PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

M Elstein

Publications and source records attributed to M Elstein.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The effects of nafarelin and danazol on vertebral trabecular bone mass in patients with endometriosis.

Single and dual-energy quantitative computed tomography (QCT) were used to measure spinal trabecular bone mineral content in 24 women treated with either nafarelin (15 patients) or danazol (nine patients) for endometriosis. Significant loss of bone mineral (-9.6 g/l; -5.9% P less than 0.001) was demonstrated after 6 months' treatment with nafarelin. This loss was reversible with no significant difference in the bone mineral measurement made before treatment and that made at 6 months after treatment was stopped (difference -1.95 g/l, NS). A small but statistically significant (+2.2 g/l, P less than 0.05) increase in bone mineral was measured in the group of patients treated with danazol for 6 months. The dual-energy QCT gave similar results, indicating little change in trabecular fat content. A significant correlation was demonstrated between mean serum oestradiol levels during treatment with nafarelin and the change in bone mineral (r = 0.655, P less than 0.005).

Adult

Glucagon in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO): relationship to abnormalities of insulin and androgens.

To investigate the glucagon status of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) and to relate this to serum concentrations of insulin, androgens and SHBG, 44 women with PCO and 23 control subjects underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Although obese (body mass index greater than 30 kg/m2) women with PCO had higher concentrations of glucose and insulin than overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI less than 25 kg/m2) women with PCO and control subjects, fasting and summed values of glucagon in response to oral glucose were similar in all groups. The fasting and summed concentrations of glucagon were inversely related to those of testosterone and androstenedione in obese women with PCO, but no other relationships were demonstrated between hormone values and those of glucagon in the other groups. We conclude that glucagon is not implicated in peripheral insulin resistance in women with PCO.

Adult

Teaching of medical ethics.

Teaching medical ethics in Manchester within the introductory course of obstetrics and gynaecology is a joint activity with the Centre for Social Ethics and Policy. This interdisciplinary teaching has evolved through lecture sessions with small-group discussions dealing with topics of interest in human reproduction. The small-group discussion have been replaced by an open debate conducted by the students. Their own involvement and participation and an exposure to the disciplines of the humanities has broadened their approach to different ways of problem-solving of these real issues.

Bioethical Issues

The effect of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors on human preovulatory follicular fluid prostaglandin, thromboxane, and leukotriene concentrations.

This study evaluates the eicosanoid concentration in luteinized unruptured follicles (LUFs) on the ovaries of patients who had been treated with inhibitors of prostaglandin synthetase. Indomethacin, bromfenac, or azapropazone (or a placebo) was administered orally to 41 women during the periovulatory period. Follicular development was monitored by serial ultrasound examinations, and the onset of ovulation was regulated by an injection of hCG. Follicular fluid was aspirated during sterilization by minilaparotomy, which was performed just before the expected time of ovulation. Prostaglandin E2 and PGF2 alpha levels in the fluid were significantly reduced by indomethacin and bromfenac compared to those after placebo treatment. Bromfenac also reduced the follicular fluid leukotriene B4 level. Therefore, the development of luteinized unruptured follicles after treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs appears to be associated with a significant decrease in the synthesis of ovarian eicosanoids.

Adult

Influence of danazol and goserelin on insulin and glucagon in non-obese women with endometriosis.

To investigate the effects of medical treatment of endometriosis on concentrations of insulin and glucagon in comparison with those of androgens, 12 non-obese women with minimal endometriosis were randomly allocated to receive treatment with either danazol or the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue, goserelin. In subjects treated with danazol, mean (SD) summed serum insulin (1.08 (0.22) nmol/l pretreatment; 3.00 (1.50) nmol/l after treatment, p less than 0.05) and summed plasma glucagon (94 (21) pmol/l pretreatment; 238 (113) pmol/l after treatment, p less than 0.05) responses to oral glucose administration increased significantly, but remained unchanged in subjects treated with goserelin. In the danazol-treated group, the mean free testosterone index increased from 3.3 (1.6) to 13.3 (4.2) (p less than 0.01), but there was no correlation between either glucagon or insulin and free testosterone index. In the goserelin-treated subjects, however, there was no change in mean free testosterone indices (pretreatment 3.6 (1.0), post-treatment 3.9 (1.8). Thus, the increase in free testosterone index induced by danazol treatment is not responsible for the concomitant development of hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglucagonaemia.

