Primary reninism is a rare cause of hypertension manifesting along with hypokalemia. A high level of plasma renin activity and a high level of serum aldosterone are the whole markers of primary reninism. Upon making the diagnosis of primary reninism, other more common causes of aldosteronism must be differentiated, such as renovascular hypertension and primary aldosteronism. Primary reninism is commonly caused by juxtaglomerular cell tumor, which is one of the curable causes of hypertension, and this can be successfully treated by conservative surgery. We report here on a case of primary reninism that was caused by juxtaglomerular cell tumor that developed in a 22-year-old female patient. She was recently diagnosed with hypertension and hypokalemia. She had markedly elevated plasma renin activity and an increased serum aldosterone concentration. Computed tomography revealed a mass located in the right kidney and selective renal vein sampling suggested that the mass was secreting an excess of renin. Right nephrectomy was done and her hypertension with hypokalemia was successfully treated. We report here a case of primary reninism that presented with juxtaglomerular cell tumor along with a review of the literature
Aldosterone ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension* ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Hypokalemia* ; Kidney ; Nephrectomy ; Plasma ; Renal Veins ; Renin* ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Large amounts of antigen may produce false low values on immunoradiometric assays due to the so-called high-dose hook effect. The physicians' awareness of the possibility of the "high-dose hook effect" will prevent preoperative misdiagnosis. The study was designed to identify the frequency and clinical features of patients with pituitary macroadenomas in whom a high-dose PRL hook effect was documented. METHODS: Our retrospective study involved 42 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas (tumor diameter >30mm) who underwent transsphenoidal microsurgery from between Jan 1999 to Aug 2004, and 6 patients with non-functioning pituitary adenoma(tumor diameter>30mm) were selected for prospective study from Sep 2003 to Feb 2004. Our retrospective study also involved 13 patients with macroprolactinoma for the comparison of the clinical features. RESULTS: 1) The presence of a high-dose hook effect was retrospectively suggested when the PRL levels increased in 4 out of the 42 patients with non- functioning adenomas(tumor diameter >30mm) after surgery. Post-operative immunohistochemical staining of their pituitary specimens revealed the tumors to be prolactinoma. 2) Prospectively, dilution testing of the specimens obtained before surgery was done in the 6 patients, and one patient presented with a case of the hook effect. The patient's prolactin level was measured at 53.1ng/mL before dilution and this was increased up to 22,600ng/mL upon the 1:1000 dilution. 3) Conclusively, the hook effect was seen in 5 of the 48 patients(10.4%) with non-functioning pituitary adenoma(tumor diameter >30mm) 4) Compared with other 2 patient groups(the macroprolactinoma(N=13) group, and the non-functioning pituitary tumor(N=43) group), the high-dose PRL hook effect is more likely to be observed in male patients with large pituitary tumors. CONCLUSION: In order to avoid the high-dose hook effect, PRL should be assayed at 1:100~1:200 or even higher dilutions of serum from all patients(and especially the male patients) with large pituitary tumors
Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Prolactin ; Prolactinoma* ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Increased body fat, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance are important clinical features in hypogonadal men. Several studies have demonstrated that a low testosterone concentration in men is associated with coronary heart disease, visceral obesity and insulin resistance. In this study, the effects of testosterone replacement therapy on the abdominal visceral fat and cardiovascular risk factors in hypogonadal men were investigated. METHODS: We selected 26 men with secondary hypogonadism (mean serum testosterone+/-SD 0.39+/- 0.57ng/mL), who were then treated with testosterone for 12 months. We measured the body composition, including the abdominal visceral fat area by abdominal CT at the L4 level, both before and 12 months after treatment, and the lipid profile, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR and the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6 before and 6, 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: With respect to the body composition, the lean body mass had significantly increased 12 months after treatment(P= 0.002), but there were no significant changes in the body fat mass and abdominal visceral fat area. There was a trend toward a decreased fasting plasma insulin and HOMA-IR, but this did not reach statistical significance. The total cholesterol had decreased significantly at 12 months(P=0.04) and the HDL cholesterol decreased significantly over the course of study(P=0.02). There were no significant changes in the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6 after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After 12 months testosterone replacement therapy in the 26 men with hypogonadism, the lean body mass had increased significantly, but there was no significant change on the abdominal visceral fat during the treatment period. Testosterone replacement had deleterious effect on HDL cholesterol, but not significant effects on insulin resistance and the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6. These results suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may have a few adverse effects on cardiovascular diseases in hypogonadal men. However, it will be necessary to examine the long-term effects of testosterone replacement on the incidence of cardiovascular events as well as the cardiovascular risk factors in men with hypogonadism
