PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Berelowitz

Publications and source records attributed to M Berelowitz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Comparative efficacy of a once-daily controlled-release formulation of glipizide and immediate-release glipizide in patients with NIDDM.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of controlled-release glipizide (glipizide-GITS [gastrointestinal therapeutic system]) and immediate-release glipizide in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a multicenter, open-label, randomized, two-way crossover study, 132 patients with NIDDM received daily doses of 5, 20, or 40 mg of either glipizide-GITS or immediate-release glipizide for 8 weeks followed by 8 weeks of the alternate formulation. Plasma glucose, serum insulin, C-peptide, and plasma glipizide levels were measured at fasting and post-Sustacal challenge at the end of 1 and 8 weeks of each treatment phase. HbA1c was measured at the end of weeks 7 and 8 of each treatment phase. RESULTS: Both formulations of glipizide yielded similar mean HbA1c values. However, mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels were significantly lower with glipizide-GITS treatment than with immediate-release glipizide at the end of week 1 (11.0 vs. 11.6 mmol/l; P < 0.01) and at the end of the 8-week treatment phase (10.9 vs. 11.7 mmol/l; P < 0.001). Fasting insulin and C-peptide levels were lower after 5 mg glipizide-GITS vs. immediate-release glipizide. Glucose responses to Sustacal were similar after both formulations of glipizide; however, serum insulin (P < 0.01) and C-peptide responses (P < 0.05) were lower with glipizide-GITS than with immediate-release glipizide treatment at the end of the 8-week treatment phase. Mean plasma glipizide concentrations were stable by the end of week 1, and the concentrations increased proportionately with dose. Once-daily Glipizide-GITS provided effective mean glipizide concentrations (> 50 ng/ml) 24 h after dosing, even at the lowest (5 mg) dose level. Both formulations were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Glipizide-GITS was significantly more effective than immediate-release glipizide in reducing FPG levels. Both formulations reduced postprandial plasma glucose levels equally; however, glipizide-GITS exerted its control in the presence of lower plasma glipizide concentrations in addition to significantly lower insulin and C-peptide levels. This suggests that glipizide-GITS improves insulin sensitivity.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Molecular cloning and sequencing of a human somatostatin receptor, hSSTR4.

We recently reported the cloning of a somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtype from a rat genomic library designated rSSTR4. In the present study, we report the cloning of the human SSTR4 gene. A human genomic library was screened with a 1.2 kb fragment of rSSTR4 containing the full open reading frame and a genomic clone, hSSTR4, was isolated. The deduced amino acid sequence of this clone encoded a protein of 388 amino acids and is a member of the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily. Comparison of rat and human SSTR4 sequences demonstrated 89% identity. In addition, the sequence of hSSTR4 shows 61%, 46%, and 47% sequence identity with previously identified isoforms hSSTR1, hSSTR2, and hSSTR3, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Pituitary and hypothalamic insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor expression in food-deprived rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate a possible role for the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) system in mediating the suppression of growth hormone (GH) secretion observed in food-deprived rats by measuring IGF-I mRNA, receptor concentration and receptor mRNA in neuroendocrine tissues (hypothalamus and pituitary). Rats were deprived of food (food-deprived) for 72 h or had free access to food (fed). Tissues were processed for measurement of steady-state levels of: (a) IGF-I and IGF-I receptor mRNA (by solution hybridization/RNase protection assay); (b) IGF-I in serum and tissue extracts (by RIA) and (c) IGF-I displaceable [125I]IGF-I binding to plasma membrane preparations. Food deprivation resulted in decreased serum and liver levels of IGF-I. Kidney IGF-I mRNA levels were reduced 80% in food-deprived rats with a concomitant increase in IGF-I receptor concentration and mRNA levels. Refeeding of food-deprived rats fully normalized these perturbations. Pituitary IGF-I content was reduced 50% in food-deprived rats while IGF-I mRNA levels were unaffected. A modest increase was seen in pituitary IGF-I receptor concentration; however, IGF-I receptor mRNA levels were not changed. Hypothalamic IGF-I mRNA content was reduced in 72 h food-deprived rats while IGF-I receptor binding capacity and mRNA were unaffected. In conclusion, IGF-I mRNA levels are decreased in liver, kidney and hypothalamus together with a reduction in plasma IGF-I in food-deprived rats but is unaffected in anterior pituitary. IGF-I receptor gene expression and binding capacity are coordinately regulated in kidney and hypothalamus, but not in the pituitary.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Regulation of hypothalamic preprogrowth hormone-releasing factor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in food-deprived rats: a role for histaminergic neurotransmission.

