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Biomedical subjects

H L Verjans

Publications and source records attributed to H L Verjans.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of cyclospasmol on early diabetic retinopathy.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study to investigate the long-term effect of Cyclospasmol (cyclandelate) on the abnormal permeability of the blood-retinal barrier was performed in 26 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus for at least 1 year and minimal retinopathy. Cyclospasmol 400 mg or placebo capsules were taken 4 times daily for 12 months by equal numbers in both groups. Each patient underwent a routine ophthalmoscopic examination, retinal fluorescein angiography and quantitative vitreous fluorophotometry to assess the permeability of the blood-retinal barrier just before the trial and following 6 and 12 months of therapy. Laboratory tests for determining blood and urine glucose levels and blood HbA1-levels were also carried out at these assessments. Statistically significant changes in diabetic control, in HbA1-levels or in the frequency of retinal microaneurysms could not be shown in either treatment group during the trial, nor were there any significant differences in these parameters between the two groups. Analysis of fluorophotometric data on fluorescein penetration into the left posterior vitreous demonstrated significant reductions in this parameter during the trial compared to the pretreatment level in Cyclospasmol treated diabetics. These changes in the pretreatment level after 6 and 12 months also differed significantly between the two groups. However, this statistically significant beneficial reduction in fluorescein penetration into the left posterior vitreous did not occur in the right eye in the Cyclospasmol group. In placebo treated patients a consistently deleterious trend for this parameter was observed for both eyes during the one year study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (Locoid) 0.1% fatty cream versus desonide (Apolar) 0.1% ointment in the treatment of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis.

A randomized, double-blind, left-right study to compare the therapeutic efficacy and the cosmetic acceptability of the new hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (Locoid) 0.1% fatty cream application form with desonide (Apolar) 0.1% ointment was performed in thirty patients suffering from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. The medications were applied to symmetrical, bilateral skin lesions twice daily for 4 weeks. Both treatments effected highly significant reductions of the score values for the severity of all clinical skin parameters assessed. Score reductions were, however, more pronounced on Locoid-treated sides than on Apolar-treated sides both after 2 and 4 weeks of therapy. It appeared further that clinical efficacy of treatment at completion of the study was also in favour of Locoid-treated sides, indicating that Locoid fatty cream is more effective than Apolar ointment. No serious side-effects were reported during the study. The expressed patient preferences with respect to cosmetic acceptability of treatments were significantly in favour of Locoid fatty cream, indicating that patients preferred the use of this new galenic formulation over an ointment formulation. It is concluded that the new application form of Locoid, a fatty cream, is a useful and beneficial addition to topical corticosteroid therapy, which will promote patient compliance in a wide range of corticosteroid-responsive skin diseases.

Administration, Topical↗

Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (Locoid) 0.1% cream versus hydrocortisone (Uniderm) 1% cream in the treatment of children suffering from atopic dermatitis.

A randomized, double-blind, left-right study to compare the therapeutic efficacy of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (Locoid) 0.1% cream with hydrocortisone (Uniderm) 1% cream was performed in forty children suffering from atopic dermatitis. The medications were applied to symmetrical bilateral skin lesions twice daily for a maximum of 4 weeks or until complete clinical clearance of such lesions had occurred. Complete clearance of skin symptoms was found in 36% of the Locoid-treated sides and in 23% of the Uniderm-treated sides following 2 weeks of therapy and in 60% and 30%, respectively, after 4 weeks of treatment. This difference in clearance rate after 4 weeks between both preparations was significantly in favour of Locoid cream. The expressed preferences of patients/parents and investigator were also significantly in favour of Locoid cream, both after 2 and 4 weeks. No serious side-effects were reported during this study. It is concluded that Locoid cream is significantly superior to Uniderm cream in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children.

Administration, Topical↗

Comparison of effects of C19 (androstene or androstane) steroids on serum gonadotrophin concentrations and on accessory reproductive organ weights in gonadectomized, adult male rats.

The effects of subcutaneous administration of graded doses of C19 (androstene or androstane) steroids on serum levels of LH and FSH and on weights of accessory reproductive organs in gonadectomized, adult male rats were investigated. The C19 steroids were administered during 7 days in doses of 100, 50, 25, 12.5 or 6.25 mug per 100 g body weight per day. With the amounts of steroids used, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol had a high potency in preventing the rise of serum gonadotrophin concentrations and in curbing the decrease weights of ventral prostates and seminal vesicles following orchidectomy. 5alpha-Androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol showed no such effects. Positive feedback effects on serum gonadotrophins in castrates were observed following injection of certain doses of some steroids. Effects of steroids on accessory reprosuctive organs did not always correlate with those on gonadotrophic function of the hypothalamic-pituitary unit.

Androstane-3,17-diol↗

Gonadotrophin suppression by steroids in normal, adult male rats.

Effect of subcutaneous administration of various doses of different steroids on serum levels of LH and FSH in normal, adult male rats were investigated. Each steroid was injected daily during 7 days in doses of 50, 25, 12.5 or 6.25 mug per 100 g body weight. Ring A 5alpha-reduced testosterone metabolites exerted high activity in the suppressing serum LH and FSH levels. 5alpha-Androstane-3beta, 17 beta-diol had in the doses tested, however, no such effects on serum gonadotrophins, Serum LH concentrations in normal rats appeared more sensitive to steroid treatment than serum FSH concentrations.

