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Biomedical subjects

D Olchovsky

Publications and source records attributed to D Olchovsky.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Increased hypothalamic content of preproneuropeptide-Y messenger ribonucleic acid in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) is a 36-amino acid C-terminally amidated peptide found within the hypothalamus that can potently stimulate carbohydrate feeding. Moreover, the hypothalamic content of NPY can be modulated by peripheral hetabolic status. To further evaluate the regulation of NPY synthesis in states of altered metabolic homeostasis, we measured the hypothalamic content of prepro-NPY mRNA in streptozocin (STZ)-diabetic, STZ-diabetic insulin-replaced, and control rats by both nuclease protection and in situ hybridization analyses. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single injection of STZ (100 mg/kg, ip) or citric acid (control). Beginning 72 h later one group of STZ-treated animals received daily injections of insulin (4 U Ultralente/day). All animals were killed 17-19 days after STZ or control treatment. STZ-treated animals were hyperglycernic and showed growth failure compared to control rats. Glycemic control was restored by insulin replacement, as was partial growth. Nuclease protection analysis revealed an approximately 3- to 4-fold increase in prepro-NPY mRNA levels in the samples from STZ-treated rats vs. control. This increase was returned to control values by insulin replacement. In situ hybridization analysis revealed the STZ-induced increase in hypothalamic prepro-NPY mRNA was detectable in the arcuate nucleus at levels that were in agreement with the nuclease protection results, but that NPY expression in other brain regions appeared to be either unaffected or decreased after STZ treatment. These data suggest that hypothalamic NPY expression is modulated by peripheral metabolic status and provide further explanation for the hyperphagia accompanying STZ-induced diabetes.

Animals↗

Influence of food deprivation in the rat on hypothalamic expression of growth hormone-releasing factor and somatostatin.

Food deprivation in the rat is associated with a reduction in serum GH levels characterized by suppression of high amplitude GH bursts and a decrease in the duration of secretory episodes. The mechanism(s) mediating this response is unknown. The present studies were designed to evaluate the role of hypothalamic factors potentially responsible for abnormal GH dynamics in food-deprived rats by measuring hypothalamic prepro-GH-releasing factor (GRF) and preprosomatostatin (SRIF) mRNA and peptide levels in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats after 72 h of food deprivation or free access to food. Hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA was reduced 80% in food-deprived rats compared to that in fed controls (P less than 0.001), while GRF content was unchanged. Levels of prepro-SRIF mRNA in food-deprived rats were similar to those in controls, as was hypothalamic SRIF content. The time course of hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA reduction was determined in groups of rats food-deprived for 24, 48, or 72 h and revealed a significant (30%) reduction of prepro-GRF mRNA (P less than 0.05 vs. fed) by 24 h, with maximal reduction (80%) by 48 h. Refeeding groups of animals for up to 72 h after they had been food-deprived for 72 h resulted in restoration of prepro-GRF mRNA levels to 50% of control levels by 24 h (P less than 0.05 vs. fed) and a return to control values by 48 h. These data suggest that decreased GRF gene expression and possibly GRF release play a major role in the loss of pulsatile GH secretion seen in this model of nutrient deprivation.

Animal Feed↗

[Treatment of hyperprolactinemia and acromegaly with lisuride].

17 hyperprolactinemic and 2 acromegalic patients, aged 19-73, and 47 and 59 years, respectively, were treated with Lisuride (dopergin). 12 of the hyperprolactinemic patients were treated with Lisuride because they could not tolerate the side effects of bromocriptine (Group A), and the other 5 because large doses of bromocriptine failed to reduce their plasma prolactin to normal (Group B). The 2 acromegalic men, were treated with Lisuride because of persistently high levels of growth hormone after hypophysectomy and irradiation of the sella turcica, and because of intolerance to bromocriptine. Lisuride reduced prolactin to normal in 11 of the 12 in Group A (from 217 +/- 175 to 27 +/- 10 micrograms/l, p less than 0.01) and reduced it in the last patient from 3900 to 270 micrograms/l. The prolactin-lowering effect of Lisuride was unsatisfactory in Group B since like bromocriptine, it failed to reduce prolactin levels. One of the acromegalics improved both clinically and biochemically and growth hormone levels were reduced from 56 to 18 ng/ml, while the other did not respond to Lisuride. Its main side effects were somnolence, nausea, and increased appetite (4 patients). These effects lasted only a few weeks. One patient stopped Lisuride because of severe constipation, which had been caused by bromocriptine as well. Lisuride is an effective drug in hyperprolactinemia, especially in those with severe side effects after other dopaminergic drugs. It is effective in some cases of acromegaly, but has little to offer to those resistant to bromocriptine.

Acromegaly↗

Thiazide-induced hyponatremia: an unusual neurologic course.

We have presented a case of thiazide-induced hyponatremia that followed an unusual course after the patient, suffering from extreme lethargy, was admitted with a serum sodium concentration of 104 mEq/L. Although the electrolyte imbalance was essentially corrected within 20 hours and there was clinical improvement, three days later the patient suddenly lost consciousness. She was comatose for more than a month, apparently from extrapontine myelinolysis. After a dramatic improvement, the patient was discharged with almost no neurologic deficit.

Acute Disease↗

Urolithiasis in acromegaly.

Hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and hyperphosphatemia are common findings in acromegaly, yet there are only a few reports on the occurrence of urinary stones in these patients. We reviewed the files of 64 patients with acromegaly. A total of 8 patients had evidence of renal calculi: 4 patients underwent nephrolithotomy, 3 had stones which were seen on intravenous pyelography, and 1 patient voided a stone. Moreover, 2 other patients suffered from recurrent typical episodes of renal colic. In view of the high incidence of urolithiasis in our series we believe that more attention should be paid to detection of urinary stones in acromegalics to avoid further complications and suffering.

