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Biomedical subjects

I Barr

Publications and source records attributed to I Barr.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Low dose ketoconazole attenuates serum androgen levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and inhibits ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a low-dose ketoconazole on ovarian steroidogenesis and on serum androgen levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: In vitro, human granulosa-luteal cells were incubated with ketoconazole and radiolabeled steroid substrates, to follow their metabolic fate by thin-layer chromatography analysis. In vivo, normally cycling women (n = 7) in their luteal phase were administered one tablet of 200 mg ketoconazole at 8 A.M. Serum steroid levels, sampled basally and at 12 P.M., 4 P.M., and 8 A.M. the next morning, were compared with untreated control group (n = 7) values. Polycystic ovary syndrome women (n = 11) were similarly administered ketoconazole 6 to 10 days after occurrence of spontaneous menses. Adrenal origin of hyperandrogenemia was excluded by stimulation with ACTH and a normal basal DHEAS. The steroid diurnal variation was determined in the same patients a day before treatment. RESULTS: In vitro, ketoconazole selectively inhibited the key steroidogenic cytochromes, namely P450scc, P45017 alpha, and P450arom (IC50 = 0.5 to 1.0 microgram/mL). In vivo, in the luteal phase, ketoconazole transiently decreased serum values (mean +/- SE) of E2 (19.2% +/- 2.1%) and P (38.3% +/- 8.5%) within 4 to 8 hours. The same low-dose ketoconazole, administered to PCOS women, decreased serum values of androstenedione (17.6% +/- 4.7%), T (24.6% +/- 7.6%), and free T (30.7% +/- 7.7%). In contrast, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone increased concomitantly (78.5% +/- 10.8%), suggesting a greater suppressibility of the P45017 alpha lyase activity. The E2 levels in PCOS patients were slightly elevated (29.1% +/- 5.6%), resulting in a 1.7- to 2.3-fold increase of the E2:T ratio. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a low-dose ketoconazole may facilitate a decreased intraovarian T:E2 ratio, which may prove favorable for follicular maturation in PCOS.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1993

Pregnancy outcome in serologically indicated active Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

A serological test for chlamydial infection was administered to 281 Jerusalem women in order to determine the rate and influence of Chlamydia on pregnancy outcome. Serological indication of active infection was present in 7.8% of the tested women, while 15.3% were shown to be positive for Chlamydia. Among the ultraorthodox subpopulation of Mea Shearim, serological indication of active infection was present among 5.9% of the women, and 12.3% of this population tested positive. In comparison, women from the secular subpopulation had 12.7% serological indication of active infection and 22.95% tested positive (P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between pregnancy duration, birthweight, incidence of premature uterine contractions, premature rupture of membranes, and postpartum febrile morbidity in the infected and noninfected groups. Women with a previous history of induced abortions showed a significantly higher evidence of past Chlamydia infection (9.3%) when compared with the women who did not have an infection (1.4%) (P < 0.006). Among the ultraorthodox women with positive or active infection, 41% had suffered at least one spontaneous abortion, as compared with 25% of the religious women who had no serological evidence of infection.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1992

[Primary hypothyroidism presenting with amenorrhea, galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemia and enlarged pituitary].

The combination of amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and hyperprolactinemia in a young woman usually suggests a prolactin-secreting adenoma of the anterior pituitary gland. Primary thyroid failure may also be associated with hyperprolactinemia, galactorrhea and suprasellar enlargement of the pituitary. 2 women, aged 23 and 28, respectively, presented with the latter syndrome. 1 was even a candidate for neurosurgery. However, because serum TSH and prolactin levels were elevated, thyroxin replacement therapy was started. It induced normal menses, galactorrhea stopped, and in follow-up CT scans the pituitary become normal in size. Hyperprolactinemia with secondary hypothyroidism, caused by a pituitary adenoma, must be distinguished from primary hypothyroidism, also a cause of hyperprolactinemia.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1991

Effect of ketoconazole on steroidogenic human granulosa-luteal cells in culture.

Ketoconazole (KCZ), a widely used antifungal drug, has been reported in humans to inhibit adrenal and testicular steroidogenesis by interfering with the cytochrome P-450-dependent enzymes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the drug effect on steroidogenic human granulosa-luteal cells, obtained by follicular aspiration from mature follicles of gonadotropin-treated women. Cells were cultured in long-term monolayers, and the steroid production was assayed by radioimmunoassay. A profound inhibition of ovarian cell secretion of progesterone (P), testosterone (T) and estradiol was found. At a low concentration (5 micrograms/ml), KCZ failed to inhibit the conversion of pregnenolone to P, mediated by the non-cytochrome 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase enzyme (3 beta-HSDH). At a similar concentration, P secretion by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 100 mIU/ml) -treated cells was decreased by 68% (P less than 0.001) and therefore, an inhibitory effect of KCZ on the cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P-450SCC) was assumed. A similar marked inhibitory effect (81%) (P less than 0.001) on T secretion was observed for hCG-stimulated cells given pregnenolone as substrate. The P-450 aromatase was profoundly inhibited (86%) (P less than 0.001) in a reversible manner, by a similar concentration (5 micrograms/ml) of KCZ. These findings suggest that KCZ has the capability to suppress human ovarian steroidogenesis similarly as in testis and adrenal.

Aromatase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1984

Multicentre trial on feeding low birthweight infants: effects of diet on early growth.

A large multicentre study on the short and long term clinical and developmental outcome of infants randomised to different diets is being undertaken. This report represents an interim analysis of the early postnatal growth performance of an unselected population of 194 preterm infants (gestation, mean (SD) 31 . 0 (2 . 9) weeks; birthweight, mean (SD) 1364 (294) g), both ill and well, examined in two (of four) parallel trials. One trial compared banked breast milk with a new preterm formula (primary trial); the other compared these diets as supplements to maternal milk (supplement trial). A major dietary effect on the number of days taken to regain birthweight and subsequent gains in weight, length, and head circumference was observed in the primary trial. Infants fed banked breast milk and weighing less than 1200 g at birth took a calculated additional three weeks to reach 2000 g compared with those fed on the preterm formula. A significant influence of diet on body proportions was seen in the relation between body weight, head circumference, and length. Similar though smaller differences in growth patterns were seen in the supplement trial. By the time they reach 2000 g, infants of birthweights 1200 to 1849 g fed on banked breast milk and infants below 1200 g fed on either banked breast milk or maternal milk supplemented (as necessary) with banked breast milk, fulfilled stringent criteria for failure to thrive (weight less than 2 SD below the mean for age). Only infants fed the preterm formula as their sole diet had maintained their birth centile by discharge from hospital. The misleading nature of comparisons between extrauterine and intrauterine steady state weight gains is emphasised.

Body Height↗
PubMed1980

Computed tomography in dissection of the thoracic aorta.

Eleven patients presenting with thoracic aortic dissection were studied by computed tomography (CT). CT was usually performed with knowledge of the angiographic diagnosis. In eight cases, CT was definitive. This group included all six patients who received intravenous contrast material by bolus infusion. An algorithmic approach to patients with possible aortic dissection is suggested.

Aortic Dissection↗