Health-related quality of life during hormone therapy after breast cancer: a randomized trial.

AIM: To study the effects of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) on health-related quality of life in women after breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the Stockholm trial, breast cancer survivors were randomized to HT (estradiol and progestogen) or to a control group (no treatment). A subgroup of 75 women was studied (38 with HT, 37 controls). Fifty patients were on concomitant tamoxifen. Patients completed three questionnaires (EORTC QLQ C-30, EORTC QLQ-BR 23 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)) during 1 year of treatment. RESULTS: A significant group-by-time interaction was found for improvement of insomnia in the HT group (p < 0.001). Within the HT group, but not in the control group, there was significant improvement for HADS anxiety, HADS depression, emotional, cognitive, and social functions and global quality of life. When HT was added to tamoxifen, the increase in global quality of life was significant (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The effects of HT on quality of life in breast cancer survivors have not previously been reported. The present data suggest that this controversial treatment may improve quality of life after breast cancer.

Markers of collagen synthesis and degradation in urogenital tissue and serum from women with and without uterovaginal prolapse.

Diverging results have been published concerning collagen metabolism in uterovaginal prolapse (UP). We have investigated collagen turnover in urogenital tissue in urologically healthy women with (UP patients) and without UP or any history of UP (controls). Markers of collagen turnover, carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen III (PIIINP) and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) were assayed in urogenital tissue homogenates and serum. Tissue and serum concentrations of collagen turnover markers were related to UP and to menopausal/estrogen status. UP patients were significantly older than the controls. UP patients had significantly higher tissue PICP and PIIINP and significantly lower tissue ICTP levels than the controls, but the difference in ICTP disappeared after matching for menopausal/estrogen status and age. There were no associations between tissue collagen turnover markers on the one hand and menopausal/estrogen status or age on the other. The higher tissue concentrations of PICP and especially PIIINP in tissue from women with UP compared to controls, suggest an increased collagen breakdown in UP. This pattern differs from that in stress urinary incontinent women without UP, where tissue levels of collagen turnover markers are low, indicating reduced collagen breakdown.

Effects of an antiandrogenic oral contraceptive on appetite and eating behavior in bulimic women.

High androgen levels in women with bulimia nervosa may promote bulimic behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an antiandrogenic oral contraceptive (OC) on appetite and eating behavior in women with bulimia nervosa compared to healthy controls. Twenty-one women with bulimia nervosa and 17 healthy controls matched for age and body mass index participated in the study. Basal and meal-related appetite and secretions of the satiety peptide cholecystokinin (CCK) and the appetite-stimulating peptide ghrelin were studied before and after 3 months of treatment with an antiandrogenic OC (30 microg ethinyl estradiol combined with 3 mg drospirenone). Bulimic behavior was evaluated in relation to changes in hormone levels. Before treatment, bulimic women had higher frequency of menstrual disturbances, acne and hirsutism and higher levels of testosterone but lower meal-related CCK secretion than controls. OC treatment reduced meal-related hunger and gastric distention in bulimics. CCK secretion in response to the meal was unchanged in bulimic women but decreased in the controls. Ghrelin secretion was comparable between groups and did not change in response to OC treatment. The treatment improved bulimic behavior in relation to a decline in testosterone levels in the entire group. Our results support the suggestion that androgens play a role in bulimic behavior. Treatment with an antiandrogenic OC may serve as a new strategy for treatment of bulimia nervosa and particularly in those patients with hyperandrogenic symptoms.

Are estrogen receptor content in breast cancer and effects of tamoxifen on sex hormone-binding globulin markers for individual estrogen sensitivity?

Individual women differ with respect to their sensitivity to estrogen and serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) may reflect the individual response. We found a significant correlation between estrogen receptor (ER) concentrations in breast cancer tissue and SHBG levels during tamoxifen treatment. Estrogen sensitivity may be a general characteristic common to various organs and different between individual women.