Androstenediols↗

Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular system and adrenocortical function.

Effect of intramuscular administration of ACTH or dexamethasone on blood serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH was examined in intact and castrated, adult, male rats. Six IU ACTH or 1 mg dexamethasone were given daily for 7 days. Corticotrophin treatment had no influence on circulating testosterone, LH and FSH in intact or castrated male rats. Dexamethasone administration resulted in a slight elevation of serum FSH in intact animals but not in castrates. LH and testosterone remained normal in both intact and castrated animals injected with dexamethasone. Under our conditions of study the secretions from the adrenal gland appear to be insignificant for the regulation of pituitary secretion of gonadotrophins in the male rat.

Adrenal Glands↗

Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular system following testicular X-irradiATION.

Testes of adult, male rats were exposed to a total dose of 1500 R of X-irradiation. Testicular weight decreased from day 8 after X-ray treatment. This decrease was, however, preceded by an increment of the testis weight on day 4 following treatment. X-ray treatment of testes was associated with significant increases in serum FSH. Testicular irradiation had, however, no effect on ventral prostate and seminal vesicles weights. Serum testosterone increased only on day 1, 2 and 4 after irradiation, while serum LH levels tended to increase from day 8 post-irradiation. These changes were not significant, however, when compared with non-irradiated controls. At 7, 13 and 20 days following 1500 R of bilateral, testicular X-irradiation, the hypothalamic-pituitary unit was still capable of responding to exogenous gonadotrophin releasing factor. Serum FSH may in male rats by regulated at least partly by circulating steroids of testicular origin and partly by an unknown factor of non-interstitial cell nature.

Animals↗

Effects of androstenes, 5alpha-androstanes, 5beta-androstanes, oestrenes and oestratrienes on serum gonadotrophin levels and ventral prostate weights in gonadectomized, adult male rats.

The morphologic and metabolic effect of a single intracutaneous injection of homologous endocrine pancreas in Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) was studied in 100 mice and compared with control groups which had been (1) immunized with murine insulin in CFA, (2) injected with CFA alone, or had (3) received no treatment. There were no differences between the control groups as regards the morphology of the pancreatic islets, and the glucose tolerance was normal. Mice immunized with islet homogenate exhibited morphological changes in the form of degranulation and cytoplasmic disintegration. These changes involved B-cells as well as A2-cells and were present from 7 to 18 days after the immunization. A significant reduction in glucose tolerance was observed 14 days after the immunization. Another characteristic finding in the islets from the immunized mice was the extravascular presence of mononuclear, agranular cells which on the basis of their morphological criteria appeared to represent lymphocytes.

Androstanes↗

Serum LH and FSH levels following intravenous injection of a gonadotrophin releasing principle in normal and gonadectomized adult male rats treated with oestradiol-17beta or 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone.

Effect of intravenous administration of a synthetic gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF) on circulating LH and FSH concentrations was investigated in normal and gonadectomized, adult male rats injected subcutaneously each day during seven days with various doses of oestradiol-17beta or 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone in sesame oil. Higher increase in serum LH and FSH levels subsequent to intravenously administered GnRF was observed in castrated control animals than in intact control animals, though this increment was not of significant nature for serum FSH. Pre-treatment of normal and gonadectomized rats with oestradiol-17beta resulted in an augmented response of serum LH and FSH concentrations to GnRF iv. Pre-treatment of normal and gonadectomized rats with 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone diminished serum LH and FSH response following administration of the same amount of GnRF. For these steroids to affect the response pattern of serum LH and FSH to GnRF iv, higher doses were required in normal than in gonadectomized animals. The data indicate that oestrogen and androgen may act at different sites in the male hypothalamic-pituitary axis with respect to regulation of pituitary gonadotrophins.

Animals↗

Relation between circulating levels of testosterone lh and fsh in intact and castrated, adult, male rats after testosterone administration.

Serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in intact and castrated, adult, male rats after testosterone was administered subcutaneously for seven days in doses ranging from 25 to 200 mug per 100 g body weight per day. Such treatment increased circulating testosterone both in intact and castrated rats, but its effects on serum gonadotrophins were different in these animal groups. All doses of testosterone suppressed serum LH and FSH in the normal rat. In the castrates, treatment with the lowest dose of testosterone resulted in serum LH levels significantly above the high castrate levels, while serum FSH tended to drop. Administration of the highest doses of testosterone did not depress serum LH and FSH in the castrates to those of intact, normal animals, though serum testosterone in these castrates was much higher than in normal, male rats. It is concluded, that the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary system for daily, subcutaneous testosterone administration during seven days is not the same in the intact and castrated, adult, male rat and that testicular factors different from testosterone may play a role in regulating production and/or secretion of gonadotrophins by the hypophysis in male animals.

Animals↗

Biphasic effect of testosterone propionate on Sertoli cell secretory function.

When various doses of testosterone propionate (10 to 10,000 mug/day) were given to 21-day-old rats for 10 days a biphasic effect was seen both on testis weight and production of androgen-binding protein (ABP). At low doses (10 to 100 mug testosterone propionate/day) there was a reduction in testis weight as well as ABP content in the epididymis. At higher doses of testosterone propionate, there was a stimulation of both testicular weight and ABP production in spite of suppressed serum FSH and LH levels. These effects of testosterone propionate on Sertoli cell secretory function strongly suggest that the Sertoli cell is a target cell for androgen.

Animals↗