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Biomedical subjects

F J Paula

Publications and source records attributed to F J Paula.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of metabolic control on parathyroid hormone secretion in diabetic patients.

The metabolic derangement caused by diabetes mellitus may potentially affect bone mineral metabolism. In the present study we evaluated the effect of diabetes metabolic control on parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion during stimulation with EDTA infusion. The study was conducted on 24 individuals, 8 of them normal subjects (group N: glycated hemoglobin - HbA1C = 4.2 +/- 0.2%; range = 3.5-5.0%), 8 patients with good and regular metabolic control (group G-R: HbA1C = 7.3 +/- 0.4%; range = 6.0-8.5%), and 8 patients with poor metabolic control (group P: HbA1C = 12.5 +/- 1.0%; range: 10.0-18.8%). Blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals throughout the study (a basal period of 30 min and a 2-h period of EDTA infusion, 30 mg/kg body weight) and used for the determination of ionized calcium, magnesium, glucose and intact PTH. Basal ionized calcium levels were slightly lower in group P (1.19 +/- 0.01 mmol/l) than in group N (1.21 +/- 0.01 mmol/l) and group G-R (1.22 +/- 0.01 mmol/l). After EDTA infusion, the three groups presented a significant fall in calcium, but with no significant difference among them at any time. Basal magnesium levels and levels determined during EDTA infusion were significantly lower (P<0.01) in group P than in group N. The induction of hypocalcemia caused an elevation in PTH which was similar in groups N and G-R but significantly higher than in group P throughout the infusion period (+110 min, N = 11.9 +/- 2.1 vs G-R = 13.7 +/- 1.6 vs P = 7.5 +/- 0.7 pmol/l; P<0.05 for P vs N and G-R). The present results show that PTH secretion is impaired in patients with poorly controlled diabetes.

Adult↗

Genotyping of the type II 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase gene (HSD3B2) in women with hirsutism and elevated ACTH-stimulated delta(5)-steroids.

OBJECTIVE: Genotyping of the HSD3B2 gene in females with hirsutism and elevated ACTH-stimulated Delta(5)-steroids. DESIGN: Fourteen adult females whose ACTH-stimulated 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17OH-PREG) levels were elevated (>/= 2.3 SD). SETTING: University hospital outpatient clinic and molecular endocrinology laboratory. PATIENT(S): Thirteen women with hirsutism and one with virilization. INTERVENTION(S): ACTH-stimulation test and genotyping of the HSD3B2 gene. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The four exons and exon-intron boundaries of the HSD3B2 gene were amplified by the use of polymerase chain reaction and were screened for mutations by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The fragments that were found to have abnormal migration on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis were directly sequenced. RESULT(S): No mutations were found in 13 patients who had mild to moderate elevations in ACTH-stimulated 17OH-PREG levels, and the T259M mutation was identified in the woman with virilization and extremely high 17OH-PREG levels. CONCLUSION(S): Mutations in the HSD3B2 gene were not found in women with hirsutism and mild-to-moderate elevations in ACTH-stimulated 17OH-PREG levels.

17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone↗

Effects of hypophosphatemia on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion.

Phosphate is an active participant in energy metabolism, and its deficiency has been associated with changes in insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. In the present study, we have investigated insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in individuals with moderate and acute phosphate deprivation and in patients with chronic hypophosphatemia. The individuals with dietary phosphate deprivation, evidenced by a significant reduction in phosphaturia from 232.3 +/- 37.1 to 56.8 +/- 23.9 mmol/24 hours, but with normal serum levels of inorganic phosphorus, presented circulating glucose and insulin levels similar to those of the pre-dietary period during the oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests. In contrast, patients with chronic hypophosphatemia (inorganic phosphorus < 0.65 mmol/l) presented in hyperinsulinemia during the postabsorptive state and during the early and late phases of insulin secretion after the oral and intravenous glucose stimulus. The physiological response of a fall in serum phosphate after glucose administration observed in individuals with chronic hypophosphatemia was similar to that of normal individuals. The presence of hyperinsulinemia both basally and after glucose stimulation, with normal glycemia, in phosphate-depleted individuals suggests that this condition is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity. However, severe phosphate deprivation is necessary for the manifestation of this undesirable association. The deviation of phosphate to the intracellular medium occurring after glucose administration in hypophosphatemic individuals is similar to that of normal individuals and explains the occurrence of severe hypophosphatemia in malnourished hypophosphatemic individuals when submitted to parenteral refeeding.

