Quartz crystal Microbalance with dissipation monitoring for biomedical applications: Open source and low cost prototype with active temperature control.

Advances in sensors have revolutionized the biomedical engineering field, having an extreme affinity for specific analytes also providing an effective, real-time, point-of-care testing for an accurate diagnosis. Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) is a well-established sensor that has been successfully applied in a broad range of applications to monitor and explore various surface interactions, in situ thin-film formations, and layer properties. This technology has gained interest in biomedical applications since novel QCM systems are able to work in liquid media. QCM with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) is an expanded version of a QCM that measures changes in damping properties of adsorbed layers thus providing information on its viscoelastic nature. In this article, an open source and low cost QCM-D prototype for biomedical applications was developed. In addition, the system was validated using different Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) concentrations due to its importance for many medical applications. The statistics show a bigger dissipation of the system as the fluid becomes more viscous, also having a very acceptable sensibility when temperature is controlled.

AntVideoRecord: Autonomous system to capture the locomotor activity of leafcutter ants.

The leafcutter ants (LCA) are considered plague in a great part of the American continent, causing great damage in production fields. Knowing the locomotion and foraging rhythm in LCA on a continuous basis would imply a significant advance for ecological studies, fundamentally of animal behavior. However, studying the forage rhythm of LCA in the field involves a significant human effort. This also adds a risk of subjective results due to the operator fatigue. In this work a new development named 'AntVideoRecord' is proposed to address this issue. This device is a low-cost autonomous system that records videos of the LCA path in a fixed position. The device can be easily reproduced using the freely accessible source code provided. The evaluation of this novel device was successful because it has exceeded all the basic requirements in the field: record continuously for at least seven days, withstand high and low temperatures, capture acceptable videos during the day and night, and have a simple configuration protocol by mobile devices and laptops. It was possible to confirm the correct operation of the device, being able to record more than 1900 h in the field at different climate conditions and times of the day.

[Oral nutritional supplementation in hematologic patients]. / Suplementación oral nutricional en pacientes hematológicos.

RATIONALE: Hematological patients often present anorexia which along with other secondary effects from the chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatments compromise their nutritional status. Oral supplementation can aid to fulfill the energy and protein requirements of these patients. Nevertheless, the use of commercial nutritional supplements normally available, is limited by its poor intake. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the degree of fulfillment of the prescribed supplements and fulfillment of energy requirements, as well as the development of nutritional status in hematological patients hospitalized for treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. METHODS: Prospective, randomized and open study of inpatients at the hematological ward. Patients were randomized sequentially and they were assigned into 3 different nutritional interventions providing: Group 1 (G1), a flavored supplement; Group 2 (G2): a non flavored (neutral) supplement and Group 3 (G3): "kitchen" foods as supplements. Need and amount of nutritional supplements were provided according to the oral intake previously analyzed. Nutritional assessment (at admission and discharge) was based in the Subjective Global Assessment test (SGA), Risk Nutritional Index (RNI) and percentage of lost weight. Both fulfillment of supplement intake and achievement of energetic requirements were analyzed. RESULTS: 125 patients of 51.3 +/- 16.8 years; 45% men and 55% women. DIAGNOSIS: 54% lymphoma, 33% leukemia, 8% myeloma and others 4%. Length of stay (LOS): 7.0 +/- 3.6 d. The nutritional assessment done by SGA showed significant negative changes in G2 and G3 (G1: 30% developed malnutrition and 28% improved their nutritional status, p = NS; G2: 50% developed malnutrition against 7% whom improved their nutritional status, p = 0.002; y G3: 37% developed malnutrition against 21% whom improved their nutritional status, p = 0.02). According to RNI, patients evolved negatively from their nutritional state but no significant differences were found within groups (G1, from 81% of malnutrition to 90%; G2, from 77% to 91%, and G3 from 71% to 85%). Globally, during hospitalization patients lost weight significantly (2.3 +/- 2.2 kg, p < 0.001), but within groups weight loss differences were not significant (G1, 1.16 kg; G2, 1.75 kg, y G3, 1.17 kg). All three groups required intake of supplements (G1, 47%; G2, 30%, and G3, 47%). The percentage of fulfillment of oral intake was similar in both commercial supplemented groups (G1, 47% and G2, 58%) although it was significantly greater in those receiving kitchen supplements (G3, 100%, p < 0.001). The fulfillment of energy requirements at admission and discharge did not showed significant changes (G1, from 53% to 46%; G2, from 67% to 52% and G3 from 49% to 55%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that hematological patients admitted to hospital for treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy loose weight during their hospitalization and present intakes below their energy requirements so they need supplementation. Kitchen supplements are better accepted than commercial ones although that does not result in an increased total energy intake. The group which received commercial flavored supplements was the only one which did not showed negative significant changes in the nutritional status evaluated by SGA.