To determine the component(s) of dietary protein that regulates GH-releasing factor (GRF) synthesis, we measured hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA by solution hybridization/nuclease protection analysis in food-deprived rats refed protein-free diets (PF) supplemented with individual amino acids. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were allowed free access to food (Fed), food deprived for 72 h (FD), or FD then refed for 72 h with a normal (NF) diet, a protein-free (PF) diet, or PF diets containing tyrosine, tryptophan (Trp), glutamic acid, or histidine (His). Food-deprived rats displayed the expected 80% reduction in hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA. Upon refeeding, levels were normalized in rats refed a normal diet, but not in those refed a PF diet alone or with tyrosine, Trp, or glutamic acid. In contrast, prepro-GRF mRNA was restored to 70% of Fed values by a PF diet with His. Supplementing a PF diet with His was sufficient to maintain hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA expression, as 3 days of feeding replete rats with PF diet or PF diet with added Trp resulted in a 50% reduction in prepro-GRF mRNA, whereas levels were reduced 25% by feeding animals a PF diet with His. Groups of rats allowed free access to food were treated for 72 h with two daily injections of 100 mg/kg alpha-fluoremethylhistidine, a specific irreversible inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase, to determine if the effect of His on prepro-GRF mRNA depended on neural conversion to histamine. alpha-Fluoremethylhistidine-treated rats showed a 40% reduction in hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA, with no concomitant change in preproneuropeptide-Y or preprosomatostatin. These data indicate that decreased hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA in FD rats is due in part to the lack of dietary and provide clear evidence for a role of the histaminergic neural system in the regulation of hypothalamic GRF expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Tissue distribution of somatostatin receptor subtype messenger ribonucleic acid in the rat.

The tissue distribution of mRNA encoding five somatostatin receptor subtypes, SSTR1, SSTR2, SSTR3, SSTR4, and SSTR5, was determined in adult rat tissues by solution hybridization/nuclease protection analysis using sequence-specific cRNA probes. In the central nervous system, SSTR1 and SSTR2 mRNA were expressed widely, with highest levels in hippocampus, hypothalamus, cortex, and amygdala and expression of both isoforms in cerebellum and spinal cord. Expression of SSTR3 was also widespread, occurring in all brain regions examined, with the highest level of expression in the cerebellum. SSTR4 mRNA was detected in most brain regions, with highest levels occurring in the hippocampus, cortex, and olfactory bulb. No detectable levels were found in cerebellum. SSTR5 showed a unique pattern of expression in the central nervous system, being found primarily in the hypothalamus and preoptic area. In peripheral tissues, high levels of SSTR1 and SSTR2 mRNA were found in pituitary and spleen. SSTR1 mRNA was also found in the heart and intestine, SSTR2 was detected in pancreas, and both isoforms were expressed in stomach. Expression of SSTR3 was noted in heart, liver, stomach, intestine, kidney, spleen, and pituitary. The patterns of expression were similar for SSTR4 and SSTR3 mRNA; however, SSTR4 was not expressed in liver. SSTR5 was expressed predominantly in the pituitary, but detectible levels were observed in spleen and intestine. Thus, the SSTR subtype mRNA showed both a tissue-specific and overlapping pattern of expression. Taken together with SSTR-specific signal transduction systems, this probably explains the diverse physiological actions of somatostatin.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Molecular cloning and functional expression of a brain-specific somatostatin receptor.

