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Biomedical subjects

M F Celani

Publications and source records attributed to M F Celani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a Caucasian male with Graves' disease.

The case of a 34-yr-old Caucasian male with Graves' disease presenting with a flaccid quadriplegia and severe hypokalemia is reported. The weakness was prevalent at the lower extremities and began during nocturnal sleep, after a strenuous physical exertion performed during the day. Correction of hypokalemia promptly reversed the quadriplegia. The occurrence of hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis several months after the beginning of thyrotoxic symptoms, and the normal insulin serum levels on admission differentiate this patient from most of the previously reported cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence of abnormal thyrotropin concentrations measured by a sensitive assay in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The utilisation of assays for TSH with improved sensitivity has revealed that abnormal TSH results are frequently observed in patients with nonthyroidal illnesses, such as trauma, renal diseases, liver diseases or sepsis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of abnormal TSH concentrations, using a sensitive immunometric assay, in patients with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. The study population consisted of 290 type 2 diabetics, 159 females and 131 males aged 40 to 93 years (mean 60.6 +/- 11.9 years), hospitalised because of poor diabetic control or recent-onset diabetes (mean HbA1c value = 9.6 +/- 2.2%). All patients with TSH values outside the normal range (0.45 to 3.66 mlU/l) had FT4 assay and thyroid microsomal autoantibody assay performed on the same specimen of serum. Abnormal TSH concentrations were detected in 91 patients (31.4%). Subclinical hypothyroidism (high TSH, normal FT4) was most common (48.3%), followed by subclinical hyperthyroidism (low TSH, normal FT4) (24.2%) and by definite hypothyroidism (high TSH, low FT4) (23.1%). Definite hyperthyroidism (low TSH, raised FT4) was found in 4 patients (4.4%). None of the patients with low TSH values had increased FT3 concentrations. The prevalence of abnormal thyroid function test results was significantly higher in the female than in the male patients (40.9% vs. 19.8%, p < 0.0005) and in the insulin-treated patients than in those receiving oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) (37.3% vs. 23.1%, p < 0.02). Thirty patients with abnormal thyroid function test results (33.0%) had evidence of thyroid autoimmunity (titre of thyroid microsomal autoantibodies > 250 IU/l). Five thyroid microsomal antibody-negative patients had non-autoimmune thyroid diseases, 7 had nonthyroidal illnesses other than diabetes mellitus and 4 were receiving drugs known to affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Twenty-seven thyroid microsomal auto-antibody-negative patients with abnormal TSH values (17 with subclinical hypothyroidism and 10 with subclinical hyperthyroidism), who were not receiving drugs known to affect TSH secretion and were free of diseases other than diabetes mellitus, were retested after two months of adequate treatment of diabetes with OHA or insulin. TSH concentrations decreased in all but one patient with initial subclinical hypothyroidism and increased in all patients with initial subclinical hyperthyroidism. These changes were coupled with a significant fall of glycated haemoglobin values. In view of the transient changes in TSH secretion, we suggest that the diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction in type 2 diabetics should be delayed until improvement of the metabolic status.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A rise in haemoglobin levels may enhance serum triiodothyronine (T3). Concentrations in prepubertal patients with beta-thalassaemia major.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of increased haemoglobin (Hb) levels on the thyroid function in patients with beta-thalassaemia major. Basal levels of thyroid hormones (T4, T3) and free thyroid hormones (fT4, fT3), basal TSH concentrations and the TSH responses to a TRH bolus (0.2 mg iv) were studied in ten euthyroid thalassaemic patients, aged 8 to 19 years, and in one 12 years-old thalassaemic girl with primary hypothyroidism. Five euthyroid thalassaemic patients (aged 8 to 12 years), as well as the hypothyroid thalassaemic girl, were prepubertal, whereas five euthyroid thalassaemic patients (aged 15 to 19 years) had delayed puberty. In each patient, the endocrine evaluation was carried out under conditions of low Hb levels (31 days after the last blood transfusion, mean Hb = 9.8 +/- 1.5 g/dl), and 11 days after the transfusion of 2 units packed red blood cells (PRBC). The latter increased significantly Hb concentrations in all the thalassaemic patients (mean Hb = 12.8 +/- 2.5 g/dl, P less than 0.001). Twelve normal prepubertal subjects, aged 6 to 11 years, served as the control group. Before the PRBC transfusion, basal T4, T3, fT4, fT3 and TSH concentrations were similar in euthyroid prepubertal thalassaemic patients (EPT) and in euthyroid patients with delayed puberty (EDPT), and were comparable to those in control subjects. The TSH responses to TRH (TSH peak, area and delta area) observed in EPT patients were similar to those in the EDPT group, but significantly higher in comparison with the normal children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Effects of football on the pituitary-testicular axis (PTA): differences between professional and non-professional soccer players.

