Estrogenic effects of p-hydroxybenzoic acid in CD1 mice.

Xenobiotic estrogens in the environment or diet have received much attention as a possible source of certain hormonal disease states in human and wildlife. Therefore, the detection of estrogenic activity of any substance, especially those related to the food industry, is important. The estrogenic activity of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), a compound related to a commonly used group of preservatives in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical preparations, was evaluated with immature and adult ovariectomized female mice (CD1) using two well-known bioassays. Subcutaneous administrations (s.c.) of different doses of PHBA were compared with estradiol (E2), and their effects on vaginal cornification and uterotrophic activities were evaluated. Different groups of animals were treated s.c. daily for 3 days with vehicle (corn oil, 0.3 ml/100 g), E2 (1 microgram/100 g), and PHBA (0.5, 5, 50, and 500 micrograms/100 g). Four days after treatment, PHBA produced a dose-dependent response on vaginal cornification and uterotrophic activity in both immature and adult ovariectomized mice. The relative uterotrophic potency of PHBA (500 micrograms/100 g) to E2 (1 microgram/100 g) was 0.0011 in immature mice and 0.0018 in ovariectomized animals.

[Catecholamine-producing tumors]. / Tumores productores de catecolaminas.

We report 93 patients with catecholamine producing tumors that were analyzed at the Hormone Laboratory of the Institute of Cardiology. They are 75 pheochromocytoma patients and 18 children with neuroblastoma. Fluorimetric methods were used to measure urinary and plasma catecholamines on neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma patients. Dopamine high excretion (mean value 2889 micrograms/24 hs), was constantly observed in the neuroblastoma children as were adrenaline and noradrenaline in the benign and malignant pheochromocytoma patients. The mean values for the malignant tumours were 53 for adrenaline and 1436 micrograms/24 hs for noradrenaline. Structural and biochemical differences of the catecholamine producing tumours are reflected on the clinical manifestations which are observed in the patients bearing such neoplasms.

[Pharmacologic study of dopamine catabolites on the contractility of isolated guinea pig myocardium]. / Estudio farmacológico de catabolitos de dopamina sobre la contractilidad del miocardio aislado de cobayo.

Tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQs) are alkaloids originated as natural catabolic derivatives of catecholamines (CAT). Dopamine, under special circumstances, condenses with aldehydes to produce tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), salsolinol (SOL) and salsoline (SAL). We investigated the inotropic activity of THP, SOL and SAL on the isometric contractility of papillary muscles isolated from guinea pigs hearts and compared their actions to those corresponding to adrenaline (A) and isopropylarterenol (ISO). In order to analyze their combined effects, TIQs and A were applied simultaneously. THP, SOL and SAL produced positive inotropic effects as beta receptor agonists; their actions were antagonized with propranolol. The inotropic efficacy of TIQs compared to that of catecholamines, is: CAT = 1; SAL = 0.32; THP = 0.47 and SOL = 0.32. Their middle effective dose (DE50), indicates an order of potency of: ISO = SAL greater than A = THP greater than SOL. Combination of THP or ISO with A produces an additive effect; however, SAL behaves as a partial agonist, meaning that it produces an antagonistic, non-competitive type effect on the inotropic action of adrenaline. Chemical structure of TIQs shows significant relationship with their pharmacological activity on ventricular myocardium, similar to that of catecholamines. The influence of the methoxyl group attached to C-7 in SAL, as the only difference with SOL which instead has a hydroxyl group in that position, deserves special mention; such structural difference provides to SAL bigger inotropic efficacy and potency, as well as beta adrenergic antagonistic activity. The results of the present paper emphasize the biological significance of active catabolites from catecholamines as are the tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds.

[Chemical and hematological changes in pheochromocytoma]. / Alteraciones químicas y hematológicas en el feocromocitoma.

We report the laboratory findings from studies carried out on 37 pheochromocytoma patients; (20 males and 17 females whose age ranged from 11 to 55 years). Among the parameters measured, fasting hyperglycemia was one of the alterations most frequently encountered (59%), the difference with the normal values was highly significant (p less than 0.001). The levels found for the other parameters measured were also elevated in some cases and the difference between them and the normal values was statistically significant, the assays included were serum cholesterol and creatinine, haemoglobin, hematocrit and white blood cell and platelet counts. The response to the oral glucose load was normal in 9 patients, 6 showed a diabetic curve and 2 had a glucose intolerance response. Data from our observations and from the literature shows that these alterations may be a source of erroneous diagnosis, mainly in cases where symptoms are atypical or infrequent such as fever of unknown etiology, shock and others. Therefore recognizing these abnormalities as a sign of pheochromocytoma is very important both from the diagnostic and therapeutic points of view.

[Pheochromocytoma and catecholamines. Experience in 63 cases studied for 25 years]. / Feocromocitoma y catecolaminas. Experiencia en 63 casos estudiados durante 25 años.

