Abnormal signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) in obesity

OBJECTIVE

The occurrence of small high-frequency electrocardiogram (ECG) potentials (1 to 20 microV) seen at the end of the QRS complex and into the ST segment have been correlated with increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Computer-assisted analysis of these "late potentials" by signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) has been studied and utilized to predict the likelihood of ventricular arrhythmias in various clinical states. Obesity is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and sudden death. Ventricular arrhythmias are postulated causes. We studied the occurrence of late potentials in a randomly selected group of obese patients and healthy volunteers.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

We performed SAECG on 105 subjects. Of these, 62 were obese ambulatory patients with body mass index (BMI) of >30 kg/m2, whereas 43 were healthy asymptomatic volunteers with a BMI of <30 kg/m2. Patients with a history of clinical heart disease and pulmonary disease, electrolyte abnormalities, recent hospitalizations, or abnormal screening ECG or taking medications known to alter the QRS interval were excluded. At least 250 beats were analyzed with a noise level of <0.50 microV. Criteria of a late potential include QRS duration >114 ms, high-frequency low amplitude >38 ms, and root-mean-square voltage <20 microV. Patients were divided into four subgroups based on BMI values. The prevalence of SAECG abnormalities in each BMI subgroup was studied. We utilized multiple logistic regression analysis to study the effect of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus on abnormal SAECG results.

RESULTS

Compared to age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers with BMI of <30 kg/m2, obese patients with BMI of >30 kg/m2 had significantly more abnormalities on SAECG (4.6% vs. 55%). In the obese group, the prevalence and number of abnormalities increased with increase in BMI (35% in the BMI 31 to 40 kg/m2 subgroup, 86% in the BMI 41 to 50 kg/m2 subgroup, and 100% in patients with BMI of >50 kg/m2). Multiple logistic regression analysis shows that BMI is an independent predictor variable of abnormal SAECG results in obese patients (n = 62) with BMI of >30 kg/m2 as well as in all study subjects (n = 105). BMI also predicts abnormality of each abnormal SAECG criterion in both obese and all subjects. Hypertension was found to influence the QRS duration alone in obese and all subjects.

DISCUSSION

Obesity is associated with increased occurrence of abnormal SAECG results. These abnormalities are found both in obese patients with and without hypertension and/or diabetes. Obesity is an independent predictor variable of abnormal SAECG results. A history of hypertension predicts abnormality of QRS duration only.

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome: incidence, prevention and management

Although the anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome was first described in 1950, confusion still abounds regarding the syndrome. The triad of fever, rash and internal organ involvement occurring 1 to 8 weeks after exposure to an anticonvulsant heralds this rare (1 in 1,000 to 10,000 exposures) but serious reaction. Aromatic anticonvulsants [phenytoin, phenobarbital (phenobarbitone) and carbamazepine] are the most frequently involved drugs; however, there have also been several cases of anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome associated with lamotrigine. Fever, in conjunction with malaise and pharyngitis, is often the first sign. This is followed by a rash which can range from a simple exanthem to toxic epidermal necrolysis. Internal organ involvement usually involves the liver, although other organs such as the kidney, CNS or lungs may be involved. Hypothyroidism may be a complication in these patients approximately 2 months after occurrence of symptoms. The aromatic anticonvulsants are metabolised to hydroxylated aromatic compounds, such as arene oxides. If detoxification of this toxic metabolite is insufficient, the toxic metabolite may bind to cellular macromolecules causing cell necrosis or a secondary immunological response. Cross-reactivity among the aromatic anticonvulsants may be as high as 75%. In addition, there is a familial tendency to hypersensitivity to anticonvulsants. Discontinuation of the anticonvulsant is essential in patients who develop symptoms compatible with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome. A minimum battery of laboratory tests, such as liver transaminases, complete blood count and urinalysis and serum creatinine, should be performed. Corticosteroids are usually administered if symptoms are severe. Patients with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome should avoid all aromatic anticonvulsants; benzodiazepines, valproic acid (sodium valproate) or one of the newer anticonvulsants can be used for seizure control. However, valproic acid should be used very cautiously in the presence of hepatitis. There is no evidence that lamotrigine cross-reacts with aromatic anticonvulsants. In addition, family counselling is a vital component of patient management.

Lamotrigine-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions

PURPOSE

We systematically reviewed and analyzed published and unpublished cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) associated with lamotrigine (LTG) therapy to identify characteristics of these reactions.

METHODS

We performed a MEDLINE search (January 1985 to April 1998) and citation tracking for published reports. In addition, reports were requested from the Uppsala Monitoring Centre of the World Health Organization (WHO). Published and WHO cases of LTG-associated SJS or TEN were included if the causal relationship was assessed as either possible, probable, or definite.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 57 cases (43 cases of SJS, 14 cases of TEN), of which 13 (23%) were published. Cases in the SJS group were significantly younger than in the TEN group (21 years vs. 31 years). The median time to onset (17 days for SJS and TEN) and the median dosage at onset (50 mg vs. 87.5 mg) for SJS and TEN did not differ significantly. Concomitant use of valproate (VPA) was reported in 74% of the SJS cases and 64% of the TEN cases. In three cases, TEN was the cutaneous manifestation of the antiepileptic drug hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS).

CONCLUSIONS

The main features of severe cutaneous drug reactions, such as dosage, onset, and concomitant VPA use, do not differ in patients with LTG-induced SJS or TEN. SJS or TEN may also be the cutaneous manifestations of LTG-induced AHS. Further epidemiologic studies are needed to identify the incidence of severe LTG-induced cutaneous adverse reactions and the relative risk compared with other AEDs.

Cytochrome P-450 3A: interactions with dermatologic therapies

Recent case reports and studies suggest that interactions involving the cytochrome P-450 mixed function oxidase system are important causes of medication toxicity and decreased efficacy during combination drug therapy. The cytochrome P-450 3A3/4 isoenzyme is involved in many significant drug interactions. New and familiar drugs continue to be implicated as having potentially serious interactions with this group of enzymes. An understanding of the basic principles of these interactions may have a major impact on patient outcome.

Drug interactions in human neuropathic pain pharmacotherapy

Current practice predicates the use of multiple drug combinations in the treatment of neuropathic pain. These combinations may be required because of multiple pain symptoms directly arising from neuropathic pathology, other symptoms attributable to the chronicity and severity of the patient's pain or conditions unrelated to their pain. A fear exists that combination drug use or the addition of a new drug to a therapeutic regimen may lead to increased drug toxicity or decreased efficacy. Many of the drug interactions of significance to neuropathic pain physicians involve the cytochromes P450 2D6 and 3A3/4 isoenzymes. Drug interactions should be more predictable based on the knowledge of which compounds induce, inhibit or are metabolized by specific cytochrome P450 enzymes. Mechanisms of induction or inhibition of biotransformation via the P450 hepatic enzyme system are discussed and various inducers, inhibitors and substrates relating to neuropathic pain pharmacotherapy are listed.