Basal levels of LH, FSH, PRL and T, as well as LH, FSH and PRL relative maximum responses (RMRs = peak values/basal values) to an iv bolus of GnRH (0.1 mg) plus TRH (0.2 mg) were evaluated in 7 professional soccer players (PSP) examined on 3 occasions: after a 30 days rest period and 14-15 h from the end of both a customary training session and a strenuous football match, performed at the end of a 3 months regular training program. In 5 out of the 7 PSP a semen analysis was carried out after each endocrine evaluation. The results were compared with those obtained in 10 non-professional soccer players (NPSP) subjected to a similar study protocol, and with the data from 10 healthy, sedentary men. Basal LH values in the rest period were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in PSP than in control men, whereas LH RMR and sperm motility were significantly lower (P less than 0.02) in the former group. No significant differences in basal hormone concentration and in the RMRs to GnRH-TRH were observed between PSP and NPSP. The training session performed by the PSP after 3 months of regular training did not significantly affect the hormonal parameters. In contrast, the football match induced a significant increase in PRL basal levels (P less than 0.02 vs. controls) and a significant fall in PRL RMR (P less than 0.02 vs. controls).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

On the usefulness of levothyroxine suppressive therapy in the medical treatment of benign solitary, solid or predominantly solid, thyroid nodules.

The efficacy of levothyroxine suppressive therapy in the treatment of benign solitary thyroid nodules is controversial. In order to investigate this issue further we studied 122 patients with a solitary, solid or predominantly solid, thyroid nodule. The benign (colloid) nature of all nodules was proved by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. At the pertechnetate-99m thyroid scanning 91% of the nodules were "cold" and 9% "warm". All the patients received suppressive oral doses of levothyroxine (0.1 to 0.2 mg/day). Fifty-three patients were treated with levothyroxine for 6 months, 31 for 9 months and 38 for 12 months. The size of each nodule before and after treatment was evaluated by high-resolution ultrasonography. The actual suppression of TSH secretion was monitored at 3-month intervals using an ultrasensitive immunometric assay. At the end of levothyroxine treatment, patients were classified as responders (decrease in nodule volume greater than or equal to 50%, 68/122 = 55.7%; mean percent change in nodule volume = -77.1 +/- 15.7%), partially responders (decrease in nodule volume less than 50%, 24/122 = 19.7%; mean percent change in nodule volume = -27.5 +/- 10.1%), and nonresponders, when either no change in nodule volume (16/122 = 13.1%) or an increase in nodule volume (14/122 = 11.5%) was observed. In each group serum free T4 rose significantly in response to levothyroxine therapy, whereas serum free T3 remained unchanged. TSH levels were undetectable in all patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The pituitary-testicular axis in non-professional soccer players.

In European countries, football is one of the most popular forms of physical exercise. However, the possibility that endocrine changes can arise in football players has not been investigated completely. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a training program and the consequences of a football match on the pituitary-testicular axis in ten trained non-professional soccer players. Basal levels of LH, FSH, PRL and T, as well as LH, FSH and PRL responses to an iv bolus of GnRH (0.1 mg) plus TRH (0.2 mg), were measured in each subject. The endocrine evaluation was performed before the beginning of the seasonal training (after a 30 days rest period), and repeated on 2 consecutive days at the end of a 3 months regular training program, 14-15 h from the end of both a customary 3 h training session and a 90 min strenuous soccer match. In 5 out of the 10 athletes a semen analysis was performed after each endocrine evaluation. Ten age-matched, healthy, sedentary men served as a control group. Basal serum levels of LH (10.4 +/- 1.3 mIU/ml), FSH (8.7 +/- 1.1 mIU/ml), PRL (9.7 +/- 1.6 ng/ml) and T (6.3 +/- 0.9 ng/ml) measured in the soccer players before the beginning of the seasonal training were similar to those found in the control subjects (LH = 9.2 +/- 1.7 mIU/ml, FSH = 8.5 +/- 1.4 mIU/ml, PRL = 8.8 +/- 1.8 ng/ml, T = 6.4 +/- 1.1 ng/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Changes in the bioactivity to immunoreactivity ratio of circulating luteinizing hormone in impotent men treated with testosterone undecanoate.

