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Gregory A Plotnikoff

Publications and source records attributed to Gregory A Plotnikoff.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Skin temperature rise induced by calcitonin gene-related peptide in gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue-treated female rats and alleviation by Keishi-bukuryo-gan, a Japanese herbal medicine.

The effects of Keishi-bukuryo-gan on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced elevation of skin temperature were investigated in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue-treated female rats. Leupline (1.0 mg/kg) as the GnRH analogue was subcutaneously (s.c.) injected into female rats. After Keishi-bukuryo-gan (100-1,000 mg/kg, p.o.) or 17beta-estradiol (0.010 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered to GnRH analogue-treated rats for 14 days, CGRP-induced skin temperature elevation, concentration of plasma 17beta-estradiol and pituitary gonadotropin (luteinizing hormone; LH, and follicle stimulating hormone; FSH) were measured. In addition, effects of 17beta-estradiol and Keishi-bukuryo-gan on the proliferation of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells were investigated under in vitro conditions. GnRH analogue significantly lowered the concentrations of plasma 17beta-estradiol and pituitary gonadotropins. Tissue weights of the ovaries and uterus were also decreased by the analogue. Under the condition of estrogen deficiency, intravenous (i.v.) injection of exogenous CGRP (10 microg/kg) elevated the skin temperature of the hind paws more significantly than it did in sham-treated control rats. Estrogen supplementation inhibited this elevation of skin temperature with restoration of both the lowered plasma estrogen level and the decreased uterine weight in GnRH analogue-treated rats. On the other hand, Keishi-bukuryo-gan inhibited the elevation of skin temperature in a dose-dependent manner without restoring the plasma estrogen level and uterine weight. In addition, in an in vitro study, MCF-7 cells proliferated in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of 17beta-estradiol (10(-13)-10(-8) M) to the medium. However, Keishi-bukuryo-gan (10(-6)-10(-4) mg/ml) did not activate the MCF-7 cell proliferation. These results suggest that Keishi-bukuryo-gan, which does not exhibit estrogen activity, may be useful for the treatment of hot flashes in women who are undergoing medical ovariectomy with a GnRH analogue.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Top 10 vitamin D myths.

A growing body of evidence points to the tremendous importance of vitamin D in maintaining health. Yet misconceptions about the need for this vitamin and the clinical care of vitamin D-deficient patients remain. This article deconstructs 10 prevailing myths and addresses such issues as symptoms and clinical indicators of vitamin D deficiency; the various sources of vitamin D, including diet, sun exposure, and supplementation; current laboratory standards for assessing vitamin D levels, and the prevalence of deficiency.

Bone Density↗
PubMed2003

Prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D in patients with persistent, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in primary care outpatients with persistent, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain syndromes refractory to standard therapies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 150 patients presented consecutively between February 2000 and June 2002 with persistent, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain to the Community University Health Care Center, a university-affiliated inner city primary care clinic in Minneapolis, Minn (45 degrees north). Immigrant (n = 83) and nonimmigrant (n = 67) persons of both sexes, aged 10 to 65 years, from 6 broad ethnic groups were screened for vitamin D status. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Of the African American, East African, Hispanic, and American Indian patients, 100% had deficient levels of vitamin D (< or = 20 ng/mL). Of all patients, 93% (140/ 150) had deficient levels of vitamin D (mean, 12.08 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval, 11.18-12.99 ng/mL). Nonimmigrants had vitamin D levels as deficient as immigrants (P = .48). Levels of vitamin D in men were as deficient as in women (P = .42). Of all patients, 28% (42/150) had severely deficient vitamin D levels (< or = 8 ng/mL), including 55% of whom were younger than 30 years. Five patients, 4 of whom were aged 35 years or younger, had vitamin D serum levels below the level of detection. The severity of deficiency was disproportionate by age for young women (P < .001), by sex for East African patients (P < .001), and by race for African American patients (P = .006). Season was not a significant factor in determining vitamin D serum levels (P = .06). CONCLUSION: All patients with persistent, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain are at high risk for the consequences of unrecognized and untreated severe hypovitaminosis D. This risk extends to those considered at low risk for vitamin D deficiency: nonelderly, nonhousebound, or nonimmigrant persons of either sex. Nonimmigrant women of childbearing age with such pain appear to be at greatest risk for misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Because osteomalacia is a known cause of persistent, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain, screening all outpatients with such pain for hypovitaminosis D should be standard practice in clinical care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Vitamin D--the steroid hormone prescription for every patient.