Administration, Oral↗

Peripheral glucose metabolism in human hyperprolactinaemia.

OBJECTIVE: Prolactin has important biological actions in several species which include metabolic control and water/electrolyte balance. However, human PRL has generally been characterized as a mammotrophic hormone and it is unknown whether PRL has any important metabolic actions. This study was thus conducted to evaluate the effect of hyperprolactinaemia on peripheral muscle glucose metabolism. DESIGN: The study was designed to determine forearm muscle glucose uptake and utilization (oxidative and non-oxidative metabolism) in normal and hyperprolactinaemic subjects in the post-absorptive state and for 3 hours after the ingestion of 75 g of glucose. Peripheral glucose metabolism was analysed by the forearm technique to estimate muscle exchange of substrates combined with local indirect calorimetry. PATIENTS: Eight hyperprolactinaemic patients (HP group, 6 females and 2 males) and ten normal subjects (N group, 7 females and 3 males) were studied. The hyperprolactinaemic patients showed no clinical or laboratory evidence of acromegaly or hypothyroidism and were not using any PRL releasing drugs. MEASUREMENTS: Forearm blood flow was measured by capacitance plethysmography and arterial and venous blood samples were drawn simultaneously to determine plasma glucose, serum FFA, total blood CO2 and O2 and serum insulin in the post-absorptive state (0 time) and at 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes after glucose ingestion. RESULTS: No significant difference in glucose uptake by the forearm muscle tissue was observed between the N and HP groups (823 +/- 103 vs 828 +/- 110 mumol/100 ml forearm 3 h, respectively), nor were any significant differences observed in the intracellular utilization of glucose (oxidative and non-oxidative metabolism). However, the serum insulin levels after glucose ingestion were significantly higher in hyperprolactinaemic patients than in normal subjects, especially at 30 (N 283 +/- 46 vs HP 581 +/- 133 pmol/l) and 60 minutes (N 291 +/- 37 vs HP 544 +/- 61 pmol/l). Furthermore, after glucose ingestion the suppression of serum FFA levels was smaller in the hyperprolactinaemic patients than in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that insulin resistance is associated with the presence of spontaneous human hyperprolactinaemia. The hyperinsulinaemia detected in the hyperprolactinaemic patients after the oral glucose stimulus did not determine a proportional increase in forearm glucose uptake and utilization, which were similar to the normal levels. The suppression of serum free fatty acid concentrations was also smaller in hyperprolactinaemic patients during the oral glucose challenge, suggesting an impaired antilipolytic effect of insulin.

Adult↗

Androgen-related effects on peripheral glucose metabolism in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

The study was designed to investigate the influence of androgens on peripheral glucose metabolism in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Nine normal women and seven women with CAH were studied (4 with the classical form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency [C 21-OH] and 3 with nonclassical 21-hydroxylase deficiency [NC 21-OH]). The study was performed using the forearm model combined with local indirect calorimetry. The insulin level reached 30 minutes after glucose ingestion was significantly greater (p < .05) in patients with CAH. The patients with C 21-OH had elevated androstenedione (A) and testosterone (T) and low DHEA-S and presented a 35% greater insulin response to a glucose stimulus than the control group, area under the curve (AUC) of 9457 +/- 887 vs 6989 +/- 833 microU/ml.3 hours. Patients with NC 21-OH had slightly elevated T, A and DHEA-S and presented an insulin response that was similar to the control group, AUC = 7208 +/- 1935 microU/ml.3 hours. Despite the greater muscle mass of the patients with CAH the forearm glucose uptake during the three hours of the study was lower in these patients than in normal women (CAH = 100.9 +/- 10.0 vs control group = 132.5 +/- 21.2 mg/100 ml forearm). The ratio of insulin response to the increment of forearm glucose uptake over a period of 3 h was significantly higher in patients with CAH (control group = 59.6 +/- 6.5 vs CAH = 98.6 +/- 19.4 microU.ml-1/mg.100 ml forearm-1, p < 0.05). These results suggest that insulin sensitivity is decreased in patients with CAH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

