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Biomedical subjects

S Nummi

Publications and source records attributed to S Nummi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Can progestin be limited to every third month only in postmenopausal women taking estrogen?

We evaluated whether a progestin, added for 14 days every 3 months to estrogen replacement therapy, is capable of preventing the development of endometrial hyperplasia in postmenopausal women during a treatment period of 2 years. Postmenopausal women (263) in 10 hospitals and medical centers in Finland participated in this non-randomized prospective multicenter trial. The women received estradiol valerate 2 mg daily for 84 days and 20 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate daily for days 71-84 followed by seven drug-free tablets. This regimen was repeated four times per year. The first year of treatment was completed by 227 (86%) women and the second year by 143 out of 146 women. The incidence of unscheduled and heavy bleedings was higher in women who were postmenopausal for less than 3 years. Endometrial biopsies demonstrated progestational response in 64% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. The 3 month regimen prevented development of endometrial hyperplasia but was not able to restore a hyperplastic endometrium to normal.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Decrease in symptoms, blood loss and uterine size with nafarelin acetate before abdominal hysterectomy: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nafarelin before hysterectomy in a prospective placebo-controlled trial, we randomized 188 pre-menopausal women with uterine fibroids (n = 111), menometrorrhagia (n = 58) or pelvic pain (n = 19) to receive either nafarelin (200 micrograms twice daily as a nasal spray) or a placebo for 3 months before abdominal hysterectomy. The data analysis could be performed in 166 women, of whom 107 received nafarelin and 59 a placebo. Nafarelin led to a rise in blood haemoglobin (5.5 g/l) and to a decrease in uterine volume (23.7%). This, however, gave no objective benefit during surgery (similar operative durations and blood losses). The uteri from patients treated with nafarelin (255.5 +/- 12.6 g, mean +/- SD) were significantly lighter (P = 0.029) than those from patients treated with a placebo (346.2 +/- 35.7 g). Histological examination of the fibroids or uteri revealed changes typical for hypo-oestrogenism, but no specific histological pattern could be established. The endometrium was proliferative in 56% and showed mild hyperplastic features in 10% of patients given nafarelin, whereas the respective figures for the placebo group were 41 and 0%. Hot flushes were the most common side-effects, being reported by 61% in the nafarelin group and 35% in the placebo group. Nafarelin can be useful as a pre-surgical adjunct in a patient scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy if there is a need to raise the haemoglobin concentration or to reduce the size of the uterus.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Transdermal oestrogen replacement therapy in a Finnish population.

In an open, multicentre study, transdermal administration of oestradiol (E2) by means of skin patches was investigated in a Finnish patient population suffering from typical post-menopausal symptoms. A total of 249 women applied a patch twice weekly for 6 months. Whereas 85% of the subjects were experiencing hot flushes and 83.5% sweating before therapy, only 5.7% and 11.8%, respectively, reported these symptoms at the end of the trial. Furthermore, 97.6%, 95.7% and 94.8% of the subjects reported that depression, headache and sleep disturbances, respectively, had disappeared during therapy. Skin irritation occurred in 18.2% of these predominantly fair-skinned women. Frequent sauna bathing did not interfere with the patch therapy. General acceptance of the treatment was excellent, 84.8% of the patients completing the treatment, of whom 78% were willing to continue the treatment after the trial. These results show that transdermal administration of E2 is effective in relieving post-menopausal symptoms. Local tolerability was good and the majority of the patients considered the transdermal treatment to be superior to their previous oral replacement therapy.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1984

Effects of levonorgestrel and desogestrel in low-dose oral contraceptive combinations on serum lipids, apolipoproteins A-I and B and glycosylated proteins.

Fasting serum lipids, apolipoproteins and glycosylated serum proteins were studied in 20 women before, after three months of treatment and two months after termination of treatment with oral contraceptives containing 30 micrograms ethinyloestradiol (EE) plus 150 micrograms levonorgestrel or desogestrel. Levonorgestrel + EE induced significant increases in total triglycerides (48%), apoB (19%) and the ratio apoB/apoA-I (18%) and no significant changes in HDL-cholesterol (8% decrease), apoA-I, % HDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and serum glycosylated proteins. Desogestrel + EE induced significant increases in HDL-cholesterol (12%), % HDL-cholesterol (15%), triglycerides (35%) and apoA-I (20%), no changes in total cholesterol, apoB and glycosylated serum proteins and a significant decrease in the ratio apoB/apoA-I (17%). Two months after termination of treatment the values for all parameters for both preparations were similar to those observed before treatment. The differences between the effects of the two preparations on the parameters HDL-cholesterol, % HDL-cholesterol, apoA-I, apoB and the ratio apoB/apoA-I were statistically significant and can be explained by a difference in the intrinsic androgenicity of the two progestagens.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Serum steroid binding protein concentrations, distribution of progestogens, and bioavailability of testosterone during treatment with contraceptives containing desogestrel or levonorgestrel.

