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Biomedical subjects

H L Judd

Publications and source records attributed to H L Judd.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with transdermal estrogen.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the tolerance and effectiveness of transdermal estrogen for women with established postmenopausal osteoporosis and vertebral fractures. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial lasting 1 year. SETTING: Referral-based outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: Seventy-five postmenopausal women, 47 to 75 years of age, with one or more vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis. INTERVENTIONS: Thirty-nine women received dermal patches delivering 0.1 mg of 17 beta-estradiol for days 1 to 21 and oral medroxyprogesterone acetate for days 11 to 21 of a 28-day cycle. Another 39 women received placebo. MEASUREMENTS: Bone turnover assessed by biochemical markers and iliac bone histomorphometry; bone loss assessed by serial measurement of bone density; and vertebral fracture rate. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the median annual percentage change in bone mineral density in the estrogen group reflected increased or steady-state bone mineral density at the lumbar spine (5.3 compared with 0.2; P = 0.007), femoral trochanter (7.6 compared with 2.1; P = 0.03), and midradius (1.0 compared with -2.6, P less than 0.001) but showed no significant difference at the femoral neck (2.6 compared with 1.4; P = 0.17). Estrogen treatment uniformly decreased bone turnover as assessed by several methods including serum osteocalcin concentration (median change, -0.35 compared with 0.02 nmol/L; P less than 0.001). Histomorphometric evaluation of iliac biopsy samples confirmed the effect of estrogen on bone formation rate per bone volume (median change, -12.9 compared with -6.2% per year; P = 0.004). Also, 8 new fractures occurred in 7 women in the estrogen group, whereas 20 occurred in 12 women in the placebo group, yielding a lower vertebral fracture rate in the estrogen group (relative risk, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: Transdermal estradiol treatment is effective in postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis.

Administration, Cutaneous

Is caffeine consumption a risk factor for osteoporosis?

High caffeine consumption has been proposed as a risk factor for osteoporotic fracture, but the evidence associating high caffeine intake with low bone density is inconsistent. We therefore examined the influence of caffeine consumption on bone mineral at six skeletal sites in an age-stratified random sample of white women residing in Rochester, Minnesota. After age adjustment, there was no association between overall caffeine consumption and bone mineral at five of the six sites. In the femoral shaft, however, there was a statistically significant interaction between age and caffeine consumption so that high caffeine intake was associated with slight reductions in bone mineral among elderly subjects but with modestly increased bone mineral at younger ages. When caffeine intake was categorized by source, no consistent influence of coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverage consumption could be detected on bone mineral. Caffeine intake was, however, positively associated with cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. After adjusting for age, caffeine consumption was not correlated with biochemical indices of bone turnover, circulating concentrations of estradiol and estrone, or other dietary and musculoskeletal variables. These data suggest that caffeine intake in the range consumed by a representative sample of white women is not an important risk factor for osteoporosis. Among elderly women, however, in whom calcium balance performance is impaired, high caffeine intake may predispose to cortical bone loss from the proximal femur.

Adult

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists: strategies for managing the hypoestrogenic effects of therapy.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists have been shown to be comparable with danazol for the treatment of endometriosis. These results are important because danazol is associated with a significant number of side effects, particularly androgenic effects, such as weight gain and acne. Although gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are associated with hypoestrogenic side effects, such as hot flashes and reversible bone density loss, recent studies suggest that the risk of these side effects may be modified when gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are combined with a progestin. These findings suggest that such regimens may further enhance the clinical usefulness of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy for endometriosis and other estrogen-mediated diseases.

Bone Density

Long-term administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and dexamethasone: assessment of the adrenal role in ovarian dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the possible impact of abnormal adrenal steroidogenesis on the ovarian dysfunction seen in polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD). DESIGN: Prospective analysis of blood sampling monthly for 6 months, then three times weekly for 90 days. SETTING: Tertiary institutional outpatient care. PARTICIPANTS: Six anovulatory women with a diagnosis of PCOD. INTERVENTION: Six-month suppression with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) followed by suppression with dexamethasone (DEX) for 90 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum levels of testosterone (T), androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), cortisol, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and bioactive LH. RESULTS: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration suppressed greater than 60% of the circulating levels of T and A, suggesting an ovarian origin. Minimal changes of DHEA, DHEAS, and cortisol were seen. With the addition of DEX, there was greater than 90% suppression of the total circulating A, T, DHEA, DHEAS, and cortisol, supporting the adrenal origin of the non-GnRH-a suppressible androgens. Excessive ovarian T and A secretion returned during the 90-day recovery study period in spite of rises of FSH concentrations that changed the ratio of FSH to LH in all subjects. Four of the six women failed to ovulate. In comparison of the women who did and did not ovulate during recovery, no differences in absolute levels or changes in concentrations of steroids or gonadotropins could be detected. CONCLUSIONS: Using sequential and simultaneous administration of GnRH-a and DEX, we were able to delineate the contributions of the ovaries and adrenals to the abnormal steroidogenesis seen in PCOD. Despite prolonged suppression of ovarian and then adrenal steroidogenesis, ovarian dysfunction, evidenced by abnormal androgen production, returned with cessation of agonist administration.