Massive growth hormone (GH) discharge in obese subjects after the combined administration of GH-releasing hormone and GHRP-6: evidence for a marked somatotroph secretory capability in obesity.

GH secretion in response to all provocative stimuli is decreased in patients with obesity. However, the precise mechanism causing this impairment in GH release is unknown. His-DTrp-Ala-Trp-DPhe-Lys-NH2 (GHRP-6) is a synthetic compound that releases GH in a dose-related and specific manner in several species, including man. To gain further insight into disrupted GH secretion in obesity, GHRP-6 and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) at a dose of 100 micrograms, i.v., were administered either alone or in combination in a group of 19 obese subjects. In a group of obese patients, GHRP-6 induced GH secretion, with a GH peak (mean +/- SEM) of 15.7 +/- 4.4 micrograms/L and an area under the curve (AUC) of 674 +/- 187, which were larger than those after GHRH stimulation (6.8 +/- 1.1 and 412 +/- 71, respectively). Enhancement of the endogenous cholinergic tone was obtained in another group of obese subjects by means of pyridostigmine (120 mg, orally). Pyridostigmine administered 60 min before GHRP-6, increased both the mean GH peak (32.2 +/- 6.9) and the AUC (1413 +/- 537) after GHRP-6 administration. In a separate group of subjects, the combined administration of GHRP-6 and GHRH induced a massive discharge of GH, with individual responses ranging from 14-86 micrograms/L. GHRP-6 plus GHRH induced a mean GH peak of 42.2 +/- 10.9 and an AUC of 1894 +/- 784 (P < 0.05), clearly indicating a potentiating (synergic) action when the two compounds were administered together. These data show that GH responses to GHRP-6 were almost twice those to GHRH in obese patients. The stimulatory effect exerted by pyridostigmine on GHRP-6-induced GH secretion supported the view of increased somatostatinergic tone in obesity. Finally, the massive GH discharge that followed the administration of GHRH plus GHRP-6 was not observed after any stimulus in obesity, clearly indicating that the impaired GH secretion is a functional and potentially reversible state.

Effect of growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone (GHRH), atropine, pyridostigmine, or hypoglycemia on GHRP-6-induced GH secretion in man.

His-DTrp-Ala-Trp-DPhe-Lys-NH2 (GHRP-6) is a synthetic compound that releases GH in a dose-related and specific manner in several species, including man. To further characterize the effects and mechanism of action of GHRP-6 on GH secretion, we assessed in normal man plasma GH responses to that hexapeptide 1) alone and in combination with exogenous GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) administration, 2) in a state of high endogenous somatostatinergic tone after atropine administration, and 3) in a state of low endogenous somatostatinergic tone induced by the cholinergic receptor agonist drug pyridostigmine or after insulin-induced hypoglycemia. We found a similar increase in plasma GH levels after the administration of either GHRP-6 (1 microgram/kg) or GHRH (1 microgram/kg); the areas under the curve (AUC) were (mean +/- SEM) 973 +/- 181 and 821 +/- 139, respectively. After combined GHRP-6 and GHRH administration, GH responses were considerably greater than those after either compound alone (4412 +/- 842; P < 0.01). Administration of the cholinergic receptor antagonist atropine (1 mg, im) completely prevented the GH responses to GHRP-6 (area under the curve, 103 +/- 14 vs. 815 +/- 156, respectively). On the other hand, pyridostigmine, a cholinergic agonist, slightly increased GH responses to GHRP-6 (P < 0.01 when comparing the AUC after pyridostigmine administration of 1571 +/- 151 and the AUC after administration of GHRP-6 alone of 815 +/- 156). Finally, combined GHRP-6 and insulin administration induced a much greater increase in plasma GH levels (AUC, 4047 +/- 327) than insulin alone (1747 +/- 229; P < 0.05) or GHRP-6 alone (1248 +/- 376; P < 0.05). Our results lend support to the view that GHRP-6-induced GH secretion is exerted through a non-GHRH-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, the fact that enhancement of somatostatinergic tone with atropine completely prevented the GH responses to GHRP-6, while pyridostigmine and insulin-induced hypoglycemia, which increased plasma GH levels by inhibiting hypothalamic somatostatin release, increased the same response suggest that although GHRP-6-induced GH secretion is dependent on the endogenous somatostatinergic tone, the stimulatory effect of GHRP-6 on plasma GH levels is not mediated by a change in hypothalamic somatostatinergic tone.

Role of the serotonin receptor subtype 5-HT1D on basal and stimulated growth hormone secretion.

