The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

Surveillance of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is achieved using serum thyroglobulin (Tg), neck ultrasonography (US), and recombinant human TSH (rhTSH)-stimulated Tg (Tg-stim). Our primary aim was to assess the utility of rhTSH Tg-stim in patients with suppressed Tg (Tg-supp) below 0.1 ng/ml using a sensitive assay. Our secondary aims were to assess the utility of US and to summarize the profile of subsequent Tg-supp measures. This is a retrospective study conducted at two sites of an academic institution. A total of 163 patients status after thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine treatment who had Tg-supp below 0.1 ng/ml and rhTSH Tg-stim within 60 d of each other were included. After rhTSH stimulation, Tg remained below 0.1 ng/ml in 94 (58%) and increased to 0.1-0.5 in 56 (34%), more than 0.5-2.0 in nine (6%), and above 2.0 ng/ml in four (2%) patients. Serial Tg-supp levels were obtained in 138 patients followed over a median of 3.6 yr. Neck US were performed on 153 patients; suspicious exams had fine-needle aspiration (FNA). All positive FNA were identified around the time of the initial rhTSH test. Six of seven recurrences were detected by US (Tg-stim >2.0 ng/ml in one, 0.8 in one and ≤ 0.5 in four). One stage IV patient had undetectable Tg-stim. In patients with DTC whose T(4)-suppressed serum Tg is below 0.1 ng/ml, long-term monitoring with annual Tg-supp and periodic neck US are adequate to detect recurrences. In our experience, rhTSH testing does not change management and is not needed in this group of patients.

The purpose of this study was to develop primary cultures of human chorion laeve cells and examine certain aspects of steroid metabolism during culture. Tissues obtained by elective cesarean section at term (38-40 weeks) were dispersed with collagenase. Cells were isolated on Percoll gradients at the interface between 20% and 40% Percoll and examined in primary culture for up to 1 week. Cultures were carried out in chemically defined media supplemented with 10% or 0.1% fetal calf serum (FCS). The morphological and biochemical properties of the cells were different in the two systems. In 0.1% FCS, cells formed clumps of tissue within 16 h of plating, and there was no cell replication. In contrast, in 10% FCS, the cells formed a carpet of tissue and reached confluence after 5 days in culture, resulting in increased DNA and protein content and thymidine incorporation in the dishes. Three steroidogenic enzymes were studied during culture: alkyl steroid sulfatase, estrogen sulfatase and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The sulfatases had higher activities in 0.1% than in 10% FCS, and their activities decreased markedly during the culture period. In contrast, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was higher in 10% FCS than in 0.1% FCS. Activity remained constant during the culture period in 0.1% FCS and increased in 10% FCS. In the latter system this increase resulted in the enzyme maintaining a constant specific activity during culture. These studies describe two viable systems of chorion laeve cells in primary culture, which may be valuable for studying long term and/or subtle effects on various metabolic aspects of this tissue.

Recombinant human (rh) TSH, in doses from 0.01 to 0.9 mg, has been used to augment the effect of radioiodine ((131)I) therapy in patients with a benign nontoxic nodular goiter. Transient thyroid enlargement and thyrotoxicosis may be seen following (131)I therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate whether rhTSH per se causes goiter enlargement, until now an issue evaluated only in healthy nongoitrous subjects. In random order, 10 patients with nontoxic nodular goiter [mean 39.8 +/- 20.5 (sd) ml] received either 0.3 mg rhTSH or isotonic saline in a double-blinded crossover design. Thyroid volume (by ultrasound) and function were closely monitored during the following 28 d. Saline injection did not affect thyroid function or size. After rhTSH, median serum TSH increased from baseline 0.97 mU/liter (range 0.39-1.56) to 37.0 mU/liter (range 18.5-55.0) at 24 h (P < 0.01), with a subsequent decline to subnormal levels at d 7. Mean free T(4) and free T(3) increased significantly from baseline to a maximum at 48 h. Twenty-four hours after rhTSH, the mean goiter volume was significantly increased by 9.8 +/- 2.3% (sem) (P = 0.01) and after 48 h by 24.0 +/- 5.1% (P = 0.002). The goiter enlargement had reverted at d 7. Nine patients had symptoms of hyperthyroidism and/or cervical compression after rhTSH, as opposed to one during placebo treatment (P < 0.02). A transient average goiter enlargement of up to 24% is seen after 0.3 mg rhTSH. This may lead to a significant cervical compression when used for augmentation of (131)I therapy in patients with goiter. The use of lower doses of rhTSH needs to be explored.

