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Biomedical subjects

J Gérard

Publications and source records attributed to J Gérard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Ghrelin and obesity].

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone secreted by the stomach. It was initially described as a stimulant of growth hormone secretion. Soon, however, it was discovered to play an important role in feeding behaviour in animals and in appetite regulation in man: ghrelin stimulates appetite, and as such is an orexigenic peptide implicated in energy balance mechanisms and weight gain. Abnormal ghrelin activity leads to over- or underweight. Additionally, the efficacy of different treatment strategies against obesity seems to be related to modifications in plasma ghrelin levels. This review summarizes the current knowledge about ghrelin and its implications in obesity medicine.

Ghrelin↗
PubMed1988

[Randomized, comparative study on the treatment of moderate arterial hypertension during pregnancy: methyldopa, acebutolol, labetalol].

The aim of this prospective, monocentric, opened study and with random order for antihypertensive sequence was to compare a betablocker with sympathomimetic activity (ACE) and an alphabetablocker (LAB) to the gold standard treatment (MD) in moderate HDP (BP greater than 90 mmHg). This study (January 1984 to December 1985) includes 63 women, mean age 28.2 years, divided into three comparable subgroups (age, parity, risk factors and initial level of SBP/DBP). Initial doses are 500 mg/bid (MD), and 400 mg/bid (ACE, LAB) and optimal dosages could not be respectively more than 1500 mg/bid (MD) or 1200 mg/bid (ACE, LAB). Usual criteria for maternal and foetal care are taken into account. The chi 2 test, the Student "t" test and the Kruskall Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. The results show: 1--A similar antihypertensive effect for MD and LAB, but significantly less for ACE (initial PAD-37th week PAD: MD +/- 18.8 +/- 2; LAB = -17.9 +/- 3; ACE = - 8.2 +/- 2.7 mmHg, p less than 0.02; 2--A more frequent adjustment of daily dosage with MD (n = 15) than with ACE (n = 10) or LAB (n = 7); 3--The absence of any significant difference for uricemia level, platelet counts, foetal cardiac rythm, and occurrence of pre-eclampsia (MD = 4; ACE = 3; LAB = 4; 4--An equivalent birth-weight (MD = 3110 +/- 628 g; ACE = 3115 +/- 645.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acebutolol↗
PubMed1986

Extrapituitary neuroendocrine melanoderma. Unique association of extensive melanoderma with macromelanosomes and extrapituitary secretion of a high molecular weight neuropeptide related to pro-opiomelanocortin.

A patient developed an Addison-like melanoderma over the past decade. An abnormal neuropeptide related to, but bigger than pro-opiomelanocortin was found in large amount in the serum. It has most likely a stimulative action upon melanogenesis with formation of macromelanosomes.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1985

[Voluntary chloralose poisoning].

The authors report 114 cases of acute poisoning by rodenticides (chloralose). The clinical symptoms associate coma, myoclonic jerks and bronchorrhea. Metabolic acidosis is a common finding. Despite the initial gravity, the prognosis of chloralose intoxication is excellent, provided that a symptomatic treatment is instituted early.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Treatment of arterial hypertension in pregnancy with an alpha-beta blocker. 58 Cases treated with labetalol].

The results of the treatment in hypertension with pregnancy by a alpha-beta blocker in 58 women show: the good tolerance of the drug and its lack of teratogenic effect, its quasi-constant efficiency (91%) in hypertension, its benefit repercussion on neonatal weight. However, this therapeutics requires a maternal careful watching all along pregnancy, and especially of the new-born children, with regard to the risk of hypoglycemia.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1984

Acarbose in reactive hypoglycemia: a double-blind study.

This study investigates the effect of Acarbose, a complex oligosaccharide of microbial origin with glucosidase-inhibiting properties in alimentary hypoglycemia secondary to rapid gastric emptying and in reactive hypoglycemia either isolated or associated with impaired glucose tolerance. Twenty-four patients complaining of symptoms suggesting hypoglycemia which occurred after meals and who showed blood glucose values of 2.5 mmol/l (45 mg/dl) or below on one or more occasions during a 5-h oral glucose tolerance test were selected and divided into three groups. Group I comprized seven patients with demonstrated rapid gastric emptying; group II comprized eight patients with impaired glucose tolerance, whereas the nine patients of group III were considered to present with "isolated reactive hypoglycemia" since they had a normal glucose tolerance and did not have either glycosuria or gastroduodenal pathology. All patients were submitted to two oral 75-g sucrose tolerance tests. Acarbose (100 mg) or placebo was ingested with the first drought of the sucrose solution administered in a randomized order. The investigation was performed in a double-blind manner. In all three groups Acarbose significantly reduced the magnitude of post-sucrose reactive hypoglycemia. The blood glucose nadir also occurred later, but this effect was statistically significant in group II only. In patients of groups II and III, such improvement of the glucose nadirs was preceded by a significant reduction of the post-sucrose glycemic peak. In all three groups, the insulin response to oral sucrose was reduced by Acarbose. Another consistent finding was the lack of sucrose-induced glucagon suppression when Acarbose was given. These data suggest that Acarbose might be a useful adjunct to the management of functional hypoglycemia.