Adrenal Glands

A prospective randomized comparison of luteal phase versus concurrent follicular phase initiation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist for in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) initiation either preceding or concurrent with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). DESIGN: Fifty-five patients were prospectively randomized to receive either GnRH-a on cycle day 21 before COH until ovarian suppression was achieved (group I) or GnRH-a concurrently with COH commencing on cycle day 3 (group II). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum gonadotropin and ovarian steroid hormone levels, as well as fertilization, spontaneous abortion, and live birth rates. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients in group I and 29 patients in group II underwent COH for IVF-ET. Patients in group II had significantly higher serum luteinizing hormone, progesterone, and testosterone levels during stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) before oocyte retrieval (P < 0.05). Despite similar fertilization, biochemical, and clinical pregnancy rates, the spontaneous abortion rate was higher in group II (5/6) compared with group I (1/7) (P < 0.05). Thus, the live birth rate/retrieval for group I was 6 of 24 (25%) as compared with that of group II, which was 1 of 26 (3.8%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The initiation of GnRH-a in the follicular phase concurrently with hMG is associated with evidence of premature luteinization, hyperandrogenemia, and poorer pregnancy outcome compared with luteal phase administration of GnRH-a before hMG for IVF-ET.

Adult

Reduction of vasomotor symptoms and bone mineral density loss with combined norethindrone and long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy of symptomatic endometriosis: a prospective randomized trial.

The hypoestrogenic state induced by gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) has been shown to suppress symptomatic endometriosis effectively but to elicit vasomotor symptoms and loss of bone mineral density. The role of norethindrone as a supplement to GnRHa in eliminating such side effects was assessed by enrolling 20 patients with symptomatic endometriosis diagnosed laparoscopically in a randomized, prospective, double-blinded trial. All patients received the long-acting GnRHa leuprolide acetate 3.75 mg im every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. Ten patients self-administered norethindrone 5 then 10 mg by mouth daily, whereas the remainder self-administered placebo tablets. Results of this study showed that combination therapy was as effective as GnRHa alone in significantly reducing circulating gonadotropin and estrogen levels (P less than 0.01), extent of visible endometriotic implants (P less than 0.01), and painful symptoms (P less than 0.01). Marked vasomotor and vaginal symptoms experienced by patients given GnRHa alone were minimized in those receiving GnRHa with norethindrone. Lumbar spine bone mineral density loss, measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, was significantly reduced and more completely reversed in patients receiving combination therapy (P less than 0.05). A reversible decrease in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and increase in low density lipoprotein:high density lipoprotein ratio was noted only in the patients receiving combination therapy, but not in those receiving GnRHa only. The addition of norethindrone to GnRHa is an effective means of treating symptomatic endometriosis while ameliorating side effects induced by GnRHa alone.

Bone Density

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I responsiveness in polycystic ovarian syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) action in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Hyperinsulinemia was determined by measuring the insulin responses during a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Quantification of in vivo insulin action was determined by a frequently sampled intravenous (IV) OGTT with minimal modeling analysis. In vitro sensitivity to insulin at physiological and supraphysiological concentrations and to IGF-I was assessed by examining colony formation of two hematopoietic cell populations, burst-forming units of the erythroid line (BFU-E) and human leukemia virus immortalized T-cell lines. (The proliferative responses of BFU-E, a primary tissue explant, are presumably conditioned by factors in the immediate blood-borne environment, whereas proliferative responses of T-cell lines are presumed to reflect intrinsic target-cell hormone sensitivity.) SETTING: Tertiary care research institution. PATIENTS: Eight patients (4 obese and 4 nonobese) with PCOS and three healthy women for reference controls. RESULTS: Nonobese (P less than 0.04) and obese patients with PCOS (P less than 0.01) both demonstrated significant hyperinsulinemia after OGTT. In vivo insulin resistance was observed in both nonobese (P less than 0.03) and obese PCOS subjects (P less than 0.01) using frequently sampled IV OGTT. Both nonobese (P less than 0.03) and obese patients with PCOS (P less than 0.01) had blunted in vitro clonal responses of BFU-E, with normal T-cell line clonal responsiveness to physiological levels of insulin and normal BFU-E and T-cell line clonal responses to IGF-I. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the following in both nonobese and obese patients with PCOS: (1) there is in vivo hyperinsulinemia and resistance to insulin action on glucose disposal; (2) with BFU-E, there is in vitro resistance to the mitogenic action of insulin but normal responsiveness to IGF-I; and (3) there is normal in vitro mitogenic responsiveness of T-cell lines to both insulin and IGF-I. The intrinsically normal mitogenic responsiveness to insulin and, especially to IGF-I, whether or not under the influence of the bloodborne milieu, provides a mechanism whereby hyperinsulinemia could directly contribute to the ovarian abnormalities that characterize PCOS.