Treatment with percutanous testosterone gel in postmenopausal women with decreased libido--effects on sexuality and psychological general well-being.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate if percutanous treatment with 10mg testosterone per day could enhance sexuality and psychological well-being in postmenopausal women presenting problems with low libido. Secondary to study the influence on blood lipids, hemoglobin and erythropoietin levels. METHODS: Fifty-three postmenopausal women participated. As a complement to their already on-going HRT, 10mg of a testosterone gel (Testogel, Besins-Iscovesco) or placebo was administered. Treatment continued for three plus three months in a double blind, randomized, crossover design. RESULTS: The scores concerning "frequency of sexual activity, orgasm and intercourse", "sexual arousal, fantasies and enjoyment", "satisfaction with orgasms", and "interest in sex" were all significally improved for testosterone addition as compared to placebo both before and after crossover. Testosterone levels increased more than 10-fold during treatment while DHT-levels were more than doubled. Estrogen levels were not affected during the addition of testosterone. Liver enzymes, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL revealed no significant differences between any of the periods or groups. Endometrial thickness did not change significantly during treatment. Hemoglobin and erythropoietin remained unchanged. No significant differences in the number of experienced side effects were found. CONCLUSION: Testosterone gel of 10mg had positive effects on several aspects of sexual life such as frequency of sexual activity, orgasm, arousal, fantasies and sexual interest in postmenopausal women on HRT. Several psychological variables were positively influenced. The given dose resulted in too high serum levels. Even if no negative effects were observed, monitoring of serum levels and a decreased dose should be considered in future studies.

Purification and partial characterization of a 17 beta-estradiol-binding macromolecule in the human pancreas.

Studies have been performed in order to investigate the presence of estrogen-binding proteins in the human pancreas that may provide the biochemical basis for tissue-specific treatment of pancreatic carcinoma with estrogen-based cytotoxic drugs. Using in vitro techniques, an estrogen-binding macromolecule has been purified from pancreatic cytosol. With estradiol a ligand, Kd was calculated to be 1.7 X 10(-7) M, and this protein was found to constitute about 4% of the total protein content in the cytosol. No metabolism of estradiol was detected under the in vitro conditions used. Competition experiments indicated that, besides estradiol, the protein also had some affinity for estrone and estriol but not for testosterone, progesterone, or dexamethasone. The protein was purified to homogeneity using chromatography on concanavalin A and hydroxylapatite followed by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified protein, still able to bind, [3H]-estradiol, gave one single protein-staining band when analyzed using different electrophoretic systems. The steroid-protein and did not bind to phosphocellulose or DNA-cellulose and did not show any similarities to steroid receptor proteins. The complex has a Strokes' radius of 52 A and a sedimentation coefficient of 3S. The biological significance of the macromolecule is known, but the protein is probably synthesized in the pancreas since no similar protein could be detected in serum. Studies are now being carried out to investigate whether this novel protein in the human pancreas may interact with complexes between cytotoxic agents and estrogens and provide the basis for tissue-specific treatment of pancreatic carcinoma.

Influence of sex hormones on prostatic secretion protein, a major protein in rat prostate.

Prostatic secretion protein (PSP) or estramustine-binding protein is a major protein in rat ventral prostate. The amount of PSP was measured per mg of cytosolic protein at different ages and after castration or administration of sex hormones. The amount of PSP is relatively low before puberty (25 microgram/mg of protein) but increases at about 28 days of age to about 670 microgram/mg of protein and then decreases to a constant level of about 300 to 400 microgram/mg of protein, which is stable until at least 9 months of age. Following castration, the amount of PSP decreased relatively slowly, but 6 days after castration less than 20% of the original amount of PSP was detected. Treatment with testosterone propionate (1 mg/day) for 2 weeks (starting 2 weeks after castration) restored precastration levels of PSP. It is concluded that PSP is an androgen-sensitive protein, and it is suggested that PSP should be considered as a probe for estimation of androgenic action on the prostate. PSP is similar to the so-called prostatic binding protein as well as to prostatein, and it is quite possible that the three proteins represent one and the same entity.