The PCR and conventional library screening were used to clone the brain-specific somatostatin receptor rSSTR-4 from a rat genomic library. The deduced amino acid sequence encodes a protein of 384 amino acids and displays structural and sequence homologies with members of the G protein-receptor superfamily. The amino acid sequence of rSSTR-4 is 60% and 48% identical to that of somatostatin receptors SSTR-1 and SSTR-2, respectively, two recently cloned subtypes. Competition curve analysis of the binding properties of the receptor transiently expressed in COS-1 cells revealed a higher apparent affinity for somatostatin 14 than for somatostatin 28. In contrast, the somatostatin analogs SMS 201-995, IM 4-28, and MK-678 failed to displace specific binding in transfected cells. These characteristics resemble the pharmacological binding properties of the previously described brain-specific somatostatin-receptor subtype. Examination of the tissue distribution of mRNA for rSSTR-4 revealed expression limited to various brain regions with highest levels in the cortex and hippocampus. Thus, based on the pharmacology and tissue localization of this receptor, we conclude that rSSTR-4 represents a brain-specific somatostatin receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Molecular cloning and sequencing of a cDNA encoding a human alpha 1A adrenergic receptor.

DNA from a rat hippocampus cDNA library and sets of highly degenerate oligonucleotide primers directed toward conserved regions of previously cloned G-protein receptors were used in the polymerase chain reaction to selectively amplify and clone new members of this gene family. A human hippocampus cDNA library was screened with a 610 base pair fragment generated by PCR and a cDNA clone, H318/3, was isolated. The deduced amino acid sequence of this clone encoded a protein of 501 amino acids that showed strong sequence homology to previously cloned G-protein receptors. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed clone H318/3 was 78% homologous to a rat alpha 1A adrenergic receptor with homology being 95% when comparisons were made in the region that lies between the first to the seventh transmembrane domains. Based on this high degree of sequence homology, we conclude that clone H318/3 represents a cDNA for a human alpha 1A adrenergic receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Hormonal regulation of rat hypothalamic neuropeptide mRNAs: effect of hypophysectomy and hormone replacement on growth-hormone-releasing factor, somatostatin and the insulin-like growth factors.

Hormonal feedback regulation of hypothalamic peptides putatively involved in growth hormone (GH) regulation has been studied by measurement of steady-state mRNA levels in male hypophysectomized rats with or without thyroid hormone, corticosterone, testosterone or GH replacement. Hypothalamic GH-releasing factor (GRF) mRNA levels increased progressively following hypophysectomy to 420% of sham levels after 15 days while hypothalamic insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) mRNA levels decreased to less than 40% of sham levels. Whole hypothalamic somatostatin mRNA levels were not significantly different from sham. One week of continuous GH infusion restored hypothalamic IGF-I mRNA to levels (95%) indistinguishable from those in sham-operated controls but had no effect on either IGF-II or GRF mRNA. Thyroid hormone, corticosterone and testosterone treatment without GH had no effect on the hypophysectomy-induced reduction of either IGF-I or IGF-II mRNA levels but reversed the elevation of GRF mRNA. We conclude that hypothalamic IGF-I may be involved in GH feedback regulation and thus may function as a hypothalamic modulator of GH. In contrast, IGF-II may be regulated by one of the pituitary trophic hormones but not by GH or the target hormones tested. Finally, hypothalamic GRF mRNA regulation appears to be complex and may include target hormone feedback.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Pituitary insulin-like growth factor-I content and gene expression in the streptozotocin-diabetic rat: evidence for tissue-specific regulation.

Insulinopenic diabetes mellitus in the rat is associated with reduced circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), resulting primarily from decreased IGF-I synthesis in liver and extrahepatic sites. Plasma GH levels in these animals are also suppressed, with loss of episodic secretion and decreased pituitary synthesis. Intrapituitary IGF-I has been postulated to exert local autocrine/paracrine negative feedback regulation on GH synthesis and secretion. The present studies were designed to examine regulation of pituitary IGF-I peptide content and gene expression in insulinopenic streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats compared to that in liver and testis. Serum IGF-I levels were reduced by 86% in STZ-diabetic rats together with reduction of IGF-I content in liver (53%) and testis (74%; all P less than 0.001 vs. control). Concomitantly, liver and testicular IGF-I mRNA levels were reduced by 90% (P less than 0.001 vs. control). Insulin treatment restored IGF-I peptide levels in serum, liver, and testis toward normal, with a partial but significant increase in liver IGF-I mRNA. In contrast, pituitary IFG-I peptide content increased by 69% in STZ-diabetic rats (P less than 0.001 vs. control), with no change in IGF-I gene expression. Insulin treatment completely reversed the rise of pituitary IGF-I peptide content. These results demonstrate a novel discordance in the regulation of IGF-I gene expression and peptide content between pituitary and other tissues in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Elevated IGF-I levels in the pituitaries of these animals may partly explain the suppressed GH synthesis and secretion seen in STZ-diabetic rats and provide further evidence for a potential autocrine or paracrine role of pituitary IGF-I in GH regulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Regulation of rat hypothalamic preprogrowth hormone-releasing factor messenger ribonucleic acid by dietary protein.