Acarbose↗
PubMed1983

[Effect of 2 beta-blockers on arterial hypertension during pregnancy. Results of a prospective study on 56 pregnant hypertensive women treated with atenolol and labetalol].

This study reports the results that were obtained in 56 cases of arterial hypertension in pregnancy solely by beta-blocking with Atenolol or Labetalol. Any pregnant woman whose arterial blood pressure rises to or exceeds 140/90 mm mercury in two successive examinations at intervals of 8 days with rest is considered to be hypertensive. As soon as treatment is started mothers' supervision is assured regularly by clinical and biological examinations and the dose of drug is adapted to each case. Fetal monitoring is ensured by ultrasound, cardiac rhythm tracings and hormone estimations. As far as the newborn is concerned, blood sugar and electrocardiogram measurements are taken to add to the normal examination at birth. Finally plasma levels of beta-blockers are estimated at birth in the mother and in the cord blood. The analysis of these results shows: for the mother: a fairly constant antihypertensive effect which is about the same for either drug in pregnancy. Further complementary injection therapy was needed, however, in 8 cases in labour. There were alterations in the method of delivery and in particular the Caesarean section rate rose to 12.5% and induction had to be carried out more frequently, triggered off by the slightest sign of fetal distress. As far as the child was concerned: 2 died in utero, the Apgar score was comparable to a control series, there was no bradycardia or broncho-spasm or teratogenic effect, mean weight at birth was significantly higher with Labetalol (3280 g +/- 555) than with Atenolol (2750 g +/- 630), the blood sugar levels at birth were in six cases lower than 1.4 mmol (0.25 g/l) but these were easily pu right by transfusion. The plasma levels of beta-blockers showed that there was a linear relationship between the maternal and fetal concentrations which confirmed that the two molecules pass through the placenta. This study confirms therefore that it is worth while using beta-blockers in cases of hypertension in pregnancy so long as careful observation is carried out, and it seems that the alpha constituent of Labetalol has advantages over the other.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Importance of systematic research of urinary infection in pregnant women and the cost of its detection. Proposal for a practical approach].

The first part consisted of a prospective study dealing with a series of 170 pregnancies during which cyto-bacteriological examination of urine was carried out in the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th months of pregnancy. Whenever bacteriuria was found it was treated. Those women found to be infected in pregnancy were re-examined bacteriologically and radiologically after delivery. A control series consisted of 200 pregnant women whose urines were not examined in this way unless they had clinical signs. In the first series 39 out of 170 women had at least one positive cyto-bacteriological test. 56 out of 638 examinations were abnormal. 50 had asymptomatic bacteriuria. No patient had any sign of acute pyelonephritis. In the control series 16 of the women had at least one positive cyto-bacteriological test. In all 21 tests were carried out (18 before signs of cystitis developed and 3 before symptoms of acute pyelonephritis). Treating asymptomatic bacteriuria is worth while because it helps to lower the incidence of pyelonephritis. There did not seem to be any relationship between premature labour, fetal mortality and maternal urinary pathology. Tests carried out at two definite intervals in pregnancy would seem to be a sufficient screening for preventing pyelonephritis and would be acceptable from the cost angle.

Bacteriuria↗
PubMed1981

Improvement of metabolic control in insulin dependent diabetics treated with the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose for two months.

Acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, delays starch digestion and inhibits intestinal sucrase and maltase activity. Twenty-eight insulin dependent diabetics were given Acarbose (3 x 100 mg daily) over a two month period, preceded and followed by a two month placebo period. Acarbose reduced post-breakfast and post-dinner blood glucose values by 25% (p less than 0.001) and 24% (p less than 0.05) respectively. It also significantly reduced mean daily blood glucose by 18% (p less than 0.05) and mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions from 8.0 +/- 0.6 to 5.5 +/- 0.4 mmol/l (p less than 0.0005). Weight did not change significantly. Daily caloric and carbohydrate intake remained constant throughout the study while insulin requirements decreased slightly but significantly. Out of the 28 patients, 18 had absent while ten had slight residual B cell function as assessed by plasma C-peptide measurements. Treatment with Acarbose did not significantly affect residual B cell function. The beneficial effect of Acarbose on blood glucose control was seen in patients both with and without residual B cell secretion. The major side-effect was flatulence which was never severe enough to interrupt treatment, but led to a 50% reduction of the dose in one patient. It is concluded that Acarbose represents a useful additional means of improving metabolic control in insulin dependent diabetics.

Acarbose↗