Characterization of an antiserum against the glucocorticoid receptor.

An immunoglobulin (IgG) fraction from serum of a rabbit immunized with a highly purified preparation of glucocorticoid receptor from rat liver cytosol contained specific antibodies to glucocorticoid receptor. This was shown following incubation of the [3H]triamcinolone acetonide-glucocorticoid receptor (TA-GR) complex with the IgG fraction by (I) adsorption of the [3H]triamcinolone acetonide-glucocorticoid receptor (TA-GR) complex with the IgG fraction by (I) adsorption of the [3H]TA-GR-antibody complex to protein A linked to Sepharose, (II) an increased sedimentation rate of the [3H]TA-GR-antibody complex compared to that of the [3H]TA-GR complex, and (III) an increased molecular size of the [3H]TA-GR-antibody complex when compared to that of the [3H]TA-GR complex as judged from gel filtration. The antibody fraction was characterized with regard to titer, cross-reactivity and specificity. The antibodies cross-reacted with the glucocorticoid receptor from various rat tissues (liver, thymus and hippocampus), as well as with the glucocorticoid receptor from human normal lymphocytes, chronic lymphatic leukemia cells and human hippocampus. In the rat liver, the antibody bound to both the nuclear and the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor (stokes radius 6.1 nm). It did not cross-react with the proteolytic fragments of the glucocorticoid receptors, the 3.6 nm complex or the 1.9 nm complex. Binding of the antibodies was not seen to the androgen, estrogen or progestin receptors in rat or to rat serum transcortin. With an indirect competitive ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) combined with various separation techniques, based on different physicochemical principles, it was shown that the glucocorticoid receptor was the only detectable antibody binding protein from rat liver cytosol using this assay system. These findings also indicate an immunochemical similarity between glucocorticoid receptors in different tissues as well as in different species, but not between glucocorticoid receptors and other steroid hormone receptor proteins. The cytosolic and nuclear glucocorticoid receptors in rat liver were shown to be immunochemically similar.

Pancreas-specific protein. New serum marker for graft rejection in pancreas-transplant recipients.

A radioimmunoassay for a novel human pancreatic protein (pancreas-specific protein, PASP) has been developed. We studied the possibility that serum PASP levels reflect pancreas-graft rejections in human pancreas-transplant recipients. Ten patients subjected to combined pancreas-kidney transplantation and 4 patients subjected to pancreas transplantation alone were studied. Twelve kidney recipients served as control subjects. On several occasions, PASP levels were elevated at kidney rejections in patients with combined pancreas-kidney grafts and then decreased after antirejection therapy, although no other indications for concomitant pancreas-graft rejection were at hand. In the recipients of pancreas grafts alone, PASP levels increased before or at the same time as graft rejections were indicated by current methods. In two cases of chronic graft rejection, PASP rose to high levels long before hyperglycemia occurred. In the control group of kidney-graft recipients, PASP levels were stable and were not affected by high serum creatinine levels, kidney-rejection episodes, or antirejection therapy. This study indicates that PASP may be a good serum marker for pancreas-graft rejection.

