Biomedical subjects

E Carstensen

Publications and source records attributed to E Carstensen.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Intracellular pH, intrauterine growth and the insulin resistance syndrome.

Defects of both sodium-hydrogen exchange (NHE) and sodium-lithium countertransport (SLC) have been described in subjects at increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Sodium transport is linked to the regulation of cell volume, intracellular pH and cell growth, which may explain aspects of this association. However, impaired growth in early life is also linked to adult CHD, and 'programmed' alterations of cell behaviour are postulated to be responsible for this. In this study, therefore, we examined whether NHE or SLC in adults are predicted by anthropometric measures at birth, as well as being associated with insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) variables in adulthood. Red cell SLC was measured in 26 adults, and NHE in dermal fibroblasts from another 15 subjects characterized anthropometrically at birth. SLC activity correlated with LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and urate (r=0.42 - 0.49; 0.05 > P>0.01), but not birth anthropometry. NHE V(max) correlated with plasma insulin (r=0.80; P<0.001), but birth weight was unrelated to V(max), K(m) or Hill coefficient for H(i)(+). However, pH(i) correlated with birth weight (r=0.74; P=0.002), insulin sensitivity (r=0.52; P<0.05), fasting glucose (r=-0.52; P<0.05) 2 h insulin (r=0.51; P<0.05) 2 h glucose (r=-0.54; P<0.05). In conclusion, red cell SLC is related to IRS variables, but not with birth weight measures. In contrast, low intracellular pH(i) is related to both low birth weight and adult insulin resistance, suggesting it might be a 'programmed' cell phenotype, although this is not apparently explained by altered NHE kinetics.

Anthropometry↗

PubMed1995

Longitudinal study of associations of microalbuminuria with the insulin resistance syndrome and sodium-lithium countertransport in nondiabetic subjects.

Microalbuminuria in diabetic patients is associated with ischemic heart disease and insulin resistance. We previously found a 9% prevalence of microalbuminuria in a nondiabetic population that we have reassessed, investigating associations of microalbuminuria with hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and sodium-lithium countertransport. Of 125 subjects reexamined, 42 had been microalbuminuric 3 years previously. Twelve of these (29%) were microalbuminuric on at least one sample at follow-up, and 30 (76%) were normoalbuminuric on two. Of the 79 previously normoalbuminuric subjects, 12 (15%) became microalbuminuric on one sample, while 67 (85%) remained normoalbuminuric. Subjects who were microalbuminuric at both screening and recall were older (mean +/- SD, 65.9 +/- 11 versus 59.1 +/- 10.2 years, P = .04), with a higher waist-to-hip ratio (0.93 +/- 0.09 versus 0.86 +/- 0.08, P = .008) and at recall, on univariate analysis, had higher specific insulin (44.2 [range, 16.9 to 157.0] versus 28.4 [7.4 to 129.0] pmol/L, P = .005), intact proinsulin (5.1 [1.5 to 11.0] versus 3.0 [0.8 to 14.6] pmol/L, P = .003), and des-31,32-proinsulin (5.0 [0.5 to 9.8] versus 1.0 [0.5 to 12.2] pmol/L, P = .004) concentrations. There was also a significant difference in des-31,32-proinsulin concentration, after adjustment for covariates (P = .013), between subjects classified either as microalbuminuric or as normoalbuminuric at screening. There was no difference in body mass index; fasting blood glucose; systolic or diastolic blood pressure; total, HDL, or LDL cholesterol; triglycerides; plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; or sodium-lithium countertransport activity between consistently normoalbuminuric and persistently microalbuminuric subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1995

The contribution of the sympathoadrenomedullary system to the etiology of essential hypertension: a study using plasma and platelet catecholamine concentrations.

Platelets take up and store noradrenaline and adrenaline in proportion to plasma concentrations and may, therefore, provide an integrated index of sympathoadrenomedullary arousal. Plasma and platelet catecholamine concentrations were measured in 290 European and 155 Asian subjects, and were related to blood pressure, insulin levels, and social class. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both ethnic groups (r = 0.20-0.30), and these levels were significantly elevated in hypertensive subjects (P < 0.003). In Europeans, but not in Asians, these relationships remained significant after adjusting for age and gender, and were independent of the relationship between insulin and blood pressure. There were much weaker relationships between platelet catecholamine concentrations and blood pressure, which were dependent on age and gender as covariates. In neither ethnic group was there any relationship of either plasma or platelet catecholamine concentrations with insulin concentrations, body mass index, or glucose intolerance. European subjects in manual occupations had significantly higher concentrations of plasma noradrenaline than those with nonmanual occupations. The findings suggest a significant role for the sympathetic nervous system in the determination of blood pressure, but do not provide evidence for a connection between hyperinsulinemia and sympathetic nervous system activity. The role of platelet catecholamines as an epidemiological marker of stress has not been supported.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Platelet catecholamine concentrations after short-term stress in normal subjects.

