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Thirteen plasma steroids as well as ACTH, LH and FSH were measured by specific RIAs under basal and dynamic conditions in a 16-year-old boy (normal external genitalia, 46, XY karyotype) who presented slowness and unachievement of pubertal development. On the delta 4-pathway: basal levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were low- with a normal ratio-, delta 4-androstenedione and 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione were in the low normal range. Meanwhile, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and progesterone levels were markedly elevated. On the delta 5-pathway: dehydroepiandrosterone was extremely low while 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone and pregnenolone were almost normal; dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was subnormal while pregnenolone sulfate was normal. Cortisol, aldosterone were normal while ACTH was moderately increased. Basal and responsive levels of LH and FSH were markedly increased. ACTH stimulation induced a subnormal rise of cortisol and 11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione, a low or absent rise of dehydroepiandrosterone, 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, androstenedione and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone contrasting with a marked rise of pregnenolone and progesterone. After hCG stimulation, responses were low for testosterone, extremely high for 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone with a normalisation of the 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone/progesterone ratio. Fluoxymesterone dramatically reduced the pathologically high basal levels of progesterone and 17 alpha hydroxyprogesterone. Dexamethasone induced only a minute decrease in the delta 4-progestagens, a marked decrease in pregnenolone, with a more than 80% reduction of 17 alpha- hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and androstenedione. These data suggest a defect involving the cytochrome P450 common to both 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17, 20-desmolase activities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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The 24-h profiles of plasma cortisol (F), 11-beta-hydroxyandrostenedione (11OHAD), androstenedione (AD), dehydroisoandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone (T) were obtained simultaneously in 11 normal males sampled at 15-min intervals. The data were submitted to a detailed quantitative analysis including the estimation of the circadian rhythm and of the episodic variations as well as the evaluation of the concomitance of episodic pulses of different hormones. A bimodal circadian rhythm was detected in the various individual profiles. The major acrophase occurred in the morning earlier for T (around 04:00 h) than for the hormones of totally or partially adrenal origin (around 07:00 h); the secondary acrophase (around 17:00 h) and the main midnight nadir were common to all hormones. The amplitude of the rhythm was highest for purely adrenal hormones (F and 11OHAD), averaging 79 and 75%, respectively, lower for hormones of mixed origin (DHEA and AD), averaging 44 and 42%, respectively, and minimal for T (22%). The possible relationship between the circadian and pulsatile variations of the various steroids was estimated in each individual by calculating Pearson's standard coefficient of variation on all pairs of hormonal profiles. A very tight relationship (r greater than 0.75; p less than 0.001) was found between the 4 adrenal hormones in each individual; a looser but significant correlation (r greater than 0.30; p less than 0.001) was also detected between T and its partial precursors (AD and DHEA) and between T and the purely adrenal hormones: F and 11OHAD (r greater than 0.30; p less than 0.01). The pulsatility of the corticotrophic axis was readily transmitted to the secretory pattern of 11OHAD, DHEA and AD. Ninety-six percent of the F pulses were reflected in at least one other hormonal profile. Finally, we showed that concomitant pulses common to the five adrenal and gonadal patterns were more frequent than would be expected on the basis of chance. These results: demonstrate a total parallelism between the long-lasting secretory events and the episodic bursts of the 4 adrenal hormones showing that the reticular and fascicular zones of the adrenal respond to pituitary control as an homogeneous structure; demonstrate the existence of a partial synchronization of adrenal and testicular pulsatile variations; suggest that, throughout the afternoon, a common mechanism may influence the slow variations of adrenal hormones and of testicular testosterone.

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The authors have evaluated a new procedure for the estimation of pancreatic and salivary isoamylase using a new selective inhibitor reagent (Enzamyl Isoamylase, Gödecke), Germany; composition covered by patent No. P 3404876.6). Provided the conditions of the assay presented here are correctly selected, a standard curve is not necessary and the activities of both isoenzymes can be calculated by a simple formula. In view of its rapidity and precision, this new procedure appears to be useful as a screening test. It correlates closely with a reference electrophoretic method.