Comparative safety of tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycycline

BACKGROUND

Because minocycline can cause serious adverse events including hypersensitivity syndrome reaction (HSR), serum sicknesslike reaction (SSLR), and drug-induced lupus, a follow-up study based on a retrospective review of our Drug Safety Clinic and the Health Protection Branch databases and a literature review was conducted to determine if similar rare events are associated with tetracycline and doxycycline. Cases of isolated single organ dysfunction (SOD) attributable to the use of these antibiotics also were identified.

OBSERVATIONS

Nineteen cases of HSR due to minocycline, 2 due to tetracycline, and 1 due to doxycycline were identified. Eleven cases of SSLR due to minocycline, 3 due to tetracycline, and 2 due to doxycycline were identified. All 33 cases of drug-induced lupus were attributable to minocycline. Forty cases of SOD from minocycline, 37 cases from tetracycline, and 6 from doxycycline were detected. Hypersensitivity syndrome reaction, SSLR, and SOD occur on average within 4 weeks of therapy, whereas minocycline-induced lupus occurs on average 2 years after the initiation of therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Early serious events occurring during the course of tetracycline antibiotic treatment include HSR, SSLR, and SOD. Drug-induced lupus, which occurs late in the course of therapy, is reported only with minocycline. We theorize that minocycline metabolism may account for the increased frequency of serious adverse events with this drug.

Minimal cardiac effects in asymptomatic athyreotic patients chronically treated with thyrotropin-suppressive doses of L-thyroxine

Biondi, Fazio, and colleagues recently reported that long term T4 treatment to suppress serum TSH markedly affects cardiac function. T4-treated patients had more symptoms [12.2 +/- 3.9 (+/-SD) vs. 4.2 +/- 2.3 by quantitative questionnaire], higher mean heart rate, increased incidence of atrial extrasystoles, increased interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular mass index (LVMi), and significant diastolic dysfunction. The severity of cardiac abnormalities was highly correlated with scores of a rating scale used for assessing symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. We have duplicated their studies in 17 athyreotic patients (mean age, 45 +/- 10 yr; range, 27-63 yr) without heart disease or hypertension whose dose of T4 was titrated to suppress serum TSH to less than 0.01 microU/mL. The mean duration of T4 treatment was 9.2 +/- 5.4 yr. Controls were healthy volunteers matched for sex and age (+/-3 yr). The mean T4 dose was 2.8 +/- 0.9 micrograms/kg (0.192 +/- 0.058 mg/day). By questionnaire, patients had minimal symptoms, although their symptom score was significantly greater than the control value (4 +/- 3 vs. 2 +/- 1; P < 0.05; maximum score, 36). No differences in mean heart rate or in atrial or ventricular extrasystoles were noted. In patients, indexes of systolic and diastolic function and interventricular septal thickness were similar to control values. The mean LVMi was normal in both groups. However, the mean LVMi in patients (117 +/- 35 g/m2) was higher than that in controls (92 +/- 31; P < 0.05). In conclusion, patients were minimally affected by TSH-suppressive doses of T4. They had few symptoms and no increase in extrasystoles or basal heart rate. Based on current knowledge, the increase in LVMi observed in patients without associated significant systolic or diastolic abnormalities does not have clinical or prognostic importance. Therefore, in the absence of symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, patients treated with TSH-suppressive doses of L-T4 may be followed clinically without specific cardiac laboratory studies.

Acute dietary tryptophan depletion: effects on schizophrenic positive and negative symptoms

Because brain serotonin levels depend directly on the amounts of exogenous tryptophan (TRP) available for its synthesis, amounts of TRP in the diet may be manipulated to alter the corresponding levels of serotonin. This technique has been used for probing the role of serotonin in mediating various forms of pyschopathology. In this study, 16 patients meeting DSM III-R criteria for schizophrenia (n = 14) or schizoaffective disorder (n = 2) were assessed for the effects of acute dietary TRP depletion under controlled conditions. The hypothesis was that lowering of serotonin would result in a diminution of 'positive' and/or 'negative' symptoms of psychotic disorders. No clinically or statistically significant improvement compared to baseline occurred when TRP depletion was imposed. Indeed, there was a statistically significant deterioration on measures of negative symptoms. The results are discussed in the context of the methodological issues.

Mechanisms of drug reactions: the metabolic track

Hypersensitivity syndrome (HSR) describes a drug-induced symptom complex consisting of fever, rash, and internal organ involvement. Although these reactions are rare, they are very important because of their severity and unpredictability. The metabolic conversion of drugs to chemically-reactive products is now established as a prerequisite for many idiosyncratic drug reactions. In the setting of HSR, an imbalance in the rates of formation of reactive metabolites and of enzymatic detoxification can lead to accumulation of these byproducts. Reactive metabolites could act as haptens eliciting an immune response, covalently bind target proteins causing cell death, or interact with nucleic acids leading to mutations. The lymphocyte toxicity assay (LTA) provides an in vitro assessment of host susceptibility to reactive metabolites of a given drug. It has validated the clinical finding of increased risk of HSR in first degree relatives of patients. It is hoped that the LTA will be used to predict host susceptibility before drug exposure. Ultimately it is hoped that the genetic defects that lead to drug reactions will be identified. This would improve drug development safety and allow primary prevention of serious reactions.

Down-regulation of type II L-thyroxine, 5'-monodeiodinase in cultured GC cells: different pathways of regulation by L-triiodothyronine and 3,3',5'-triiodo-L-thyronine

The current consensus is that iodothyronines down-regulate type II T4 monodeiodinase (5'-DII) by an extranuclear acceleration of enzyme inactivation. We have investigated 5'-DII regulation in cultured GC cells, in which thyroid hormone responses are mediated by nuclear thyroid receptor (TR). GC cells actively converted T4 to T3, independent of propylthiouracil and with a Km of 1.4 nM, which are characteristics of 5'-DII. When GC cells were incubated with 10 nM T3, the Km was not affected. However, the maximum velocity was significantly down-regulated by 10 nM T3, from 0.15 to 0.018 pmol/mg protein.min. Dose-response studies showed that a 50% reduction in enzyme activity was achieved with either 0.25 nM T3 or 12 nM rT3. Time-course studies showed that a 50% reduction in enzyme activity occurred after 40 min of incubation with 100 nM rT3 and after 160 min of incubation with 10 nM T3. The down-regulation of 5'-DII by physiological concentrations of T3 has the characteristics of an effect that is mediated by nuclear TR. Our studies, therefore, suggest that down-regulation of 5'-DII by these iodothyronines in GC cells may occur by different mechanisms: enzyme inactivation for rT3, in agreement with the current consensus, and decreased enzyme production for T3, probably mediated by TR.

