Comparison of estrogen priming effects with body weight restoration effects on the gonadotropin pattern of patients with anorexia nervosa

Plasma estradiol (E2), serum LH and FSH, and the gonadotropin response to two consecutive LHRH administrations (10 and 100 micrograms with an interval of 2 h) were determined in 19 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) at the emaciation phase, before and after estradiol benzoate (E2B) injections (3 micrograms/kg/day for 7 days). The same investigations were repeated after weight restoration in 9 AN patients who remained amenorrheic. Both at the emaciation phase and after weight restoration, E2B enhanced the second LH response to LHRH and decreased serum FSH, suggesting that the functional capacities of the pituitary gonadotrophs are normal in AN. Unlike E2B injections, weight restoration increased all the hormone values, suggesting that the weight restoration effects on the abnormal gonadotropin secretory pattern of AN depend on another mechanism than the E2 lowering. That mechanism is probably a disorder of the hypothalamic LHRH secretion, the consequences of which could be reinforced by the low E2 levels.     

Electron spin resonance of eumelanin from hair: photoinduced radicals in solid matrix

KBr matrices appear to be convenient media to reveal the radicals formed on light exposure of eumelanin dispersions. The ESR signal of eumelanin dispersed at low concentration in KBr pellets is analyzed during and after irradiation at various wavelengths. Different types of radicals are observed. R'1- and R1-types of radicals are assigned, respectively, to neutral and deprotonated intrinsic phenoxy radicals of eumelanin. R'1 can be oxidized by oxygen as opposite to R1. R2- and R'2-types are formed in the indolic site. Water favours the conversion of R2, unreactive with oxygen, into R'2 which can be oxidized. R'1 and R2 result of an electron photoejection, respectively, from the phenolic and the indolic site. The R3-type radicals are associated with the band-to-band excitation of eumelanin considered as a semiorganized solid.     

Increased preproenkephalin A gene expression in the rat heart after induction of a myocardial infarction.

The expression of preproenkephalin A (ppENK) gene was investigated in the rat heart, following the onset of myocardial infarction induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The relative abundance of ppENK mRNA and the level of enkephalins were measured by Northern blot analysis and radioimmunoassay, respectively, in the ventricles from control-unoperated, sham-operated, and operated rats. Three hours after the surgery, a comparison between rats with infarction and sham-operated rats revealed that the relative abundance of ppENK mRNA and the level of enkephalins were increased three- to four- and two- to three-fold, respectively, in the ventricles of rats with infarction. No difference was observed between rats with infarction and sham-operated rats 24 h after the surgery, or between rats with infarction compared at time intervals of 3 and 24 h following the surgery. The abundance of the ppENK mRNA in the polysomal fraction of the ventricular septum was also measured 3 h after the surgery and found to be threefold higher in rats with infarction as compared with sham-operated rats. These results indicate that the level of enkephalins rapidly increases in the ventricles of rats following myocardial infarction, and that this higher level may be ascribed to a stimulation of the local synthesis of enkephalins.     

Theoretical conformational analysis of phospholipids II. Role of hydration in the gel to liquid crystal transition of phospholipids

To obtain a satisfactory agreement between computed transition temperatures and those determined experimentally, we introduce explicitly water molecules which hydrate the polar headgroup of dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine molecules. The calculated free energy curves as a function of the intermolecular interchain distance and the degree of hydration of the polar groups permit the determination of the transition of the phospholipid system from the gel to the liquid crystalline phase. The detailed structure of the hydration shell is defined using the supermolecular approach.     

Traitement des dysfonctions érectiles par auto-injections intracaverneuses: comparaison des résultats du moxisylyte et de la prostaglandine E1

We report in this retrospective study the results obtained with the 2 first drugs proposed to reduce the relatively high rates of priapism and fibrosis bound to the papaverine intracavernous injections, ie the alpha-blocking agent Moxisylyte (Mox.), and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Each drug was used for auto-injections in 130 patients with a comparable mean follow up (14.8 months with Mox. compared to 14.6 with PGE1). PGE1 proved to be significantly more efficacious (good results in 71% of the patients versus 50% with Mox.), especially in the arteriogenic patients (respectively 96% vs 46%). Conversely PGE1 induced prolonged erections in significantly more patients (11 vs 1 with Mox.), including 2 priapisms, and also induced pain in more patients (12 vs 1 with Mox.). The rate of fibrotic nodules and plaques was low (2 and 3 patients). Despite the better tolerance of Mox., its continuation rate was significantly lower than that of PGE1. PGE1 can be the first choice agent in most cases. Mox. is mainly indicated in the patients with supersensitivity to the injections and in those with significant pain following PGE1.     

Hyperprolactinemia and sexual function in men

Male hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) is known to induce different types of sexual dysfunctions. In order to determine the incidence of HPRL among patients referred for sexual dysfunction, serum prolactin (PRL) was assayed in 1053 clinically idiopathic cases. Among 850 cases complaining of erectile impotence, 10 with marked HPRL (1.1%, PRL above 35 ng/ml) were found, of whom 6 cases were associated with a pituitary adenoma. 17 mild HPRL (2%, PRL 20-35 ng/ml) were also found. Among 124 cases with premature ejaculation, 13 (10%) mild HPRL were found. Serum PRL was normal in 51 cases complaining of an ejaculation without orgasm, and 27 patients exclusively complaining of reduced sexual desire. Our results lay stress on the fact that serum PRL must be assayed in every case of clinically idiopathic erectile impotence. Indeed, 5 of the 10 marked HPRL patients would have been misdiagnosed if we had only assayed this hormone when plasma testosterone was below the normal range. Moreover, in order to shed some light on the mechanisms by which HPRL disturbs male sexual function, the sexual behaviour of 17 markedly HPRL males was compared to their serum levels of PRL and testosterone, first before treatment, then at regular intervals during treatment. Our main conclusion is that impotence cannot be totally explained by a decrease in plasma testosterone, because this steroid hormone was within the normal range 7 of the 16 impotent patients. Moreover, when serum PRL was lowered by bromocriptine, 6 patients recovered their potency before plasma testosterone clearly increased, and in 3 of those patients before it reached the normal range.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)