Adipose Tissue ; Body Composition ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Coronary Disease ; Fasting ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-6 ; Intra-Abdominal Fat* ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Plasma ; Risk Factors* ; Testosterone* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Increased body fat, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance are important clinical features in hypogonadal men. Several studies have demonstrated that a low testosterone concentration in men is associated with coronary heart disease, visceral obesity and insulin resistance. In this study, the effects of testosterone replacement therapy on the abdominal visceral fat and cardiovascular risk factors in hypogonadal men were investigated. METHODS: We selected 26 men with secondary hypogonadism (mean serum testosterone+/-SD 0.39+/- 0.57ng/mL), who were then treated with testosterone for 12 months. We measured the body composition, including the abdominal visceral fat area by abdominal CT at the L4 level, both before and 12 months after treatment, and the lipid profile, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR and the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6 before and 6, 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: With respect to the body composition, the lean body mass had significantly increased 12 months after treatment(P= 0.002), but there were no significant changes in the body fat mass and abdominal visceral fat area. There was a trend toward a decreased fasting plasma insulin and HOMA-IR, but this did not reach statistical significance. The total cholesterol had decreased significantly at 12 months(P=0.04) and the HDL cholesterol decreased significantly over the course of study(P=0.02). There were no significant changes in the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6 after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After 12 months testosterone replacement therapy in the 26 men with hypogonadism, the lean body mass had increased significantly, but there was no significant change on the abdominal visceral fat during the treatment period. Testosterone replacement had deleterious effect on HDL cholesterol, but not significant effects on insulin resistance and the serum homocysteine, CRP and IL-6. These results suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may have a few adverse effects on cardiovascular diseases in hypogonadal men. However, it will be necessary to examine the long-term effects of testosterone replacement on the incidence of cardiovascular events as well as the cardiovascular risk factors in men with hypogonadism
Adipose Tissue ; Body Composition ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Coronary Disease ; Fasting ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Interleukin-6 ; Intra-Abdominal Fat* ; Male ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Plasma ; Risk Factors* ; Testosterone* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Genetic variations of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes can affect alcohol drinking behavior. The aims of this study were to investigate and compare the distributions of these genetic polymorphisms between a healthy control group and a heavy drinker group which included an alcoholic liver cirrhosis group. METHODS: Genotypes of ADH2, ALDH2, CYP2E1, and catalase were identified by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes in 42 healthy controls, 12 heavy drinkers, and 30 alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients. RESULTS: 1) The genotype frequencies of ALDH2 (1*1), ADH2 (1*1), CYP2E1 (c1c1), and catalase1 (TT) were 69%, 55%, 38%, and 12%, respectively in healthy Korean males. 2) There was a significant difference in the distribution of the genetic polymorphism of ALDH2 between the control group and heavy drinker group (12 heavy drinkers and 30 alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients). The genotype frequency of ALDH2 mutant, ALDH2 (1*2) and ALDH2 (2*2) in the heavy drinker group (12%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (30%). 3) We didn't find anyone with ALDH2 homozygote mutant (DD) in the heavy drinker group. 4) There was no significant difference in the distribution of genetic polymorphisms in ADH2, CYP2E1 and catalase1 between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the absence of ALDH2 mutant genotype is strongly related to heavy drinking behavior. We can not prove, however, any evidence that the polymorphisms of other ethanol-metabolizing enzymes are associated with the determination of alcohol-drinking behavior.