The oral administration of 150 micrograms desogestrel and 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol (EE2) increases (P less than 0.001) serum concentrations of sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), whereas treatment with 150 micrograms levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms EE2 only increases serum CBG concentrations. No changes in serum albumin concentrations occurred during or after treatment with either preparation, and increases in SHBG and CBG returned to the pretreatment values 1 month after treatment ceased. The serum distribution of levonorgestrel was unchanged during treatment, whereas the increase in serum SHBG concentrations after treatment with the preparation containing desogestrel decreased (P less than 0.001) the percentage of non-protein-bound 3-keto- desogestrel and the percentage of albumin-bound 3-keto- desogestrel but increased (P less than 0.001) the SHBG-bound fraction. Oral contraceptives containing either progestogen decrease the mean serum non-protein-bound testosterone concentrations, especially during treatment with desogestrel (P less than 0.001), and desogestrel may therefore by the more appropriate progestogen for the treatment of women prone to androgenic side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Effects of two oral contraceptive combinations, 0.125 mg desogestrel + 0.050 mg ethinylestradiol and 0.125 mg levonorgestrel + 0.050 mg ethinylestradiol on the adrenal function of healthy female volunteers.

The effects of the oral contraceptive combinations of 0.125 mg desogestrel + 0.050 mg ethinylestradiol (EE), and of 0.125 mg levonorgestrel + 0.050 mg EE on serum cortisol and the urinary excretion of 17-oxogenic steroids and free cortisol were studied in 16 healthy females. Adrenal responsiveness was studied by the metyrapone test. Both contraceptive combinations increased (P less than 0.001) serum cortisol concentrations but the rhythmic fluctuation at different times of the day remained unchanged. The urinary excretion of 17-oxogenic steroids was lower (P less than 0.01) during treatment than before or after treatment with both contraceptive combinations. The metyrapone test showed normal adrenal responsiveness during the treatment cycles. The urinary excretion of free cortisol was unchanged when desogestrel + EE was used, but increased (P less than 0.01) during treatment with levonorgestrel + EE. However, even then, the urinary free cortisol was within the normal range of the population. All the test results of hormone determinations normalized soon after finishing the contraceptive treatments. It is suggested that the abnormalities seen were due to an increased serum binding capacity of cortisol induced by EE and not a sign of pathological changes in adrenal function. No major differences in the biological effects of the two combinations tested were seen.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1978

'Patient failure' as a reliability model for the 'minipill': a clinical study.

A trial was carried out in 10 healthy women to study the effects of withdrawal of treatment with 0.5 mg lynestrenol per day, for 3 successive days during the pre-ovulatory phase, on the physiological properties of the cervical mucus, vaginal cytology and pituitary and ovarian functions. In most cases, the amount, Spinnbarkeit and ferning of the cervical mucus and sperm penetration remained the same as that before interruption of treatment. In 2 women, the ferning altered to 'good' for 2 to 3 days as the amount of mucus increased slightly. Spinnbarkeit increased at the same time and sperm penetration was good. The changes in LH and FSH excretion suggested that ovulation possibly took place in 1 of the women studied. A mid-cycle oestrogen peak was seen in 2 women. No side-effects were reported during the study apart from irregular intermenstrual bleeding in 1 woman.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

A discrete multichanneal procedure for the chemical determination of urinary estrogens during pregnancy.

A colorimetric method, based on the Kober reaction, was adapted for the determination of urinary estrogens during pregnancy. The method yields final volumes for direct measurements by a multichannel computer-controlled photometer. The speed of the analysis was increased so that 100 samples can easily be completed by one laboratory technician as triplicate analyses during one working day. A satisfactory accuracy and precision of the method were also achieved. The values were determined using urine samples from 1097 apparently healthy pregnant women.

Colorimetry↗
PubMed1976

Effect of an oral contraceptive on the lysine-8-vasopressin test in the diagnostic evaluation of pituitary function.