Comparisons of nipple attachment and incisor growth among four species of voles (Microtus)

Patterns of nipple attachment and incisor growth were compared between four species of voles (Microtus). Offspring of two highly social species, prairie voles (M. ochrogaster) and pine voles (M. pinetorum), were shown to cling tightly to the nipples of their dams on Days 2, 6, and 10. This pattern contrasted to weak nipple attachment displayed by two less-social species, meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus) and montane voles (M. montanus). Lengths of the upper (maxillary) and lower (mandibular) incisors of the four species were recorded throughout the first 10 days of age and in adults. Incisors of the pine and prairie voles typically erupted earlier and grew longer than those of the meadow or montane voles during the first few days of development. Incisors grew at a substantial rate in the latter two species, such that they equalled or surpassed the incisor lengths of the former two species as Day 10 and weaning approached. Patterns of incisor growth, in part, reflected those for nipple attachment, but do not appear to account substantially for differences in nipple attachment.

Affiliative behavior in different species of voles (Microtus)

Data were collected on the huddling behavior of pine voles, Microtus pinetorum, and meadow voles, M. pennsylvanicus, to supplement earlier data on prairie voles and montane voles. Species that are social/monogamous in the field tended to huddle more in the laboratory. Contact proneness may be one factor driving different mating systems in the field.

c-erb-A mRNA correlates with T3-receptor levels in liver and pituitary of tumor rats

In the rat tumor model of the sick euthyroid syndrome, differential regulation of T3-induced cellular responses have been demonstrated in liver and anterior pituitary. These effects occur with a concomitant decrease in nuclear thyroid hormone receptor (TR) number as measured by the binding of 125I-labeled T3. To explore the possibility that these altered responses to T3 in tumor rats resulted from changes in the expression of different TR forms, we correlated the relative abundance of mRNAs encoding each receptor form with the concentration of TR measured by specific T3 binding. In anterior pituitary of tumor rats, TR beta-1 and beta-2 mRNA levels decreased to 51 and 45%, respectively, compared to controls; rat c-erb A alpha-2 mRNA, which encodes a TR-related DNA alpha-binding protein that does not bind T3, decreased to 46% of control. These findings correlate with a decrease in nuclear T3 binding capacity that has been shown to be 63% of control. The level of TR beta-1 mRNA, the only quantifiable TR form in liver, was decreased to 61% of control in the same hepatic tissue that revealed a 50% decrease in TR as measured by specific T3 binding. The coordinate down-regulation of all TR mRNA forms to a degree that parallels the decrease in TR number as measured by specific T3 binding suggests that the differential regulation of T3-mediated effects in illness is by a mechanism other than changing concentrations of specific receptor forms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ejaculate disruption in two species of voles (Microtus): on the PEI matching law

We permitted male prairie and montane voles (Microtus ochrogaster and M. montanus) five thrusts, without ejaculation, with a female at variable times after a 1st male ejaculated. In both prairie and montane voles, there were fewer sperm, in relation to control conditions, in the female's tract 1 hr after ejaculation if the female received thrusts immediately or 15 min after the ejaculate. There was no such effect after a 50-min delay. There was no significant decrease in litter production in prairie voles caused by thrusts delivered either immediately or after a 15-min delay. Sperm transport in these species is susceptible to disruption for a longer period than in deer mice or rats. The proposal that the postejaculatory interval protects a male from disrupting its own sperm transport (the PEI matching law) appears not to hold for these species.

Heat stress of cultured GC cells enhances triiodothyronine-induced growth hormone production by action within the 5'-flanking region of the rat growth hormone gene

We studied the effect of incubation at 41 C on a clone of GC cells that had previously been stably transfected with a gene construct, pGHXGPT, containing -1800 to +8 of the rat growth hormone promoter fused to the structural gene for E. Coli xanthine guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase. The effect of incubation of the clone containing pGHXGPT at 41 C was to enhance triiodothyronine induction of growth hormone secretion (2-fold, p < 0.01) and of xanthine quanine phosphoribosyl-transferase activity (3-fold, p < 0.01). We conclude that the increase in triiodothyronine-induced growth hormone production during heat stress occurs by stimulation of the growth hormone promoter.

Oxytocin receptor distribution reflects social organization in monogamous and polygamous voles

The neuropeptide oxytocin has been implicated in the mediation of several forms of affiliative behavior including parental care, grooming, and sex behavior. Here we demonstrate that species from the genus Microtus (voles) selected for differences in social affiliation show contrasting patterns of oxytocin receptor expression in brain. By in vitro receptor autoradiography with an iodinated oxytocin analogue, specific binding to brain oxytocin receptors was observed in both the monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) and the polygamous montane vole (Microtus montanus). In the prairie vole, oxytocin receptor density was highest in the prelimbic cortex, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, nucleus accumbens, midline nuclei of the thalamus, and the lateral aspects of the amygdala. These brain areas showed little binding in the montane vole, in which oxytocin receptors were localized to the lateral septum, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, and cortical nucleus of the amygdala. Similar differences in brain oxytocin receptor distribution were observed in two additional species, the monogamous pine vole (Microtus pinetorum) and the polygamous meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Receptor distributions for two other neurotransmitter systems implicated in the mediation of social behavior, benzodiazepines, and mu opioids did not show comparable species differences. Furthermore, in the montane vole, which shows little affiliative behavior except during the postpartum period, brain oxytocin receptor distribution changed within 24 hr of parturition, concurrent with the onset of maternal behavior. We suggest that variable expression of the oxytocin receptor in brain may be an important mechanism in evolution of species-typical differences in social bonding and affiliative behavior.

The effects of chronic exposure to supraphysiological concentrations of 3, 5, 3' triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) on cultured GC cells

We have characterized the effects of supraphysiological concentrations of T3 on GC cells, a cultured cell line in which physiologic concentrations of T3 regulate cell growth, protein content, and growth hormone (GH) production. GC cells were exposed to 3 times (1.0 nM) and 80 times (25.0 nM) the physiologic concentration of T3 (0.3 nM) for either 4 d or for greater than 3 months. Both short and prolonged exposure to supranormal T3 concentrations supported maximal cell growth rate and induced significant increases in total protein (P less than 0.025) and GH production (P less than 0.01) per cell when compared to measurements in control GC cells. In addition, exposure to 1.0 nM and 25.0 nM T3 for greater than 3 months enhanced the toxicity of heat shock in a manner similar to previously described effects on GC cells due to T3 exposure of shorter duration. Thus, initial responses to raised T3 concentrations in cultured GC cells persisted without alteration when hormone exposure was prolonged for greater than 3 months.