To further evaluate nutrient regulation of GRF synthesis, we measured hypothalamic preproGRF messenger (m) RNA in food-deprived rats refed diets varying in nutrient composition by nuclease protection analysis. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were allowed free access to food (Fed), food deprived for 72 h (72-h FD), or 72 h FD then refed for 72 h with either a normal (NF) diet or isocaloric diets containing no protein (PF), carbohydrate (CF), or fat (FF). Seventy-two-hour FD rats displayed the expected 80% reduction in hypothalamic preproGRF mRNA. Upon refeeding, levels were normalized in rats refed NF, CF, or FF diets. In contrast, preproGRF mRNA in rats refed a PF diet was similar to that in 72-h FD rats. Rats refed a PF diet failed to gain weight and consumed less food than animals refed NF, CF, or FF diets. However, the lack of the GRF response to the PF diet was due to protein deprivation rather than caloric restriction, since hypothalamic preproGRF mRNA returned to 66% of Fed values in rats refed an equivalent amount (grams per day) of a NF diet. In 72-h FD rats refed isocaloric diets containing 4%, 8%, or 12% protein, preproGRF mRNA was restored to Fed values in a protein concentration-dependent manner being completely restored by the 12% diet. A lack of dietary protein was sufficient to regulate hypothalamic preproGRF mRNA since feeding rats a PF diet without prior food deprivation resulted in 70% reduction in preproGRF mRNA, whereas CF and FF diets were without effect. These data indicate that decreased hypothalamic preproGRF mRNA expression in 72-h FD rats occurs as a result of dietary protein deprivation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Altered pituitary growth hormone (GH) regulation in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: a combined defect of hypothalamic somatostatin and GH-releasing factor.