At present, four main types of serotonin (5-HT) receptors have been identified in the brain (5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3, and 5-HT4). In addition, the 5-HT1 have been further subclassified. We have taken advantage of a new selective 5-HT1D receptor agonist 3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N-methyl-1H-indole-5-methanesulfonamide succinate, Sumatriptan, to evaluate the role of 5-HT1D receptors on GH secretion. To this end, several tests with or without sumatriptan were undertaken in normal prepubertal children. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of Sumatriptan on basal GH secretion and the GH response to GHRH in obese children. In normal children, Sumatriptan administration (3 mg, sc) resulted in an increase in basal GH levels at 30 min (7.7 +/- 1.5 micrograms/L; P < 0.05) and increased GH responses to GHRH (47.3 +/- 6.4 vs. 29.6 +/- 9.7 micrograms/L; P < 0.05). The Sumatriptan-induced increase in GH responses to GHRH was dependent on the stimulus tested. Pretreatment with Sumatriptan did not modify the GH response to clonidine or pyridostigmine, as assessed by the peak GH response and the area under the curve. In contrast, it increased the GH response to arginine. In the obese subjects, the GH response to GHRH was reduced (7.3 +/- 1.0 vs. 29.6 +/- 9.7 micrograms/L at 30 min) compared to that in control children (P < 0.05). Sumatriptan administration did not alter the basal GH value (peak GH, 1.7 +/- 0.3 micrograms/L at 30 min). However, Sumatriptan administration clearly increased the effect of GHRH, resulting in a GH peak of 14.6 +/- 3.1 micrograms/L at 30 min (P < 0.01). To assess the specificity of Sumatriptan on anterior pituitary hormone secretion, we studied its effect on TSH and PRL responses to TRH as well as LH-releasing hormone-induced LH and FSH secretion. Administration of Sumatriptan did not alter the response of any of these hormones. Our results indicate that 5-HT1D receptors have a stimulatory effect on GH secretion, possibly by inhibiting hypothalamic somatostatin release.

Effect of enhancement of endogenous cholinergic tone with pyridostigmine on the dose-response relationships of growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-induced GH secretion in normal subjects.

It is well known that GH responses to GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) show marked interindividual variations in normal subjects, which have been attributed to a variable somatostatinergic tone. Recently, it has been shown that enhancement of cholinergic tone with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor pyridostigmine (PD), which presumably acts by inhibiting somatostatin release, stimulates basal GH secretion and GH responses to a maximal dose of GHRH. In this study we have investigated the effects of PD on the dose-response relationships of GHRH-induced GH secretion in normal subjects. Our data showed that PD (120 mg, orally, at-60 min) induced a clear-cut increase in basal GH levels, significantly different from that after saline treatment, at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min. Moreover, PD administration markedly potentiated GH responses to GHRH at doses of 500, 100, 25, 10, and 3 micrograms/subject, as assessed by either area under the curve or maximal peak GH levels. In fact, GH responses to pyridostigmine plus 3 micrograms GHRH were similar to those to the administration of 500 and 100 micrograms GHRH alone. Our findings of marked increases in GH response to GHRH after pyridostigmine administration show that with enhancement of cholinergic tone, the dose of GHRH needed to induce a similar increase in GH is reduced 30 times.

Absence of growth hormone (GH) secretion after the administration of either GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), GH-releasing peptide (GHRP-6), or GHRH plus GHRP-6 in children with neonatal pituitary stalk transection.

GH-releasing peptide (GHRP-6; His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) is a synthetic compound that releases GH in a specific and dose-related manner through mechanisms and a point of action that are mostly unknown, but different from those of GHRH. In man, GHRP-6 is more efficacious than GHRH, and a striking synergistic action occurs when both compounds are administered together. To explain such a synergistic effect, it has been postulated, but not proven, that GHRP-6 acts through a double mechanism, with actions exerted at the pituitary and the hypothalamic level. On the other hand, patients with the syndrome of GH deficiency due to perinatal pituitary stalk transection have any hypothalamic factor nonoperandi. The aim of the present study was 3-fold: 1) to further understand how relevant, if at all, the hypothalamic action of GHRP-6 is for GH regulation; 2) to evaluate whether GHRP-6 plus GHRH could be a suitable diagnostic tool in children with pituitary stalk transection; and 3) to compare these results with similar published studies performed in patients with hypothalamo-pituitary disconnection, who developed the disease as adults. Seven patients with GH deficiency and different degrees of panhypopituitarism due to perinatal pituitary stalk transection and 7 age- and sex-matched normal controls were studied. The subjects underwent 3 different tests on separate occasions, being challenged with GHRH (1 microgram/kg, iv), GHRP-6 (1 microgram/kg, iv), or GHRH plus GHRP-6. GH was analyzed as the area under the curve (mean +/- SE; micrograms per L/90 min). In normal subjects, GH secretion was 1029 +/- 202 after GHRH treatment, 1221 +/- 345 after GHRP-6, and 3542 +/- 650 after GHRH plus GHRP-6; the latter value was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the secretion elicited by GHRH or GHRP-6 alone. In the group of patients with perinatal pituitary stalk transection, the level of GH after GHRH treatment was 116 +/- 22 and was even more reduced (P < 0.05) after GHRP-6 treatment (37 +/- 8). After GHRH plus GHRP-6, GH secretion in those patients was 177 +/- 27, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the secretion induced by either GHRH or GHRP-6 alone. Individually examined, none of the patients tested with the most potent stimulus known to date (GHRH plus GHRP-6) exhibited GH secretion greater than 5 micrograms/L.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acipimox-mediated plasma free fatty acid depression per se stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion in normal subjects and potentiates the response to other GH-releasing stimuli.