Role of L-thyroxine in nuclear thyroid hormone receptor occupancy and growth hormone production in cultured GC cells

The contribution of L-thyroxine (T4) to nuclear thyroid receptor occupancy was studied in GC cells incubated with concentrations of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and T4 that resulted in free iodothyronine levels similar to those in serum of euthyroid rats. T4 accounted for 5.4-10% of the occupied receptors: T3 derived from T4 [T3(T4)] and T3 added to medium accounted for the remainder of receptor occupancy. Incubation with increasing medium free T4 resulted in a progressive increase in the contribution of T4 and T3(T4) to receptor occupancy. In incubations with 3.6-fold increased medium free T4, T4 accounted for 20.4%, and T3(T4) for 40.3% of receptor occupancy. These occupancy data and the experimentally determined Ka of thyroid receptor for T3 and T4 allowed calculation of nuclear free iodothyronine concentrations. Nuclear free T3 was 3-6-fold greater than medium free T3 and nuclear [corrected] free T4 was 12-19-fold greater than medium free T4. When GC cells were incubated with decreased medium free T3 and physiological medium free T4, both nuclear receptor occupancy and growth hormone production decreased as well. However, a twofold increase in medium free T4, in the presence of decreased medium free T3, restored receptor occupancy and growth hormone production to or near control values. These findings establish a role for T4 in addition to T3(T4) in nuclear receptor occupancy and biological activity in rat anterior pituitary tissue both in physiologic conditions and when medium free T4 is raised. The findings may have relevance to the sick euthyroid thyroid syndrome in which free T4 may be increased in some patients who have decreased serum free T3.

Zinc(II) inhibits the release of thyroid and glucocorticoid receptors from chromatin of cultured GC cells

The effect of Zn(II) on the association of thyroid and glucocorticoid hormone receptors with chromatin was studied in chromatin from cultured GC cells. Chromatin was incubated at 0-4 degrees C in 20 mM Tris, pH 7.4. When buffers contained 0.15 M NaCl, the release of T3 receptors from chromatin was time-dependent; 50% of T3 receptors were released after 30 min incubation. Receptor release appeared relatively specific since less than 10% of chromatin protein and DNA, and less than 13% of chromatin zinc were released under these conditions. Addition of Zn(II) inhibited receptor release; one-half maximal inhibition occurred at 1 microM ZnCl2. Cd(II) and to a lesser extent Co(II) had similar but smaller effects. Addition of EDTA prevented this effect of Zn(II); EDTA alone enhanced receptor release. Zn(II) also inhibited the release of glucocorticoid receptors from chromatin in similar incubations. Our findings suggest that Zn(II) increases the association of hormone receptors with chromatin and, thereby, may influence receptor function.

Heat stress and hydrocortisone are independent stimulators of triiodothyronine-induced growth hormone production in cultured rat somatotrophic tumour cells

We have reported that, in cultured GC cells, the stress of incubation at 41 degrees C enhances thyroid hormone stimulation of growth hormone (GH) in a manner similar to the effects observed in a model of nonthyroidal disease in rats. Since glucocorticoids are potentially involved in stress responses both in vivo and in cell culture, we studied the role of glucocorticoid in the enhancement of (which are rat somatotrophic tumor cells) triiodothyronine (T3)-induced GH synthesis due to heat stress. Hydrocortisone addition increased T3-induced GH synthesis and GH mRNA content in cultured GC cells at both 37 degrees C and 41 degrees C. Depletion of glucocorticoid endogenous to serum supplement of the tissue culture medium did not prevent the enhancement of T3-induced GH synthesis that occurred during incubation at 41 degrees C. The levels and affinity of glucocorticoid cytosolic receptors were not enhanced during incubation at 41 degrees C. Lastly, no change in the sedimentation coefficient of the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor or in its translocation into the nucleus occurred during incubation at 41 degrees C. Thus, the enhancement of T3-induced GH production in GC cells by heat stress appeared independent of the effect of glucocorticoids and not mediated through glucocorticoid receptors.

Comparative neuroanatomy of the sexually dimorphic hypothalamus in monogamous and polygamous voles

In the present work we evaluated the degree of sexual dimorphism in two cell groups of the medial preoptic-anterior hypothalamus (MPOA-AH) in monogamous and polygamous voles. Quantitative determinations were made of volume, cell number, and cell density for the anteroventral-periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA). Polygamous montane voles (Microtus montanus) had a greater degree of sexual dimorphism in both cell groups than did monogamous prairie voles (M. ochrogaster). Most notable was the complete absence of the AVPV in male montane voles; male montane voles also had a significantly larger SDN-POA volume than did females. The only sexual dimorphism in prairie voles was a greater cell density in the female AVPV. In addition, prairie voles had larger relative brain size than did montane voles. Comparative behavioral studies have revealed a correlation between the degree of sexual dimorphism in external morphology and mating system, i.e., polygamous species display greater levels of dimorphism than do monogamous species. The present results indicate that the effects of sexual selection can also be seen in those brain regions, like the hypothalamus, that underlie social and reproductive behavior. Moreover, these results support the hypothesis that neuroanatomic dimorphisms in the MPOA-AH may be related to sex differences in behavior.

Simultaneous use of standard and low-melting agarose for the separation and isolation of DNA by electrophoresis

In this communication we describe the sequential use of standard and low-melting agarose in a single gel slab for the electrophoresis of DNA. This method has the advantages of high resolution and reproducibility characteristic of standard agarose and the ease of manipulation of DNA for direct cloning, sequential digestion and isolation, characteristic of low-melting agarose.

The comparative distribution of forebrain receptors for neurohypophyseal peptides in monogamous and polygamous mice

Several recent studies have suggested that the neurohypophyseal peptide oxytocin may have a role within the brain to mediate various forms of affiliative behavior. As the regulation of oxytocin function may be largely determined by the number and distribution of its membrane bound receptor, we investigated oxytocin receptor distribution in two Peromyscus species selected for differences in affiliative behavior. Using in vitro receptor autoradiography with the selective oxytocin receptor ligand [125I]d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Tyr-NH9(2)]OVT ([125I]OTA), we compared Peromyscus maniculatus, a polygamous species, to Peromyscus californicus, a monogamous species. Marked species differences in the distribution of [125I]OTA were apparent in several brain areas, including olfactory pathways, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, amygdala, dorsal lateral septum, and several cortical regions. In addition, gender differences in the binding pattern were evident in several regions, mostly due to sexually dimorphic patterns in the polygamous species, P. maniculatus. To further compare these species, the binding of a [3H]arginine-vasopressin antagonist was assessed in alternate sections from those used for [125I]OTA. Relative to oxytocin receptors, binding to arginine-vasopressin receptors showed fewer species differences, although the monogamous species appeared to have more arginine-vasopressin receptors in the neocortex and lateral septum. The striking differences in oxytocin receptor distribution are consistent with earlier studies in other rodents, suggesting that oxytocin may have an important role for mediating species-typical patterns of social affiliation.

