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Biomedical subjects

M G Brush

Publications and source records attributed to M G Brush.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Pyridoxine in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a retrospective survey in 630 patients.

We present a survey summarising the retrospective reports of the therapeutic effect of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) in 630 women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) who attended a PMS clinic during the period 1976-1983. The daily doses of pyridoxine hydrochloride varied from 40 to 100 mg early in the study and from 120 to 200 mg in the later period of the investigations. The response to treatment was recorded as good (no significant residual complaints) in 40 per cent or more of patients taking 100-150 mg pyridoxine daily and in 60 per cent of patients treated with 160-200 mg daily. Together with partial response (useful benefit but still some significant complaints), the positive effect of the treatment increased to 65-68 per cent and 70-88 per cent respectively. No symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy were reported.

Adolescent

Abnormal essential fatty acid levels in plasma of women with premenstrual syndrome.

Premenstrual syndrome is now recognized as a condition that probably has an endocrine or biochemical basis. However, it has proved difficult to demonstrate any consistent significant differences from normal in any parameter measured to date. We have measured essential fatty acid levels in phospholipids in plasma taken from 42 women with well-defined premenstrual syndrome. The women were not on any treatment during the cycles when samples were taken in both follicular and luteal phases. The levels of linoleic acid, the main dietary n-6 essential fatty acid, were significantly above normal, indicating no deficit of intake or absorption. In spite of this, concentrations of all metabolites of linoleic acid were significantly reduced, suggesting a defect in conversion of linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid. Possibly in compensation, levels of n-3 essential fatty acids were elevated. The same abnormalities were present in both follicular and luteal phases. This abnormality cannot therefore be the direct cause of the symptoms that appear in the luteal phase, but it may sensitize tissues so that they respond abnormally to normal levels of reproductive hormones.

Adult

Correlations between progesterone, oestradiol and aldosterone levels in the premenstrual syndrome.

Levels of progesterone, oestradiol and aldosterone in the plasma of twenty women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were measured by radioimmunoassay and the results were compared with those from a control series of ten normal volunteers. All the PMS patients were apparently ovulatory but the pooled progesterone values from days --9 to --5 premenstrually were significantly lower than the control values (P less than 0.05). The oestradiol levels in the PMS patients were higher than in control subjects over the last 4 days of the cycle (P less than 0.01). There was no significance in aldosterone levels between the PMS and control groups. The relevance of these results to the aetiology of PMS is considered.

Adult

Preparation and characterization of human syncytiotrophoblast plasma membrane.

On the basis of electron microscopic evidence, a preparation of microvilli obtained from the surfaces of placental villi was previously considered by us to represent syncytiotrophoplast plasma membrane. The present investigation was undertaken to obtain independent biochemical evidence on the nature of the preparation. Protein, lipid, carbohydrate, sialic acid, phospholipid and cholesterol concentration were determined and found to be consistent with analyses of membranes obtained from other sources. Enzyme membrane markers (5'-nucleotidase, (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase) were also assayed, and found to be considerably enriched in the microvillous preparation compared to the whole placental homogenate. These findings, together with other evidence, support the contention that the preparation is indeed syncytiotrophoblast plasma membrane.

Adenosine Triphosphatases

Amniotic fluid lipid profiles: a rapid gas chromatographic method.

The lipid extract of amniotic fluid has been analysed for the important fatty acids derived mainly from the lecithin component of lung surfactant. Using gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, these fatty acids have been identified. A positive correlation between certain lipid profiles and lack of lung surfactant with its associated respiratory problems for the newborn infant has been demonstrated.

Amniotic Fluid