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Biomedical subjects

M A Sperling

Publications and source records attributed to M A Sperling.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Ontogeny of insulin and glucagon receptors and the adenylate cyclase system in guinea pig liver.

To gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for the impaired glycogenolytic response to glucagon and the diminished ketogenic capacity of newborn guinea pig, we studied the ontogeny of insulin and glucagon receptors, and the responsiveness of the adenylate cyclase complex to glucagon, PGE1, NaF, and cholera toxin in liver plasma membrane from fetal (58 d, late gestation, and 65 d, term) and adult guinea pigs. The number of insulin receptors (x 10(-10) M/L) was least in 58-d fetus (3.0 +/- 0.4; mean +/- SEM) and increased 3-fold in 65 d fetus (8.8 +/- 0.6; P less than 0.01). In adult guinea pig, both insulin receptor number (6.0 +/- 0.7) and average affinity constant (1.20 +/- 0.08 x 10(8) M-1) were significantly lower (P less than 0.01) compared with 65-d fetus. The number of glucagon receptors remained unchanged between 58-d and 65-d fetuses, but both average and high affinity association constants were significantly higher at d 65. In contrast to the lower capacity and affinity of insulin receptors in the adult compared with term fetus, the total glucagon receptor number (x 10(-10) M/L) in adults (7.2 +/- 0.8) was twice that of the 58 d (3.2 +/- 0.2) and 65 d (3.2 +/- 1.0) fetuses. The average affinity constant (x 10(8) M-1) in adult (3.8 +/- 0.2) was, however, significantly lower than the two fetal groups (58 d, 5.0 +/- 0.3; P less than 0.05 and 65 d, 8.1 +/- 1.0; P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

True precocious puberty complicating congenital adrenal hyperplasia: treatment with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a recognized cause of precocious pseudopuberty. Some children with CAH also develop true precocious puberty with early maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. We have seen four such children (three boys and one girl) who had the diagnosis of CAH made between the ages of 3 and 6 yr. These patients were treated with standard doses of hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. A diagnosis of true precocious puberty was made because of testicular enlargement in the boys, breast development in the girl, progressive pubic hair development, rapid growth, and rapid bone age maturation. Plasma steroid levels were elevated for age, and gonadotropin levels were within the normal pubertal range, both basally and in response to LHRH stimulation. We treated these children with daily sc injections of a LHRH analog (LHRHa) for 6-18 months in addition to the standard hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone therapy for CAH. LHRHa significantly decreased basal plasma LH and FSH, peak LH and FSH responses to native LHRH, and testosterone levels. Testis size decreased in the males, and breast development regressed in the female. LHRHa therapy led to significant decreases in linear growth rate, ulnar growth rate, and rate of bone age advancement. These results suggest that LHRHa is an effective adjunct to hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone in the treatment of true precocious puberty complicating CAH.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

Possible dissociation between insulin binding and insulin action in isolated fetal rat hepatocytes.

To directly examine the relationship between insulin receptors and insulin action in fetal tissue, we compared insulin receptor characteristics and insulin-mediated 14C-glucose incorporation into glycogen, as well as glycogen synthase activity, in freshly isolated hepatocytes from 21-day fetal (F) and adult (A) rats. Viability of hepatocytes was documented by trypan blue exclusion (greater than 90%), time-dependent 14C-leucine incorporation into protein, and dose-related incorporation of glucose into glycogen. Percent specific binding of 125I-insulin per unit protein was significantly higher in F than A liver plasma membranes (32.2 +/- 0.3 versus 18 +/- 2.4; P less than 0.01) and Scatchard plots revealed twice the number of receptors in F. Similarly, receptor number per cell surface area was threefold higher in F than in A (150 versus 50 sites/micron2). At a fixed medium glucose concentration of 11.2 mM, insulin stimulated 14C-glucose incorporation into glycogen in a dose-related manner in A with an apparent Km of 1.0 ng/ml and Vmax at 5-10 ng/ml corresponding to 30-40% of total receptor occupancy; no effect was obtained in F with insulin up to 100 ng/ml. Net glucose incorporation into glycogen (nmol/10(6) cells/h) increased progressively with increasing medium glucose concentrations ranging from 1.4 to 27.8 mM; incorporation by F was significantly greater than by A at each glucose concentration. However, whereas insulin at 100 ng/ml significantly augmented net glucose incorporation at each glucose concentration in A, no effect of insulin was apparent in F.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

Glucose and insulin changes in infants and children undergoing hypothermic open-heart surgery.