Increases in plasma free fatty acids (FFA) inhibit the GH response to a variety of stimuli; however, the role of FFA depression in GH control is far from understood. In the present work, FFA reduction was obtained by the administration to normal subjects of acipimox, a lipid-lowering drug devoid of side-effects. Each subject tested underwent two paired tests. In one, acipimox was administered orally at a dose of 250 mg at -270 min and at a dose of 250 mg at -60 min; in the matched test, placebo was given at similar intervals. To induce GH release, four stimuli acting through different mechanisms were used: pyridostigmine (120 mg, orally) at -60 min, GHRH (1 microgram/kg, iv) at 0 min, GH-releasing peptide (GHRP-6; His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2; 1 microgram/kg, iv) at 0 min, and finally, GHRH plus GHRP-6 at the same doses at 0 min. GH secretion was analyzed as the area under the secretory curve (AUC; mean +/- SE, micrograms per L/120 min). Acipimox pretreatment alone (n = 6) induced a reduction in FFA levels compared with placebo treatment. The FFA reduction led to a sustained GH secretion that increased from 2.4 +/- 1.8 micrograms/L at -120 min to 14.2 +/- 4.0 at 120 min. The GH AUC for placebo was 266 +/- 100, and that for acipimox was 1781 +/- 408 (P < 0.05). In the pyridostigmine-treated group (n = 6), the acipimox-pyridostigmine AUC (2046 +/- 323) was higher (P < 0.05) than the placebo-pyridostigmine AUC (764 +/- 101), but was not different from the AUC of acipimox alone. Previous FFA reduction nearly doubled the GHRH-mediated GH secretion (n = 6; placebo-GHRH AUC, 1817 +/- 365; acipimox-GHRH test, 3228 +/- 876; P < 0.05). A similar enhancement was observed when the stimulus employed was GHRP-6 (n = 6; placebo-GHRP-6 AUC, 2034 +/- 295; acipimox-GHRP-6, 4827 +/- 703; P < 0.05). Furthermore, even the most potent GH stimulus known to date, i.e. GHRH plus GHRP-6, was enhanced by the FFA suppression (placebo-GHRH-GHRP-6 AUC, 2034 +/- 277; acipimox-GHRH-GHRP-6, 5809 +/- 758; P < 0.05). The enhancing effect of lowering FFA levels was additive regardless of the stimulus employed. These results indicate that 1) FFA reduction per se stimulates GH secretion with a delayed time of action; 2) FFA reduction enhanced in an additive manner the GH secretion elicited by such different stimuli as pyridostigmine, GHRH, and GHRP-6; and 3) the observation that FFA reduction enhanced the response to the most potent GH stimulus, GHRH plus GHRP-6, suggests that FFA suppression acts by a separate mechanism. FFA reduction may have value in the clinical setting for assessing GH reserve.

Impaired growth hormone secretion in obese subjects is partially reversed by acipimox-mediated plasma free fatty acid depression.