Testosterone undecanoate was administered orally (80 mg twice daily) for 30 days to 10 impotent men with mild Leydig cell failure, age 28 to 42 years. Placebo was administered for 30 days both before and at the end of testosterone undecanoate therapy. Serum levels of bioactive LH, immunoreactive LH and testosterone were determined in basal conditions (day zero), 30 days after the first placebo administration, at the 15th and 30th day of testosterone undecanoate therapy, and at the end of the second treatment with placebo (90th day). Bioactive LH was measured by a sensitive and specific in vitro bioassay based on testosterone production by mechanically dispersed mouse Leydig cell preparations. Immunoreactive LH and testosterone were determined by a double-antibody RIA technique. The results were compared with those obtained in 30 untreated normal young men. In the basal state, serum concentrations of immunoreactive LH were significantly higher in the patients (P less than 0.02) than in control subjects, whereas testosterone levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.001) in the impotent men. In contrast, bioactive LH levels and the bioactive LH to immunoreactive LH ratios were similar in the two groups. In the patients, at the 15th day of treatment with testosterone undecanoate, serum levels of testosterone and bioactive LH were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than basal values, whereas immunoreactive LH concentrations showed no significant changes. Consequently, the bioactive LH to immunoreactive LH ratios rose significantly (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Effect of increased haemoglobin levels on growth hormone (GH) secretion in beta-thalassaemia major: differences between prepubertal subjects and patients with delayed puberty.

Basal and L-dopa-stimulated secretion of growth hormone (GH) was investigated in 10 patients with beta-thalassaemia major. Five patients were prepubertal (chronological age 8 to 12 years), whereas 5 patients had delayed puberty (chronological age 15 to 19 years). Ten normal prepubertal subjects (chronological age 8 to 11 years) served as the control group. Each thalassaemic patient was subjected to two L-dopa tests (0.5 g L-dopa plus 0.7 mg/Kg body weight propranolol, orally): one was performed under conditions of low haemoglobin (Hb) levels (30 days after the last blood transfusion), and the second in the presence of increased Hb concentrations (10 days after the transfusion of packed red blood cells). Before the transfusion of packed red blood cells, basal GH concentrations were significantly higher in the patients with delayed puberty (4.3 +/- 1.6 ng/ml), than in prepubertal thalassaemic (1.8 +/- 0.9 ng/ml, p less than 0.05) and control (1.9 +/- 1.0 ng/ml, p less than 0.02) subjects. In contrast, the pituitary responsiveness to L-dopa, expressed as the relative maximum response for GH (GH delta %), was significantly higher in the latter two groups (8.5-fold, p less than 0.05, and 10.9-fold, p less than 0.02, respectively). The transfusion of packed red blood cells increased significantly Hb concentrations in both groups of thalassaemic patients (prepubertal +27%, p less than 0.05, delayed puberty +33%, p less than 0.025, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Subnormal prolactin responsiveness to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in women with primary empty sella syndrome.

Basal prolactin (PRL) levels and PRL responsiveness to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were studied in 10 women with primary empty sella (PES) syndrome (mean age 38.2 yr). Hyperprolactinemia (34 to 72 ng/ml) was found in 5 patients (hyperprolactinemic PES, H-PES), whereas 5 patients showed normal (9.5 to 19 ng/ml) PRL levels (normoprolactinemic PES, N-PES). The results were compared with those obtained in 10 healthy women (mean age 32.8 yr, PRL = 7 to 15 ng/ml) and in 8 women with a PRL-secreting pituitary microadenoma (MA) (mean age 37.5 yr, PRL = 39 to 85 ng/ml). The mean basal levels of PRL were significantly higher in patients with H-PES (50.8 +/- 13.2 ng/ml) or MA (64.0 +/- 18.3 ng/ml) than in the control group (10.9 +/- 2.6 ng/ml, p less than 0.02) and in the patients with N-PES (13.9 +/- 3.7 ng/ml, p less than 0.02). In contrast, the relative maximum response (RMR) of PRL to TRH (peak PRL/basal PRL) was significantly lower in the patients with PES (both H-PES and N-PES) or MA (1.4 +/- 0.4, 2.3 +/- 0.7 and 1.2 +/- 0.2, respectively) than in the control subjects (3.6 +/- 1.1; p less than 0.02, less than 0.05 and less than 0.02, respectively). Our results show that the pituitary responsiveness to the acute stimulation with TRH is significantly decreased both in patients with a PRL-secreting pituitary MA and in those with PES. Therefore, the clinical value of the TRH test in distinguishing the PES syndromes from prolactinomas seems to be questionable.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1987