Medium 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and T3 generated from L-thyroxine are exchangeable in cultured GC cells

Previous studies in rats have shown that the ratio anterior pituitary nuclear L-triiodothyronine (T3) derived from intracellular deiodination of L-thyroxine [T3(T4)]/plasma T3(T4) is much greater than for exchangeable T3 [T3(T3)]. We have addressed the hypothesis that T3(T4) is either selectively accumulated or selectively retained by nuclei in comparison to exchangeable T3 [T3(T3)] in cultured GC cells. GC cells readily generated T3 from T4. When mean medium T3(T4) was experimentally maintained at a low percentage (less than 16%) of total medium T3, to mimic in vivo conditions, nuclear T3(T4) was 2-fold greater than nuclear T3(T3) and the nuclear: medium ratio for T3(T4) was 11-13-fold greater than for T3(T3). The t1/2 of release of nuclear T3(T4) and T3(T3) were indistinguishable from one another and both sources of T3 distributed similarly between the nuclear and cytosol compartments. Thus, in agreement with previous in vivo studies, T3(T4) is derived from cellular T4 and is a significant source of nuclear T3 in GC cells. No evidence for a separate nonexchangeable T3(T4) pool was found as the almost identical cellular distribution and release rates of T3(T4) and T3(T3) from nuclei suggest that T3(T4) generated in these pituitary tumor cells is fully exchangeable. Our findings suggest that the high concentration of T3(T4) in the nuclear fraction is the result of a high intracellular production rate of T3 from T4 relative to the rate of release of T3 from the cell.

Infant's response to social separation reflects adult differences in affiliative behavior: a comparative developmental study in prairie and montane voles

As part of a comparative study of affiliative behavior, pups of two different vole species, Microtus ochrogaster (prairie voles) and M. montanus (montane voles), were compared for their responses to social isolation during the first 2 weeks of postnatal life. Previous studies have demonstrated that under both laboratory and field conditions, adult prairie voles show higher levels of affiliation than adult montane voles, although the species closely resemble each other morphologically. In the current study, prairie vole and montane vole pups showed profound differences in the behavioral and physiologic responses to social isolation. During 5 minutes of isolation, prairie vole pups emitted 314 +/- 60 (days 4-6) and 601 +/- 55 (days 8-10) ultrasonic vocalizations. At these same ages, plasma corticosterone increased 4-6 fold within 30 minutes of separation. The increase in corticosterone was highly correlated with the number of calls (r = .66). In contrast, most montane vole pups emitted no isolation calls under identical conditions. Moreover, montane vole pups had equivalent baseline corticosterone concentrations, but showed only a minor increase in corticosterone following separation at 4-6 days with no increase apparent at 8-10 days. As montane vole pups were capable of producing high levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and increased concentrations of plasma corticosterone in response to known stressors (tail suspension and halothane vapors), these results suggest that social isolation evokes less distress for montane vole pups than for prairie vole pups. The developmental difference in the amount of parent-young contact was not a sufficient explanation for the differences in the response to separation as cross-fostered montane voles failed to show an increase in ultrasonic vocalizations (although a slight increase in corticosterone was observed). Taken together, these studies indicate that species-typical adult patterns of affiliation may be apparent early in development in the response of infants to social separation.

Increase in hepatic mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity after surgical stress in hyperthyroid rats

We have established a rat model to investigate the relationship among serum thyroid hormones, nuclear iodothyronine receptors, and biological responses in thyrotoxic and euthyroid rats after surgical stress. Euthyroid or hyperthyroid rats (1.0 microgram T3/ml drinking water for 14 days) were subjected to surgical stress (ether anesthesia, laparotomy plus 50 mg talc, ip). Groups of control or stressed rats were killed 1, 2, and 3 days after surgical stress for measurement of thyroid hormone-responsive hepatic enzymes, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha GPD) and cytosol malic enzyme, serum T3, T3 nuclear receptors, and GH mRNA. Thyrotoxic rats had a 3.8-fold increase in alpha GPD compared to euthyroid rats before surgical stress; alpha GPD increased further to 5.9-fold the euthyroid value 1 day after surgery (P less than 0.001) to 5.1-fold after 2 days (P less than 0.05) and was similar to control after 3 days. Malic enzyme activity increased 10.5-fold before surgical stress and decreased slightly after surgical stress perhaps due to multifactorial regulation of that enzyme. No increases in T3 nuclear receptor or GH mRNA occurred after surgery in hyperthyroid rats or in any of the above parameters after surgical stress in euthyroid rats. Our findings suggest that increased alpha GPD after surgical stress in thyrotoxic rats was not due to either increased serum total T3 or free T3 or to increased T3-nuclear receptor complexes. Increased alpha GPD, therefore, appeared to be a consequence of postreceptor amplification of this thyroidal response.

L-triiodothyronine (T3) regulates cellular growth rate, growth hormone production, and levels of nuclear T3 receptors via distinct dose-response ranges in cultured GC cells

Cultured rat somatotrophic cells have been useful models for the study of thyroid hormone action. A consensus of previous reports has indicated that approximately 0.2 nM T3 results in 50% occupancy of T3 nuclear receptors as well as half-maximal stimulation of several T3 responses. To characterize the nature of thyroid hormone responses in GC cells, we studied in detail the T3 dose relationships between nuclear receptor occupancy and three thyroid hormone responses (cell growth, GH production, and T3 nuclear receptor regulation). The dose response to T3 for each parameter was unique, and none was identical to the dose response for receptor occupancy. Respective T3 concentrations and percentage of T3 nuclear receptor occupancy resulting in 50% of the maximal response for GC cell growth were 0.05 +/- 0.02 nM and 15 +/- 3% (four experiments), 0.15 +/- 0.04 nM and 27 +/- 3% for GH production (three experiments), and 2.1 nM and 69% for down-regulation of T3 nuclear receptors (two experiments). We conclude that the dose response for occupancy of the T3 nuclear receptor covers a wide range of T3 concentrations. Within the wide dose-response range for nuclear occupancy a spectrum of biological responses are regulated by distinct thyroid hormone dose ranges. These data suggest that the impact of T3 nuclear receptor occupancy on T3 responses might be variable and that the mechanisms involved may be clarified through studies in GC cells.

