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Biomedical subjects

I MacIntyre

Publications and source records attributed to I MacIntyre.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A physiological role for calcitonin: protection of the maternal skeleton.

Plasma-calcitonin levels, measured with an established and reliable extraction radioimmunoassay technique, were significantly higher throughout normal pregnancy and lactation than in normal non-pregnant women, and were not immediately influenced by the acute stimulation of breast-feeding. Thus, more calcitonin circulates at times of physiologically increased calcium need. It is suggested that an important function of calcitonin is the protection of the healthy maternal skeleton from excessive resorption by opposing the resorptive action of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on bone.

Adolescent

The role of the kidney in vitamin D metabolism.

The kidney should be regarded as an organ of central importance in the regulation of calcium metabolism. Its secretion product, 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, is regulated by several factors, including the calcium and phosphorus content of the diet, parathyroid hormone and the level of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 itself. The main occasions in health where 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 secretion is enhanced are during growth and reproduction. In these situations the secretion of this new renal hormone is under at least partial control of growth hormone and prolactin.

Animals

Effect of oestrogen and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on 25-hydroxycholecalciferol metabolism in primary chick kidney-cell cultures.

Primary cultures of chick kidney cells convert 25-hydroxycholecalciferol into more-polar metabolites. Cells from vitamin D-deficient chicks have high 25-hydroxycholecalciferol 1 alpha-hydroxylase (1 alpha-hydroxylase) activity, but no 25-hydroxycholecalciferol 24-hydroxylase (24-hydroxylase) activity. Physiological concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxycholeclaciferol suppress 1 alpha-hydroxylase and induce 24-hydroxylase activity. The inhibition of 1 alpha-hydroxylase preceded the induction of 24-hydroxylase. In contrast, oestradiol-17 beta had no effect on the activity of either hydroxylase under a variety of experimental conditions. These results clearly demonstrate that 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, but not oestrogen, acts directly on the kidney cells to regulate the metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase

Relative deficiency of plasma-calcitonin in normal women.

A new radioimmunoassay technique was used to measure plasma-calcitonin in normal subjects. Plasma-calcitonin concentrations in women were less than 25% of those in men, and were often undetectable. However, during pregnancy or administration of the oestrogen-progestagen contraceptive pill, plasma-calcitonin equalled or exceeded male concentrations. These findings are consistent with an effect on calcitonin production of normal male testosterone concentrations and concentrations of the sex steroids during pregnancy. Calcitonin may protect the skeleton during calcium stress. Further, although it is unknown whether a deficiency of the hormone plays a role in postmenopausal osteoporosis, this is now a definite possibility which requires urgent investigation.

Adolescent

A survey of the hormonal factors that control calcium metabolism.

(1) Vitamin D is the precursor of an extremely potent calcium regulating hormone, 1,25(OH)2D3, which is secreted by the kidney. (2) The secretion of 1,25(OH)2D3 by the kidney is influenced by the calcium and phosphorus content of the diet, parathyroid hormone, and 1,25(OH)2D3 itself. (3)Prolactin and growth hormone are importnat regulators of vitamin D metabolism during pregnancy and growth.

Animals

Influence of estrogen on renal vitamin D hydroxylases and serum 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3 in chicks.

The influence of estrogen on the metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was studied in 2- to 5-wk-old chicks. Single injections of at least 500 microgram diethylstibestrol (DES) increased the conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha,25-(OH)2D3) and suppressed the production of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in chick kidney homogenates. Acute (one 5-mg) injections of testosterone or progesterone did not enhance the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1alpha-hydroxylase, indicating specificity. However, chronic pretreatment with DES appeared to allow the potentiation of previously unstimulatory steroids such as progesterone and testosterone. In addition, the hormonal metabolite of vitamin D3, 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3, was measured in 4- to 6-wk chick plasma after steroid treatment. Greater than 1 mg DES per day for 5 days was necessary to enhance the circulating level of 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3; testosterone alone had no effect. This elevation was rapid, occurring within 12--24 h after injection. These data suggest that estrogen (as evidenced by DES treatment) is a modulator of vitamin D metabolism along with other known regulators such as parathyroid hormone, phosphate, and 1alpha,25-(OH)2D3. The mechanism of the regulation is as yet unknown.

Animals

Specific immunostaining of CCK cells by use of synthetic fragment antisera.

Antibodies to the central fragments 9-20 dodecapeptide sequence of CCK were used for specific immunostaining of the CCK cells of the mammalian gut. The use of high specific antibodies to synthetic fragment, essential when there is a possibility of immunochemical cross reactions between antisera and hormones of similar molecular structure provides the key to increased understanding of the nature and relationships of peptide hormones.

Antibody Specificity