Changes in mouse Leydig cell steroidogenesis following infrared and helium-neon laser irradiation.

The effects on mouse Leydig cell steroidogenesis of infrared (IR) laser rays, in the presence or absence of helium-neon (He-Ne) radiations, were investigated. Testosterone (T) production in response to luteinizing hormone (LH) by mouse Leydig cells exposed to IR (4.2 X 10(-3) J/cm2/min) plus He-Ne (8.0 X 10(-7) J/cm2/min) laser radiations was significantly higher than that by control Leydig cells. The Leydig cell responsiveness to LH (T delta %), as well as the secretion of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and androstenedione (A) in response to the highest dose of LH (0.5 mIU), were also significantly increased by the IR plus He-Ne irradiation. In contrast, the He-Ne irradiation (8.0 X 10(-7) J/cm2/min) in the absence of IR rays failed to affect T production by mouse Leydig cells. Similar results were obtained by adding to the He-Ne rays a low dose of IR radiation (3.4 X 10(-3) J/cm2/min), whereas higher doses of IR radiations (4.2 X 10(-3) and 5.1 X 10(-3) J/cm2/min) elicited a similar significant increase of T production by mouse interstitial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

LRH-stimulated release of bioactive and immunoreactive LH in a patient with the XX male syndrome.

Serum levels of biologically active LH (bLH) and immunoreactive LH (iLH) under basal conditions and in response to the iv injection of 0.1 mg synthetic LRH were measured in a 15-year-old boy with the 46,XX karyotype. LH bioactivity was assessed "in vitro" on mouse Leydig cell preparations, whereas iLH levels were measured by a double antibody RIA technique. High basal levels of both bLH and iLH were shown in the XX male. Following LRH administration, the relative maximum response of LH above basal levels (LH delta %) was higher for iLH than for bLH. Consequently, the LH bioactivity to immunoreactivity (b/i) ratio decreased from basal values. Since a similar decrease in the b/i ratio of LRH-stimulated LH has been observed in patients with Klinefelter's and Turner's syndrome, we can suppose that in the chromosomal disorders of sex differentiation the pituitary gland possesses a lower responsiveness for bLH than the normal pituitary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) upon bioactive and immunoreactive serum LH in patients with Turner's syndrome before and after oestrogen treatment.

One daily dose of 0.05 mg ethinyl oestradiol was administered to 5 patients with Turner's syndrome (mean age +/- SEM = 16.4 +/- 0.7 years) for 10 days. The effects of acute stimulation with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) (0.1 mg iv) on biologically active and immunoreactive LH were analysed before therapy and at the end of oestrogen treatment. Bioactive LH (BIO-LH) was measured by a sensitive and specific in vitro bioassay based upon testosterone production by mechanically dispersed mouse Leydig cell preparations. Immunoreactive LH (RIA-LH) was evaluated by a double antibody RIA method. Prior to oestrogen treatment, LRH induced a prompt rise in BIO-LH and RIA-LH levels, which reached peak values at 30 and 45 min, respectively. After oestrogen treatment, a delayed response (with peak values at 120 min) was observed for both BIO-LH and RIA-LH. Before oestrogen treatment, the mean bioactivity to immunoreactivity (B/I) ratio of LRH-stimulated LH showed a significant decrease from basal values (P less than 0.05). In contrast, after ethinyl oestradiol administration the mean LH B/I ratio increased significantly from basal values in response to LRH (P less than 0.05). The mean relative maximum response (delta %) for BIO-LH was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in oestrogen-treated than in untreated patients, whereas the mean BIO-LH delta area was significantly lower in the former group (P less than 0.01). Similarly, oestrogens decreased significantly the mean RIA-LH delta area (P less than 0.05), whereas they did not affect significantly the mean RIA-LH delta %. The results further emphasize that oestrogens may change the quality of circulating LH.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

l-Glutamate reduces the affinity of [3H]N-propylnorapomorphine binding sites in striatal membranes.