Patterns of sperm allocation across successive ejaculates in four species of voles (Microtus)

This study was designed to determine testes masses, total number of spermatozoa ejaculated per copulatory episode, and the pattern of sperm numbers in successive ejaculates in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), montane voles (M. montanus), pine voles (M. pinetorum), and meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus). Prairie voles displayed mean totals of 2.7 ejaculations and 30.5 X 10(6) spermatozoa before reaching a satiety criterion; montane voles 3.4 ejaculations and 19.0 X 10(6) spermatozoa, pine voles 2.4 ejaculations and 3.3 X 10(6) spermatozoa, and meadow voles 2.5 ejaculations and 25.5 X 10(6) spermatozoa. In all species the number of spermatozoa decreased in successive ejaculates. Significant species differences were noted for the total number of spermatozoa ejaculated and number of spermatozoa ejaculated in each of the first 3 ejaculates. Species differences also were noted for testes mass, with meadow voles having the largest testes and pine voles having the smallest. These data can be compared to similar data on laboratory rats and deer mice and related to recent theory regarding sperm numbers, testes sizes, and mating systems. In general, the species with large testes appear to ejaculate more spermatozoa. The significance of species differences in testes mass and total sperm numbers remains unclear, but may relate to the occurrence of multiple mating by females during a single receptive period.

Differential response to L-triiodothyronine of anterior pituitary growth hormone messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and beta-thyrotropin mRNA in a hypothyroid Walker 256 carcinoma-bearing rat model of nonthyroidal disease

To continue our studies on the influence of T3 on TSH regulation in the Walker 256 carcinoma-bearing rat model of nonthyroidal disease, we measured the effect of T3 on pituitary content of beta TSH mRNA and rat (r) TSH in hypothyroid control (C) and tumor-bearing (T) rats. The effect of T3 on TSH regulation was compared to effects on GH mRNA and rGH in the same animals. mRNA content was normalized to a pool of pituitaries from euthyroid rats (= 1.0). beta TSH mRNA increased 18-fold in both hypothyroid C and T rats and then decreased similarly with increasing T3 infusion to a value of 0.1. GH mRNA content decreased to 0.11 +/- 0.01 in hypothyroid C rats, but to only 0.38 +/- 0.02 in T rats (P less than 0.001). The pituitary contents of GH mRNA and rGH in hypothyroid T rats was significantly greater than those in C rats at all T3 infusion rates. These data together with our previous report of decreased nuclear T3 in T rats suggest that regulation of beta TSH mRNA by T3 is intact in T rats, but occurs at a lower concentration of nuclear T3. In contrast, the GH mRNA response is enhanced, displaying differential regulation of these two T3-responsive gene products in this model of nonthyroidal illness.

Decreased anterior pituitary T3 nuclear receptors in a Walker 256 carcinoma-bearing rat model of nonthyroidal disease

Rats bearing the Walker 256 carcinoma have decreased pituitary nuclear T3 but normal pituitary TSH content and response to experimental hypothyroidism. To elucidate further the role of T3 receptor occupancy and biological response in the tumor-bearing rat model of nonthyroidal disease, we measured the concentration of T3 nuclear receptors, rTSH and rGH and beta-TSH mRNA and GH mRNA in the anterior pituitary of euthyroid rats bearing the Walker 256 carcinoma. The abundance of T3 nuclear receptors was decreased in tumor-bearing rats and was associated with a decrease in mRNA content for beta-TSH and GH. alpha-tubulin mRNA was decreased to a comparable degree. The pituitary content of rTSH and rGH was, however, the same as in control animals. Since tumor rats have normal regulation of TSH secretion by thyroid hormone, the present findings suggest that TSH secretion in T rats is maintained by a lower T3 nuclear receptor occupancy than in controls. The decrease in beta-TSH mRNA may precede a decrease in TSH synthesis and changes in pituitary TSH stores. Since the decrease in GH mRNA was comparable to the decrease in alpha-tubulin mRNA, it does not appear to be specifically related to decreased T3 nuclear receptor occupancy. We conclude that, in the tumor-bearing rat model of nonthyroidal disease, decreases in beta-TSH mRNA occur despite a decreased T3 receptor occupancy. Both thyroid-dependent and thyroid-independent factors may be involved in regulating beta-TSH mRNA.

Affiliative behavior in voles: effects of morphine, naloxone, and cross-fostering

Species differences in affiliative behavior were examined in prairie and montane voles. Unfamiliar male-female pairs were placed in a test-cage for 2 hr and side-by-side huddling was recorded during the third hour. Prairie vole pairs spent a mean of 31.2 minutes in contact whereas montane voles were in contact only 1.3 minutes. In order to examine the effects of experience on affiliative differences, pups of each species were cross-fostered. Fostered prairie vole parents did not survive longer than 7 days, whereas fostered montane voles were successfully weaned; cross-fostering had no effect on their huddling behavior when tested as adults. The effects of morphine (5 and 10 mg/kg) and naloxone (5 and 10 mg/kg) on side-by-side contact were evaluated in both species. Morphine (10 mg/kg) reduced huddling duration and activity levels in prairie voles. There were no other drug effects in either species.

Development and characterization of a variant GC cell line with L-triiodothyronine-independent growth and growth hormone production

To facilitate studies of cell growth regulation by T3, we developed a variant GC cell line (V-GC) characterized by normal growth in T3-depleted (-T3) medium. The doubling time (dt) of V-GC cells was 28.8 h (-T3) and 28.0 h (+0.2 nM T3), respectively, whereas the dt of the parent GC cells, 24.0 h (+0.2 nM T3), increased to more than 100 h (-T3). The dt of V-GC cell was unaffected even by maximal T3 (5 nM). Cell protein (micrograms) per microgram DNA increased in GC cells in a T3 concentration-dependent manner, whereas V-GC cell protein was unaffected by T3. GH production appeared partially independent of T3 in V-GC cells. GH production (nanograms per 10(6)/h) in V-GC cells maintained for 3 months in -T3 medium was 3.3- to 4.6-fold greater than that in GC cells after 4 days in -T3 medium (P less than 0.001). Addition of T3 resulted in similar maximal GH production in both cell lines. The binding capacity and Ka of nuclear T3 receptors were similar in GC and V-GC cultures, and receptor down-regulation in response to added T3 occurred similarly in both cultures. Lastly, studies employing conditioned medium indicated that T3-independent growth of V-GC cells did not result from production of an autocrine growth factor. Our findings raise the possibility that overexpression of a transacting cell-specific gene-regulating protein that variably affects thyroid hormone-dependent genes may account for the phenotype of the V-GC cultures.

