Calciotropic hormones in elderly people with and without hip fracture.

The effects of age on calciotropic hormones are not completely understood. The presence of secondary hyperparathyroidism has previously been demonstrated, particularly in patients with hip fracture. The role of a disturbance of vitamin D metabolism, especially a defect in 1 alpha-hydroxylation, is debated. The aim of this study was to compare serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin and vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D) in osteoporotic elderly patients with hip fracture (HF) and in elderly controls. We studied 57 HF patients aged 83.9 +/- 5.9 years (mean +/- SD) and 68 controls aged 82.5 +/- 5 years recruited during two periods: 1 January and 30 April 1988 and 1989. Patients with chronic renal failure (serum creatinine above 150 mumol/l), cancer, or other metabolic bone disease were excluded. Thirty healthy young adults were studied in 1989 only for measurement of 1,25(OH)2D. (1,25(OH)2D was measured by different laboratories in 1988 and 1989 for technical reasons.) We also measured serum PTH, osteocalcin, total calcium and ionized calcium. 1,25(OH)2D levels were not statistically different between HF patients and controls for the two years, nor between HF patients and young healthy adults in 1989. 25(OH)D was decreased in HF patients (p < 0.003), as was ionized calcium. Serum PTH levels were higher in HF patients than in controls (p < 0.01). A positive correlation has been found between PTH and age in HF patients (r = 0.29; p < 0.03) and in the whole group of HF patients and controls. There was a significant decrease in osteocalcin in HF patients versus elderly controls (p < 0.04).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hyperparathyroidism in proximal femur fractures biological and histomorphometric study in 21 patients over 75 years old.

Proximal femur fractures in elderly people are more and more frequent. Falls and senile bone disorders are the risk factors of this fracture. In order to understand the mechanisms of these bone disorders, we studied 21 consecutive patients with this fracture using bone histomorphometry. Measurements of serum intact parathormone (PTH), 25-(OH)-vitamin D, 1,25-(OH) 2-vitamin D and osteocalcin have been performed in these 21 patients, included in a larger series. We excluded patients with renal failure (serum creatinine greater than 140 mumols/l), cancer, or previous metabolic bone disease. There were 19 female and 2 male patients, ranging from 75 to 96 years, (mean 84.9). We found a low frequency of cortical (2/21) and trabecular (3/21) osteoporosis. There was no case of clearcut osteomalacia. Following histomorphometric bone study, two patients showed a typical pattern of hyperparathyroidism, and in a third one, this condition seemed very likely. In these three patients who were among the oldest, and who had high levels of serum PTH, chronic renal failure and primary hyperparathyroidism could be excluded. High bone remodeling was frequent in our patients, as reflected by the enhancement of eroded surfaces (13 cases) and of osteoid thickness (7 cases). Intact PTH level was elevated in our series compared to normal values in adults (in accordance to the PTH elevation in the case control study in a larger series). These findings suggest a major role of a secondary hyperparathyroidism in senile bone disorders favoring proximal femur fractures. This hyperparathyroidism is probably secondary to mild calcium and vitamin D deficiency. It may lead to architectural bone changes favoring this fracture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A radioimmunoassay of chicken growth hormone using growth hormone produced by recombinant DNA technology: validation and observations of plasma hormone variations in genetically fat and lean chickens.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) of chicken growth hormone (c-GH) has been developed using growth hormone produced by recombinant DNA technology. The best rabbit antiserum was used at 1/300,000 final dilution. Hormone labelling by iodine-125, achieved by chloramine T, allowed a specific activity of 3.7 MBq/micrograms. The equilibrium curves show that optimal conditions of incubation were reached at room temperature for 24 h. This RIA used a second sheep antibody which precipitated the whole c-GH bound to the first antibody in the presence of polyethylene glycol solution (6%) at room temperature for 30 min. In our conditions, sensitivity was about 30 pg of c-GH per tube. Coefficient of variation was around 10%. No cross reaction was found with avian LH and prolactin. Thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) injection to young chickens induced 20-fold higher plasma c-GH concentrations. Simultaneous injection of somatostatin and TRH slightly reduced these concentrations. Hypoglycemia induced by insulin led to a drop of the plasma c-GH concentration. Conversely, refeeding or glucose load induced slight increases of the c-GH level. Genetically fat chickens tended to exhibit higher plasma c-GH concentrations than lean chickens.

[Estrogen and progesterone hormonal receptors in meningioma. Results and comments apropos of 26 cases]. / Les récepteurs hormonaux d'oestrogènes et de progestérone dans les méningiomes. Résultats et réflexions à propos de 26 cas.

In the first part: the charcoal-assay method was briefly described (sensitivity: PR = 10 fmol/mg protein, ER = 5 fmol/mg protein), and criteria for the validity of this method were analysed: sufficient amount of tumor (150-200 mg) minimum protein concentration should be 2 mg/ml choice of a suitable labeled hormone plotting of Scatchard curve with at least 4 aligned points and systematic control of the dissociation constant (Kd) systematic assay of a reference cytosol. In the second part: the results were analysed and compared with those of various authors: PR were positive in 13 out of 23 determinations (56,5%), 12-230 fmol/mg protein (mean: 93 fmol/mg protein) ER were positive in 2 out of 25 determinations (8%), 5 and 16 fmol/mg protein. Only one tumor showed positive ER and PR and no significant difference was shown between ER and PR results on male and female patients. In conclusion, the physiopathological significance of ER and PR is discussed and a new approach to treatment of some meningiomas is mentioned.

The effect of relaxin on in vivo uterine electromyographic activity in the conscious ovariectomized ewe is oestrogen-dependent.

Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the uterus was recorded in vivo in 4 conscious ovariectomized ewes treated with oestrogen (one injection of 100 micrograms of oestradiol benzoate). Doses of 500 micrograms of purified porcine relaxin were injected intravenously 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 hrs after oestrogen treatment. Relaxin had an inhibitory effect on uterine activity between 16 and 32 hrs after oestrogen treatment. Because the period during which relaxin had a biological effect corresponded to the moment when oestrogen-induced uterine activity was maximal, it is suggested that the ability of relaxin to inhibit uterine activity in the ewe is oestrogen-dependent.