Adult

The new progestogens.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic

Pituitary-ovarian activity when switching from various monophasic pills to a triphasic pill.

This study was prompted by the various recommendations given by different oral contraceptive manufacturers to women who wish to switch from a monophasic to a triphasic formulation. Ten women who switched from a variety of monophasic pills to a levonorgestrel triphasic pill formulation after a 7-day pill-free interval were studied. Follicular maturation was monitored by ultrasound scan, and the levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) measured. Pituitary-ovarian activity was suppressed in six of the ten women studied, while in the remaining four women there was some pituitary-ovarian activity during the first 10 days on the triphasic pill. These findings suggest a shorter pill-free interval, as advised in USA data sheets, may be less likely to result in pill failures when women switch from a monophasic to a triphasic preparation.

Adolescent

Ovarian follicular fluid eicosanoid concentrations during the pre-ovulatory period in humans.

Prostaglandins are involved in ovulation and in every mammal studied so far, ovulation has been inhibited by prostaglandin inhibition. Information regarding the role of leukotrienes and thromboxanes in ovulation is more limited. In order to study the production of eicosanoids in human pre-ovulatory follicular fluid, follicular aspiration was timed by means of serial ultrasound scans and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to be immediately pre-ovulatory. 11 women were studied and the eicosanoids measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The follicular fluid was found to contain leukotrienes (LT) B4, LTC4 (D4, E4), prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF2 alpha 6 keto PGF1 alpha k and thromboxane (TX) B2. This is the first published report of leukotrienes in human follicular fluid in spontaneous cycles, and is one of the few reports showing prostaglandins and thromboxanes. The significance of demonstrating leukotrienes in human follicular fluid is discussed as is the correlation between individual eicosanoids in the human ovary.

Dinoprostone

Lack of predictive value of HbA1 for impaired glucose tolerance in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Twenty-seven women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) and 17 control women had a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) performed. Although glucose tolerance was impaired in the obese (body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2) women with PCO, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) concentrations did not exceed the normal upper limit (7.2%). In all 44 women, there was no correlation between HbA1 and fasting glucose (r = 0.082, p = 0.63) but there was a significant correlation between HbA1 and summed glucose levels through the oGTT (r = 0.389, p = 0.02). HbA1 measurement does not predict the presence of impaired glucose tolerance in women with PCO.

Adult

Effects of 180 micrograms and 250 micrograms norgestimate on pituitary-ovarian function and cervical mucus.

A double-blind cross-over study of 16 healthy women was carried out to evaluate the effects of norgestimate, a new progestogen, on pituitary ovarian function and cervical mucus. Treatment from cycle day 7 to 16 with 180 micrograms and 250 micrograms norgestimate led to suppression of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, while progesterone (P) remained suppressed in 28 of 32 cycles studied, indicating inhibition of ovulation. Lack of ovulation in 30 cycles was associated in all but 3 with functional follicles, 2 of which luteinized. With 250 micrograms norgestimate, estradiol (E2) concentrations reached levels similar to those achieved during control follicular phase, but significantly higher concentrations of E2 were achieved with 180 micrograms norgestimate. Cervical mucus score was significantly depressed in all but 5 cycles (3 norgestimate 180 micrograms and 2 norgestimate 250 micrograms cycles). In conclusion, both dosages of norgestimate show good suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and cervical mucus.

Adult

Fixed minidose warfarin: a new approach to prophylaxis against venous thrombosis after major surgery.