Physicians in the United States rarely screen for hypovitaminosis D and rarely prescribe vitamin D, even when medically indicated. This is of particular concern in Minnesota. The sun's intensity at Minnesota's latitudes limits vitamin D production, at best, to March through October. A variety of lifestyle situations, including long work hours, may preclude adequate sun exposure. Additionally, people of Northern European background may avoid sun exposure to reduce risk of skin cancer and premature aging. And people of Asian and African heritage may not have sufficient vitamin D production due to increased skin pigmentation. This brief article summarizes key points regarding the importance of vitamin D, including its action as a steroid hormone and its role in cancer, hypertension, and autoimmune disease as well as in perinatal and prenatal health. The potential benefit of hypovitaminosis D screening and vitamin D supplementation is discussed, as are the populations most likely to need screening and supplementation.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed2003

Food as medicine--cost-effective health care? The example of omega-3 fatty acids.

The United States accounts for more than 51% of the dollar 430.3 billion expended on pharmaceutical products worldwide each year. Yet, in comparison to other advanced industrial societies, the United States has relatively worse health outcomes across many measures. This disparity challenges the perceived efficacy and cost effectiveness of pharmaceutical agents in promoting the public health. Before access to prescription drugs, our society first needs access to low-cost, nontoxic, non-expert-dependent interventions to ensure basic health outcomes. Food may represent the most cost-effective means of promoting public health. This article introduces the topic of food as medicine by discussing briefly the evidence base for omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods as modulators of physiologic pathways. It provides background on the physiological role of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, discusses their roles in disease and disease prevention, and looks at changes in food production in this country that have led to a decrease in omega-3 consumption. It also recommends dietary interventions to remedy omega-3 deficiency and asserts that now is the time for our state and our nation to more aggressively fund research into medicinal foods.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2002

Hmong shamanism. Animist spiritual healing in Minnesota.

Hmong cultural attitudes, values, and behaviors influence when, where, why, and with whom a Hmong person will use Western medicine. Understanding the practices and importance of Hmong healing traditions will help majority-culture physicians provide respectful and effective health care to Hmong patients. The foremost Hmong traditional healer is the shaman (tu txiv neeb, pronounced "too tse neng"). There is no equivalent health professional in Western biomedicine, and the scope of the shaman as a healer extends beyond the capacities and expertise of physicians. Despite 25 years of Hmong acculturation in the United States and conversion to Christianity, Hmong shamanism maintains its traditional role in health and healing. Many Hmong who see physicians also rely on shamans for restoring health and balance to their body and soul. Thus, the Hmong shaman can be considered a powerful complement to Western health care professionals. This article presents the results of semistructured interviews with 11 Hmong shamans (5 males, 6 females, ranging in age from 35 to 85) and 32 nonrandomly selected Hmong patients (14 males, 18 females ranging in age from 21 to 85). The shamans described their spiritual perspectives, training and skills, and professional activities. Patients described their beliefs about spiritual healing and health care. These interviews suggest that Shamanism is considered effective care by many Hmong, irrespective of age, gender, or degree of acculturation. The article also includes summary charts of Hmong healing practices and concludes with a set of questions designed to help practicing physicians access the assumptions and beliefs of their Hmong patients so that they can provide efficient, effective, and satisfactory care.

Acculturation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relation between climacteric symptoms and ovarian hypofunction in middle-aged and older Japanese women.

OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into the characteristics and current status of climacteric symptoms reported by middle-aged and older women in Japan, we surveyed women presenting at our menopause clinic. DESIGN: The participants included 1,069 women, ranging in age from 40 to less than 60 years (mean age, 50.2 y). Climacteric (indefinite) symptoms were objectively assessed with the use of the Keio questionnaire, which grades the severity of 40 types of symptoms classified into 20 subgroups. The total scores obtained for the 40 symptoms were used to calculate symptom prevalence and severity. To evaluate ovarian function, concentrations of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in sera were measured. RESULTS: The most frequent symptom was general fatigue, reported by 88.2% of the women. Shoulder stiffness was the symptom rated to be severe by the highest percentage of women (38.1%). The prevalence and severity of hot flushes (and sweats) were slightly higher in perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women than in premenopausal and late postmenopausal women. The prevalence and severity of hot flushes and sweats were higher in women with estradiol < 25 pg/mL and FSH > 40 mIU/mL than in those with estradiol > or = 25 pg/mL and FSH < or = 40 mIU/mL. CONCLUSION: General fatigue and shoulder stiffness, symptoms with low hormone dependence, are the two most frequent climacteric symptoms in our clinic. Hot flushes and sweats, symptoms with high hormone dependence, are also common symptoms.

Adult↗