Prognostic significance of tissue prostate-specific antigen in endocrine-treated prostate carcinomas.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a minimally invasive technique for obtaining sample material suitable not only for cytological grading but also for flow cytometry and for biochemical analyses. The prognostic value of tissue prostate-specific antigen (T-PSA) from fine-needle aspiration biopsies was compared with serum total and free prostate-specific antigen, the ratio of free:total serum prostate-specific antigen, tumor stage, cytological grade, and DNA ploidy in 179 patients with stage T2-T4 prostate cancer (CAP). The patients, who were free from bone metastases at the time of diagnosis, were treated by either orchidectomy or medical castration with GnRH analogues or high-dose parenteral depot estrogens. They were followed for at least for 71 months or until death, and the different variables were correlated to time to progression and time to death from CAP. Using Cox univariate analysis, T-PSA was shown to be the most important factor in predicting time to progression and time to death. When the patients were divided into three groups with respect to T-PSA, 56 of 60 (93%) of the patients with low T-PSA levels developed progressive disease, and 52 of 60 (87%) died of CAP. For patients with intermediate T-PSA levels, the corresponding figures were 9 of 60 (15%) and 6 of 60 (10%). None of the 59 patients with high T-PSA values developed progressive disease. Similar but less pronounced relationships were found between tumor progress and CAP-specific death on the one hand and clinical stage, cytological grade, and DNA ploidy on the other. In a Cox multivariate stepwise analysis, T-PSA was the only important factor for time to progression and death. This was also true for the subgroup of patients with stages T2 and T3 disease only. The study shows that T-PSA is superior to other hitherto routinely used markers for the prediction of outcome of hormone-treated patients with newly diagnosed CAP.

Prognostic value of serial tissue prostate-specific antigen measurements during different hormonal treatments in prostate cancer patients.

To reveal the effects of different hormonal treatments directly on the prostate during treatment, the concentration of prostate-specific antigen in the tissue (T-PSA) was studied in 63 patients with untreated newly diagnosed carcinoma of the prostate (CaP). T-PSA measurements were performed in fine-needle aspiration biopsies at the time of diagnosis and 6, 12, and 24 months after initiation of treatment. Treatments modalities were bilateral orchidectomy, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, or parenteral estrogens. Thirty-one (49%) of the patients died of CaP and 18 (29%) of other diseases. Fourteen of the patients (22%) were still alive at the end of the observation period (median follow-up time, 111.5 months; range, 98-128 months). In all of the 31 patients who died of CaP, T-PSA values increased during treatment. This increase was observed long before clinical signs of progression appeared (median of interval, 14 months). Twenty of these 31 patients showed an increase in T-PSA from pretreatment values at 6 months. At 12 months this increase was observed in 30 of 31 patients. In contrast, in all of the patients who responded to the hormonal regimen, T-PSA values decreased and remained low during treatment. Furthermore, the patients who did not die of CaP and received estrogen treatment had significantly higher T-PSA values compared with those who were treated with bilateral orchidectomy or GnRH agonists. This indicates that estrogens may stimulate PSA synthesis in tumor tissue in vivo in the presence of castration levels of testosterone. Statistical evaluation showed that the T-PSA ratio between month 12 and month 0 had the most significant prognostic value for predicting the clinical outcome. This ratio was superior to clinical classifications, e.g., tumor stage and cytological grade, and also was higher than T-PSA at the time of diagnosis. This study has shown that aspiration biopsy material can be used to reveal biochemical changes in the tissue during treatment and that one specific marker (T-PSA) can predict the clinical outcome of endocrine treatment of CaP patients better than previously used methods. We believe that selected tissue markers or the protein pattern can help us to characterize the tumors and predict the clinical outcome so an optimal treatment can be chosen for every patient.

Plasma endothelin in normal and diabetic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations longitudinally throughout pregnancy in healthy and insulin-dependent diabetic women and to evaluate the relationship between ET-1 and big ET-1 in normal pregnancy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Venous blood samples were obtained consecutively in gestational weeks 18, 28, and 38 from 40 healthy women with uneventful pregnancies and 24 pregnant women with IDDM. By radioimmunoassay, plasma ET-1 and big ET-1 were analyzed in the healthy women and plasma ET-1 in the diabetic women. RESULTS: In the diabetic pregnant women, plasma ET-1 levels were significantly higher than in healthy pregnant women during the entire observation period (P < 0.001), but did not change with advancing gestational age. Five of the diabetic, but none of the healthy pregnant women, developed preeclampsia. ET-1 levels did not differ between the diabetic women who developed preeclampsia and those who did not. Plasma ET-1 levels in healthy pregnant women were within the range of those in healthy nonpregnant women and did not change during pregnancy. The big ET-1 levels increased and the ET-1/big ET-1 ratio decreased significantly during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma ET-1 levels do not change with advancing gestational length. During normal pregnancy, the ET-1/big ET-1 ratio decrease, indicating a suppressed converting enzyme activity or altered clearance of ET-1. Pregnant women with IDDM have markedly elevated ET-1 levels. Although diabetic women with and without preeclampsia did not differ with respect to endothelial dysfunction, as reflected by elevated ET-1 concentration, we cannot exclude that altered endothelial function may be of importance for the increased frequency of preeclampsia in pregnant IDDM patients.

