In-vivo hypocalcaemic, hypophosphataemic and hyperlipaemic activities in the common peptide sequence of adrenocorticotrophin, melanocyte-stimulating hormone and lipotrophin.

A heptapeptide solution in acetate buffer (pH = 4, 150 micrograms/kg) of the amino acid sequence common to ACTH, alpha- and beta-MSH and lipotrophin, when injected intravenously into rabbits produced an increase in total lipids, cholesterol and free fatty acids after 1 h and a decrease in plasma calcium and phosphate after 2 h. No significant modification in the amount of creatinine, uric acid, urea, total proteins, CO2, Cl-, K+ or Na+ was observed.

Variations in serum copper and ceruloplasmin activity following a long term intake of combined oral contraceptives in Iranian women.

Serum copper level and ceruloplasmin activity were measured in 104 middle class Iranian women from 17 to 49 years of age, using combined oral contraceptives from 3 to 108 months, and results were compared with those obtained from 24 normal individuals (21-45 years of age) from the same social class. Significant increases were observed in 100% of test subjects in serum copper level and ceruloplasmin activity (p less than 0.005), which tend to decline following 48 months of intake, when liver probably adapts itself, and ceruloplasmin synthesis is not aggravated significantly any more. The variations observed in this study were higher than those obtained in Nigerian women and were comparable with those found in women from other countries.

PIP: Blood samples of 104 Iranian women aged 17 to 49 years of age were collected during the 2nd half of their menstrual cycle. Serum copper level and ceruloplasmin activity were measured using COC 1 (mestranol 0.15 mg, lynestrol 2.5 mg) for 3 to 108 months. Results were compared with those from 27 normal individuals aged 21 to 45 years of age from the same social class who had never taken OCs (oral contraceptives). All test subjects (100%) exhibited significant increases in serum copper level and ceruloplasmin activity (p 0.005); the increase was equivalent to 11-175% of mean controls (p 0.005). The increase in activity of ceruloplasmin was said to be aggravated by cholestasis and the liver undergoing a physiological stress. After 48 months of OC intake, the observed increases appeared to decline, probably because the liver has adjusted to the physiological stress caused by COC intake. The variations in this study were higher than those obtained in Nigerian women and comparable to those of other countries.

Variations in serum protein fractions following a continuous long term intake of eugynon and lyndiol by Iranian women.

PIP: Serum total protein and protein fractions were estimated in 150 Iranian subjects, aged 18-41, who had used lyndiol (.15 mg mestranol plus 2.5 mg lynestrenol) and eugynon (.05 mg ethinyl estradiol plus .5 mg norgestrel) for 1-72 months. The control group consisted of 32 Iranian women who were age- and socioeconomic status-matched but had never used oral contraceptives before. A decrease was observed in albumin fraction and increases in alpha 1-alpha 2, and beta globulins were statistically significant (P .01 or P .02). Serum albumin decreased in 100% of patients, whereas the alpha and beta globulins increased in over 95% of the subjects. No statistically significant variation in gamma globulin was observed after intake of either eugynon or lyndiol. No dose response correlation was evident.^ieng

Serum level and 24hr. excretion pattern of potassium following the intake of combined oral contraceptives.

Serum level and 24hr urinary excretion pattern of potassium have been studied in 104 healthy women, aged 18-44 years, using combined oral contraceptives for a period of 3-48 months, and results have been compared with those obtained from 21 healthy controls of the same clinic, aged 19-40 years, using IUD. There was no significant change observed in serum potassium level, but 24hr urinary excretion pattern of potassium decreased significantly in 90% of the individuals equivalent to 2.6-78.3% of the mean control, possibly due to a retention of potassium in the cells.

Effect of ACTH, alpha-MSH, and beta-Lipotropin on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the rabbit.

Studies were undertaken to investigate the effects of synthetic 1-24 adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), bovine alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), and ovine beta lipotropin (beta-LPH) on plasma calcium and phosphate in rabbits. Equimolar concentrations of these hormones were infused intravenously in intact and thyroidectomized animals. In addition, ACTH was similarly administered to adrenalectomized rabbits. ACTH, alpha-MSH, and beta-LPH all lowered plasma calcium and raised plasma phosphate. These changes were not prevented by prior thyroidectomy. ACTH was equally effective in inducing hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia in the absence of the adrenal glands, while adrenalectomy alone raised plasma calcium. From these findings we have concluded that 1) ACTH, alpha-MSH, and betaLPH affect phosphate as well as calcium metabolism; 2) these hormones do not act by releasing calcitonin; and 3) ACTH exerts its hypocalcemic-hyperphosphatemic effect, at least in part, independently of its trophic action on the adrenal glands.

Iodine determined in purified thyrocalcitonin.

Thyrocalcitonin has been suspected of containing iodine, because its analytical behavior and method of extraction are similar to that of iodinated peptides. The iodine content of increasingly pure thyrocalcitonin extracts was determined by two methods, Kolthoff's procedure and activation analysis, with good agreement. A possible link between calcium and iodine metabolism is suggested by these findings.