Heat shock of cultured GC cells enhances the level of triiodothyronine induced growth hormone (GH) and GH messenger ribonucleic acid

We have previously proposed that the effects of heat shock on thyroid hormone-responsive rat pituitary tumor (GC) cells may be a model relevant to the in vivo effects of nonthyroidal disease on thyroid hormone action. To determine the effects of heat shock on thyroid hormone responses, GC cells (normally cultured at 37 C) were studied after incubation at 41 C. After 18 h at 41 C there was enhanced synthesis of proteins (mol wt, 70,000 and 90,000) considered to be universal markers of the cellular response to heat shock. Incubation at 41 C also resulted in a significant decrease in GC cell viability and (after 24 h) arrest of GC cell growth. However, the induction of GH synthesis by T3 was significantly enhanced in GC cells stressed by incubation at 41 C. The addition of 5 nM T3 to thyroid hormone-depeleted GC cells resulted in a significantly greater (P less than 0.001) accumulation of GH (2642 +/- 280 ng/18 h) during 41 C incubation than during 37 C incubation (1223 +/- 175 ng/18 h). The enhanced T3-induced production of GH was coincident with a proportional increase (P less than 0.05) in cellular GH mRNA determined by dot hybridization analysis. Thus, the stress of 41 C incubation elicits a heat shock response in GC cells characterized by decreased viability and growth arrest, but enhanced accumulation of GH mRNA in response to T3. Our recent report on the identical effects due to the stress of implantation of the Walker 256 carcinoma on T3-induced rat pituitary GH mRNA in vivo suggests that heat shock of cultured GC cells is a valid in vitro model of nonthyroidal disease.

Transferrin is an autocrine growth factor secreted by Reuber H-35 cells in serum-free culture

We have previously reported that Reuber H-35 rat hepatoma cells secrete an autocrine growth-stimulating activity in serum-free culture. To characterize this activity, conditioned serum-free medium from dense H-35 donor cultures was collected in the absence and presence of [35S]methionine. A 1:4 dilution of conditioned medium into fresh serum-free medium resulted in an increase in mean H-35 cell numbers per assay dish from 1.59 +/- 0.12 X 10(5) to 3.35 +/- 0.34 X 10(5) after 44 h of incubation. Control, unconditioned medium, resulted in significantly (P less than 0.05) less growth (2.14 +/- 0.41 X 10(5) cells per dish). Trypsin digestion eliminated the growth-promoting effect of conditioned medium but had no effect on unconditioned medium. Dialysis did not diminish the growth-promoting activity of conditioned medium. The immunoprecipitate of [35S]methionine-containing conditioned medium with antisera against rat serum transferrin contained a dominant radioactive doublet of molecular weight equal to purified rat serum transferrin. A rat transferrin radioimmunoassay was devised and used to quantitate that 29.1 +/- 1.2 ng of transferrin was secreted per 10(6) cells per hour in serum-free culture. Addition of antitransferrin antibody resulted in a significant (P less than 0.025) decrease in H-35 cell growth after 48 h. Thus, a portion of the autocrine growth-promoting activity secreted by H-35 cells into serum-free culture is due to transferrin.

Effect of zinc(II) and other divalent cations on binding of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine to nuclear receptors from cultured GC cells

The effect of Zn(II) in 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) binding to nuclear receptors was studied in dialyzed 0.4 M NaCl extracts of nuclei from cultured GC cells. Addition of ZnCl2 to nuclear extracts resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent dissociation of T3 from nuclear receptors. Half-maximal dissociation occurred at 6 microM ZnCl2. Addition of ZnCl2 also resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of binding of T3 to nuclear receptors. Half-maximal inhibition of binding occurred at 1-3 microM ZnCl2. Scatchard analysis indicated that Zn(II) addition decreased kA and did not alter receptor concentration. These effects of Zn(II) were prevented when ZnCl2 was added to nuclear extracts in the presence of 5 mM EDTA or 5 mM dithiothreitol. Moreover, Zn(II)-induced inhibition of T3 binding was reversed by the addition of 5 mM EDTA. The inhibitory effect of Zn(II) on T3 binding seemed specific for nuclear receptors; no effect of Zn(II) on the binding of T3 to proteins in rat serum or GC cell cytosol or to rabbit anti-T3 serum was observed. Cd(II) had a similar concentration-dependent inhibition of T3 binding to nuclear receptors which was reversible. Our findings suggest that Zn(II) may play a role in T3 binding to nuclear receptors as well as its putative role in the binding of receptor to DNA.

3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine determines the viability of GC cells after heat shock

The heat shock (HS) response is a characteristic disruption of protein synthesis which occurs in cells exposed to a variety of noxious stimuli. The effects of HS on thyroid hormone-responsive GC cells were studied in an attempt to devise an in vitro model for the adaptive changes in thyroid hormone action caused by nonthyroidal disease. HS enhanced GC cell synthesis of 70 K and 90 K proteins in a manner previously described as characteristic of the HS response in many tissues. A step-wise decrease in GC cell viability occurred when cells were exposed to 45 C for 10 to 35 min. HS (45 C, 20 min) resulted in a rapid decrease in binding of T3 to nuclear receptors. Two hours after HS, analysis of T3 binding to isolated nuclei showed a 50% fall in binding capacity (240 fmol/100 micrograms DNA) compared to non-HS control cells (540 fmol/100 micrograms DNA); no difference in dissociation constant (Kd) was observed. The effect of thyroid hormone on cell viability after HS was then determined. Thyroid hormone depletion (less than or equal to 0.02 nM T3) resulted in significantly (P less than 0.05) enhanced cell viability compared to cells cultured with physiological T3 (0.2 nM) after incubation at 45 C for intervals of 10-35 min. This inverse relationship between medium T3 content and cell tolerance of HS occurred over a wide range of T3 concentrations. Mean cell viability after exposure to 45 C for 20 min was 44 +/- 3% in T3-depleted cultures (less than or equal to 0.02 nM), 27 +/- 1% to 32 +/- 5% in cultures containing 0.07-0.5 nM T3, and 13 +/- 3% in cultures containing 5 nM T3. Our results thus characterize the response to HS in GC cells and the relationship of this response to medium T3. Similar to the effect of various nonthyroidal diseases on rat hepatocytes in vivo, HS resulted in a decrease in T3 nuclear receptors. Similar to the adverse effect of thyroid hormone on morbidity in animals with experimental diseases or injury, GC cell viability after HS was inversely related to medium T3 content. Thus the HS response in GC cells may be a valuable in vitro model relevant to the effect on thyroid hormone action caused by nonthyroidal disease.