Hyperandrogenism due to 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency with accessory adrenocortical tissue: a hormonal and metabolic evaluation.

1. Adrenal ectopic tissue has been detected in the paragonadal region of normal women. In patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) deficiency, the manifestation of hyperplasia of paragonadal accessory adrenal tissue has been usually reported to occur in males. Probably, this is the first report of a female with 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) deficiency with ectopic adrenal tissue in ovaries. However, the occurrence of hyperplasia of adrenal rests among women with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia may not be rare, especially among patients with a late diagnosis. 2. We report a woman with 3 beta-HSD deficiency whose definitive diagnosis was made late at 41 years of age immediately before surgery for the removal of a uterine myoma. During surgery, exploration of the abdominal cavity revealed the presence of bilateral accessory adrenal tissue in the ovaries and in the para-aortic region. The patient had extremely high levels of ACTH (137 pmol/l), DHEA (901.0 nmol/l), DHEA-S (55.9 mumol/l), androstenedione (70.2 nmol/l), testosterone (23.0 nmol/l) and 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone (234.4 nmol/l) suggesting 3 beta-HSD deficiency. 3. In view of these elevated androgen levels, with an absolute predominance of DHEA and DHEA-S, we evaluated the effect of this hormonal profile on carbohydrate tolerance and insulin response to glucose ingestion. 4. The patient presented normal glucose tolerance but her insulin response was lower than that of 14 normal women (area under the curve, 3 beta-HSD = 17,680 vs 50,034 pmol/l for the control group over a period of 3 h after glucose ingestion).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Peripheral glucose metabolism in patients with insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans.

The present study was designed to determine forearm muscle glucose uptake and oxidation during the postabsorptive state and after an oral glucose challenge in patients with type A insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans. Nine normal subjects and six acanthotic patients were studied after an overnight fast (12-14 h) and during 3 hours after ingestion of 75 g of glucose. Peripheral glucose metabolism was analysed by the forearm technique to estimate muscle exchange of substrate combined with indirect calorimetry in forearm. Two patients (1 and 6) with insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans had impaired glucose tolerance. All other patients and normals revealed normal glucose tolerance during the tests. Decreased forearm muscle glucose uptake was observed in patients 1 and 6 compared to normal subjects (6.3 and 51.1 vs 127.7 +/- 10.1 mg/100 ml forearm.3 h, respectively). Decreased forearm muscle glucose oxidation was also observed in patient 1 as well as in patient 3 who showed normal glucose tolerance. Serum FFA levels were elevated in patient 1 but not in patient 3 and in the other acanthotic patients compared to the normal subjects. Serum insulin levels were significantly higher in acanthotic patients than in normals before and after glucose loading. The results of the present study revealed that two of six patients with type A insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans who exhibited glucose intolerance also showed a decrease in peripheral muscle glucose uptake and nonoxidative glucose metabolism. Another patient (3) with normal glucose tolerance showed impaired muscle glucose oxidation but unaltered muscle glucose uptake and nonoxidative metabolism during the 3 hours of study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acanthosis Nigricans↗

Hormonal and metabolic study of a case of adiposis dolorosa (Dercum's disease).