A prospective study was carried out to see whether a small fixed dose of warfarin (1 mg daily) given before operation (mean 20 days) would prevent deep vein thrombosis in patients having major gynaecological surgery. One hundred and four patients were randomised into three groups: fixed minidose warfarin; full dose oral anticoagulation; and no treatment (controls). There was a significantly lower incidence of deep vein thrombosis in the minidose warfarin and full dose anticoagulant treatment groups (9% (3/32) and 3% (1/35) respectively) than in the controls (30%; 11/37) but no significant difference between the two anticoagulant treatment groups. Prothrombin time and the activated partial thromboplastin time were normal on the day of surgery in the warfarin treatment group, whereas times were prolonged in the group given full dose anticoagulation. Mean haemoglobin concentrations fell in all three groups after operation but the fall was significantly less in the minidose warfarin treatment group than after full dose anticoagulation. The benefit from full dose oral anticoagulant prophylaxis, based on a preoperative international normalised ratio of 1.5-2.5 with rabbit brain Manchester reagent, was similar to the protection achieved in an oral anticoagulant treatment group controlled with human brain Manchester comparative reagent at a similar level of anticoagulation. The lack of disturbance of normal haemostasis at the time of operation together with a significant reduction in deep vein thrombosis may encourage surgeons to introduce minidose prophylaxis with warfarin.

Adult

The relative bioavailability of levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol when administered in tablet and capsule form.

The relative bioavailability of levonorgestrel (LNG) and ethinylestradiol (EE2) administered as a conventional tablet (150/30) or capsule has been assessed in a randomized two-period crossover study in 9 healthy volunteer women. Serum concentrations were monitored for 24h post-dosing. There was no significant difference in any of the pharmacokinetic parameters determined for either steroid. Hence the relative bioavailability is similar after tablet and capsule formulations.

Adolescent

Pharmacologic production of luteinized unruptured follicles by prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors.

Serial ultrasonic scans of follicular development were performed throughout 46 spontaneous cycles in 20 healthy female volunteers. Human chorionic gonadotropin was then given to induce follicle rupture on a particular day. Luteinized unruptured follicles (LUFs) were seen in 10.7% of untreated cycles. When prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor drugs were administered over the ovulatory period the incidence of LUF was greatly increased (to 50% with azapropazone and 100% with indomethacin). Serum estradiol concentrations and length of luteal phase were unaltered in LUF cycles. Progesterone concentrations were lower in the first half of the luteal phase if follicles remained unruptured.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal

Ovarian follicular development in oral contraceptive cycles.

The cyclic changes in serum hormone concentrations, ovarian follicular development, uterine size, and endometrial appearance have been observed in 58 spontaneous ovulatory cycles and compared with 22 initial cycles of oral contraceptive (OC) therapy. A far greater inhibitory effect on the ovary was achieved by starting contraception on day 1 of the cycle rather than on day 5. The relevance of these findings with regard to OC failures is discussed.

Adult

Gonadotrophin responses to oestrogen provocation in women with minimal endometriosis.

The gonadotrophin responses to the negative and positive feedback effects of orally administered ethinyl oestradiol in 12 women with minimal endometriosis were compared with those in six normal women of proven fertility. Basal concentrations of LH, FSH and oestradiol did not differ between the two groups. LH and FSH concentration declined within 12-24 h of starting treatment and there was no difference between minimum values, which occurred in both groups after 12-48 h. In five women with minimal endometriosis, LH concentrations subsequently increased above basal values to maximum values indistinguishable in magnitude and timing from those in the control group. An exaggerated LH response to oestrogen positive feedback occurred in one subject. In the remaining six women LH concentrations increased above levels which could be attributed to episodic variation in basal LH secretion but maximum LH values were below control limits. There was no relationship between previously documented progesterone secretion nor LH concentrations during the early luteal phase of the cycle and the LH response to oestrogen positive feedback. These data suggest that minor abnormalities of hypothalamopituitary function may contribute to infertility associated with minimal endometriosis.

Adult