ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) expression is increased in adipose tissue of both rodent models of obesity and obese humans. It has therefore been considered as a candidate gene for obesity. Several studies have indeed shown statistical evidence of linkage between obesity and the chromosomal region encompassing the TNF-alpha gene, suggesting that TNF-alpha and/or a nearby gene (eg hsp70 gene) is involved in the onset and progression of weight gain. We designed a case-controlled study to investigate the potential association of polymorphism of the TNF-alpha and that of a stress protein (hsp70-2) with obesity. METHODS: We used the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion to characterize the variation of the TNF-alpha promoter region and that of the hsp70-2 gene in 343 unrelated Tunisian patients with obesity and 174 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Analysis of the -308 TNF-alpha polymorphism in patients with obesity and in control subjects did not reveal an association between TNF-alpha alleles and obesity. In contrast, polymorphism analysis of the hsp70-2 gene in patients with obesity demonstrated highly significant differences in genotypic distribution of this bi-allelic locus compared to the control subject group. Homozygosity for one hsp70-2 allele was highly associated with obesity (r2=7.12; P<10(-6)). CONCLUSION: Tunisian persons carrying the P2/P2 genotype of the hsp70-2 gene may have an increased risk of obesity.
Subject(s)
Genetic Variation , HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics , Obesity/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Female , Genotype , Humans , Male , Obesity/etiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Restriction MappingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We wanted to evaluate the very long-term effects of bromocriptine on prolactin (PRL) levels and pituitary tumor size in a large cohort of hyperprolactinemic patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in the Department of Endocrinology from Necker Hospital in Paris, France. Two hundred and forty-six patients consulted primarily for menstrual disorders, with diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia. Patients were followed-up for 99.9+/-3.6 months. One hundred and ninety-one were treated with bromocriptine, 32 underwent surgery, and 23 received no treatment. RESULTS: The mean initial plasma PRL level was 135.0+/-20.2 ng/ml. Presence of an adenoma was detected in 60% of our patients and comprised a microadenoma in 64% of cases. Compared to oligomenorrheic women, amenorrheic patients had significantly higher levels of PRL and larger pituitary tumor size. In the bromocriptine group, PRL levels decreased from 99.6+/-7.9 to 20.0+/-1.5 ng/ml (p=0.00001). The medical treatment was associated with disappearance of the adenoma in 45% of the women and with stabilization of pituitary tumor size in 40% of patients. Surgery led to disappearance of the adenoma in almost all cases, but failed to definitively cure hyperprolactinemia. CONCLUSION: In this large-scale retrospective study, the medical treatment of mild hyperprolactinemia was shown to be effective and sufficient after 9 years of follow-up.
Subject(s)
Bromocriptine/therapeutic use , Hormone Antagonists/therapeutic use , Hyperprolactinemia/drug therapy , Adenoma/complications , Adenoma/drug therapy , Adenoma/surgery , Adult , Estradiol/blood , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Hyperprolactinemia/etiology , Pituitary Neoplasms/complications , Pituitary Neoplasms/drug therapy , Pituitary Neoplasms/surgery , Prolactin/blood , Retrospective StudiesSubject(s)
Obesity/therapy , Seaweed , Weight Loss , Administration, Cutaneous , Adult , Energy Metabolism , Female , Humans , Hydrotherapy , OintmentsABSTRACT
A 56-year-old patient with an uneventful history was hospitalized for investigation of recent dypnea. The physical examination was normal and chest X-ray showed localized interstitial lesions in the upper right lobe. Endoscopy showed evidence of diffuse infiltration of the bronchial mucosa and narrowing of the lumen. Transbronchial histology showed evidence of bronchopulmonary amyloidosis. There were no signs of extrapulmonary localizations. Search in other organs was negative demonstrating the primary nature of the lung disease. Primary bronchopulmonary amyloidosis is rarely encountered.
Subject(s)
Amyloidosis/diagnosis , Bronchial Diseases/diagnosis , Lung Diseases/diagnosis , Dyspnea/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Possible effects of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric and metabolic variables were investigated in healthy Tunisian Moslem women. Total daily energy intake remained unchanged whereas the qualitative components of nutrients were markedly affected. Neither body weight nor body composition were influenced by Ramadan fasting. Results also indicate the concomitant decrease of plasma insulin concentrations with respiratory and energy expenditure during Ramadan. The circadian evolution of nutrient oxidation rates was modified. Fat oxidation was increased and carbohydrate oxidation was decreased during the light span of the nycthemeron. Qualitative and quantitative circadian changes in feeding associated with Ramadan might be counterbalanced by specific metabolic changes in order to preserve normal body weight and composition.
