No abstract available.
Hyperthyroidism*

No abstract available.
Diagnosis ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

BACKGROUND : Diabetes is an independent risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein is considered to be an important step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of in vivo LDL oxidation in diabetic patients by measuring antibody against oxidized LDL. METHODS : Plasma samples from 64 NIDDM patients and 30 normal controls were tested for antibody against oxidized LDL by two ELISA methods and for plasma lipid hydroperoxides by the ferrous oxidation with xylenol orange (FOX II) assay. In the first ELISA, antibody levels were estimated as the difference in binding to copperoxidized LDL between untreated plasma and plasma preabsorbed with oxidized LDL. In the second ELISA, antibody levels were estimated as the ratio of IgG binding to copper-oxidized LDL to native LDL. RESULTS : There was no significant difference in levels of antibodies to copper-oxidized LDL between NIDDM patients and normal controls with both ELISA methods. There was also no significant difference in levels of antibodies to copper-oxidized LDL between NIDDM patients with ischemic heart disease (n=24) and NIDDM patients without ischemic heart disease (n=40). Plasma lipid hydroperoxides in the diabetic group were significantly higher than in the control. CONCLUSION : The present study shows that antibodies to copper-oxidized LDL are not significantly raised in our NIDDM patients. Further study to measure antibodies to malondialdehydeLDL would be necessary.
Antibodies ; Atherosclerosis ; Citrus sinensis ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Lipoproteins* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Plasma ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.
Cushing Syndrome* ; Hyperplasia*

No abstract available.
Hypogonadism* ; Lutein* ; Luteinizing Hormone*

No abstract available.
Aging* ; Erythrocytes* ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation*

No abstract available.
Hyperlipoproteinemias*

Background : Vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) proliferation is an important process in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis, Calcium is considered an important regulator of cellular proliferation. The major mechanism regulating VSMC cytoplasmic Ca2+ activity are Ca2+ entry and extrusion across the plasmalemma and Ca2+ release and uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. To investigate the role of cytosolic Ca2+ in the proliferaton of VSMCs, we studied the proliferation and the dynamics of cytosolic Ca2+ in VSMCs from nondiabetic rats. Methods : The proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells of rats, acquired by enzymatic method, was studied with MTT assay, and calcium agonists (Bay K 8644 10(-6)M) or calcium antagonists(verapamil 10(-6)M). Cytosolic Ca2+ was measured by Fura 2 method. Results : Bay K 8644 enhanced VSMCs proliferation. Verapamil blocked the incremental effect induced by Bay K 8644. In the presence of extracellular calcium ion, Bay K 8644 (10(-6)M) abolished the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by Bay K 8644 in the presence of 1mM extracellular calcium ion. Conclusion : The enhanced proliferation of VSMCs is associated with the increment in cytosolic calcium.
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Calcium ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytoplasm ; Cytosol* ; Fura-2 ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* ; Rats ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum ; Verapamil

The association between non-islet cell tumors and fasting hypoglycemia has been recognized since 1929. The humoral mediator of this non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia(NICTH) is now known as IGF-II. Hypoglycemia develops commonly in the course of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), mostly late in the course and usually mild to moderate in severity. Rarely, severe hypoglycemia occurs early in the course of HCC, suggesting NICTH. We report a case of HCC in which hypoglycemic coma due to NICTH was the presenting symptom.A 52-year-old man developed mental confusion and seizures in the early morning. At emergency room, he was found to have severe hypoglycemia. Circulating levels of insulin, C-peptide, insulinlike growth factor-I(IGF-I) and growth hormone were reduced during hypoglycemia. Diagnostic work-up revealed that he had unresectable HCC. During admission, infusion of more than 400g of dextrose per day in addition to meals was required to prevent hypoglycemia. Because the chemotherapy was refused, he was transferred to a local hospital to receive infusions of dextrose.
Adenoma, Islet Cell ; C-Peptide ; Coma ; Drug Therapy ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Glucose ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; Insulin ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Islets of Langerhans ; Meals ; Middle Aged ; Seizures

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological ACTH test provide information only about the ability of the adrenal gland to respond to unusual stimuli and may not reflect the daily cortisol secretion. There were some controversies in the diagnosis of mild adrenal insufficiency by using a pharmacological dose of ACTH. The purpose of the present study was to assess and compare the effect of low dose 1 pg ACTH and high dose 249 pg ACTH in the evaluation of adrenal function. The intravenous injection of a pharmacological dose(250 pg) of ACTH has been used as a standard test in the initial assessment of adrenal function. So we low dose ACTH to evaluate the adrenal function and compare the result of high dose ACTH. METHOD: Basal serum cortisol sampling was done at 2:00 p.m.. And after 1 pg ACTH iv bolus injection, cortisol sampling was done at 20, 30, 45 and 60 min respectively. On the next day same procedure was repeated at same time, but 249 mg ACTH was given instead of the low dose. Normal adrenal function was diagnosed with the criteria of stimulated serum cortisol concentration over 20 mg/dL. Total 65 patients took part in this study. Three hypopituitarism patients and one Addisons disease were included. Sixty-one patients had the history of glucocorticoid ingestion or had physical findings of cushingoid features with symptoms suggest the adrenal insufficiency. RESULTS: Sixteen patients showed normal response to both low dose and high dose ACTH. Thirty-six patients were not stimulated to both low dose and high dose ACTH. The remaining thirteen patients revealed normal response to high dose ACTH, but not to low dose ACTH. CONCLUSION: It appears that low dose ACTH stimulation test is more sensitive and specific than high dose ACTH and is capable of revealing mild adrenal insufficiency.
Addison Disease ; Adrenal Glands ; Adrenal Insufficiency ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone* ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypopituitarism ; Injections, Intravenous