1. Four studies were designed to test the hypothesis that platelet catecholamine levels may provide a stable index of circulating plasma catecholamine concentrations, and that these are unaffected by acute elevations of plasma levels with physical and psychological stress. 2. To assess the biological variability within individuals, ten subjects were sampled on five occasions over 8-30 h. The intra-individual coefficients of variation for plasma and platelet noradrenaline levels were 19.5 +/- 10% and 9.5 +/- 4.2%, respectively, and for plasma and platelet adrenaline levels 48.3 +/- 22% and 25.3 +/- 8.4%, respectively. 3. Three other studies investigating the response to physical and psychological stress were performed. In the first study, plasma and platelet catecholamine levels were studied in 12 healthy subjects before and after bicycle ergometry. Plasma catecholamine concentrations increased [noradrenaline by +346 +/- 323% (P = 0.002) and adrenaline by +314 +/- 352% (P = 0.003)], whereas platelet concentrations showed little change [noradrenaline +4 +/- 18% (P = 0.94) and adrenaline +38 +/- 116% (P = 0.67)]. 4. In the study, catecholamine concentrations were measured in eight subjects after hand immersion in iced water. Plasma noradrenaline concentrations increased significantly (+58 +/- 19%, P = 0.001), but no significant change was found in plasma adrenaline concentrations (+8 +/- 44%, P = 0.48). Platelet catecholamine concentrations showed no significant change (noradrenaline +15 +/- 15%, P = 0.052, and adrenaline 19 +/- 82%, P = 0.84). 5. In the third study, catecholamine concentrations were measured in 22 medical students before and after their end-of-year examination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Pressure threshold for shock wave induced renal hemorrhage.

Studies were performed with an interest in determining a pressure threshold for extracorporeal shock wave induced renal damage. Histological evidence of intraparenchymal hemorrhage was used as an indicator of tissue trauma. Depilated C3H mice were anesthetized and placed on a special frame to enhance visualization and treatment of the kidneys in situ. A Wolf electrohydraulic generator and 9 French probe designed for endoscopic use were utilized to expose the kidneys to 10 double spherically divergent shock waves. Measurements of the shock waves revealed two positive pressure peaks of similar magnitude for each spark discharge. The kidneys were exposed to different peak pressures by choice of distance from the spark source and were removed immediately after treatment for histologic processing. A dose response was noted with severe corticomedullary damage apparent following 15 to 20 MPa shocks. Hemorrhage was more apparent in the medulla where evidence of damage could be seen following pressures as low as three to five MPa. When a latex membrane was interposed to prevent possible collapse of the initial bubble from the spark source against the skin surface, histological evaluation revealed substantial reduction of severe tissue damage associated with the highest pressures tested, 20 MPa. However, the threshold level for evidence of hemorrhage remained about three to five MPa. Hydrophonic measurements indicated that the membrane allowed transmission of the acoustic shock waves and suggested that collapse of the bubble generated by electrohydraulic probes may have local effects due to a cavitation-like mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed1980

[Surgical treatment of chest wall tuberculosis].

Of 5000 patients with skeleton tuberculosis, 85 also had chest tuberculosis (= 1.7%). Chest tuberculosis in most cases begins with local pleural tuberculosis originating from a former moist pleurisy. The 5th rib is preferably involved, occasionally several ribs simultaneously. The gradual development of the abscess of the thoracic wall is mostly not recognized. Abscess incision only does not lead to recovery. Fistulas will be the result. Partial resection of the involved rib together with local decortication of the pleura is according to our experience the optimal therapy to obtain good results.

Abscess↗

PubMed1975

[Injection therapy of the prostate in prostatic tuberculosis].

Oral therapy of prostatic tuberculosis so far has only been able to achieve conversion in one-fifth of the cases. Since 1970 we have practiced the transcutaneous injection of the prostate and have achieved conversion in all cases within a short time. Injection of 1 g Streptomycin and 0.1 g INH twice a week over a period of four to five weeks was carried out in 90 patients. Complications contraindicating the treatment was not seen. The transcutaneous injection treatment of the prostate is indicated in all patients where cavernous changes in the prostate have been demonstrated by urethrography.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗

PubMed1972