GH secretion in response to provocative stimuli is blunted in obese patients. On the other hand, increases in plasma free fatty acids (FFA) inhibit the GH response to a variety of stimuli, and FFA levels in plasma are increased with obesity. To ascertain whether FFA might be responsible for the GH secretory alterations of obesity, we studied spontaneous and stimulated GH secretion in 31 obese patients after FFA reduction by acipimox, a lipid-lowering drug devoid of serious side-effects. Each subject underwent two paired tests. In one, acipimox was administered orally at a dose of 250 mg at -270 min and at a dose of 250 mg at -60 min; in the matched test, placebo was given at similar intervals. To induce GH release, three stimuli acting through different mechanisms were used: pyridostigmine (60 mg, orally, at -60 min), GHRH (100 micrograms, iv, at 0 min), and GHRH plus GH-releasing peptide (GHRP-6; His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2; both at a dose of 100 micrograms, iv, at 0 min). GH secretion was analyzed as the area under the secretory curve (AUC; mean +/- SE; micrograms per L/60 min). Acipimox pretreatment alone (n = 13) induced a large reduction in FFA levels compared with placebo treatment. The FFA reduction led to a slight GH rise (AUC, 123 +/- 47), not different from that in the placebo group (61 +/- 15). In the pyridostigmine-treated group (n = 6), the acipimox-pyridostigmine AUC (408 +/- 107) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in the placebo-pyridostigmine group (191 +/- 25). Furthermore, the GHRH-mediated (n = 6) AUC of GH secretion in the placebo test (221 +/- 55) was tripled by FFA reduction due to acipimox, with an AUC of (691 +/- 134; P < 0.05). Even the most potent GH stimulus known to date, i.e. GHRH plus GHRP-6, was enhanced by FFA suppression. In fact, the placebo-GHRH-GHRP-6 AUC was 1591 +/- 349, lower (P < 0.05) than that in the acipimox-GHRH-GHRP-6 test (2373 +/- 242). The enhancing effects of FFA lowering on GHRH-mediated and GHRH- plus GHRP-6-mediated GH release were synergistic. These results indicate that in obese subjects, unlike normal weight subjects. FFA reduction per se does not stimulate GH secretion. A reduction in FFA with acipimox, however, increased pyridostigmine-. GHRH-, and even GHRH- plus GHRP-6-mediated GH release, suggesting that FFA reduction operates through a different mechanism from that of these three stimuli. The abnormally high FFA levels may be a contributing factor for the disrupted GH secretory mechanisms in obesity.

Effect of acute pharmacological reduction of plasma free fatty acids on growth hormone (GH) releasing hormone-induced GH secretion in obese adults with and without hypopituitarism.

In obesity, there is a markedly decreased GH secretion. The diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) in adults is based on peak GH responses to stimulation tests. In the severely obese, peak GH levels after pharmacological stimulation are often in the range that is observed in hypopituitary patients. To distinguish obese subjects from GHD patients, it will be necessary to demonstrate that reduced GH responsiveness to a given test is reversible in the former, but not in the latter, group. Recent studies have shown that reduction of plasma free fatty acids (FFA) with acipimox in obese patients restores their somatotrope responsiveness. There are no data evaluating GH responsiveness to acipimox plus GHRH in obese adults with hypopituitarism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acute pharmacological reduction of plasma FFA on GHRH-mediated GH secretion in obese normal subjects and obese adults with hypopituitarism. Eight obese patients with a body mass index of 34.2+/-1.2; eight obese adults with hypopituitarism, with a body mass index of 35.5+/-1.9; and six control subjects were studied. All the patients showed an impaired response to an insulin-tolerance test (0.15 U/kg, i.v.), with a peak GH secretion of less than 3 microg/L. Two tests were carried out. On one day, they were given GHRH (100 microg, i.v., 0 min), preceded by placebo; and blood samples were taken every 15 min for 60 min. On the second day, they were given GHRH (100 microg, i.v., 0 min), preceded by acipimox (250 mg, orally, at -270 min and -60 min); and blood samples were taken every 15 min for 60 min. The administration of acipimox induced a FFA reduction during the entire test. Normal control subjects had a mean peak (microg/L) of 23.8+/-4.8 after GHRH-induced GH secretion; previous acipimox administration increased GHRH-induced GH secretion, with a mean peak of 54.7+/-14.5. In obese patients, GHRH-induced GH secretion was markedly reduced, with a mean peak (microg/L) of 3.9+/-1; previous administration of acipimox markedly increased GHRH-mediated GH secretion, with a mean peak of 16.0+/-3.2 (P < 0.05). In obese adults with hypopituitarism, GHRH-induced GH secretion was markedly reduced, with a mean peak (microg/L) of 2+/-0.7; previous acipimox administration did not significantly modify GHRH-mediated GH secretion, with a mean peak of 3.3+/-1.1 (P < 0.05). The GH response of obese patients and obese adults with hypopituitarism was similar after GHRH alone. In contrast, the GH response after GHRH plus acipimox, was markedly decreased in obese adults with hypopituitarism (mean peak, 3.3+/-1.1), compared with obese patients (mean peak, 16.0+/-3.2) (P < 0.05) and control subjects (mean peak, 54.7+/-14.5) (P < 0.01). In conclusion, GH secretion, after GHRH-plus-acipimox administration, is reduced in obese adults with hypopituitarism patients, when compared with obese normal patients. Testing with GHRH plus acipimox is safe and is free from side effects and could be used for the diagnosis of GHD in adults.