Acromegaly↗

Apathetic thyrotoxicosis due to hemorrhage into a hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule after excessive anticoagulation.

Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodule was diagnosed in a 72-year-old woman. When the nodule reached a diameter of 3.5 cm, overt thyrotoxicosis of the apathetic type was precipitated by hemorrhage into the nodule during a period of excessive anticoagulation. All abnormal physical signs and symptoms as well as laboratory findings returned to normal within a month, without any specific treatment. It was possible to follow this process by repeated B-mode sonographic examinations and thyroid scans.

Adenoma↗

Pleuro-pulmonary manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical features of its subgroups. Prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Correct identification of the subsets of pulmonary lupus has an unquestioned importance in planning the proper therapeutic regimen in this extremely variegated disease. Asymptomatic pulmonary lupus needs no treatment; however, pulmonary involvement in lupus may be life threatening, in which case prompt and aggressive treatment is mandatory. The different aspects of pulmonary lupus are demonstrated through the clinical histories of patients who suffered from pleuro-pulmonary lupus. The following entities are presented: lupus pneumonitis, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary embolism associated with circulating lupus anticoagulant, lupus pleuritis and weakness of the diaphragm.

Adult↗

Anorexia nervosa, laxative abuse, hypopotassemia and distal renal tubular acidosis.

A case of anorexia nervosa in a 28-year-old woman with laxative abuse, hypopotassemia and severe metabolic acidosis, is described. The diagnosis of classical renal tubular acidosis, Type I, was confirmed by our inability to decrease urinary pH beyond 5.5 and to increase ammonia excretion during an ammonium chloride loading test. A bicarbonate loading test and normal plasma aldosterone with high renin activity excluded proximal renal tubular acidosis, hyporeninemic-hypoaldosteronemic renal tubular acidosis and Bartter's syndrome. The inability to increase ammonium excretion during severe metabolic acidosis following ammonium chloride loading did not favor the possibility of a transient physiological adaptation of ammoniagenesis at the tubular cell level, related to potassium depletion. Although mental disorder, laxative abuse, abstinence from food intake and severe potassium depletion intermingled in a vicious cycle, we assume that one of the following possibilities may explain the clinical presentation in our patient: either two separated and unrelated disorders, or laxative abuse as the cause of renal tubular acidification impairment.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

Reduction of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion in FSH-producing pituitary adenoma by bromocriptine.

An FSH-secreting pituitary adenoma was demonstrated in a 32-yr-old man who presented with unilateral optic atrophy without any clinical or laboratory evidence of hypogonadism. Semen analysis was normal, although basal FSH levels were markedly elevated (greater than 80 mIU/ml). He had normal plasma LH levels and no other detectable endocrine abnormalities. Administration of GnRH elicited delayed and sustained FSH and brisk LH responses. Administration of TRH resulted in TSH and PRL responses and unexpected FSH and LH elevations. Two surgical operations resulted in temporary reduction of plasma FSH levels, but it increased later concomitant with CT demonstration of tumor growth. After pituitary irradiation, no reduction in FSH levels occurred. A single dose of 5 mg bromocriptine elicited a significant reduction in FSH levels from 137 to 64 mIU/ml. Long term treatment with 15 mg/day bromocriptine resulted in further reduction of FSH level, to 36.4 mIU/ml, without any change in tumor size. This finding implies that bromocriptine could be an adjunctive therapy or an alternative to other modes of treatment in patients with these rare tumors.

Adenoma↗

Rheumatoid arthritis-like syndrome: a presenting symptom of malignancy. Report of 3 cases and review of the literature.

Recent onset arthritis might be an early manifestation of an occult malignancy. Three patients are described: one with carcinoma, primary site unknown; one with oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus; and one with breast cancer. The presenting symptom of their disease was polyarthritis. Two of the patients were seropositive and in two patients the arthritis regressed following the removal of the tumor. Awareness of paraneoplastic arthritis, especially if its appearance is explosive or in relatively old age, should caution the physician of the possibility of a potentially curable, but hidden neoplasm.

Aged↗

Hyposplenism in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Hyposplenism, which is suggested by a typical peripheral blood smear and by the absence of splenic activity in a 99m Tc sulphur colloid scan, has been recently found to be associated with various diseases. This condition increases the susceptibility of patients to certain bacterial infections principally by pneumococci, meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae. The association of SLE and hyposplenism has not often been reported before; thus we see fit to report another such case. The administration of polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine is recommended in this condition.

Bacterial Vaccines↗

Finger clubbing associated with laxative abuse.

We have added two cases of finger clubbing in laxative-abusing patients to the four other cases recorded in the literature. Laxative abuse should be added to the already long list of diseases in which clubbing may appear. The pathophysiologic basis of clubbing is still obscure.

Adult↗

Transient post-partum hypothyroidism.

Transient hypothyroidism was observed in two young women a few months following childbirth. It is suggested that throughout their pregnancy they had already suffered from auto-immune thyroiditis, the symptoms of which were suppressed at that time, as found in many other auto-immune diseases. Being transient, post-partum hypothyroidism is an exception to the rule that treatment by thyroid hormone replacement should never be stopped in hypothyroidism. Post-partum hypothyroidism has to be considered in every suspected case of post-partum depression, because of the possible similarity in the clinical presentation.

Adult↗