Adult ; Alcohol Dehydrogenase/*genetics ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholism/enzymology/*genetics ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase/*genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1/*genetics ; Ethanol/metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/enzymology/*genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Polymorphism, Genetic

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of dialysis on the autonomic and peripheral nerve function has been a subject of considerable debate. In addition, no longitudinal study on the course of uremic neuropathy in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during dialysis has been reported. We carried out a prospective study to investigate the effect of dialysis on the autonomic and peripheral nerve function during the first 12 months of dialysis. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with ESRD (14 on HD and 11 on CAPD; 11 diabetic and 14 non- diabetic) were enrolled. Autonomic nerve function test and median nerve conduction velocity study were done at the initiation of dialysis and then repeated after 12 months of dialysis. RESULTS: At the initiation of dialysis, sympathetic nerve function and parasympathetic nerve function were abnormal in all HD and CAPD patients. After 12 months of dialysis, no significant changes occurred in autonomic function test. There was no significant difference in autonomic function test between HD and CAPD patients. There was no significant difference in median nerve conduction velocity between HD and CAPD patients after 12 months of dialysis. At the initiation of dialysis, 6 of 11 diabetic and 4 of 14 non-diabetic patients had abnormal median nerve conduction velocity. After 12 months of dialysis, normalization of median nerve conduction velocity occurred only in 3 non-diabetic patients. There was a singinficant difference in median nerve conduction velocity between diabetic and non-diabetic patients after 12 months of dialysis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that dialysis does not significantly alter the autonomic nerve function during the first 12 months of dialysis, but may improve the peripheral nerve function in non-diabetic uremic patients.
Autonomic Pathways ; Dialysis* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Longitudinal Studies ; Median Nerve ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Prospective Studies

PURPOSE: The outcomes of a surgical approach for patients with an esophageal carcinoma remain unsatisfactory despite its high complication rates. We conducted a phase II trial, using combined FP (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) chemotherapy and concurrent radiotherapy, as a definitive therapy for patients with esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically proven esophageal cancer were enrolled onto this study. The treatment consisted of four courses of chemotherapy and six and a half weeks of radiotherapy. The patients received chemotherapy in weeks 1, 5, 12 and 16 (5-fluorouracil 1, 000 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1). Radiotherapy was administered at a dose of 59.4 Gy, in five 1.8 Gy fractions a week. RESULTS: A total of 22 eligible patients entered the study. Of the 19 evaluable patients, a complete response occurred in 7 (37%), and a partial response in 8 (42%). After a median follow-up of 35 months, the overall survival rate was 32% at three years and the median survival was 11 months. Fourteen (64%) received planned dose of radio-therapy and 13 (59%) received more than three courses of chemotherapy. However, there was no difference in three-year survival rates between the patients that received less than three courses of chemotherapy and those that received three or more courses (31% vs. 32%). The major treatment related toxicity was mucositis, which developed in every patient, with grades III or IV in thirteen (59%) patients. During the treatment, the patients lost, on average, 3.8% of their body weight. The mean hospital stay was 23 days, with a total duration of treatment of 74 days. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent FP chemoradiotherapy was effective as a definitive therapy for patients with esophageal cancer. The major toxicity was mucositis. Although the treatment was relatively feasible, a randomized trial of reduced courses of chemotherapy is warranted.
Body Weight ; Chemoradiotherapy* ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Mucositis ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate

Background/Aims: There is increasing evidence that supplementation with pre- and probiotics appears to have positive effects on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a new synbiotic formulation on gastrointestinal symptoms in elderly patients with IBS. Methods: Sixty-seven IBS patients aged ≥60 years were randomly assigned to either a placebogroup (n=34) or a synbiotic group (n=33). During a 4-week intervention, subjects used a placebo or a synbiotic containing Lactobacillus paracasei DKGF1 and extracts of Opuntia humifusa once a day. Patients were evaluated with the subject global assessment, visual analog scale, and Bristol stool chart. The primary outcome was the overall responder rate and the secondary outcome was the responder rates for abdominal symptom reduction at week 4. Results: Overall, responder rates were significantly higher in the synbiotic group (51.5%) than in the placebo group (23.5%) (p=0.017). Abdominal pain (58.8% vs 81.8%) and psychological wellbeing (26.4% vs 60.6%) were noticeably improved in the synbiotic group (p=0.038 and p=0.004, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in gas and bloating symptoms (p=0.88 and p=0.88, respectively). In patients with constipation-dominant and diarrhea-dominant IBS (n=16), the synbiotic significantly improved abdominal pain and defecation symptoms (responder rates for the placebo vs the synbiotic: 22.2% vs 85.7%, p=0.04). There were no adverse events in either group. Conclusions The results indicate that this new synbiotic supplement can potentially relieve abdominal symptoms in elderly IBS patients.