Marked hyperglycemia was observed in patients undergoing hypothermic open-heart surgery. To evaluate potential mechanisms responsible for hyperglycemia, paired samples were evaluated for glucose and insulin levels in 3 groups of patients. Group 1 consisted of 8 patients less than 2 years of age undergoing cardiac surgery requiring total circulatory arrest; Group 2 consisted of 9 patients less than 2 years of age undergoing open-heart procedures but not requiring total circulatory arrest; Group 3 consisted of 10 patients greater than 2 years of age, none of whom required total circulatory arrest. All 3 groups had striking hyperglycemia during cardiac surgery and in the first few hours after the operation. Despite elevated glucose levels during surgery, insulin levels failed to increase proportionately in response to hyperglycemic stimulus. Subsequently, in a fourth group of 10 patients less than 2 years of age not undergoing total circulatory arrest, the amount of glucose infused was restricted and they did not have hyperglycemia. In children, osmotic diuresis resulting from hyperglycemia after open-heart surgery may be misinterpreted as an index of satisfactory cardiorenal performance. Accordingly, it is recommended that the diluent added to the pump blood prime solution contain no supplemental glucose; also, intraoperative fluid should consist of a balanced electrolyte solution but no glucose.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

Ontogeny of hepatic insulin and glucagon receptors and adenylate cyclase in rabbit.

In rabbit liver plasma membranes (LPM), specific binding of 125I-insulin rapidly increased in late gestation and peaked at birth, declining thereafter. In contrast, 125I-glucagon binding was lowest in late gestation, somewhat higher at birth, and increased by 48 h although only to 20-25% of adult. These changes in binding were due to changing numbers of receptors involving predominantly high affinity sites for insulin and low affinity sites for glucagon, with only minor changes in affinity. Despite measurable glucagon receptors by birth, fetal LPM produced no increment above basal in cAMP production with maximal doses of glucagon (10(-6) M), prostaglandin E1 (10(-4) M), or epinephrine (10(-4) M). Near birth only NaF (10 mM) produced a modest but significant increment in cAMP. By 2 h postbirth, all stimuli evoked significant increments in cAMP production that increased progressively but was still only 15-20% of adult at 48 h. Furthermore, although specific binding of cholera toxin was greater in fetal LPM (11 +/- 1 vs. 6 +/- 1%), cholera toxin-stimulated cAMP production increased by only 12-26% above basal in the fetus compared with 220% in adult. Markers of membrane purity including 5'-nucleotidase, phosphodiesterase, and insulin or glucagon degradation were not different in fetus and adult. We conclude that receptors and components of the adenylate cyclase complex mature independently; initial coupling occurs between the G/F regulatory protein and the catalytic unit (NaF but not hormonal activation) followed within hours of birth by coupling to the hormone receptor.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

The role of human growth hormone in the regulation of cholesterol and bile acid metabolism.

