Maki Sakuma

Effect of nicotinic acid administration on plasma growth hormone concentrations.

Summary Serial plasma glucose, NEFA, and HGH concentrations were measured in normal male subjects following saline injection (Group 1, 9 cases), nicotinic acid injection (Group 2, 5 cases), and nicotinic acid plus heparin injection (Group 3, 4 cases) for 180 minutes. There was no appreciable change of plasma glucose in all groups. In Group 1 there was no significant change of plasma, NEFA and HGH. In Group 2, plasma NEFA showed an initial decrease followed by the secondary rise at 180 minutes, and plasma HGH showed a marked rise at 120 minutes and/or at 180 minutes. In Group 3, plasma NEFA did not show significant reduction and plasma HGH showed no significant changes. From the results obtained, it was suggested that the lowering of plasma NEFA levels by nicotinic acid administration can stimulate the secretion of HGH, and an assumption was made that plasma NEFA could be at least one of the factors in regulating HGH secretion. It was also suggested that plasma HGH may, at least in part, participate in inducing the secondary rise of plasma NEFA following the injection of nicotinic acid.

Studies on electrolyte metabolism in idiopathic and thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

Abstract A study of arteriovenous serum potassium and sodium changes during an induced attack of periodic paralysis was undertaken in 7 patients with idiopathic periodic paralysis and 6 patients with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. In both types of periodic paralysis, a constant positive arteriovenous difference of potassium was obtained during the development of paralysis. The findings lend further support to the hypothesis that the cellular migration of potassium from the extracellular space is the mechanism of hypokalemia in both idiopathic and thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.

Studies on electrolyte metabolism in idiopathic and thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: III. Intra- and extracellular concentrations of potassium and sodium in muscle and their changes during induced attacks of paralysis☆

Abstract Muscle biopsy studies were performed in 8 patients with idiopathic hypokalemic periodic paralysis, 8 patients with thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis and 7 patients with thyrotoxicosis without periodic paralysis. Content and intracellular concentration of potassium are signicantly reduced in idiopathic periodic paralysis as compared to thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. There is no constant and characteristic change in intracellular concentration of potassium per se during paralysis, while K i K o ratio increases roughly parallel to the severity of induced paralysis.

Effect of Nicotinic Acid Administration on Plasma HGH, FFA and Glucose in Obese Subjects and in Hypopituitary Patients

Abstract The administration of nicotinic acid in normal subjects caused an acute reduction of plasma FFA followed by a marked progressive secondary rise. Plasma HGH showed a significant rise following the reduction of plasma FFA. Obese subjects displayed a more pronounced reduction and rapid rise of plasma FFA than did normal subjects, but plasma FFA then decreased gradually after it reached its maximum level. There was no significant change of plasma HGH. In hypopituitary patients, the secondary rise of plasma FFA was slow and diminished, and no increase of plasma HGH was observed. From these results, it appears that the late rebound of plasma FFA following nicotinic acid administration is at least partly related to the augmented secretion of HGH. The early and rapid rebound of plasma FFA in obese subjects does not depend on the effect of HGH, but the diminished secretion of HGH might be related to the decrease of lipolysis in these subjects.

Studies on electrolytes metabolism in idiopathic and thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: II. Total exchangeable sodium and potassium

Abstract A study of total exchangeable potassium, sodium and total body water was undertaken in 8 normal subjects, 7 patients with thyrotoxicosis without periodic paralysis, 8 patients with idiopathic periodic paralysis and 7 patients with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. Our findings show that total exchangeable potassium is modestly but significantly reduced in idiopathic periodic paralysis, but within normal limits in thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.

SECRETION OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE DURING INSULIN COMA AND ELECTROSHOCK THERAPIES

The responses of plasma HGH during psychiatric shock therapies were investigated, and the mechanisms of HGH secretion and of shock therapies were discussed.