A case of a 43-year-old nonobese woman with adiposis dolorosa (Dercum's disease) is reported. Muscle glucose uptake and oxidation before and after ingestion of 75 g of glucose were similar to control group values, although a greater insulin release (16,578 vs 6,242 +/- 1,136 microU/3 h) occurred simultaneously. In vitro studies of abdominal normal and painful subcutaneous adipose tissue of the patient revealed lower responsiveness to norepinephrine and lack of response to the antilipolytic effect of insulin in the painful adipose tissue (0.98 vs 1.43 microM FFA/10(6) cells at 5.0 microM of norepinephrine). The disease was not correlated with the HLA system and there were no alterations in hormonal secretion at the pituitary, adrenal, gonadal, and thyroid levels. These findings indicate the presence of peripheral insulin resistance in this patient with adiposis dolorosa.

Adipose Tissue↗

Peripheral glucose metabolism in acromegaly.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of chronic GH excess on forearm muscle glucose uptake and oxidation during the postabsorptive state and after an oral glucose challenge. Nine normal subjects and 10 nondiabetic acromegalic patients (5 of them with normal glucose tolerance) were studied after an overnight fast (12-14 h) and for 3 h after the ingestion of 75 g glucose. Peripheral glucose metabolism was analyzed by the forearm technique to estimate muscle exchange of substrate combined with indirect calorimetry. Decreased forearm glucose uptake was observed in the acromegalic patients compared to that in the normal subjects (380 +/- 84 vs. 709 +/- 56 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h) with diminished nonoxidative glucose metabolism (262 +/- 81 vs. 572 +/- 53 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h). The acromegalics with normal glucose tolerance also showed decreased forearm glucose uptake and nonoxidative glucose metabolism compared to normal subjects (271 +/- 124 vs. 709 +/- 56 and 133 +/- 110 vs. 572 +/- 53 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h, respectively). Muscle glucose oxidation did not differ significantly in normal subjects, the entire group of acromegalic patients, and the acromegalics with normal glucose tolerance (137 +/- 18 vs. 118 +/- 22 vs. 138 +/- 34 mumol/100 mL forearm.3 h, respectively). Serum FFA levels and lipid oxidation rates were similar in the normal subjects and the acromegalic patients, and declined in a similar fashion after glucose ingestion. Insulin levels were significantly higher in acromegalic patients than in normal subjects before and after glucose loading. In conclusion, this study showed that the insulin resistance occurring in the presence of chronic GH excess is accompanied by impaired muscle glucose uptake and nonoxidative glucose metabolism, which are early derangements because they are also observed in acromegalic patients with normal glucose tolerance.

Acromegaly↗

Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia in chronic stable renal transplant patients.

PURPOSE: Hyperhomocyst(e)inaemia is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, which is currently a major cause of death in renal transplant patients. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of immunosuppressive therapy on homocyst(e)inemia in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Total serum homocysteine (by high performance liquid chromatography), creatinine, lipid profile, folic acid (by radioimmunoassay-RIA) and vitamin B12 (by RIA) concentrations were measured in 3 groups. Group I patients (n=20) were under treatment with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone; group II (n=9) were under treatment with azathioprine and prednisone; and group III (n=7) were composed of renal graft donors for groups I and II. Creatinine, estimated creatinine clearance, cyclosporine trough level, lipid profile, folic acid, and vitamin B12 concentrations and clinical characteristics of patients were assessed with the aim of ascertaining determinants of hyperhomocyst(e)inemia. RESULTS: Patient ages were 48.8 +/- 15.1 yr (group I), 43.3 +/- 11.3 yr (group II); and 46.5 +/- 14.8 yr (group III). Mean serum homocyst(e)ine (tHcy) concentrations were 18.07 +/- 8.29 mmol/l in renal transplant recipients; 16.55 +/- 5.6 mmol/l and 21.44 +/- 12.1 mmol/l respectively for group I (with cyclosporine) and group II (without cyclosporine) (NS). In renal donors, tHcy was significantly lower (9.07 +/- 3.06 mmol/l; group I + group II vs. group III, p<0.008). There was an unadjusted correlation (p<0.10) between age (r=0.427; p<0.005) body weight (r=0.412; p<0.05), serum creatinine (r=0.427; p<0.05), estimated creatinine clearance (r=0.316; p<0.10), and tHcy in renal recipients (group I +II). Independent regressors (r2=0.46) identified in the multiple regression model were age (coefficient= 0.253; p=0.009) and serum creatinine (coefficient=8.07; p=0.045). We found no cases of hyperhomocyst(e)inemia in the control group. In contrast, 38% of renal recipients had hyperhomocyst(e)inemia: 7 cases (35%) on cyclosporine and 4 (45%) without cyclosporine, based on serum normal levels. CONCLUSIONS: Renal transplant recipients frequently have hyperhomocyst(e)inemia. Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia in renal transplant patients is independent of the scheme of immunosuppression they are taking. The older the patients are and the higher are their serum creatinine levels, the more susceptible they are to hyperhomocyst(e)inemia following renal transplantation.

