1,573 research outputs found
Evidence for a direct role of cannabinoids on pituitary function.
No full textEvidence for a direct role of cannabinoids on pituitary functio
Managing Cushing's disease: the state of the art.
No full textCushing's disease is a rare chronic disease caused by a pituitary adenoma, which leads to excess secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The over-production of ACTH leads to hyperstimulation of the adrenal glands and a chronic excess of cortisol, resulting in the signs and symptoms of a severe clinical state (Cushing's syndrome) that leads to significant morbidity, negative impacts on the patient's quality of life, and, if untreated, increased mortality. The management of patients with Cushing's disease is complicated by the heterogeneity of the condition, with signs and symptoms that overlap with those of other diseases, and high subclinical incidence rates. Controversies surrounding the tests used for screening and identifying patients with Cushing's disease add to the challenge of patient management. Surgical intervention to remove the adenoma is the first-line treatment for patients with Cushing's disease, but medical therapies are useful in patients who relapse or are unsuitable for surgery. The recent introduction of pasireotide, the first pituitary-directed medical therapy, expands the number of treatment options available for patients with Cushing's disease. This state-of-the-art review aims to provide an overview of the most recent scientific research and clinical information regarding Cushing's disease. Continuing research into improving the diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's disease will help to optimize patient management
Activation of the cholinergic system and growth hormone release in the dog: functional interactions with other neurotransmitters
No full textIn unanaesthetized dogs iv administration of the cholinesterase inhibitor eserine (0.5 mg) induced a clear-cut rise in plasma canine growth hormone (cGH) levels. Diphenhydramine and meclastine, two antagonists of histamine (H) H1 receptors completely suppressed the GH-releasing effect of eserine, while cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, only blunted and delayed it. Two long-lasting serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonists, metergoline and pizotifen, partially or completely suppressed, respectively, GH release evoked by eserine, whereas fenfluramine, a releaser of neuronal stores of 5-HT and hence a functional activator of 5-HT neurotransmission, was ineffective in this context. Pimozide, a long-acting dopamine receptor antagonist, abolished the effect of eserine, whereas domperidone, which has the same pharmacological properties but does not cross the blood brain barrier, failed to do so. Finally, phentolamine, an antagonist of alpha-adrenoceptors, and propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, were completely ineffective in preventing the rise in plasma cGH levels induced by eserine, as was naloxone, an antagonist of opiate receptors. All these data demonstrate that, although cholinergic mechanisms are involved in the mechanism(s) underlying cGH release, the final common pathway for GH secretion is not cholinergic. Preservation of dopaminergic and H1 neurotransmission, probably within the blood barrier, is needed to allow the neuroendocrine transduction of cholinergic inputs, whereas the role of 5-HT neurotransmission remains uncertain
Serum leptin levels in acromegalic patients before and during somatostatin analogs therapy
No full textGH excess is characterized by alterations of body composition such as decreased body fat mass; however, scant data are present regarding its effect on serum leptin levels. To better elucidate this topic, leptin secretion was studied in 20 acromegalic patients, before and after 6 months of treatment with somatostatin analogs (SR-lanreotide 30 mg and octreoticle LAR). Basal GH, IGF-I, insulin, blood glucose and lipid levels were measured and the area under the curve (AUC) for insulin and glucose and oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS) during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were calculated. After 6 months of somatostatin analogs therapy, a significant reduction in GH and IGF-I plasma levels was observed (p<0.0005, both) with a significant increase of leptin levels (7.4 +/- 1.3 vs 13.2 +/- 1.6 ng/ml; p<0.05). Interestingly, the typical correlation of leptin with body mass index (BMI) was not present in active acromegaly, whereas it was restored after somatostatin analogs treatment; moreover, the gender difference in leptin secretion between men and women was preserved in active and controlled acromegaly. In conclusion, the gender-based leptin differences are preserved and leptin secretion/BMI ratio is normalized in acromegalic patients after somatostatin analogs therapy. (C) 2003, Editrice Kurtis
Brain beta-endorphin concentrations in experimental chronic liver disease
No full textβ-Endorphin, Met-enkephalin, substance P and somatostatin concentrations have been evaluated in brain areas of rats with severe liver disease obtained by chronic pretreatment with CCl4 for 3 or 9 weeks. β-Endorphin, but not Met-enkephalin, somatostatin or substance P concentrations were significantly decreased in the hypothalamus of both the three and nine week-treatment groups. The β-endorphin decrease we observed might be tentatively attributed to a modification of GABA levels, but not serotonin, since the stimulation of the serotoninergic system induced a significant increase, while the potentiation of the GABAergic system induced a clear decrease of β-endorphin concentrations in the hypothalamus of treated rats
Interaction between TRH and dopaminergic drugs on growth hormone secretion rise in some pathologic conditions of the animal and man
No full textOpiates and their antagonists modulate luteinizing hormone acting outside the blood brain barrier
No full textIn this article, senior executives comment on the strategic issues involved in EDI. Trading partner relationships and the balance of power are critical issues when firms participate in electronic commerce. The relationships between trading partners who exchange data electronically are very important to these executives. The participants in the study also are concerned about the relative power between their firm and other members ol:the supply chain
Dopamine-mimetic and antagonist drugs: diagnostic and therapeutic applications in endocrine disorders
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