Cholesterol and bile acid metabolism was studied in 16 children with human GH (hGH) deficiency (11 with isolated hGH deficiency and 5 with multiple trophic hormone deficiency) before and after 6 months of hGH therapy. We measured plasma lipid concentrations, biliary lipid composition, and cholesterol saturation indices; calculated the bile acid pool size measured by the isotopic dilution technique using the stable isotope chenodeoxycholic-[11,12-d2] acid; and measured cholesterol and bile acid synthetic rates by sterol balance techniques. In all 16 patients, plasmas lipid concentrations were unchanged after hGH therapy; total plasma cholesterol was 182 +/- 10 (+/-SEM) mg/dl before and 179 +/- 9 mg/dl after treatment, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was 47 +/- 2 mg/dl before and 49 +/- 3 mg/dl after treatment, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol was 112 +/- 10 mg/dl before and 111 +/- 8 mg/dl after therapy, and triglyceride was 113 +/- 13 mg/dl before and 107 +/- 10 mg/dl after hGH therapy. Biliary lipid composition and cholesterol saturation in 10 patients were similar to those in controls and unchanged with hGH therapy. Cholesterol synthesis (n = 14) was unchanged (7.6 +/- 1.4 vs. 9.6 +/- 1.2 mg/kg X day); however, bile acid synthesis (n = 15) increased from 3.1 +/- 0.4 to 4.3 +/- 0.6 mg/kg X day (P less than 0.025) after therapy. The chenodeoxycholate pool size (n = 8) was significantly reduced (P less than 0.025) before hGH treatment (416 +/- 64 mg/m2) compared to that in controls (617 +/- 45 mg/m2) and increased to 620 +/- 72 mg/m2 after hGH therapy (P less than 0.05). Chenodeoxycholate pool size expansion during hGH therapy was, at least in part, caused by an increase in hepatic bile acid synthesis. These findings suggest that hGH may indirectly modulate cholesterol metabolism through regulation of hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity, the rate-limiting enzyme of bile acid synthesis.

Adolescent↗

Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors impair hepatic glucose production in response to glucagon and epinephrine stimulation.

To investigate whether inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis affects hormone-induced glucose dynamics, we measured glucose turnover in response to glucagon alone (5 ng . kg-1 min-1) or combined with epinephrine (0.1 microgram . kg-1 min-1) in conscious trained dogs (N = 6) on three separate occasions in each animal: (1) during a control saline infusion, (2) during infusion of indomethacin, and (3) during infusion of sodium salicylate. Glucose production (Ra) and utilization (Rd) were determined by isotope dilution using the nonrecycling label 3-3H glucose. In controls, glucagon levels (IRG) rose from a basal of 44 +/- 12 to 260 +/- 40 pg/ml (mean +/- SEM) during glucagon infusion; basal epinephrine levels (EPI) of 150 +/- 20 pg/ml were unaffected by glucagon infusion but rose four- to fivefold during combined glucagon/epinephrine infusion. Plasma glucose rose transiently from 95 +/- 1 to a peak of 136 +/- 13 mg/dl after 20 min of glucagon; infusion of EPI resulted in a second glycemic response with a peak of 148 +/- 9 mg/dl. Ra increased transiently from 2.9 +/- 0.2 to a peak of 7.9 +/- 1.4 mg . kg-1 min-1 during glucagon alone with a second rise to 6.2 +/- 0.8 mg . kg-1 min-1 10 min after beginning EPI. With glucagon alone, Rd paralleled Ra but addition of EPI resulted in a relative fall in Rd. Insulin (IRI) rose from 9 +/- 1 microU/ml to 29 +/- 6 microU/ml with glucagon but IRI fell despite the second glycemic response during EPI. When either indomethacin or salicylate was infused, basal IRI, IRG, EPI, glucose, Ra and Rd were unaffected and were similar to controls. Although plasma levels of IRG and EPI during glucagon or glucagon plus epinephrine infusion were also similar to controls, the glycemic response was reduced (P less than 0.05). This attenuation of glycemic response was due to a reduction of stimulated Ra (P less than 0.05) and not to an increase in Rd. Changes in IRI paralleled the reduction in glycemic response. Thus, both indomethacin and salicylate blunt the glycemic response to glucagon and glucagon plus epinephrine by attenuating glucose production and not by enhancing glucose utilization or insulin secretion. These results with two prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors suggest that prostaglandins modulate the hepatic effects of glucagon and epinephrine.

Animals↗

Glucocorticoids and hypothyroidism modulate development of fetal lung insulin receptors.