A comparative study was performed on the plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids (11-OHCS) responses to lysine-8-vasopressin (LVP) before and during ingestion of an oral contraceptive wieh oestrogenic activity. A total of 19 healthy women with a normal menstrual cycle and normal plasma 11-OHCS content in blood samples at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. were included in the study. The results show that the mean response of plasma 11-OHCS to the administration of LVP was equal in magnitude before and during ingestion of the contraceptive, although the baseline value of 11-OHCS doubled as a result of the treatment. On the other hand, during contraceptive treatment the increase of plasma 11-OHCS concentration after the administration of LVP was somewhat slower, reaching its peak later than before treatment. The noticeable variation in individual responses of plasma 11-OHCS to LVP increased during the treatment. Three subjects showed weak responses to LVP, although the adrenocortical responses to exogenous ACTH were quite normal. The inidvidual responses to LVP before and during ingestion of an oral contraceptive with oestrogenic activity are discussed.

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1976

Biological effects of a new and potent progestagen. A clinical study.

The biological effects of a new synthetic progestagen, Org 2969 (13-ethyl-11-methylene-18,19-dinor-17 alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-17-ol) were studied in healthy normally menstruating women. Two of them were given 0.125 mg, five 0.060 mg and two 0.030 mg of Org 2969 daily on days 1-20 during one menstrual cycle. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, progesterone and oestradiol were analyzed on days 8-23 in order to evaluate the function of the hypophyseal-ovarian axis. The serum concentrations of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and bilirubin were determined to evaluate possible side effects on live function on days 8, 15 and 23. Serum cortisol was measured on days 8 and 23. The basal body temperature was recorded daily during the whole cycle, and endometrium biopsies were taken on days 21 or 22 of the cycle. All samples were taken similaryl during the treatment cycle and the preceding control cycle. According to the hormone determinations, all the treatment cycles were anovulatory except in one woman receiving the lowest dose. The treatment led to decreased spinnbarkeit, arborization and sperum penetration in the cervical mucus. Liver function tests and serum cortisol remained unchanged during the treatment.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1976

Prevention of intraperitoneal adhesions by dextran. Hydrocortisone and chymotrypsin. An experimental study.

The purpose of an experimental study in guineapigs was to prevent adhesion formation in the intra-abdominal space by simultaneous intraperitoneal infusion of hydrocortisone, dextran and chymotrypsin. An examination made three weeks after the operation revealed a highly significant (p less than 0.001) difference in favour of the dextran, dextran-chymotrypsin and dextran-chymotrypsin-hydrocortisone groups when compared with the NaC1 and control groups.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase in sera of healthy subjects.

The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1, L-aspartate: 2-oxoglutartate aminotransferase, ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2, L-alanine: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, ALAT) were determined in the sera of 1484 apparently healthy subjects using kinetic methods according to the Scandinavian recommendation (33). In the adult sera the mean activity of ASAT was 21.4

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

A continuous-flow method for the determination of the activity of serum alkaline phosphatase in diethanolamine buffer.

A procedure for determination of serum alkaline phosphatase activity (EC 3.1.3.1) in diethanolamine (DEA) buffer with an AutoAnalyzer II apparatus was designed. The buffer used was 1.0 mol/l DEA-HC buffer, pH 9.8 at 37 degree C, containing 0.5 mmol/l of MgCl2 and 10 mmol/l of substrate 4-nitrophenyl-phosphate. The reaction time was about 3 min at 37 degree C. The enzyme activity (U/l) was calculated by determining the amount of 4-nitrophenol formed in reaction. A sampling rate of 70 samples per hour can be used with good linearity up to 1000 U/l. The results obtained by the new continuous-flow system were compared with those measured by the kinetic method according to the Scandinavian recommendation (10). A close correlation between the two methods was observed.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1975

Studies on the effect of 17alpha-ethinyl-6-estrene-5alpha, 7beta-diol on menstrual cycle and plasma and urinary hormones in normal women.

Pharmacological tests on rats and dogs showed that a novel steroid substance, ORG OI-65 (code name for 17alpha-ethinyl-6-estrene-5alpha, 7beta-diol) has both progestational and estrogenic properties. The effect of this substance on menstrual cycle was studied on 13 healthy fertile women, who received 2 mg of ORG OI-65 daily for 20 consecutive days from the 5th day of cycle. The following parameters were studied during pretreatment and treatment cycles: bleeding pattern, plasma progesterone, urinary excretion of FSH, LH and estrone, vaginal cytology, cervical mucus, endometrium biopsy and basal body temperature. Treatment with ORG OI-65 did not change the bleeding pattern or inhibit ovulation: all 12 cases with ovulatory pretreatment cycles showed evidence of ovulation--timely or delayed--also during ORG OI-65 treatment. The vaginal cytology and cervical mucus remained almost unaffected by the treatment. No serious side-effects were found. The authors conclude that ORG OI-65 2 mg daily is not effective enough for oral contraception.

17-Ketosteroids↗