Will G. Ryan

Dynamics of plasma triglyceride turnover in man

Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and triglyceride(TG) influx rates were determined in 17 patients with wide range of plasma triglyceride levels. No significant correlation was found between plasma FFA or TG influx rates and the plasma TG level in these patients. Alterations in the plasma TG levels were induced by various treatments, but plasma TG influx rates were not significantly or concordantly changed. It is concluded that plasma FFA and TG influx rates do not exert primary control of plasma TG levels. Rather, the data are compatible with the thesis that TG clearance is a major determinant of plasma TG concentration.

Metabolic Control in Diabetic Patients: Effect of Insulin-secretory Reserve (Measured by Plasma C-Peptide Levels) and Circulating Insulin Antibodies

We measured circulating hemoglobin A1 (HbA1) and fasting plasma C-peptide concentrations in 100 diabetic patients. Pancreatic insulin reserve showed a negative correlation with HbA1 concentrations in nonobese, insulin-treated patients but not in obese patients, whether they were treated with insulin, oral agent, or diet alone. Patients with fasting C-peptide concentrations above 0.1 pmol/ml had significantly better metabolic control than did those with lower values. Anti-insulin antibodies were measured in 37 patients. There was no correlation between metabolic control and the affinity constants or binding capacities of these antibodies.

Fibrous dysplasia of bone with Vitamin D resistant rickets: A case study

Abstract A patient with the unusual combination of fibrous dysplasia of bone and Vitamin D resistant rickets is described. Studies performed provide evidence for normal gastrointestinal absorption of calcium, low renal tubular maximum of phosphate reabsorption (TmP), and elevated phosphate clearance responsive to alterations in serum calcium level. Possible mechanisms underlying these disorders are discussed.

Outpatient Treatment of Paget's Disease of Bone with Mithramycin

Abstract Mithramycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic that causes hypocalcemia and diminishes the elevated osteoclastic activity characteristic of Pagets disease. Previous inpatient studies have shown th...

The Effect of Glucola, Diet Cola and Water Ingestion on Blood Glucose and Plasma Insulin

Summary A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of neurogenic influences on carbohydrate metabolism. Four normal subjects were given a cola flavored glucose preparation, a diet cola containing saccharin, and water. Only the glucose preparation produced significant changes in blood glucose and plasma insulin levels.

Propranolol-induced Insulin Release in Isolated Rat Islets of Langerhans

Immunoreactive insulin was measured in the medium following incubation of isolated rat islets of Langerhans in different concentrations of propranolol and propranolol plus glucose. Pretreatment with propranolol (20 μg./ml.) prevented glucose (3 mg./ml.)-mediated insulin release. Propranolol alone in concentrations up to 25 μg./ml. did not cause insulin release; however, at 50 μg./ml. this drug had strong beta-cytotrophic activity.

Serum Immunoreactive Insulin Levels During Glucose Tolerance and Intensive Islet Stimulation

Glucose tolerance and intensive islet stimulation tests were done on eighty-seven subjects who covered a broad range of age and glucose tolerance. The data suggest decreasing glucose tolerance with increasing age compatible with the observations of others. Over a broad range of glucose tolerance there was seen such a broad spread of serum immunoreactive insulin levels (IRI) that it was not possible to relate them directly to the degree of glucose tolerance seen. This suggested that multiple factors, including variations in peripheral resistance to insulin not attributable to known factors, are operative in determining glucose tolerance. Only when glucose tolerance was very abnormal or fasting blood sugar was elevated was there apparent decrease in serum IRI response to the stimuli used, making it difficult to attribute mild-to-moderate degrees of glucose intolerance to lack of capacity for IRI release. A close correlation between the two-hour IRI in a glucose tolerance test and the levels obtained after the stimulus of glucagon and tolbutamide suggested that the former may be an adequate reflection of islet secretory capacity.

Familial Medullary Carcinoma and Parathyroid Adenoma Without Pheochromocytoma: Report of Two Cases

Abstract Three siblings had medullary cancer of the thyroid without pheochromocytomas. Two of them had associated parathyroid adenomas and hypercalcemia and renal stones. Only two other such patien...

Mithramycin and long remission of Paget's disease of bone.

Excerpt To the editor: Slightly more than a decade has passed since we reported the effects of mithramycin on Pagets disease of bone (1). During that interval we have used mithramycin in the treat...

Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test in an Industrial Population: Controls, Subjects with Coronary Heart Disease and Relatives of Diabetics

Intravenous glucose tolerance was measured in a population of industrial workers who were participating in a prospective study to assess the importance of various factors contributing to the development of coronary heart disease. No significant differences in intravenous glucose tolerance could be detected between groups of control subjects, subjects with a close diabetic relative, or subjects with coronary heart disease.