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Biomedical subjects

R Carmichael

Publications and source records attributed to R Carmichael.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Study of the direct effect of LHRH agonist on testicular 17-hydroxylase and 5 alpha-reductase activities in non-hypophysectomized adult rats treated with an anti-luteinizing hormone serum.

In order to study both direct and pituitary-mediated mechanisms of action of the LHRH analogue [D-Ser(TBU)6, des-Gly-NH2(10)]LHRH ethylamide upon testicular steroidogenesis in adult rat, we compared the effects of the agonist when administered alone or concomitantly with an anti-LH serum to non-hypophysectomized rats. Testicular steroid contents and in vitro progesterone and testosterone metabolism were determined. Anti-LH serum administration was able to prevent 5 alpha-reductase stimulation by the agonistic peptide, but not the inhibition of 17-hydroxylase activity. These data suggest that modulation of 17-hydroxylase involves both direct and pituitary-mediated processes, while 5 alpha-reductase stimulation is mainly if not only due to a pituitary-mediated mechanism.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗

Comparative effects of LHRH agonist and ovine LH administration on testicular steroidogenesis in intact adult rat.

In order to better understand the effects of LHRH administration on testicular function in adult rat, we compared the inhibitory effects of LH and LHRH analogue [D-Ser-(TBU)6, des-Gly-NH2(10)]LHRH ethylamide upon testicular steroidogenesis and LH, FSH and prolactin receptor contents. Administration of LH as well as LHRH analogue resulted in a marked decrease of LH receptor levels, accompanied by a blockage at the level of 17-hydroxylase activity. We have been able to demonstrate that multiple LH administration can achieve a testicular desensitization comparable to that observed after LHRH agonist treatment.

Animals↗

Increased testicular 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol formation induced by treatment with [D-Ser (TBU) 6, des-Gly-NH2(10)] LHRH ethylamide in the rat.

While the intact male adult rats respond to LH with a predominant increase of testicular and plasma testosterone levels, the response to LH stimulation in animals treated with the LHRH agonist, [D-Ser(TBU) 6, des-Gly-NH2(10)] LHRH ethylamide is characterized by a major production of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol. The marked increase of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol levels in the presence of a 90% decrease of testosterone concentration strongly suggests that 5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activities are increased during testicular desensitization induced by treatment with the LHRH agonist.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Effects of estrogens on the characteristics of [3H]spiroperidol and [3H]RU24213 binding in rat anterior pituitary gland and brain.

Since estrogens have been found to exert a marked inhibitory effect on dopaminergic action at the anterior pituitary and striatal levels in the rat, the effect of estrogen treatment has been studied on the binding characteristics of the dopamine (DA) antagonist [3H]spiroperidol and of the new DA agonist [3H]N-n-propyl-N-phenylethyl-beta-(3-hydroxyphenyl)ethylamine hydrochloride ([3H]RU24213) in rat striatum, nucleus accumbens + olfactory tubercle, frontal cortex and anterior pituitary gland. Specificity of binding was carefully examined in order to investigate possible changes of the agonist and antagonist states of the DA receptor. Estrogen treatment led to a small increase (approx. 20%) of [3H]spiroperidol and [3H]RU24213 binding in rat striatum, nucleus accumbens + olfactory tubercle and frontal cortex while no significant effect was found in the anterior pituitary gland. That the increased binding is due to a corresponding increased number of binding sites and not to higher affinity is indicated by the absence of effect of estrogen treatment on the IC50 values for displacement of the two labeled ligands by a variety of unlabeled compounds. Specificity of binding of DA agonists and antagonists remained unchanged after estrogen treatment. The present data suggest that the potent desensitizing effect of estrogen on DA action at the striatal and pituitary levels is exerted at a step subsequent to binding of DA to its receptor.

Animals↗

Pharmacologic effects in man of a specific serotonin-reuptake inhibitor.

Fluoxetine (Li-ly 110140) caused a 63 percent inhibition of [3H]serotonin uptake into platelets obtained from normal volunteers to whom the drug was administered daily for 7 days. This dose had no effect on the usual pressor response produced by injections of norepinephrine or tyramine.

Behavior↗