The usefulness of fluorimetric techniques in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was investigated. In the 63 cases studied during 25 years by measuring simultaneously various aminergic parameters, including plasma catecholamines and urinary adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (N) and vanilmandelic acid (VMA), we were able to establish the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in all cases. Adrenaline excretion was found to be higher in patients with tumors located on the adrenal region, whereas N excretion was predominantly increased in patients with extra-adrenal tumors. In patients having tumors smaller than 50 g, A + N excretion was higher and VMA was lower than in those whose tumors were heavier; therefore in cases with small tumors the ratio VMA/A + N was lower than in those with larger tumors. It is concluded that simultaneous measurements of PC, A, N and VMA allow the diagnosis to be made in the most patients with this tumor. On the other hand, the predominant increase in A excretion is suggestive of adrenal pheochromocytoma.

Feocromocitoma y catecolaminas. Experiencia en 63 casos estudiados durante 25 anos. / Pheocromocytoma and catecholamines: 63 cases studied over 25 years

Se presenta la utilidad de la cuantificacion fluorometrica de las catecolaminas en el diagnostico de feocromocitoma.En los 63 casos estudiados durante 25 anos, en este Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chavez, de Mexico, se midieron simultaneamente las catecolaminas plasmaticas y adrenalina (A), noradrenalina (N) y acido vainillilmandelico (AVM) en orina, lo que permitio establecer el diagnostico de la existencia del tumor cromafin en todos los casos. La excrecion de adrenalina fue mas alta en los pacientes con tumor localizado en la suprarrenal mientras que la noradrenalina estuvo mas elevada en los de localizacion extrasuprarrenal. Los pacientes con tumores menores de 50 gms tuvieron excrecion de A + N mas elevada y de AVM mas baja en comparacion con los que tenian tumoracion de mayor peso, y por tanto la relacion AVM/A + N fue mas baja. Se concluye que la determinacion simultanea de CP, A, N y AVM, permiten hacer el diagnostico correcto en la mayoria de los pacientes con feocromocitoma. Por otra parte, el aumento predominante de A en orina sugiere la localizacion suprarrenal de la neoplasia

[Pheochromocytoma and pregnancy (3 cases)]. / Feocromocitoma y embarazo (tres casos).

In this paper, a review of pregnancy and pheocromocytoma is shown. The importance of early diagnostic and adequate management is essential in this patients. When this associations exists the management must be very carefully considered to avoid high mortality risks for both, fetus and mother. 56 cases of pheocromocytoma were studied at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, three of them were pregnant women which are described in this work.

Dopamine excretion in benign pheochromocytoma.

Dopamine excretion is reported in 27 patients with benign pheochromocytoma. In 21 patients the tumours were in the adrenal (one patient, bilateral), four were extra-adrenal, and two were assumed to be so since they were not found at laparotomy. Dopamine excretion was found to be higher in the patients with extra-adrenal tumours and in one patient--with bilateral pheochromocytoma. Slight increase of dopamine excretion was found in two of the remaining patients. These observations--indicate that while increased dopamine excretion may be present in patients with malignant pheochromocytoma it can be also increased in some patients with benign tumours.

[Hypotension, mental disorders and changes in catecholamine excretion observed during the administration of disulfiram in a case of pheochromocytoma]. / Hipotensión, alteraciones psiquiátricas y cambios en la excreción de catecolaminas observados durante la administración de disulfiram en un caso de feocromocitoma.

A case of pheocromocytoma treated with disulfiram during ten days in described. Hypotensive and psychiatric effects were observed, which disappeared upon discontinuation of the drug. Urinary amines decreased while the drug was used, and upon interruption of its administration dopamine increased, as a rebound phenomena probably due to availability of tissue dopamine previously blocked by DBH inhibition. The effect of simultaneous administration of alpha-methyldopa is considered.

[Plasma catecholamines; values in normal subjects and its use the localization of pheochromocytoma]. / Catecolaminas plasmáticas; valores en sujetos normales y su utilización en la localización del feocromocitoma.

The results of plasma catacholamines obtained from a group of 79 healthy subjects, 35 females and 44 males varied from 2.4 to 26.5 ng/100 ml of plasma. There was no statistical difference due to sex or age. The value of plasma catacholamines in blood samples taken from catheterizations of inferior vena cava in patients with Pheochromocytoma was useful in the localization of the neoplasia in 4 cases which were studied. The maximum values coincide with the side or site of the localization of the neoplasia in the 4 cases. The clinical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was suspected in the other three cases which were not catheterized and in those in which the clinical suspicion was evident. One of these cases was operated on and the tumor was found in the right adrenal gland. The other two patients have refused catheterization as well as the exploratory surgery. One of these is controlled with adequate medication while the other has refused all treatment.

[Dopamine in essential arterial hypertension: excretion of its metabolite homovanillic acid]. / La doamina en la hipertensión arterial esencial: excreción de su metabolito el ácido homovainíllico

The results obtained in a group of 66 hypertensive patients in which the AHV values were 5.7 plus and minus 0.4 mM/24 hrs., were reported. These values were compared to those obtained in 42 healthy subjects: 7.0 plus and minus 0.5 mM/24 hrs. The difference was statistically significant P less than 0.05. The values of excretion of urinary dopamine in both groups were also presented. A value of 225.7 plus and minus 13.0 mug/24 hrs. was obtained for the hypertensives, while the value for the healthy groups was 361.2 plus and minus 16.5. The statistical study in this case showed a high significance p smaller or less than 0.001. There were no changes in the levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline nor in the metabolite of these two amines, that is, AVM.