Influence of endogenous cholinergic tone and alpha-adrenergic pathways on growth hormone responses to His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 in the dog.

His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 (GHRP-6) is a synthetic peptide unrelated to any known hypothalamic-releasing hormone including growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Interestingly, this peptide induces a dose-related increase in plasma GH levels in all species tested so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the action of GHRP-6 alone or in combination with GHRH on GH release in dogs. In addition, the activation or blockade of endogenous cholinergic tone and alpha-1 adrenoceptors on GHRP-6-stimulated GH secretion was assessed. In adult Beagle dogs (n = 10), GHRP-6 (90 micrograms i.v.) increased basal GH levels from 2.6 +/- 1.5 to 14.4 +/- 3.1 micrograms/l (mean +/- S.E.M.) after 15 min. GHRH (50 micrograms i.v.) induced a GH peak of 9.7 +/- 2.2 micrograms/l at 15 min. The combined administration of GHRP-6 and GHRH strikingly potentiated canine GH release with a peak of 54 +/- 9.0 micrograms/l (P < 0.01). Pretreatment with the cholinergic agonist pyridostigmine (30 mg per os) increased GHRP-6-stimulated GH secretion (37.9 +/- 10.1 micrograms/l P < 0.05), while the muscarinic blocker atropine (100 micrograms i.v.) completely abolished (GH peak lower than 2 micrograms/l) the stimulatory action of GHRP-6. On the other hand, administration of the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist clonidine (4 micrograms/kg i.v.) increased basal plasma GH levels without affecting GH responses to GHRP-6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gonadal steroid modulation of naloxone-induced LH secretion in the rat.

The effect of acute administration of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, s.c.) on plasma LH levels was evaluated in female and male rats 24, 36 and 48 h and 1, 3 and 5 weeks after gonadectomy and in 5-week gonadectomized rats after acute or chronic (2 weeks) administration of oestradiol benzoate (OB, 10 micrograms/rat per day, s.c.), testosterone propionate (TP, 150 micrograms/rat, s.c.) or dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHT, 150 micrograms/rat, s.c.) respectively. Concurrent evaluation of plasma LH after administration of LH releasing hormone (LHRH, 1 microgram/kg, i.p.) was performed in the same experimental groups. In rats of both sexes, a significant rise in plasma LH after naloxone was observed in sham-operated and recently gonadectomized rats (24-48 h); in female rats 36 and 48 h after gonadectomy the rise was higher than in controls. One, 3 and 5 weeks after gonadectomy, naloxone failed to stimulate LH release in both female and male rats. In gonadectomized rats undergoing steroid replacement therapy, OB administered 72 h before testing, TP (16 and 72 h) and DHT (16 h) were the most effective in reinstituting the LH response to naloxone. Chronic administration of gonadal steroids did not restore normal LH responsiveness to naloxone. In most experimental groups, LH responses after naloxone were clearly unrelated to pituitary LH responsiveness to LHRH, which indicates that the opioid antagonist was acting via the central nervous system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prolactin-lowering and -releasing drugs. Mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications.

Drugs whose systemic and/or central administration induce suppression or stimulation of prolactin secretion are reviewed. The most commonly used prolactin-lowering drugs include: (a) direct-acting dopamine receptor agonists (e.g. dopamine, apomorphine and the ergot derivatives); (b) indirect-acting dopamine agonists (e.g. amphetamine, nomifensine, methylphenidate, amineptine); (c) drugs which impair serotoninergic neurotransmission (e.g. the neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine and the serotonin receptor antagonists methysergide and metergoline); (d) gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA]-mimetic drugs (e.g. GABA, muscimol, ethanolamine-O-sulphate, sodium valproate); (e) histamine H2-receptor agonists; and (f) cholinergic (muscarinic and nicotinic) receptor agonists. Major prolactin-stimulating agents comprise: (a) dopamine receptor antagonists (e.g. classic and atypical antipsychotic drugs); (b) drugs differently capable of impairing central nervous system dopamine function (e.g. blockers of dopamine neurotransmission such as alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine and 3-iodo-L-tyrosine, false precursors such as alpha-methyldopa, and inhibitors of L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase such as carbidopa and benserazide); (c) drugs enhancing serotoninergic neurotransmission (e.g. the serotoninergic precursors tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan, direct-acting serotonin agonists such as quipazine and MK 212, and indirect-acting serotonin agonists such as fenfluramine); (d) blockers of serotonin reuptake (e.g. fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and clovoxamine); (e) H1-receptor agonists; and (f) H2-receptor antagonists (e.g. cimetidine). Some of the above classes of drugs (e.g. the indirect-acting dopamine agonists, dopamine receptor antagonists, GABA-mimetic drugs, dopamine receptor blocking drugs, and H2-antagonists) may be useful for selecting among hyperprolactinaemic patients those with a prolactin-secreting tumour in an early stage of the disease. Direct-acting dopamine receptor agonists, notably the ergot derivatives; are potent antigalactopoietic agents, can revert impaired gonadal function to normal in both female and male patients with hyperprolactinaemia, and may have antiproliferative effects on pituitary prolactin-secreting tumours. All prolactin-stimulating agents, but especially the dopamine receptor antagonists, are liable to induce alterations in gonadal function in subjects of either sex. In addition to their usage for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, the above drugs appear to be invaluable tools for enabling a better understanding of the neurotransmitter control of prolactin secretion.