Adult

Menopause: new indications and management strategies.

Postmenopausal women may benefit from estrogen replacement. In addition to the well-established treatment indications of vasomotor symptoms, genitourinary atrophy, and osteoporosis, studies also suggest improvement in psychologic well-being and prevention of coronary heart disease. The potential cardioprotective effects of estrogen do not appear to be solely from alterations in lipid metabolism. Major risks of estrogen replacement including breast cancer continue to be a concern. Strategies of management including continuous estrogen and progestin regimens are reviewed. There exists an increasing body of evidence that successful treatment for estrogen-dependent tumors including endometrial carcinoma is not a contraindication to estrogen replacement therapy. The potential use of tamoxifen to relieve symptoms and prevent bone loss in women with breast cancer is suggested.

Affect

Long-term transdermal estradiol therapy: effects on endometrial histology and bleeding patterns.

Sixty postmenopausal women were enrolled in a 2-year randomized unmasked trial to determine the long-term safety of estradiol (E2) administration by a transdermal therapeutic system. Group I subjects received 0.1 mg of transdermal E2 for 24.5 days of each 28-day cycle for 96 weeks. Group II subjects received the same dosage of transdermal E2 plus 10 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate, given orally from days 13-25 of each cycle. Vaginal bleeding patterns and endometrial histology were characterized. The subjects recorded bleeding patterns daily. Endometrial biopsies were performed during scheduled follow-up visits at 48 and 96 weeks or as needed to evaluate abnormal bleeding. Data were analyzed by intention to treat. Ten and four subjects dropped out of the study from groups I and II, respectively. A total of 575 and 627 treatment cycles were observed in the same respective groups. Vaginal bleeding was observed in 980 cycles: 381 of 575 cycles in group I (66.3%) and 599 of 627 cycles in group II (95.5%). Bleeding onset, duration, and quantity were similar for both groups. The incidence of hyperplasia was 42 and 4% for groups I and II, respectively, over the 96-week study period. All cases of hyperplasia in group I were treated with sequential medroxyprogesterone acetate for 12 weeks, followed by rebiopsy. In ten of 11 cases, the progestin therapy converted the hyperplasia to a normal endometrium. In one case, the endometrium became hyperplastic again at 96 weeks, but reverted to normal with 12 weeks of medroxyprogesterone acetate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biopsy

Comparison of continuous versus sequential estrogen and progestin therapy in postmenopausal women.

A pilot study was performed comparing the efficacy and safety of continuous versus sequential schedules of the two most commonly prescribed medications for ovarian hormone replacement, conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Bleeding patterns, endometrial histology, and metabolic parameters were studied in 48 postmenopausal women prospectively randomized to a continuous schedule (daily estrogen and progestin) or a sequential schedule (conjugated estrogen on days 1-25, medroxyprogesterone acetate on days 16-25). Doses studied were 0.625 and 1.25 mg of conjugated estrogens and 10 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate. Significantly greater bleeding was observed with the 1.25-mg dosage of conjugated estrogens. Bleeding patterns were similar between schedules, with the exception that amenorrhea was more prevalent in the women using the 1.25-mg dosage of estrogen and the continuous progestin schedule. More frequent endometrial atrophy was observed with the continuous schedule, supporting the concept that prolonged use of this schedule may promote amenorrhea in most patients. Both doses and schedules were associated with modest and insignificant increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Sequential therapy did not prevent the estrogen-induced decrease of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, whereas the continuous schedule did, particularly with 0.625-mg dosage of conjugated estrogens. Significant increases of triglycerides were also seen with the continuous but not with the sequential schedule. Because of reports that the continuous schedule using the 2.5-mg dosage of medroxyprogesterone acetate does not elicit these actions on circulating lipids, attention should be directed toward examining the long-term effects of this lower dosage given continuously.

