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Biomedical subjects

W W Winternitz

Publications and source records attributed to W W Winternitz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Acute hormonal response to cigarette smoking.

Preliminary smoking studies using non-smokers were unsatisfactory because the subjects became obviously "ill" with nausea, pallor, sweating, etc. The rise in adrenocorticotropic hormone and growth hormone in these individuals could not be attributed to a cigarette effect as opposed to a nonspecific stress. A small number of female smokers seemed less consistent in their responses than did male subjects. The final study employing male, habitual smokers showed the following results: (1) A sharp rise in circulating cortisol occurred after two cigarettes which was maintained through the 2nd hour and fell slowly after the smoking period. (2) Circulating growth hormones also began to rise after two cigarettes, peaked at 1 hour, and then fell back to control levels while smoking continued. (3) Urinary catecholamines tended to be higher on smoking days than on nonsmoking days, but results were variable and of questionable significance. (4) Luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone did not show any significant variations with smoking as compared to non-smoking.

Catecholamines

Hypopituitarism: a complication of diabetes.

Hypopituitarism is a rarely reported accompaniment of diabetes mellitus. Autopsy studies suggest, however, that pituitary lesions are ten times more common in diabetics than in nondiabetics. Three cases of diabetes with hypopituitarism are reported. We believe that clinically important hypopituitarism may occur more commonly than is suspected in diabetes and that the diagnosis should be sought more aggressively.

Adult

Pituitary failure secondary to head trauma. Case report.

A patient presented with hypopituitarism, 2 years after severe head trauma. Deficits of growth-hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and borderline thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were demonstrated. Normal TSH-releasing hormone (TRH) response and elevated prolactin indicated viable anterior pituitary tissue with inadequate hypothalamic control. Precautions are suggested for recognition and treatment of this syndrome.

Adult

Posttraumatic hypopituitarism: anterior pituitary insufficiency secondary to head trauma.

A 30-year-old woman, who was involved in an automobile accident two years before admission, presented with hypopituitarism. Deficits of ACTH, FSH, LH, GH, and borderline TSH were demonstrated. Normal TRF response and elevated prolactin levels indicated residual normal anterior pituitary tissue with inadequate hypothalamic control. We have briefly reviewed the subject of posttraumatic hypopituitarism.

Adult