Outcomes after autologous SCT in lymphoma patients grouped by weight.

Obesity continues to be an increasing global health issue contributing to the complexity of chemotherapy dosing in the field of SCT. Investigation into the optimal dosing weight used to calculate chemotherapy doses in obese patients undergoing SCT is limited and inconclusive. Our single-center, retrospective study compared safety and efficacy outcomes by body mass index (BMI) for 476 adult lymphoma patients who underwent auto-SCT with a myeloablative chemotherapeutic regimen of BU, CY and etoposide dosed using adjusted body weight. Three weight groups categorized based on BMI were defined: normal/underweight ⩽24.9 kg/m(2), overweight 25-29.9 kg/m(2) and obese ⩾30 kg/m(2). Severity of mucositis, incidence of secondary malignancy, incidence of bacteremia and median hospital length of stay did not differ among the groups. The median times to absolute neutrophil count and platelet recovery were 10 days (P=0.75) and 14 days (P=0.17), respectively. Obese patients had a lower 100-day mortality compared with other weight groups, although this did not translate into an OS benefit. OS and disease relapse were similar among the groups. Our study demonstrates that use of adjusted body weight to calculate chemotherapy doses does not negatively have an impact on outcomes in obese patients undergoing auto-SCT with BU, CY and etoposide.

Impaired adipocyte lipolysis in nonobese women with the polycystic ovary syndrome: a possible link to insulin resistance?

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hyperandrogenic disorder among women and is characterized by metabolic and cardiovascular aberrations similar to those seen in the so-called insulin resistance syndrome. The regulation of lipolysis was investigated in isolated abdominal sc adipocytes from 10 nonobese women with PCOS and in 11 age- and body mass index-matched healthy women. Eight PCOS women were reinvestigated after 3 months of treatment with combined oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethisterone, which normalized hyperandrogenicity. The PCOS women showed a marked resistance to the lipolytic effect of noradrenaline due to defects at two different levels in the lipolytic cascade: first, a 7-fold reduction in sensitivity to the beta 2-selective agonist terbutaline (P < 0.005), which could be ascribed to a 50% lower beta 2-adrenoceptor density (P < 0.02) as determined with radioligand binding; there was no difference with regard to dobutamine (beta 1) or clonidine (alpha 2-sensitivity) or beta 1-adrenoceptor density; second, the maximum lipolytic response was also 35% lower (P < 0.02) in the PCOS women compared to that in the healthy women. This was seen with all beta-adrenergic agonists and the postreceptor-acting agents forskolin (activating adenylyl cyclase) and dibutyryl cAMP (activating protein kinase). Neither beta 2-adrenoceptor sensitivity or density nor the reduced lipolytic responsiveness was restored by 3 months of oral contraceptives treatment. The results indicate the existence of a marked impairment of catecholamine-induced lipolysis in nonobese PCOS women displaying early features of the insulin resistance syndrome due to multiple lipolysis defects as a lower beta 2-adrenoceptor density and reduced function of the protein kinase, hormone-sensitive lipase complex. These lipolysis defects are identical to those observed in the insulin resistance (metabolic) syndrome and could be a primary pathogenic mechanism for the development of these disorders.