Adult↗

Effect of 50 and 100 g glucose loads on peripheral muscle glucose metabolism in normal man.

The present study was designed to determine the effects of 50 and 100 g glucose loads on forearm muscle glucose uptake, oxidation and nonoxidative glucose metabolism in normal man. Ten healthy male subjects were studied during the postabsorptive state (12-14 h overnight fast) and for 3 hours following glucose ingestion. Peripheral glucose metabolism was analysed by the use of the forearm technique to estimate muscle exchange of substrate combined with indirect calorimetry. Greater forearm muscle uptake and nonoxidative metabolism of glucose were observed in the subjects during the G.100 study than during the G.50 study (G.100 = 178.9 +/- 19.7 and 155.3 +/- 23.0 vs 103.5 +/- 16.6 and 85.2 +/- 16.7 mg/100 g forearm muscle. 3 h, respectively). the muscle glucose oxidation did not show significant difference after the two glucose loads. Insulin levels reached after 100 g glucose ingestion were significantly higher than after the 50 g glucose load. In conclusion, this study revealed a dose-dependent metabolic response in the muscular tissue of normal subjects to oral glucose loads of 50 and 100 g, with respect to forearm muscle glucose uptake and nonoxidative glucose metabolism. The oxidative responses of the muscle tissue to the oral glucose challenges seem not to be directly proportional to the ingested meals.

Adult↗

Sex-related differences in peripheral glucose metabolism in normal subjects.

The metabolic response of muscle tissue to glucose ingestion was studied in 10 normal men (M) and women (F) by using the forearm balance technique and indirect calorimetry simultaneously. During the 3 hours after a 75 g--oral glucose load, glucose uptake per unit muscle mass was significantly higher in women than in men, F = 187.3 +/- 26.9 vs M = 116.7 +/- 9.5 mg/100 g forearm muscle (P less than 0.05). A significant difference in muscle glucose fate was also observed since the amount of glucose utilized through a nonoxidative pathway was significantly higher in women, F = 84.5 +/- 2.6% (161.8 +/- 27.3 mg/100 g forearm muscle) vs M = 75.3 +/- 2.2% (87.2 +/- 8.6 mg/100 g forearm muscle) (P less than 0.05), whereas the amount of glucose oxidized in relation to glucose uptake was significantly higher in men, M = 24.7 +/- 2.2% (28.2 +/- 3.2 mg/100 g forearm muscle) vs F = 15.5 +/- 2.6% (27.8 +/- 5.4 mg/100 g forearm muscle) (P less than 0.05). No significant differences in insulin response to glucose ingestion were detected between groups. The women showed greater suppression of serum free fatty acids (FFA) levels in relation to basal levels than men. We conclude that: 1) after ingesting 75 g glucose, normal women showed greater glucose uptake per unit muscle mass than normal men, 2) for 3 hours after the ingestion of 75 g glucose, the predominant tendency toward utilizing glucose by a nonoxidative pathway is more marked in normal women than in normal men, and 3) the higher glucose uptake per unit muscle mass in the female group in the presence of an insulin response not significantly different from that of the male group suggests that muscle insulin sensitivity is greater in normal women.

Adult↗