Diabetes mellitus in the rat is associated with loss of pulsatile GH secretion. An interplay between hypothalamic GH-releasing factor (GRF) and inhibitory factor [somatostatin (SRIF)] secretion is thought to account for episodic pituitary GH release. An increase in SRIF tone/action or a decrease in GRF release/response in diabetic rats could account for the suppressed GH levels. Pituitaries from streptozotocin-diabetic rats contained less GH than controls (15.9 +/- 2.5 vs. 29.5 +/- 4.6 micrograms/mg; P less than 0.05) despite normal somatotrope representation, as demonstrated using immunofluorescence studies. Basal GH secretion from monolayer culture of dispersed anterior pituitary (AP) cells from diabetic rats was proportionately decreased (150 +/- 10 vs. 103 +/- 10 ng/10(5) cells; P less than 0.005). GRF (10(-11)-10(-8) M)-induced release of GH from AP cells was decreased in diabetic rats (maximum response to 10(-8) M GRF, 401 +/- 60 vs. 618 +/- 41 ng/10(5) cells; P less than 0.01); however, sensitivity to GRF was unchanged (EC50, 79 +/- 41 vs. 128 +/- 67 pM). By contrast, SRIF (10(-7)-10(-10)-induced inhibition of GRF (10(-8) M)-mediated GH release was impaired in AP cells of diabetic rats compared to that in controls (IC50, 112 +/- 33 vs. 55 +/- 31 pM; P less than 0.05) associated with a decrease in AP plasma membrane SRIF receptor concentration (63.4 +/- 15.6 vs. 160.3 +/- 13.7 fmol/mg protein; P less than 0.05), with no change in affinity. These findings are consistent with chronic exposure to increased hypothalamic SRIF influence. GH synthesis has been shown to be independent of SRIF regulation; however, insulin-like growth factor-I and GRF inhibit and stimulate GH synthesis, respectively. In diabetic rats insulin-like growth factor-I levels were decreased, appropriate to low GH status, in serum (290 +/- 66 vs. 1662 +/- 92 ng/ml; P less than 0.001) and hypothalamus (6.8 +/- 1.0 vs. 13.0 +/- 0.4 pg/mg wet wt; P less than 0.001) and, thus, did not seem to account for the low AP GH content. Hypothalamic GRF content in diabetic rats (1.11 +/- 0.10 ng/hypothalamus) did not differ from that in controls (1.16 +/- 0.17 ng/hypothalamus). GRF mRNA levels, however, were reduced by 80% in diabetic rats compared to controls. Taken together these data support a combined role for decreased hypothalamic GRF and increased SRIF in mediating alterations of GH synthesis and secretion in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Increased hypothalamic content of preproneuropeptide-Y messenger ribonucleic acid in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) is a 36-amino acid C-terminally amidated peptide found within the hypothalamus that can potently stimulate carbohydrate feeding. Moreover, the hypothalamic content of NPY can be modulated by peripheral hetabolic status. To further evaluate the regulation of NPY synthesis in states of altered metabolic homeostasis, we measured the hypothalamic content of prepro-NPY mRNA in streptozocin (STZ)-diabetic, STZ-diabetic insulin-replaced, and control rats by both nuclease protection and in situ hybridization analyses. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single injection of STZ (100 mg/kg, ip) or citric acid (control). Beginning 72 h later one group of STZ-treated animals received daily injections of insulin (4 U Ultralente/day). All animals were killed 17-19 days after STZ or control treatment. STZ-treated animals were hyperglycernic and showed growth failure compared to control rats. Glycemic control was restored by insulin replacement, as was partial growth. Nuclease protection analysis revealed an approximately 3- to 4-fold increase in prepro-NPY mRNA levels in the samples from STZ-treated rats vs. control. This increase was returned to control values by insulin replacement. In situ hybridization analysis revealed the STZ-induced increase in hypothalamic prepro-NPY mRNA was detectable in the arcuate nucleus at levels that were in agreement with the nuclease protection results, but that NPY expression in other brain regions appeared to be either unaffected or decreased after STZ treatment. These data suggest that hypothalamic NPY expression is modulated by peripheral metabolic status and provide further explanation for the hyperphagia accompanying STZ-induced diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Influence of food deprivation in the rat on hypothalamic expression of growth hormone-releasing factor and somatostatin.

Food deprivation in the rat is associated with a reduction in serum GH levels characterized by suppression of high amplitude GH bursts and a decrease in the duration of secretory episodes. The mechanism(s) mediating this response is unknown. The present studies were designed to evaluate the role of hypothalamic factors potentially responsible for abnormal GH dynamics in food-deprived rats by measuring hypothalamic prepro-GH-releasing factor (GRF) and preprosomatostatin (SRIF) mRNA and peptide levels in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats after 72 h of food deprivation or free access to food. Hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA was reduced 80% in food-deprived rats compared to that in fed controls (P less than 0.001), while GRF content was unchanged. Levels of prepro-SRIF mRNA in food-deprived rats were similar to those in controls, as was hypothalamic SRIF content. The time course of hypothalamic prepro-GRF mRNA reduction was determined in groups of rats food-deprived for 24, 48, or 72 h and revealed a significant (30%) reduction of prepro-GRF mRNA (P less than 0.05 vs. fed) by 24 h, with maximal reduction (80%) by 48 h. Refeeding groups of animals for up to 72 h after they had been food-deprived for 72 h resulted in restoration of prepro-GRF mRNA levels to 50% of control levels by 24 h (P less than 0.05 vs. fed) and a return to control values by 48 h. These data suggest that decreased GRF gene expression and possibly GRF release play a major role in the loss of pulsatile GH secretion seen in this model of nutrient deprivation.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1989

Glucopenia-mediated release of somatostatin from incubated rat hypothalamus: monosaccharide specificity and role of glycolytic intermediates.