Cholinergic and histaminergic involvement in the growth hormone releasing effect of an enkephalin analog FK 33-824 in man.

Studies were performed in healthy subjects to ascertain the neurotransmitter systems involved in the growth hormone (GH)-releasing effect of the potent enkephalin analog FK 33-824. Concomitant evaluation of prolactin (PRL) secretion was also performed in the same subjects. FK 33-824 at a dose of 0.5 mg IV elicited a clear-cut rise in plasma GH and PRL concentrations with peak levels at 45 min. Blockade of muscarinic cholinergic receptors by atropine (0.5 mg SC) or histaminergic H1 receptors by diphenhydramine (50 mg IV bolus plus 50 mg infusion) completely suppressed the GH release induced by FK 33-824, without significantly altering the PRL rise induced by the peptide. Pretreatment with the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (0.5 mg IV/min for 120 min) or the dopamine receptor blocker metoclopramide (10 mg IV) did not alter the GH-releasing effect of FK 33-824. Phentolamine failed to alter the PRL rise induced by FK 33-824, while combined FK 33-824-metoclopramide administration induced a greater PRL increase than FK 33-824 alone. These results indicate that cholinergic and histaminergic H1 receptors play an important role in the GH-release induced by FK 33-824 in man, whereas this action seems to occur independently of catecholaminergic mediation. The same receptors are not involved in the PRL-releasing effect of the peptide.

Effect of combined administration of growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone, GH-releasing peptide-6, and pyridostigmine in normal and obese subjects.

Growth hormone (GH) secretion in response to all provocative stimuli is decreased in patients with obesity. Recently, we found that the combined administration of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and the hexapeptide GH-releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) induced a large increase in plasma GH levels. To gain further insight into the disrupted mechanism of GH regulation in obesity, we investigated whether the inhibition of somatostatinergic tone with pyridostigmine could further increase the GH response to combined administration of GHRH and GHRP-6. In normal subjects, administration of GHRH plus GHRP-6 induced a marked increase in plasma GH with a peak at 30 minutes (mean +/- SEM, 76.7 +/- 9.7 micrograms/L), which was similar to that obtained after pretreatment with pyridostigmine (74.7 +/- 9.4 micrograms/L). In obese patients, combined administration of GHRH plus GHRP-6 induced a clear increase in GH secretion with a peak at 15 minutes of 42.2 +/- 10.0 micrograms/L, which was also unaffected after pretreatment with pyridostigmine (38.4 +/- 5.8 micrograms/L). The GH response was lower in obese patients than in controls as assessed by the area under the curve after administration of both GHRH plus GHRP-6 (1,846 +/- 396 v 4,773 +/- 653, P < .01) and pyridostigmine plus GHRH plus GHRP-6 (1,989 +/- 372 v 5,098 +/- 679, P < .005). In conclusion, these data suggest that GHRP-6 can behave as a functional somatostatin antagonist, and that somatotrope responsiveness to the combined administration of GHRH plus GHRP-6 is largely independent of somatostatinergic tone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hypothalamic neurotransmitter function in experimentally induced hyperprolactinemia.

It is known that animals or patients bearing a prolactin (PRL)-secreting tumor (PST) do not suppress PRL levels after administration of indirectly acting dopamine agonists, namely nomifensine (Nom), and are not responsive to the PRL releasing effect of antidopaminergic drugs and opioid peptides. Since the action of these drugs is mediated through the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) system, these findings have been taken to indicate that animals and humans bearing prolactinomas have a defective TIDA function. Alternatively, PRL unresponsiveness to these drugs could be due to hyperfunction of TIDA system for the feedback action of high PRL levels. To clarify whether hypo- or hyperfunction of the TIDA system was responsible for such behaviour, we tested the effect of a synthetic opioid peptide (FK 33-824), a DA receptor antagonist, domperidone (Dom), and of Nom on PRL secretion in two experimental models of non-tumoral hyperprolactinemia, i.e. rats bearing ectopic pituitaries since 3 days (TP rats), or treated with ovine PRL (oPRL 250 micrograms, twice daily for 3 days), in which existence of an increased TIDA function has been demonstrated. FK 33-824 (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) increased significantly plasma PRL levels in control rats but failed to do so in TP rats and it elicited a significantly lower PRL response than in controls in rats treated with oPRL. In both experimental models, a PRL secretagogue, e.g. 5-hydroxytryptophan (50 mg/kg i.p.), elicited the same response as in controls, indicating that the pituitary PRL pool was preserved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of single or repeated estrogen administration on tuberoinfundibular GABA neurons and anterior pituitary GABA receptors: biochemical and functional studies.

