Effect of hyperglycemia on the growth hormone response to L-dopa in diabetic subjects

Plasma growth hormone (GH) levels were measured before and after oral administration of L-dopa in 8 insulin-dependent juvenile diabetic patients, and in 6 non insulin-dependent maturity-onset diabetics, while they were hyperglycemic, and values were compared with those of normal children and adult subjects. Maturity-onset diabetics failed to show an increase in serum GH levels after L-dopa administration, while serum peak GH values of juvenile diabetic patients were not significantly different from those of normal adults and children. Hyperglycemia thus failed to prevent L-dopa induced growth hormone response in insulin-dependent juvenile diabetic patients.

Serum lipid pattern in beta-thalassaemia

Serum lipids, phospholipid fractions and the composition of serum lipid fatty acids were studied in 20 children presenting beta-thalassaemia major, 20 heterozygous children and 20 normal controls. Total serum phospholipids, their fractions and cholesterol were significantly lower in patients with thalassaemia major. These changes were referred to hepatic damage and to severe anaemia, respectively. Some serum lipid polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly decreased in patients with thalassaemia major as compared to heterozygotes and normal controls. Since these alterations are a sign of lipid oxidation, the causes of this phenomenon are discussed.

[Radioimmunologic determination and analysis for saturation of the thyroid hormones: comparison and use in the practical clinic]

Reliability of a recent method of assay by saturation analysis for assessment of thyroid status, which is to be recommended for its practicability and technical improvement, has been verified. Its diagnostic efficiency in more than 3,000 assays has been evaluated. On the whole T3 Uptake (T3U) and serum Thyroxine (T4D) determination showed a quite good accuracy, that decidely improved when both the tests were carried out and the Free Thyroxine Index (Free Thyopac Index) was drown. Moreover the present availability of the radioimmunological determinations of triiodothyronine allowed to assay simultaneously both thyroid hormones in normal euthyroid subjects, in pregnancy, in hyperthyroid, hypothyroid and goitrous patients. Results obtained have been analysed and discussed and clinical conditions pointend out where determination of both hormones may be useful.