Ontogeny of oxytocin receptors in rat forebrain: a quantitative study

The ontogeny of oxytocin receptors in rat forebrain was studied using the selective oxytocin receptor antagonist 125I-d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2, Thr4, Tyr-NH29]OVT [( 125I]-OTA). With in vitro receptor autoradiography, binding wa noted on the first postnatal day in dorsal subiculum and thalamus. On postnatal days 5-18, intense labeling was evident in posterior cingulate cortex, dorsal subiculum, lateral septum, and the CA1 subfield of hippocampus. Of these regions only the lateral septum expressed oxytocin receptors in adult brain. Competition studies on coronal sections through posterior cingulate, septum, and dorsal subiculum at P10 demonstrated that transient binding sites in these areas were indeed oxytocin selective (OXY greater than AVP greater tha V1 greater than V2). Result of saturation studies on cingulate membranes from 10-day-old pups agreed favorably with previous reports of the kinetics of [125I]-OTA binding to adult oxytocin receptors (Kd = 0.1 nM in P10 cingulate cortex vs. 0.07 nM for adult ventral subiculum). In contrast to these evanescent developmental sites, oxytocin receptors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus only appeared in adulthood, presumably in response to the surge of gonadal steroids at puberty.

Normal free thyroxine in critical nonthyroidal illnesses measured by ultrafiltration of undiluted serum and equilibrium dialysis

Considerable controversy exists concerning the assessment of thyroidal state in critically ill patients with decreased serum T4 and T3 concentrations, in part because serum free T4 values are often low in such patients no matter what method of measurement is used. We developed an ultrafiltration method to measure free T4 and free T3 in undiluted serum and compared the results with those obtained using a standard equilibrium dialysis method to measure free T4 and T3. In 30 consecutive intensive care unit (ICU) patients, serum free T4 values were similar to or higher than those in 12 normal subjects by both methods in most patients and were clearly distinguishable from those in hypothyroid patients. The serum total T4 concentrations in these patients ranged from 12.9-131.3 nmol/L (mean, 68.2; normal mean, 115.8). Free T4 by equilibrium dialysis was highly correlated with free T4 by ultrafiltration in the ICU group (r = 0.91; P less than 0.001). Serum free T3 levels, however, whether measured by equilibrium dialysis or ultrafiltration, were decreased in the ICU patients, confirming other reports of lowered free T3 in critically ill clinically euthyroid patients. Our findings suggest that the use of equilibrium dialysis of undiluted serum or ultrafiltration to measure serum free T4 concentrations will distinguish euthyroid hypothyroxinemic ICU patients from those with hypothyroidism.

Diminished hepatic L-triiodothyronine nuclear receptor concentration in rats bearing the Walker 256 carcinoma is not due to a generalized decrease in nonhistone protein synthesis

To determine whether the decrease in hepatic T3 nuclear receptors in rats bearing the Walker 256 carcinoma (T rats) is a consequence of nonthyroidal disease or related to a generalized decrease in hepatic protein synthesis, we measured hepatic T3 nuclear receptors and [3H]leucine incorporation into protein in control and T rats. Mean protein contents of liver homogenate, purified nuclei, 0.4 M NaCl extracts of nuclei, and nonhistone protein fractions were similar in control and T rats. In pooled data from three experiments, [3H]leucine incorporation into protein in these liver fractions was significantly increased (55-73%) in T rats. Since the precursor nonradioactive leucine pool, measured by a novel HPLC method, was similar in control and T rats, the increased incorporation of [3H]leucine in all liver fractions suggests an increase in protein synthesis in T rats. Additional measurements in the same rats (two experiments) indicated that hepatic nuclear receptors were decreased to 50% of the control value in T rats (P less than 0.001). Our findings suggest that in the Walker tumor model of nonthyroidal disease, decreased hepatic nuclear T3 receptors appears relatively specific and is not associated with a generalized decrease in hepatic protein synthesis.

Cell cycle dependence of thyroid hormone nuclear receptors in cultured GC cells: relationship to nuclear matrix

The DNA synthesis (S) phase of cultured GC cells, a clonal rat pituitary tumor cell line, is characterized by increases in nuclear receptors for T3 and glucocorticoid (G) hormones. However, this increased receptor abundance appears functionally dissociated from the GH gene since GH messenger RNA (mRNA) synthesis is decreased in S-phase cells. We have now examined a putative structural correlate of this dissociation by measuring the abundance of T3 and G receptors and the GH gene in the nuclear matrix (NM)/scaffold fraction. NM of control and S-phase cultures both contained 30-50% of G receptors. Thirty to 50% of T3 receptors were also localized to NM of asynchronous cultures, but T3 receptor abundance (femtomoles per 100 micrograms of protein) was significantly decreased in NM of S-phase cultures: Exp 1 (control, 140 +/- 6.2; S-phase, 56.5 +/- 0.8; Exp 2 (control, 170 +/- 12; S-phase, 105 +/- 2.4). Nuclear scaffolds were digested with restriction enzymes to solubilize DNA loop structures and probed with GH complementary DNA (cDNA) to examine the distribution of transcribed regions of the GH gene. EcoR1 digestion resulted in an 11 kilobase fragment including the reported regulatory sequences for T3 receptors. No specific differences in GH gene localization to nuclear scaffold were observed between asynchronous and S-phase cultures or in different hormonal states. Thus, GH gene localization to nuclear scaffolds was not correlated with changes in transcription induced by T3 and G hormones or position in the cell cycle. These studies suggest that decreased concentration of T3 receptors in the NM fraction of S-phase cultures may be a structural correlate for cell cycle regulation of T3 receptor function.

Growth of H-35 rat hepatoma cells in unsupplemented serum-free media: effect of transferrin, insulin and cell density

Serum-free tissue culture medium consisting of a 1:1 mixture of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) and Ham's F12 medium is herein shown to support growth of Reuber H-35 cells over several days in culture. Cells were initially plated in serum containing DMEM medium for 3 h. After cell attachment, serum is removed and replaced with a serum-free 1:1 mixture of these two commercially available tissue culture media. The doubling time of cell growth in this unsupplemented serum-free medium was 46 h in lightly plated cultures over the first 5 d. The presence of transferrin (5 micrograms/ml) and insulin (3.3 nM) results in a cell doubling time of 17 h, which equaled the growth rate in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. In the absence of transferrin, growth rates in serum-free medium were correlated with the cell density of cultures. Conditioned medium from dense, serum-free cultures has growth-stimulating activity in recipient lightly plated cultures. This simple, serum-free culture medium will facilitate studies on the growth regulation of H-35 rat hepatoma cells.