BACKGROUND: Prolactin has been identified by gel chromatography to exist is three different forms in human serum; monomeric prolactin(molecular mass 23kDa), big prolactin (molecular mass 50~60 kDa) and big big prolactin, otherwise known as macroprolactin(molecular mass 150~170kDa). The predominance of macroprolactinemia has long been known in idiopathic hyperprolactinemic patients with maintained fertility. In recent reports, 24% of microprolactinoma patients showed no menstrual disturbances, which was suggestive of macroprolactinemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate: (1) the frequency of macroprolactinemia among idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma patients, (2) the difference in the clinical characteristics between hyperprolactinemia, with and without macroprolactinemia, among idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma patients, and (3) the follow-up prolactin level using the bromocriptine response. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and prolactin levels in 43 idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and 51 prolactinoma patients with a poor bromocriptine response. Macroprolactinemia was identified by the prolactin recovery of < 40% using the polyethylene glycol(PEG) precipitation test. RESULTS: (1) Of the 43 idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and 51 prolactinoma patients, 17(39.5%) and 9(17.6%), respectively, were macroprolactinemic(P<0.05). (2) Among the idiopathic hyperprolactinemia patients, galactorrhea combined with amenorrhea was significantly less frequent (P<0.05), with the 1- and 2-year follow-up prolactin levels being significantly higher in those with macroprolactinemia than monomeric prolactinemia(P<0.05). (3) Among the prolactinoma patients, amenorrhea was significantly less frequent(P<0.05), but asymptomatic cases were more frequent in those with macroprolactinemia than monomeric prolactinemia(P <0.05). The 1- and 2-year follow-up prolactin levels were significantly higher in those with macroprolactinemia than monomeric prolactinemia(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The screening of macroprolactinemia should be considered in idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma patients with a poor bromocriptine response
Amenorrhea ; Bromocriptine ; Chromatography, Gel ; Female ; Fertility ; Follow-Up Studies ; Galactorrhea ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Mass Screening ; Polyethylene ; Pregnancy ; Prolactin ; Prolactinoma ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Prolactin has been identified by gel chromatography to exist is three different forms in human serum; monomeric prolactin(molecular mass 23kDa), big prolactin (molecular mass 50~60 kDa) and big big prolactin, otherwise known as macroprolactin(molecular mass 150~170kDa). The predominance of macroprolactinemia has long been known in idiopathic hyperprolactinemic patients with maintained fertility. In recent reports, 24% of microprolactinoma patients showed no menstrual disturbances, which was suggestive of macroprolactinemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate: (1) the frequency of macroprolactinemia among idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma patients, (2) the difference in the clinical characteristics between hyperprolactinemia, with and without macroprolactinemia, among idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma patients, and (3) the follow-up prolactin level using the bromocriptine response. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and prolactin levels in 43 idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and 51 prolactinoma patients with a poor bromocriptine response. Macroprolactinemia was identified by the prolactin recovery of < 40% using the polyethylene glycol(PEG) precipitation test. RESULTS: (1) Of the 43 idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and 51 prolactinoma patients, 17(39.5%) and 9(17.6%), respectively, were macroprolactinemic(P<0.05). (2) Among the idiopathic hyperprolactinemia patients, galactorrhea combined with amenorrhea was significantly less frequent (P<0.05), with the 1- and 2-year follow-up prolactin levels being significantly higher in those with macroprolactinemia than monomeric prolactinemia(P<0.05). (3) Among the prolactinoma patients, amenorrhea was significantly less frequent(P<0.05), but asymptomatic cases were more frequent in those with macroprolactinemia than monomeric prolactinemia(P <0.05). The 1- and 2-year follow-up prolactin levels were significantly higher in those with macroprolactinemia than monomeric prolactinemia(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The screening of macroprolactinemia should be considered in idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma patients with a poor bromocriptine response
Amenorrhea ; Bromocriptine ; Chromatography, Gel ; Female ; Fertility ; Follow-Up Studies ; Galactorrhea ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Mass Screening ; Polyethylene ; Pregnancy ; Prolactin ; Prolactinoma ; Retrospective Studies