Subnormal androgen and elevated progesterone levels in women treated for congenital virilizing 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Clinical, anthropometric, and endocrine data were examined in 22 corticosteroid-treated, prenatally virilized women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency and in 22 matched healthy controls. In view of the androgen excess, limited growth, and subfertility associated with CAH, the investigation focused on androgenic/anabolic status and circulating progesterone levels. CAH patients were shorter and had a significantly higher body mass index than the controls. One pregnancy was reported in the CAH group compared to 15 in the controls. Five of the CAH patients were judged as undersubstituted based on greatly elevated circulating levels of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. These five patients had elevated serum levels of progesterone (P) and testosterone (T) and elevated ratios between T and sex hormone-binding globulin, but subnormal levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and its sulfate. The remaining 17 well substituted patients had elevated follicular phase levels of P, but subnormal levels of all androgens (4-androstene-3,17-dione, T, DHA, and DHA sulfate) and subnormal T/sex hormone-binding globulin ratios. Contrary to the apprehension that normally guides the treatment of CAH, well substituted patients may be considered hypoandrogenic rather than hyperandrogenic. The elevated levels of P may have a minipill-like effect, which may be one of the causes of the differences in fertility between salt-wasting and simple virilizing CAH.

Abnormal cytokine and adrenocortical hormone regulation in myotonic dystrophy.

Metabolic-endocrine dysfunctions, including hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased fat mass, and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, are common in myotonic dystrophy (MD). We hypothesized that increased production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may be important underlying mechanisms. We studied the diurnal rhythmicity of cytokines and cortisol, ACTH, and dehydroepiandrosterone in 18 men with adult onset MD and 18 controls. Morning levels of androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, and insulin were also determined. Genetic analyses were performed, including calculation of allele sizes. Median circulating 24-h levels of IL-6 (P < 0.001), TNF-alpha (P = 0.05), ACTH (P < 0.05), and cortisol (P < 0.05) were all significantly increased in MD, whereas dehydroepiandrosterone levels were decreased (P < 0.001). The diurnal rhythms of these cytokines/ hormones were disturbed in patients. Morning testosterone levels were decreased and insulin levels increased (P < 0.01 for both). Patients with high body fat mass had significantly increased insulin levels and decreased morning levels of cortisol, ACTH, and testosterone. IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels are increased and adrenocortical hormone regulation is disturbed in MD. Adiposity may contribute to these disturbances, which may be of importance for decreased adrenal androgen hormone production and metabolic, muscular, and neuropsychiatric dysfunction in MD.

Hormonal regulation of serum lipoprotein (a) levels: effects of parenteral administration of estrogen or testosterone in males.

When given orally, estrogens, as well as androgens, lower serum lipoprotein (a)[Lp(a)]levels. To determine whether these effects occur also after parenteral administration of steroids, Lp(a) levels were determined in two groups of elderly males suffering from prostatic carcinoma, who were randomized to treatment with parenteral estrogen (n = 8) or orchidectomy (n = 6). One group of healthy male volunteers (n = 9) was studied after parenteral administration of testosterone. Estrogen was given as im polyestradiol phosphate, 240 mg twice monthly, and testosterone was given as im injections, 250 mg/week. In the orchidectomized subjects, Lp(a) levels increased by 20% by month 3 after treatment (P < 0.05). In spite of drastic changes in serum hormone levels, no change in Lp(a) levels was observed in the estrogen-treated subjects. Concomitantly, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lowered by 15% and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased by 20%. Testosterone administration lowered Lp(a) levels by 20% (P < 0.05). No significant changes in serum lipid levels were observed in the testosterone-treated subjects or in the orchidectomy group. Thus, during parenteral administration of estrogens or androgens, diverging effects on Lp(a) and serum lipoproteins were observed. In particular, the mode of administration of estrogen influenced the response in Lp(a) levels. This suggests that the regulatory role of sex hormones on serum Lp(a) levels may depend on their capability to influence hepatic metabolic pathways of Lp(a).

