Certain hormonal changes after adrenaline injection in the obese

Obesity is the commonest metabolic abnormality in man. Several metabolic disturbances associated with obesity, have been reported. Although fasting plasma free fatty acids are higher in the obese compared to lean persons, injection of adrenalin evoked less fatty acid mobilizations in the obese than in the lean persons. The actual mechanisms underling this abnormality is certainly multifactorial, including several hormonal inter-relationships. The aim of this work is to compare the effect of adrenaline injection on the fasting serum concentration of T3, T4, TSH, cortisol and ACTH all intimately related to lipolysis between the obese and lean persons. Thirty-four obese persons, with an age range between 15-45 years, were compared to lean persons of almost the same age range. All subjects were carefully examined to ensure they are enjoying good health, and diabetes mellitus was excluded by a normal fasting and 2 h. postprandial blood sugar. Obesity was assessed using the body mass index and triceps skinfold thickness. Following a 12 hour [overnight] fast, serum levels of T3, T4, TSH, cortisol and ACTH were determined in all volunteers. Adrenaline [0.5 mg S.C.] was then injected in every participant and the postadrenaline serum level of the same hormones was determined. The haemodynamic responses to adrenaline were also measured in each participant in this experiment. The results demonstrated, that the fasting serum cortisol and ACTH were significantly higher in the obese as compared to lean persons. Both the lean and obese persons showed a significant haemodynamic response to S.C. adrenaline administration. Also, although the serum level of T3 and cortisol were significantly reduced in lean persons after S.C. adrenaline administration this failed to occur in the obese. These results clearly point to the multiple hormonal interrelationships and alterations in obesity, which probably underly many of the observed metabolic disturbances in obesity. Obesity has long been associated with insulin resistance. The mechanism although far from being estbalished, has been linked to a combined receptor and postreceptor defect. Recently, obese persons were also found to be resistant to the B. adrenergic mechanisms and hence the metabolic effects of catecholamines. Our results support the concept that hormonal alterations other than insulin are also involved in the obesity associated metabolic disturbances. The exact mechanisms are beyond the scope of this study

Neutrophil phagocytic activity in lymphoma

A study of the phagocytic activity of neutrophils using the modified Wilkinson method was made in 21 lymphoma and leukemia patients as well as 15 control subjects. The results indicate a marginal reduction of the percentage of phagocytic cells but a very highly significant depression of the phagocytic index. These two parameters could however be correlated [r - 0.95]. No significant differences could be obtained between the various subgroups. Whether the cases are fresh or under therapy seems to be of little bearing but advanced cases had on the whole the lowest figures. The results were discussed in the light of some of the known facts about cancer immunology

Alpha feto-proteins in lymphomas and leukemias

Serum AFP was determined by the quantitative enzyme immunoassay method in a heterogenous group of lymphoma and leukemia. Irrespective of age, type of therapy and whether or not hepatic involvement was present all the cases had their figures well within the normal limits. The findings indicate that. 1. The lymphoreticulo endothelial and myeloid systems have no potentialities for AFP production. 2. AFP has no place in detection of hepatic involvement in malignancies of these systems and other methods must be sought for this purpose. 3. The specificity of liver injury conductive to AFP is stressed and elevation of AFP in cases carrying a hepatic cancer potential should tip the balance to the exclusion of lymphoproliferature malignancy and leukemia