l-Glutamate but not methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or quisqualate ( Quis ) (10(-6 M) in vitro with or without preincubation increased significantly the KD value of the [3H]N-propylnorapomorphine ( [3H]NPA) binding sites by 21 and 36% respectively in striatal membranes of rat without influencing the striatal [3H]spiperone binding sites. The number of striatal [3H]NPA binding sites was not changed by l-glutamate (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) in vitro. There may thus exist interactions between striatal glutamate receptors -- not related to excitatory amino-acid receptors of the NMDA or the QUIS type -- and high affinity striatal DA receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Effects of acute stimulation with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) on biologically active serum luteinizing hormone (LH) in elderly men.

This study was designed to characterize the response pattern of biologically active LH (BIO-LH) after Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) acute administration in healthy elderly men, in comparison with normal young adult men. Serum levels of BIO-LH under basal conditions and in response to the iv injection of 0.1 mg synthetic GnRH were measured in 6 healthy elderly men (mean age 74.2 yr), as well as in 9 normal young men (mean age 27.4 yr). A sensitive in vitro bioassay, based upon testosterone production by mechanically dispersed mouse Leydig cells, was employed to assess LH biological activity. Levels of immunoreactive LH (RIA-LH) and basal testosterone (T) concentrations were determined by a double antibody radioimmunoassay technique. Mean basal levels of BIO-LH and RIA-LH were significantly increased in elderly men, compared to levels in young men, whereas the mean basal ratio of LH in vitro bioactivity to LH immunoreactivity (LH B/I ratio) and mean basal T concentrations were significantly lower in the elderly group. After GnRH administration, the B/I ratio of serum LH remained unchanged both in elderly and in young men. The mean relative maximum response for BIO-LH (BIO-LH delta %) was significantly lower in elderly men than in the younger male subjects, whereas mean BIO-LH response areas (BIO-LH delta areas) were not significantly different in the two groups. The mean peak response for both BIO-LH and RIA-LH was observed at 45 min in the elderly group and at 30 min in the younger subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Decrease in luteinizing hormone biological activity/immunoreactivity ratio in elderly men.

Basal serum concentrations of biologically active luteinizing hormone (BIO-LH), immunoreactive LH (RIA-LH) and testosterone (T), as well as the LH bioactivity/immunoreactivity (B/I) ratios were measured in 57 healthy, elderly male volunteers aged 60-94 yr. As a reference group, 53 healthy young men aged 18-49 yr were also studied. LH biological activity was assessed by an in vitro bioassay method based on testosterone production by mechanically dispersed mouse Leydig cell preparations in response to graded doses of LH. The mean BIO-LH and RIA-LH serum concentrations in the elderly men showed a significant increase (two- and three-fold, respectively, P less than 0.001, as compared with the values in the young men, whereas the mean LH B/I ratio and T values were significantly decreased (-22% and -43%, respectively, P less than 0.001). The decrease in the LH B/I ratio in elderly men led us to hypothesize that the ageing pituitary may secrete molecules of LH possessing a reduced bioactivity in relation to their immunoreactivity.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Further studies on the effects of heroin addiction on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in man.

The effects of chronic heroin addiction on LH biological and immunological activity, as well as on total and free testosterone concentrations, were investigated in 8 active young male addicts. The results were compared with those obtained in 33 normal young men. In addition, the effects of naloxone (N) administration on LH bio- and immuno-potency were studied in 3 normal men. LH biological activity (bLH) was assessed by a specific and sensitive "in vitro" bioassay, based upon testosterone production by mechanically dispersed mouse Leydig cell preparations. Double antibody radioimmunoassay methods were employed to assess serum levels of immunoreactive LH (iLH), total testosterone (T) and morphine (M). Free testosterone (FT) concentrations were determined by RIA after an ultrafiltration procedure. Mean basal values of bLH, iLH, T and LH bio/immuno (b/i) ratio observed in heroin addicts were similar to those obtained in the control group. In contrast, serum levels of FT and the mean FT/T ratio were significantly reduced in heroin addicts. A significant decrease of LH b/i ratio was observed during N infusion in the normal subjects.

Adolescent↗