A comparative study of the estrogenic effects of tamoxifen and 17 beta-estradiol in postmenopausal women.

The effects of tamoxifen and 17 beta-estradiol on the levels of FSH, PRL, and pregnancy zone protein were compared in two groups of postmenopausal women. Seventeen women with breast cancer were treated with tamoxifen (20 mg, twice a day). Fourteen women with climacteric complaints were given 17 beta-estradiol (2 mg, daily). A close parallelism between the effects of 17 beta-estradiol and the antiestrogen was obtained in all three markers studied. The percent decreases in FSH after 1 month were 29 and 44 and, after 3 months, 26 and 34 in the tamoxifen and estradiol groups, respectively. The decreases in PRL after 1 and 3 months of treatment with tamoxifen were 36% and 71%, and 19% and 31% after treatment with estradiol. Both treatments increased PZP serum levels, tamoxifen by 32% and 44% and estradiol by 55% and 70% after 1 and 3 months. Thus, tamoxifen was found to exert weak estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women.

Divergent effects of weight reduction and oral anticonception treatment on adrenergic lipolysis regulation in obese women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.

The influence of weight reduction and female sex hormones on the regulation of lipolysis was investigated in isolated abdominal sc adipocytes from 20 obese hyperandrogenic women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Nine PCOS women were reinvestigated after 8-12 weeks of weight reduction therapy (WR) with a very low calorie diet, inducing a mean loss of 8 +/- 3 kg, and 8 PCOS women were reinvestigated after 12 weeks of treatment with combined oral contraceptives (OC), containing ethinyl estradiol and norethisterone; the remaining 3 subjects were drop-outs. Both WR and OC normalized hyperandrogenicity. WR caused a 50% reduction of basal lipolysis rate and a 5- to 7-fold increased noradrenaline and terbutaline sensitivity (P < 0.02); the latter could be ascribed to a 2-fold increased beta2-adrenoceptor density (P < 0.02) as determined with radioligand binding. There was no change with regard to dobutamine (beta1-adrenoceptor sensitivity) or clonidine, (alpha2-adrenoceptor sensitivity) or to beta1-adrenoceptor density. OC treatment did not influence the basal lipolysis rate or beta2- or alpha2-adrenoceptor sensitivity, but lowered the beta1-adrenoceptor sensitivity 7-fold (P < 0.03) without a reduction in beta1-adrenoceptor density. The OC treatment effect was not observed when forskolin and dibutyryl cAMP, acting on adenylate cyclase or protein kinase A, respectively, were used, suggesting a partial uncoupling of beta1-adrenoceptors. WR therapy, but not OC therapy, caused, in addition to changes in lipolysis function, improved in vivo insulin sensitivity and lower plasma noradrenaline levels. These findings suggest that factors other than hyperandrogenicity modulate lipolysis regulation in obese subjects with PCOS. Disturbances in sympathetic pathways could be of pathogenic importance.

Adrenal responsivity in normal aging and mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced levels of cortisol have been found in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in major depression, while recent studies have suggested decreased levels of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) in patients with dementia. In this study the responsivity of the adrenal cortex to stimulation with a new low dose adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) test was investigated in patients with AD and in normal aging. METHODS: Thirteen patients with mild to moderate AD, 12 healthy old controls, and 15 young controls (78.0 +/- 8.4, 76.7 +/- 7.0, and 28.3 +/- 4.1 years old, mean: +/- SD, respectively) received an intravenous bolus injection of 1 microgram ACTH. Serum cortisol and androgen levels were analyzed before and 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after injection. RESULTS: The cortisol responsivity did not differ between the three groups. An enhanced release of androgens was present in patients with AD. AD per se had an independent influence on androstenedione levels after ACTH stimulation after adjustments for age and gender in a general linear regression model. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to major depression, increased cortisol release to ACTH stimulation does not seem to be a feature of AD. Abnormal androgen levels after ACTH stimulation are characteristic features of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.