We investigated the development of insulin receptors in membranes of fetal rabbit lung during normal ontogeny and the effect of glucocorticoids and hypothyroidism. Specific binding of 125I-insulin to fetal lung membranes increased progressively to a peak at 29 days gestation, declining by 30 days. Scatchard plots were curvilinear and revealed a progressive increase in receptor numbers (X 10(10)/mg protein) from 129 +/- 7 (mean +/- SE) at 22-24 days to 575 +/- 16 at 29 days, declining to 467 +/- 12 at 30 days, term being approximately 31 days. Affinities did not change throughout gestation and were similar to those of adult lung; receptor numbers in adults were significantly lower than in fetuses at 26-30 days. Epinephrine and PGE1 could evoke a doubling of cAMP production in adult and fetal lung membranes until 29 days. Concomitantly with the fall in fetal insulin receptor number at 30 days, cAMP production in response to epinephrine or PGE1 increased fivefold. Induction of fetal hypothyroidism decreased insulin receptor numbers in the lung of the 28-day fetus by 70% from control (P less than 0.001) without a change in receptor affinity. In contrast, betamethasone administration increased fetal lung insulin receptor numbers by 250% (P less than 0.001) but did not alter their affinity; maternal lung insulin receptors were not altered. Thus, normal ontogeny of the fetal lung insulin receptor is characterized by a progressive increase in number followed by decline immediately before parturition associated with a sharp increase of cAMP responsiveness of the membranes. Hypothyroidism and glucocorticoid exposure can modulate the normal development of the fetal lung insulin receptor.

Alprostadil↗

Growth hormone stimulates adrenal steroidogenesis in the fetus.

The 'surge' of corticosteroid in fetal plasma during late gestation has been implicated in the initiation of parturition and the maturation of enzyme systems in organs such as the lung, liver, adrenal medulla and thyroid. But in all species studied, the mechanism responsible for increased secretion in the fetus remains unclear. The hormone adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) is well established as the primary regulator of adrenocortical cellular growth and secretory function during fetal and adult life. However, no increase in fetal plasma ACTH has been observed before the corticosteroid surge in sheep or humans, although differential responsiveness of the fetal adrenal cortex to ACTH at various gestational ages and a possible role of extra-adrenal inhibitory factors have been proposed. The possible steroidogenic effect of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha MSH) on fetal adrenocortical function is controversial, and we could not demonstrate any such action in fetal lamb or rabbit. Prolactin and growth hormone (GH) potentiate the steroidogenic effect of ACTH in adult rats but prolactin had no such effect in fetal lamb. We have investigated the steroidogenic properties of GH, and report here that it stimulates adrenal steroidogenesis in the fetal but not maternal rabbit in vitro and in fetal but not maternal sheep in vitro as well as in vivo.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Comparison of single- and split-dose insulin regimens with 24-hour monitoring.

It has been asserted that twice daily injections of mixed insulin provide better blood glucose control than one. To compare the two regimens we conducted a random-order, double-crossover trial in ten diabetic children. Each regimen lasted for six weeks, concluding with a hospital evaluation. Control at home was assessed by a urine log and determination of glycosylated hemoglobin. Control in the hospital was assessed with measurements of quantitative urinary glucose, serum lipids, and by 24-hour blood sampling for glucose, C-peptide, and counterregulatory hormones. For the group as a whole, none of the indices of control demonstrated a significant advantage for either regimen. Individually, several children did appear to achieve better control on one regimen than the other. Indices of control at home did not consistently predict control in the hospital. In the hospital, the largest increases in glucose concentration followed breakfast (mean rise 148 mg/dl), and standardized exercise invariably reduced plasma glucose values (mean decrement 60 mg/dl). C-Peptide concentrations were low, but higher values were associated with better control. Although a split insulin regimen may improve metabolic control in some patients, this study did not demonstrate a substantial advantage for the majority of subjects over the short period of the trials.

Adolescent↗

Adrenergic modulation of glucagon and insulin secretion in obese and lean humans.

