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M L Bortesi

Publications and source records attributed to M L Bortesi.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of oxytocin on nitric oxide activity controlling gonadotropin secretion in humans.

BACKGROUND: Previously described inhibitory effects of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH)-induced LH and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion in humans suggested modulation by nitric oxide (NO) of the gonadotropin-releasing action of LH-RH. DESIGN: In order to establish whether oxytocin (OT) participates in this regulatory mechanism, 10 normal men were treated with LH-RH (100 micro g as an i.v. bolus) given alone or in the presence of L-NAME (40 micro g kg-1 injected plus 50 micro g kg-1 infused i.v. for 60 min), OT (2 IU injected plus 4 IU infused i.v. for 60 min) or a combination of both drugs. RESULTS: The administration of OT was unable to change the gonadotropin responses to LH-RH. In contrast, L-NAME significantly reduced both FSH and LH increments induced by LH-RH. When L-NAME was given in the presence of OT, the LH and FSH responses to LH-RH were similar to those observed after the administration of LH-RH alone. CONCLUSION: These data suggest antagonistic actions of OT and L-NAME in the control of NOS activity in regulation of gonadotropin secretion induced by LH-RH.

Adult↗

Hyperthyroidism and pulmonary hypertension.

In recent years, many authors have described several cases revealing an association between hyperthyroidism and pulmonary hypertension (PH). This observational study was designed to evaluate the incidence of PH in hyperthyroidism and was set in a department of internal medicine and pulmonary diseases with an out-patients department of endocrinology. Thirty-four patients, 25 women and nine men, with a mean age of 38 +/- 15 SD years participated. Twenty had Graves' disease and 14 had a nodular goitre. The patients were divided into two equally matched groups: those with a recently diagnosed hyperthyroidism, taking no drugs (group 1; n = 17) and those in a euthyroid state taking methimazole (group 2; n= 17). Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography was performed and systolic pulmonary artery pressurements of (PAPs) was determined by the tricuspid regurgitation method using the Bernoulli equation. Measurements of triiodothyronine, tetraiodothyronine, free thyroxine (Ft4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibodies were also taken. We found a mild PH in seven patients of group 1 and in none of group 2. The mean +/- SD systolic pulmonaryartery pressurewas 28.88 +/- 6.41 in group 1 and 22.53 +/- 1.84 ingroup 2 (P<0.0001). A correlation was found between the TSH value and PAPs (r = -082;P < 0.001) and Ft4 and PAPs (r = 0 85; P < 0.001) in group 1. These findings indicate the presence of a frequent association between PH and hyperthyroidism. We suggest that hyperthyroidism be included in the differential diagnosis of PH.

Adult↗