Gerard Jonderko

Influence of short-time application of a low sodium diet on blood pressure in patients with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism during therapy.

Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism are commonly associated with altered blood pressure (BP). Restriction of sodium in the diet produces a decrease in BP in some individuals. It is also well known that hormones other than thyroid affect BP. The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of a low sodium diet on BP in patients with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism during therapy. The occurrence of salt-sensitive or salt-nonsensitive BP was compared with hormonal levels (plasma renin activity, aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide, and arginine vasopressin). Patients with hyperthyroidism (75 subjects) were investigated before the initiation of treatment, 2 weeks after the treatment, and after the attainment of euthyroid state. Patients with hypothyroidism (31 subjects) were studied before the treatment and in the euthyroid state. Control values were obtained from 37 healthy individuals. Blood pressure, changes of plasma volume, serum aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide, vasopressin levels, and plasma renin activity were measured in all investigated subjects after application of a normal sodium diet and after 3 days on a low sodium diet. Elevated systolic BP was found in patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Mean arterial BP was higher only in the untreated hypothyroid patients. The high incidence of salt-sensitive BP was found only in untreated hypothyroid patients. Also in hypothyroid patients the application of a low sodium diet led to a lower increase in plasma renin activity in subjects with salt-sensitive BP than in individuals with salt-resistant BP. Therefore, different mechanisms are responsible for BP elevation in patients with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Effect of Calcitonin on Gastric Emptying and on Serum Insulin and Gastrin Concentrations After Ingestion of a Mixed Solid—liquid Meal in Humans

In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, we examined the effect of calcitonin on gastric emptying, and on serum concentrations of gastrin, insulin, glucose, calcium, and phosphorus after a mixed solid-liquid meal in 11 healthy men. Synthetic salmon calcitonin was administered as a 415 pmol i.v. bolus injection followed by a 90-min infusion to reach an overall dose of 62.25 pmol/kg body mass. Gastric emptying of a radiolabeled meal was surveyed by means of a γ camera. A pronounced inhibition of gastric emptying with calcitonin was observed in all subjects (median gastric half emptying time 60.3 min after placebo versus 197.6 min after calcitonin; p < 0.001). Calcitonin did not affect the postprandial gastrin release, nor did it change significantly the serum calcium or phosphorus concentrations. A decreased postprandial insulin release by calcitonin (mean ± SEM area under the insulin curve 2,124.6 ± 382.0 min mU L−1 after placebo versus 640.9 ± 124.0 min mU L−1 after calcitonin; p < 0.002) was accompanied by a different pattern of serum glucose concentrations during the infusion of the hormone when compared to the situation with a placebo. We discuss potential mechanisms and clinical relevance of our findings.

Effect of calcitonin on gall‐bladder volume in man

The effect of increasing intravenous doses of synthetic salmon calcitonin (0.0044, 0.0088, 0.0175, and 0.0350 iu/kg per min) versus placebo on the fasted gall‐bladder volume was assessed in seven normal subjects according to a double‐blind study protocol. In addition, the action of calcitonin on meal‐induced gall‐bladder emptying was examined. Gall‐bladder volumes were measured by means of real‐time ultrasonography.

The influence of noise and vibration upon creatine kinase activity in blood serum

SummaryThe investigations comprised part of the workers employed in a factory of prefabricated concrete elements. The creatine kinase (CK) activity was determined before and after a days work in the following groups of workers: I — exposed to noise and vibration exceeding the allowed norm, II —exposed to noise, performing the same hard physical work as group I and exposed to vibration not exceeding 79 dB in particular octave bands, III —practising physical work as group I and II but in environment free from noise and vibration, and a control group of persons (C) not exposed to any of the tested factors (vibration, noise, work). The obtained results indicate that the determination of the CK activity may serve as a test of exposure to vibration and noise.

Pulmonary functional abnormalities in asymptomatic patients with systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease characterized by widespread fibrosis of the skin and multiple organs, including the lungs. This study was designed to evaluate pulmonary function in SSc patients without symptoms of lung involvement. METHODS: Spirometric measurements were done in 26 female SSC patients without symptoms of pulmonary involvement. RESULTS: Maximal voluntary ventilation was found to be decreased in half of the patients, and forced vital capacity was decreased in 23% of the patients. Forced expiratory flow rate was impaired in about half of the SSc patients, especially the flow at 50-75% of forced vital capacity. Peak expiratory flow rate was decreased in 77% of asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: A functional defect, mainly of the restrictive type, was observed in the majority of asymptomatic patients with SSc. Pulmonary function testing is recommended for all SSc patients.

Serum interleukin-6 level in patients with systemic sclerosis: lack of correlation with aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen.

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