Drug Administration Schedule

No acute effect of physiological insulin increase on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in women with obesity and/or polycystic ovarian disease.

Conflicting information concerning the acute effect of hyperinsulinemia on circulating adrenal androgens, specifically DHEAS, is available. The effect of PCOD or obesity on this response is unclear. We prospectively examined the acute response of circulating DHEAS to the physiological rise in serum insulin after an OGTT in 10 women with PCOD (5 obese and 5 normal weight) and 10 ovulatory euandrogenic women (5 obese and 5 normal-weight). All underwent a standard 75-g 2-hour OGTT. Insulin and DHEAS were measured before and after OGTT. To control for the potential dilutional effects induced by hyperinsulinemia or hyperglycemia on intravascular tonicity, DHEAS levels were correlated to serum protein. As expected, the 2-hour insulin levels were significantly greater than baseline. No significant changes in circulating DHEAS or in the DHEAS to protein ratio was observed in any patient group 2 hours after glucose-induced hyperinsulinemia. The power of this study was greater than 89% for an alpha error of 0.05 and an expected change in DHEAS of 25%. In summary, it appears unlikely that acute increases in insulin within the physiological range are important in the regulation of circulating DHEAS in either PCOD or euandrogenic women, independent of obesity.

Administration, Oral

Induction of hypothalamic opioid activity with transdermal estradiol administration in postmenopausal women.

The effects of estradiol (E2) administered by a transdermal system on the induction of hypothalamic opioid activity was examined in 18 postmenopausal women. Women were given 25, 50, 100, or 200 micrograms/d dosages of E2 for 28 days each. Naloxone at a dosage of 2 mg/h was infused intravenously for 4 hours, and serum was obtained every 15 minutes for 6 hours. With increasing doses, rises of serum E2 and estrone were elicited across the range seen in premenopausal women. A stepwise reduction of luteinizing hormone (LH) levels was observed with increasing dosages of E2. The naloxone infusions resulted in significant increases of LH when E2 was being given but not during the pretreatment studies. These data indicate E2, in physiological concentrations, induces hypothalamic opioid activity.

Administration, Cutaneous

Relationship between serum intact parathyroid hormone concentrations and bone remodeling in type I osteoporosis: evidence that skeletal sensitivity is increased.

To define the role of parathyroid gland function in the pathophysiology of bone loss in type I (postmenopausal) osteoporosis, we measured serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and by multisite immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA) in 63 postmenopausal osteoporotic women (PMOp) with vertebral compression fractures and in 75 age-comparable postmenopausal normal women (PMNl). Also, tetracycline-based histomorphometric indices in cancellous bone were assessed in iliac biopsy samples from 61 PMOp and 28 PMNl women. Serum PTH concentrations by IRMA were similar in PMOp and PMNl (medians, 3.92 and 3.77 pmol/l; NS) but were significantly lower in PMOp by the more sensitive ICMA (medians, 2.82 and 3.14 pmol/l; P less than 0.01). By multiple linear regression analysis, serum PTH was directly related (P less than 0.001) to activation frequency, bone resorption rate, bone formation rate, and the calculated rate of bone loss. For each unit (pmol/l) increase in serum PTH by ICMA, activation frequency increased by 1.3%/year more (P = 0.01), bone resorption rate increased by 3.9%/year more (P = 0.003), and the rate of cancellous bone loss was 2.8% greater (P = 0.0003) in the PMOp women compared with the PMNl women. Concentrations of serum estradiol, but not serum estrone, had a weak opposing effect to PTH, especially for bone formation rate. These data suggest that in PMOp the bone has increased sensitivity to the biologic effects of PTH. This may represent one of the fundamental pathophysiologic defects in PMOp and, in the setting of estrogen deficiency, may explain, in part, their greater rate of bone loss.

Aged

The effects of combining norethindrone with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in the treatment of symptomatic endometriosis.

