenced by diet. The cholesterol-enriched diet induced a decrease in liver phospholipid levels. Old rats (experiment 2) fed the cholesterol-enriched diet exhibited higher heart cholesterol level than controls. In experiment 1 rats fed the cholesterol-enriched diet in early life and thereafter had lower heart triglyceride levels than the 3 other groups and lower liver triglyceride levels that rats fed control diet in early life and cholesterol diet at 7 weeks. In both experiments, cholesterolemia was not influenced by the diet fed at the beginning of the test. The results indicate that cholesterol given in early life does not protect against diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in adult rats.

Aging↗
PubMed1980

Effect of diet and ovariectomy on adipose tissue cellularity in mice.

Three-week old female mice were ovariectomized. From weaning at 4 weeks they were fed either a control or a high fat diet. When 32 weeks old, the ovariectomized mice weighed more than the sham-operated ones, whichever diet they were fed. Food intake decreased 140 days after castration. Ovariectomized mice fed the control diet showed fat cell hypertrophy at three sites and hyperplasia of the perirenal tissue. In mice fed the fat-rich diet, ovariectomy only caused further hypertrophy in the subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissue.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1980

Long-term morphological and metabolic effects of early under- and over-nutrition in mice.

Milk intake of mouse pups was controlled by adjusting litter size at birth to four, nine or 20 pups. Litters of nine were considered as control groups. In adult animals many differences were seen among the three groups which had received the same diet ad libitum after weaning. Differences in body lipids largely accounted for the differences in body weight in both males and females. In parametrial adipose tissue, adipose cells, compared to those of controls, were enlarged and more numerous in mice from small litters, and smaller and less numerous in mice from large litters. After an overnight fast, the insulin response to glucose loading was highest in the obese group of mice, while it was absent in the lean group, suggesting permanent impairment in the secretion of insulin. Liver slices from animals which were bred in small litters incorporated more [U14C]-glucose into triglyceride moieties and cholesterol esters. Some of the metabolic changes in adipose tissue were related to cell size. With increasing litter size, glucose was incorporated into glycogen in muscle to a greater extent. Thus early feeding patterns induced permanent morphological, metabolic and hormonal changes in adults. Animals overfed in early life became obese and underfed animals remained lean when adults.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1980

[Comparative effects of a diet enriched in live or heated yogurt on the immune system of the mouse].

Growth was fastest in mice fed yogurt. There was no difference in the effects of live or heated yogurt on the ponderal curve or the organ weight of vaccinated or unvaccinated mice. Sera antitoxin levels were slightly elevated in animals fed live yogurt and given an antitetanus vaccination at the particular concentrations used. Significantly high IgG2a immunoglobulin levels were found only in unvaccinated mice fed live yogurt. Histological examination before, and particularly after, antitetanus vaccination confirmed these findings in the thymus and especially in the spleen.

Animals↗