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The characteristics of the blood curves of alpha-amylase (SA), pancreatic lipase (SL) and immunoreactive trypsin (SIT) have been analyzed in a series of patients daily explored throughout the evolution of pancreatitis attacks; urines were also collected to estimate the amylase-creatinine clearance ratio (ACCR). The following results were obtained. a). The 3 enzymes profiles ran roughly parallel during an acute attack. b). SL rose far higher than SA at the onset of the attack but its decay displayed a shorter half-life than the latter; these features resulted in an absence of systematic difference between their times of return to normal levels at the end of the attack. c). SIT more closely correlated with SL than with SA. d). In common hospital practice, simultaneous SA and SL determinations were proving a more reliable help to diagnose pancreatitis attack than ACCR.

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The aim of the study was to determine the main metabolic parameters of 11-beta-hydroxy-androstenedione (11 OHAD) in man. Seven normal subjects were investigated at 1-3 months interval by 2 types of isotope dilution techniques using a tritiated tracer: constant infusion and bolus iv injection. 3H-11 OHAD and 3H-11-beta-hydroxy-androsterone (3H-11 OA) were isolated by gel column chromatography, unlabeled 11 OHAD was determined by RIA, unlabelled 11 OA by GLC. The results included computation of free and conjugated catabolite fractions. 3H-11 OHAD MCR determined from the infusion or the injection data averaged ca 1250 ml/min or 1800 L/d (CV: +/- 10%) providing a mean estimation of unlabelled 11 OHAD BPR of 1.5 +/- 0.15 mg/d. UPR estimations gave similar values. 3H-11 OHAD fractional catabolic rate drawn from the postinfusion or the injection curve averaged ca 1.4% per min (CV: +/- 7%). Mean total distribution volume ranged between 90 and 120 L according to the type of experiment. Extrapolation to time zero of the injection curve (2 exponentials) provided an estimation of 32 +/- 5 L for rapid exchange compartment. Urinary recovery of labelled compounds was complete within 24 h whereas the excretion of undegraded 3H-11 OHAD was undetectable; urinary clearance rate of 3H-conjugates approached that of creatinine. The present data show that: the secretion rate of 11 OHAD is equivalent to that of its direct precursor, adrenal androstenedione; its large MCR value results from the size of its exchange volume-equivalents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Serum 11-beta-hydroxy-androstenedione (11OHAD), androstenedione (AD) and cortisol (F) were estimated during an i.v. insulin test in 2 large groups of normal prepubertal children and in normal adults. The results revealed that the basal level and responsiveness of AD were much lower in both groups of children than in adults whereas the corresponding 11OHAD data were similar or superior to those of adults. This suggests that during childhood the limited amount of adrenal AD is preferentially switched to the 11-hydroxylation step. Comparison of hormonal data observed in adults after i.v. insulin (mild ACTH stimulation) and a maximal stimulating dose of synacthen showed that the sensitivity of delta 4-3 keto-androgens pathway is inferior to that of F.

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Intravenous injections of 50 micrograms corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) to four normal men at 0900 and 2300 h were followed by significant plasma ACTH and cortisol elevations, without changes in GH and PRL concentrations. The responses were more easily assessed late in the evening than in the morning, when they were superimposed upon the spontaneous hormonal variations. The initial hormonal response was always followed by a period of decreased hormonal values compared to control patterns. The normal pituitary-adrenal response to CRF was blunted or abolished by prior administration of dexamethasone. These data suggest that exogenous administration or CRF-induced endogenous production of glucocorticoids modulates the sensitivity of corticotropic cells to the action of CRF. Since normal ACTH and cortisol secretory episodes are likely to obscure the effects of CRF, stimulation tests for clinical purposes should be performed during the quiescent period, i.e. late in the evening.

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50 women complaining of hirsutism were investigated in order to establish an optimal strategy for hirsutism exploration. Basal hormonal evaluations were of great value, especially serum testosterone and, to a lesser degree, DHA-S and LH. LH response to LHRH stimulation appeared of little diagnostic value. ACTH stimulation tests may be useful in detecting enzyme deficiencies in patients with normal basal values. The origin of hyperandrogenism can hardly be detected by the inhibition tests. However, these tests allow to determine whether the androgen secretion is still under ACTH and/or LH control.