Rat hypothalamic somatostatin (SRIF) release in vitro is inversely related to medium glucose concentration and is stimulated by agents interfering with neural glucose uptake or metabolism. The present studies examined monosaccharide specificity of this effect by comparing the ability of glucose and nonmetabolized sugars (ribose, fructose, and galactose) to reverse glucopenia-mediated SRIF release. Removal of glucose from incubation medium resulted in a 7-fold stimulation of hypothalamic SRIF release (24.9 +/- 3.0 to 169.0 +/- 46.2 pg/5 min) that was promptly and fully reversed by readdition of glucose (21.5 +/- 6.0 pg/5 min). Depolarizing concentrations of potassium (40 mM) added to medium after incubation in the presence or absence of glucose produced similar 4-fold biphasic stimulation of SRIF release, suggesting that tissue viability was unimpaired by short term glucopenia. By contrast, nonmetabolized sugars (ribose, fructose, or galactose) at concentrations up to 28 mM were unable to reverse glucopenia-mediated hypothalamic SRIF release. These findings suggest that neural metabolism of glucose specifically influences hypothalamic SRIF release, an effect likely to depend on glycolysis with resulting energy production. This explanation is supported by the finding that the glycolytic intermediates dihydroxyacetone and glyceraldehyde were partly, and pyruvate completely, able to restore glucopenia-mediated SRIF release toward basal, with a maximal effect at 14 mM. Our present studies suggest that rat hypothalamic SRIF release reflects ambient glucose status, is stimulated by glucopenia, and may explain inhibition of GH secretion in the rat during hypoglycemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Covalent labeling of the somatostatin receptor in rat anterior pituitary membranes.

The molecular characteristics of the somatostatin (SRIF) receptor were investigated by covalently cross-linking [125I-Tyr11]SRIF to rat anterior pituitary membranes using three heterobifunctional cross-linking agents, N-5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyloxysuccinimide, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azidobenzoate, and N-succinimidyl-6-(4'-azido-2'-nitrophenylamino) hexanoate, and the homobifunctional agent disuccinimidyl suberate. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography revealed two SRIF-binding proteins with apparent mol wt (Mr) of 69,000 and 66,000 that were selectively labeled by the four cross-linking agents. When cross-linking was performed with N-5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyloxysuccinimide, both proteins migrated as a broad band centered at 68,000; however, with N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azidobenzoate, the band was resolved into 69,000 and 66,000 Mr components. N-Succinimidyl-6-(4'-azido-2'-nitrophenylamino) hexanoate covalently labeled the 69,000 Mr protein and a minor species with a Mr of 45,000-47,000. Cross-linking with disuccinimidyl suberate labeled only the 66,000 Mr band. Labeling of both bands was specific, since affinity labeling with each of the four agents was abolished when 1 microM cyclic SRIF was included in the binding reaction. Binding of [125I-Tyr11]SRIF to membranes and labeling of the 69,000 and 66,000 Mr SRIF-binding species were similarly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by unlabeled SRIF. Radiolabeling of both proteins was specifically displaced by 1 microM SRIF-28 and [D-Trp8,D-Cys14]SRIF, but not by oxytocin. Moreover, the extent of radiolabel incorporation into both components was dependent on the concentration of [125I-Tyr11]SRIF in the binding reaction. These results demonstrate the presence of two SRIF-binding proteins in rat anterior pituitary membranes that show characteristics of the SRIF receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon presenting with hypercalcemia.

A rare adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon occurred in a 41-year-old patient. Its presentation with hypercalcemia, in the absence of osseous metastases, has not been described previously. The hypercalcemia in this case was due to the elaboration of a parathyroid hormone-like substance by the tumor. The general characteristics of primary adenosquamous and squamous cell carcinomas of the colon are presented. These tumors present with advanced disease, in younger patients, and follow a highly aggressive course, as compared with adenocarcinomas of the colon. The cause of the malignancies, in the light of current theories regarding their genesis, is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Borderline personality. A review of recent research.

Borderline personality has been, for many years, a discredited diagnostic concept. In 1979 a review of the literature concluded that its validity status was very uncertain. The authors have reviewed research conducted since then and discuss it in terms of the Robins & Guze (1970) criteria. In spite of existing unclear issues, the balance is tipping in favour of the validity of borderline personality, as diagnosed with new research criteria. This development is taking place in the context of a growing interest in the area of personality disorders.

Borderline Personality Disorder↗