The effect of single or protracted administration of estradiol valerate on the hypothalamo-pituitary gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system and on plasma prolactin levels has been evaluated in female rats 2 months after the last (chronic treatment) or the single dose of the steroid. In the group of animals receiving one dose of estrogen, no modifications were detected in the activity of the tuberoinfundibular GABAergic neurons as implied by unchanged GABA accumulation either in the median eminence or the anterior pituitary after blockade of GABA catabolism with ethanolamine-O-sulphate. However, a complete disappearance of the low affinity population of GABA receptors in the anterior pituitary was observed. In this experimental condition, where baseline prolactin levels were 3-fold higher than in control rats, muscimol, a potent GABA agonist, was effective in significantly lowering plasma prolactin concentrations. Chronic estradiol valerate administration reduced GABA accumulation in the median eminence and the anterior pituitary at 4, but not at 2 h, after intracerebroventricular injection of ethanolamine-O-sulphate. Moreover, in this instance, a complete disappearance of the high affinity population of GABA receptors in the anterior pituitary was detected. Long-term estrogen administration induced also a 55-fold increase of plasma prolactin titers and muscimol was ineffective in reducing prolactin concentrations in plasma. The ability of muscimol to inhibit prolactin release only in single-estrogen-treated animals strongly suggests that the high affinity population of anterior pituitary GABA receptors is that involved in the mechanisms whereby GABA inhibits prolactin release from anterior pituitary.

Mechanisms involved in the prolactin-releasing effect of benserazide.

The mechanism(s) underlying the prolactin (PRL)-releasing effect of benserazide (Bz), a peripheral inhibitor of L-aromatic amino-acid decarboxylase, was investigated in the rat. In intact male and female rats, Bz was ineffective to increase significantly plasma PRL at 0.8 mg/kg i.p. but elicited an already maximal effect at 1.6 mg/kg. Bz added to in vitro incubated anterior pituitaries (APs) did not alter PRL secretion at the dose of 3.8 X 10(-6)M but increased PRL release at 10(-4)M. Bz, even at very high doses (up to 10(-3) M), did not displace [3H]spiroperidol binding from AP membrane preparations. In rats having had mechanical ablation of the medio basal hypothalamus (MBH), Bz (15 mg/kg i.p.) induced no rise in plasma PRL and did not counteract the striking inhibitory effect of a dopamine (DA) infusion (5 micrograms/kg per min per 120 min). Administration of Bz (15 mg/kg i.p.) into intact male rats decreased significantly the DA concentrations in the median eminence (ME) but not in the residual hypothalamus and the AP. In the same rats 1-dopa (50 mg/kg i.p.) increased significantly the DA concentrations not only in the ME but also in the hypothalamus and the AP. Bz given concurrently with 1-dopa markedly reduced the rise in DA concentrations induced by 1-dopa in the ME, and greatly potentiated the increase in DA concentrations in the hypothalamus. These data indicate that the mechanism whereby a single administration of Bz increases PRL secretion in the rat is not consistent with the postulated DA receptor antagonist action of the drug, but instead implies inhibition of the decarboxylation of 1-dopa at dopaminergic nerve terminals of the ME.

Effect of dopaminergic drugs on hypothalamic and pituitary immunoreactive beta-endorphin concentrations in the rat.

Beta-endorphin concentrations have been evaluated in the hypothalamus, pituitary lobes and plasma after 1-and 3-week treatment with 2-Br-alpha-ergocriptine or lisuride, two potent dopaminergic drugs. Hypothalamic beta-endorphin concentrations were significantly decreased after the administration of the dopaminergic agents for 1 or 3 weeks. Similarly, beta-endorphin concentrations decreased in the neurointermediate lobe and plasma. After gel chromatography, it appeared that in the anterior pituitary, beta-lipotropin concentrations were unchanged or lightly increased concomitantly with a decrease of beta-endorphin. Our data indicate that, both in the hypothalamus and the neurointermediate pituitary lobe, beta-endorphin is under an inhibitory dopaminergic tone. The latter may also play a role in inhibiting beta-endorphin cleavage from beta-lipotropin in the anterior pituitary.