The adrenergic modulation of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and glucagon (IRG) secretion was studied in 5 massively obese subjects hospitalized ion a metabolic ward. Epinephrine was infused alone or in combination with propranolol, a beta adrenergic blocking drug, or with phentolamine, an alpha adrenergic blocking drug. Epinephrine infusion produced a significant (p less than .02) rise in IRG levels which was blocked by addition of either phentolamine or propranolol. Pure alpha adrenergic stimulation with propranolol-epinephrine infusion inhibited IRG secretion (p less than .02). IRI levels decreased with propranolol-epinephrine infusion (p less than .02), increased with phentolamine-epinephrine infusion, and were not affected by infusion of epinephrine alone. Glucose concentrations rose with all 3 infusions but were less with phentolamine-epinephrine. A control group of 4 lean outpatients on a ad lib diet demonstrated a similar pattern but the changes of IRG secretion were smaller than in the obese subjects and were not statistically significant. We conclude that in obese humans IRI secretion is increased by beta adrenergic stimulation, is decreased by alpha adrenergic stimulation, and is unaffected by combined alpha and beta adrenergic stimulation. In contrast, IRG secretion is stimulated by combined alpha and beta adrenergic stimulation, is inhibited by pure alpha adrenergic stimulation, and is unaffected by pure beta adrenergic stimulation.

Adult↗

Cardiac septal hypertrophy in hyperinsulinemic infants.

One infant with nesidioblastosis, and five of 18 infants of diabetic mothers had echocardiographically determined septal hypertrophy (greater than or equal to 6 mm). No correlation was found between the septal hypertrophy and the presence of hypocalcemia, polycythemia, birth asphyxia, or other observed clinical findings. All of the infants with septal hypertrophy, however, had profound hypoglycemia shortly after birth in contrast to those infants without septal hypertrophy. Macrosomic IDM have intrauterine hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. The presence of profound neonatal hypoglycemia is consistent with the metabolic effects of significant neonatal hyperinsulinemia which is also present in the fetus. Infants with nesidioblastosis also have fetal hyperinsulinemia. Recent investigations have suggested an important role for insulin in the developing heart since it is rich in insulin receptors and contains marked insulin degrading capacity. Although fetal hyperglycemia has been suggested as the cause of septal hypertrophy in IDM, we hypothesize that fetal hyperinsulinemia contributes directly to the spinal hypertrophy.

Cardiomegaly↗

Adrenergic modulation of pancreatic hormone secretion in utero: studies in fetal sheep.

To assess the functional maturity of adrenergic modulation of plasma concentration of glucose, as well as immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) secretion in utero, adrenergic agonists with or without beta (propranolol) or alpha (phentolamine) antagonists were infused to the chronically catheterized sheep fetus (n = 35) late in the third trimester. Mean +/- S.E. days at study was 129.5 +/- 1.5; term is 150 days. In 9 separate studies at gestational age 129 +/- 1 days, the infusion of saline for 3 hr was not associated with significant changes in the basal levels of glucose, IRG, or IRI. With epinephrine, 6 microgram/min (n = 6) glucose rose from 16.7 +/- 3.6 to 41.9 +/- 9.7 mg/dl, IRG rose from 75 +/- 8 to 219 +/- 45 pg/ml, and IRI fell from 22.6 +/- 1.7 to 12.7 +/- 3.5 microunits/ml (P less than 0.05 for each). Propranolol alone (n = 4) did not alter basal glucose or IRG but significantly suppressed IRI. Propranolol did, however, markedly attentuate the rise in glucose and IRG while exaggerating the fall in IRI during epinephrine infusion. Qualitatively similar but smaller responses were obtained with epinephrine, 0.4 microgram/min (n = 10). Similarly, elevation of glucose and suppression of IRI was obtained with norepinephrine, 2 microgram/min (n = 5), but IRG levels did not rise significantly. Alpha-Adrenergic blockade alone augmented IRI from 18 +/- 3 to 38 +/- 5 microunits/ml without affecting glucose or IRG concentrations; during alpha blockade, norepinephrine infusion failed to induce the rise in glucose, IRG remained unchanged, and IRI remained elevated (n = 5). 2-Deoxy-D-glucose, 200 mg IV over 30 min, did not affect glucose, IRG, or IRI (n = 5). Thus, appropriate adrenergic modulation of plasma concentrations of glucose, and of IRG and IRI secretion is established in the third trimester.

Animals↗