Treatment of endometriosis with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a) is associated with side effects secondary to the induced hypoestrogenic state. In an effort to ameliorate these symptoms, 10 patients with symptomatic endometriosis self-administered the GnRH-a [D-His6(Imbzl)-Pro9-NET]-GnRH in combination with norethindrone daily for 24 weeks. Painful symptoms were significantly suppressed after therapy (P less than 0.005). Objective review of photographs taken at laparoscopy before and after therapy demonstrated significant reduction of visible implants (P less than 0.005). Vasomotor symptoms were minimized when compared with a group of 16 patients previously treated with GnRH-a alone. Bone mineral density of the distal radius assessed by single photon absorptiometry was not reduced during therapy, although lumbar spine bone density assessed by quantitative computerized tomography was minimally but reversibly reduced. No metabolic derangements were detected. The combination of norethindrone with GnRH-a is a well tolerated and effective means of treating symptomatic endometriosis.

Adult

Treatment of endometriosis with a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist plus medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Highly potent agonists of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) have been shown to reduce pelvic pain due to endometriosis and the size and number of implants seen at laparoscopy. The accompanying symptoms and problems associated with the hypoestrogenism induced by the agonist have reduced its acceptability and raised questions about its safety. In an attempt to optimize this form of therapy, we treated eight women with endometriosis with daily subcutaneous injections of a potent agonist of GnRH plus a daily oral dose of 20-30 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate for 24 weeks. Ovarian estrogen secretion was reduced to levels seen in castrated women throughout the course of treatment. Markers of hypoestrogenism, such as hot flashes and loss of calcium from bone, were diminished with this regimen compared with previous findings with GnRH agonist alone. Blinded evaluation of laparoscopic photographs failed to reveal improvement or suppression of active endometriosis. The results of this pilot study indicate that the addition of medroxyprogesterone acetate decreases the hypoestrogenic effects of GnRH agonist alone but fails to affect pain or endometriotic implants.

Adult

Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist on pituitary and ovarian responses to pulsatile GnRH therapy in polycystic ovarian disease.

Nine clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) patients received intravenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulses before and immediately after 1 month of GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) therapy. Circulating gonadotropin and ovarian steroid levels, as well as follicular development, were measured throughout therapy. Results were compared with those obtained from five hypogonadotropic patients treated with GnRH pulses only who ovulated during six of seven treatment cycles. Only two PCOD patients ovulated normally with GnRH pulses before GnRH-a therapy. Aberrant gonadotropin and ovarian steroid secretory patterns were noted in the others. After GnRH-a, gonadotropin and ovarian steroid hormone levels were similar to those of the hypogonadotropic patients. Subsequent secretory responses to GnRH pulses were partially normalized. However, only two additional PCOD patients ovulated.

Amenorrhea

Recovery of hormone secretion after chronic gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist administration in women with polycystic ovarian disease.

Persistent suppression of gonadotropin and ovarian steroid production can be achieved in women with polycystic ovarian disease (PCO) by daily administration of a long-acting GnRH agonist (GnRHa). This study was designed to determine the patterns of recovery of clinical responses and hormonal secretion after chronic GnRHa administration in women with PCO. Six women with PCO were treated with daily sc injections of [D-His6(imBzl),Pro9-NEt]GnRHa (100 micrograms) for 6 months. Blood samples were obtained at the time of and three times weakly for 90 days after discontinuation of agonist therapy. In five women who did not ovulate, the suppressed serum FSH levels rose to pretreatment values within 10 days. In contrast, a gradual and progressive increase in serum LH (as measured by bioassay and immunoassay) was apparent by day 18. The LH increase coincided with progressive increases in serum estrone (E1), androstenedione, and testosterone. Serum estradiol (E2) began to rise on day 28. All hormones returned to their pretreatment baseline values within the 90-day recovery interval, with the exception of E2. Trend analysis of the slopes of recovery revealed that the incremental secretion patterns of E1, E2, androstenedione, and testosterone differed significantly from that of FSH, but not from those of bioactive or immunoactive LH. Serum progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and cortisol did not change after withdrawal of GnRHa. One woman ovulated spontaneously on day 52 before which her hormone secretion patterns were indistinguishable from those of the other women. In summary, 1) during recovery after discontinuation of chronic GnRH agonist therapy the patterns of FSH and LH release suggested resumption of endogenous GnRH action on the pituitary with greater release of FSH than LH, a pattern that would be expected in the absence of ovarian steroid influence; 2) the lack of early estrogen production despite the increase in serum FSH concentrations suggests inadequate FSH secretion, abnormal ovarian responsiveness to FSH, or impaired FSH bioactivity; 3) androgen secretion was provoked by the increase in LH secretion; 4) per unit LH measured by bioassay, greater ovarian androgen secretion was stimulated in PCO than ovulatory women; and 5) the likelihood of spontaneous ovulation during recovery was minimal.

Adult