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A modified short ACTH test for the detection of heterozygote carriers of 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) was applied to twenty-one controls and fourteen parents of children with 21-OHD. The following modifications were introduced: (1) Endogenous ACTH was suppressed by dexamethasone administration prior to the test, (2) Plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), cortisol (F), progesterone (P), corticosterone (B) and delta 4- androstenedione (A) were measured, (3) Variables studied were the ratio of plasma increments (delta) between precursors and end products, (4) Data were analysed by a step-wise discriminant analysis. Significant alterations in the metabolic pathway of F, B and A were demonstrated. The discriminant analysis showed that the addition of B pathway data did not improve the discrimination potency of the test performed on F pathway data. The combination of variates which provided the best discrimination was the logarithmic sum of delta 170HP/delta F at 15 and 30 min. It led to a 94% correct classification for normals and carriers.

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An improved method of gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) for routine estimation of adrenal steroids in urine is presented. It was applied to the exploration of steroid output in 120 normal prepuberal children to both sexes aged 3 months-12 years. Urinary data were compared to plasmatic values of adrenal hormones estimated by radio-immuno-assays (RIA). Analysis of the relationships between steroids outputs and bone age revealed that the excretion of cortisol catabolites was expressed by a saturation curve whereas that of delta 4-3 keto androgens catabolites were expressed by geometrical pregression curves; urine dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and plasma DHEA-sulfate showed outbreaks of high values beyond 6 years of age which ruled out all curve fitting attempts. The computation of these relationships allowed to determine the confidence belts of the various regressions which appear as a useful tool to estimate the delayed or accelerated character of adrenal activity in prepuberal childhood. Comparison of the various urinary (GLC) and plasmatic (RIA) parameters enabled us to comment on adrenal puberty.

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A RIA for the estimation of delta 4-androstenedione in human plasma without chromatographic purification is analyzed. Sensitivity, accuracy, precision and specificity are shown to be, at least, equivalent to those of methods involving chromatography.

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The effect of metyrapone on plasma kinetics of cortisol (F), 11-deoxycortisol (S), corticosterone (B), 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC), aldosterone (Aldo) and 17 hydroxyprogesterone (17 OHP) was studied in ten normal prepubertal children intravenously infused with the drug (1 gm/1.73 m2 body surface area in 4 h). Similar falls in F, B and Aldo were observed during the first hour expressing similar sensitivity of the 11 hydroxylases to the drug. The effect of the compensatory increase of endogenous ACTH could be detected after 1 hour by the rise in 17 OHP. However the concentrations of the 11-hydroxy compounds, F, B and Aldo, remained low throughout the infusion period. From the second hour onwards, facilitation of the synthesis of DOC was noticed. After the end of infusion, the levels of the precursors decreased and F and B were restored to initial values. Aldo remained low probably due to the inhibitory effect of the elevated DOC on the renin-angiotensin system.

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The role of renal tubules was explored by two kinds of experiments: (1) inhibition of the tubular reabsorption of insulin by induced polyuria; (2) suppression of insulin filtration by ureter clamping; 1. Anaesthetized dogs maintained in normoglycaemia by glucose compensation were infused with crystalline and 125I-insulins. Polyuria was induced by: (1) saline-bicarbonate infusion; (2) furosemide with saline-bicarbonate infusion to replace urine losses; (3) massive infusion of mannitol. Inulin and paraminohippuric acid were used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate and the renal plasma flow. The permeability of the glomerular wall (pore radius and total area of the pores per unit of path length) was determined by measuring the sieving curve of 131I-polyvinyl-pyrrolidone fractions during basal and treatment periods. Mannitol infusion was able to bring the insulin/inulin clearance ratio up the values of the sieving coefficient of insulin (insulin filtration rate) without modifying the permeability of the glomerular wall; saline infusion displayed a similar effect; furosemide, only a minute one although it induced a more marked polyuria. 2. Clamping of the left ureter was performed on dogs with catheters inserted into the artery, the left renal vein, the pelvis and a renal lymphatic vessel. Almost complete suppression of the glomerular filtration was achieved. It slightly increased the high insulinic concentration of the renal lymph, entailed a 1/3 decrease in the extraction ratio of insulin and reduced by half its renal clearance. In conclusion, the tubules participate to the catabolism of insulin by two different mechanisms: (1) an uptake from the tubular fluid which can be inhibited by diuretics exerting their main action on the proximal tubules; (2) a direct catabolism from the interstitial fluid resulting from the large permeability of the peritubular capillaries to insulin.

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