The hormonal and biochemical effects of danazol (600 mg a day) and high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA; 100 mg a day) were studied in a placebo-controlled, 6-month trial. Serum gonadotrophins and prolactin levels did not change during danazol and MPA treatments, whereas oestradiol and progesterone levels decreased significantly in relation to placebo without any difference between danazol and MPA. Both drugs significantly suppressed the sex hormone-binding globulin level (SHBG), and consequently, the free-androgen index (serum total testosterone nmol/l per SHBG nmol/l x 100) as compared with placebo, the effect of danazol being significantly stronger than that of MPA. Danazol, but not MPA, significantly increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and haemoglobin levels, and also thrombocyte counts, whereas MPA, but not danazol, increased the serum concentration of albumin in relation to placebo. Serum total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, sodium and potassium levels and leucocyte counts remained unchanged during both treatments. Danazol and high-dose MPA did not differ from each other in their ovarian and anterior pituitary effects, while the increase in androgenic activity induced by danazol was greater than that achieved with MPA. Danazol also had more biochemical effects than MPA. It interfered with the functions of the liver and the production of thrombocytes and haemoglobin, whereas MPA affected only albumin synthesis/release.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of phenobarbital and beta-naphthoflavone on cerium induced biochemical changes in rat serum.

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Animals↗

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The value of the effective thyroxine ratio compared with other common thyroid tests.

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Cholesterol↗

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Effects of experimental hyperprolactinemia and clomiphene on pituitary responsiveness to LHRH and TRH in men.

The effect of clomiphene citrate during sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia on pituitary function was tested in 8 healthy men, who ingested 100 mg of clomiphene, 150 mg of sulpiride or 100 mg of clomiphene + 150 mg of sulpiride daily for 7 days. Clomiphene treatment increased FSH and LH plasma concentrations and this increase was unaffected by sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia. Sulpiride intake alone did not alter serum gonadotropin concentrations. A reduced LH response to LHRH during sulpiride intake was seen, whereas the FSH response was unchanged. The prolactin response to TRH was unaffected during the combined sulpiride + clomiphene ingestion. Sulpiride treatment did not change the basal and/or clomiphene-stimulated gonadotropin secretion in healthy men. Thus, oligozoospermic men using psychotropic drugs and/or with hyperprolactinemia may be suitable candidates for clomiphene treatment.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Androgenic-anabolic steroid effects on serum thyroid, pituitary and steroid hormones in athletes.

Endocrine responses in seven power athletes were investigated during a 12 week strength training period, when the athletes were taking high doses of androgenic-anabolic steroids, and during the 13 weeks following drug withdrawal. During the use of steroids significant decreases (P less than 0.05 to 0.001) in the serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxine, triidothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid hormone-binding globulin (TBG) were found, whereas the value of triidothyronine uptake increased (P less than 0.001). In relation to the changes in the thyroid function parameters measured, we suggest that the primary target of androgen action was TBG biosynthesis. In five of the seven subjects, serum concentrations of growth hormone increased at some point of the study 5 to 60-fold. Because of the use of exogenous testosterone, serum testosterone concentration tended to increase. This increase was associated with a corresponding increase (P less than 0.001) in serum estradiol. Furthermore, there were major decreases in serum LH (P less than 0.01) and FSH (P less than 0.01) concentrations, and testicular testosterone production was therefore decreased. This was characterized by a very low serum testosterone concentration (5.1 +/- 1.8 nmol/l) 4 weeks following drug withdrawal. Cessation of drug use resulted in return of all the variables measured to the initial values, except for serum testosterone, which was at a low level (14.6 +/- 8.8 nmol/l) 9 weeks after drug withdrawal, indicating prolonged impairment of testicular endocrine function. No consistent changes were found in the eight control athletes.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Static posturography and intravenous alcohol.

Twelve health subjects were assessed using static posturography before and after intravenous alcohol infusion in a double-blind experiment. The dose was 0.5 g ethanol per kg body weight in 15 minutes, which raised the blood alcohol concentration to a level of approximately 1 mg/mL. Among other parameters, the average body sway velocity (BSV) and area of body sway (BSA) were measured. BSV was the most sensitive parameter for detecting increased body sway after alcohol infusion, and a significant effect of alcohol on its values was seen at 0.46 to 1.0 mg/mL alcohol concentrations. The second best indicator was the BSA. There was a positive correlation between the BSV and the BSA. The other parameters were not affected. The Romberg quotient remained constant during the alcohol test. The test battery used was relevant to distinguish the effect of alcohol on balance. In this study, acute blood alcohol concentrations of around 0.5 to 1.0 mg/mL affected BSV more significantly than BSA. The authors do not, however, recommend the test for forensic purposes in examining drivers with alcohol in their blood, as there is too much interindividual dispersion in the results.

Adolescent↗