The effect of (131)I therapy amplification by recombinant human (rh) TSH prestimulation in very large goiters has not been evaluated in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Twenty-nine patients (22 females; age range 37-87 yr) with a large multinodular goiter (median 160 ml, range 99-440 ml) were randomized to receive placebo (n = 15) or 0.3 mg rhTSH (n = 14) 24 h before (131)I administration. Goiter volume was monitored by magnetic resonance imaging. On average, the goiter volume was unchanged 1 wk after therapy in both groups, but the largest deviations from baseline were observed in the rhTSH group. After 12 months the median goiter volume was reduced from 170 to 121 ml in the placebo group and from 151 to 72 ml in the rhTSH group, respectively (within group: P = 0.001; between group: P = 0.019). This corresponds to reductions of 34.1 +/- 3.2 and 53.3 +/- 3.3%, respectively (between group: P < 0.001). In the placebo group, the goiter reduction correlated positively with the retained thyroid (131)I dose, whereas such a relationship was absent in the rhTSH group. Adverse effects, mainly related to thyroid pain and cervical compression, were more frequent in the rhTSH group. At 12 months, goiter-related complaints were significantly reduced in both groups without any between-group difference. One and three patients in the placebo and the rhTSH group, respectively, developed hypothyroidism. rhTSH-stimulated (131)I therapy improves the reduction of very large goiters by more than 50%, compared with (131)I therapy alone, but at the expense of more adverse effects after therapy. Our data suggest that rhTSH stimulation may work through mechanisms that go beyond the increase in thyroid (131)I uptake.

Phase response curves (PRCs) to melatonin exist, but none compare different doses of melatonin using the same protocol. The aim was to generate a PRC to 0.5 mg of oral melatonin and compare it to our previously published 3.0 mg PRC generated using the same protocol. The study included two 5-d sessions in the laboratory, each preceded by 7-9 d of fixed sleep times. Each session started and ended with a phase assessment to measure the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). In between were 3 d in an ultradian dim light (<150 lux)/dark cycle (light:dark, 2.5:1.5). Healthy adults (16 men, 18 women) between the ages of 18 and 42 yr participated in the study. During the ultradian days of the laboratory sessions, each participant took one pill per day at the same clock time (0.5 mg melatonin or placebo, double blind, counterbalanced). Phase shifts to melatonin were derived by subtracting the phase shift to placebo. A PRC with time of pill administration relative to baseline DLMO and a PRC relative to midpoint of home sleep were generated. Maximum advances occurred when 0.5 mg melatonin was taken in the afternoon, 2-4 h before the DLMO, or 9-11 h before sleep midpoint. The time for maximum phase delays was not as distinct, but a fitted curve peaked soon after wake time. The optimal administration time for advances and delays is later for the lower dose of melatonin. When each dose of melatonin is given at its optimal time, both yield similarly sized advances and delays.

Cabergoline (CAB) a long-acting dopaminergic ergoline derivative, was given orally, in single doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg, to 12 healthy men in order to evaluate its PRL-lowering effect as well as its plasma pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion. Drug administrations were separated by 5-week washout periods. Blood samples for PRL and CAB determination were taken at baseline and for 840 h thereafter (every 1 h up to 4 h, every 4 h up to 12 h, every 24 h up to 168 h, and weekly up to 5 weeks). Fractional urine collections for CAB excretion were taken immediately before drug administration, every 4 h up to 12 h, and every 12 h up to 168 h. During the study period, blood pressure and heart rate were monitored at the same time periods of plasma sampling for CAB, and electrocardiographic tracings and hematological evaluations were performed before and after each treatment period. All CAB doses (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg) produced in all subjects a complete PRL suppression (PRL < 1.0 micrograms/L), that occurred earlier and persisted longer with the two higher doses. PRL secretion areas [area under the curve (AUC) 0-48 h and 48-840 h] were higher after 0.5-mg than after 1.0- and 1.5-mg doses. In particular, in the first portion of the area, the difference between 0.5 mg and both 1.0 and 1.5 mg was highly statistically significant (P < 0.01) without significant differences between the two highest doses. Mean CAB maximal plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 33.3 +/- 3.69, 40.3 +/- 2.49, and 67.0 +/- 9.79 ng/L after 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg CAB, respectively; time to Cmax was 2 h (median) for all doses; CAB AUC(0-168 h) after 0.5 mg CAB was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than after 1.5 mg CAB. The percentages of the administered doses of CAB excreted in urine were 1.1 +/- 0.1%, 1.1 +/- 0.1%, and 1.2 +/- 0.1% for the 0.5-, 1.0-, and 1.5 mg doses, respectively (P = NS). CAB AUCs(0-168 h) and Cmax normalized to the 1.0-mg dose were compared by two-way analysis of variance; no significant differences were found for CAB AUCs(0-168h); Cmax after 0.5 mg was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than after 1.0 and 1.5 mg CAB. A progressive decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed, and symptomatic hypotension after the 1.0-mg dose did not allow one subject to receive the 1.5-mg dose. Other mild to moderate adverse events occurred only after 1.0 and 1.5 mg CAB. These results indicate that, in the dose range of 0.5-1.5 mg, the pharmacokinetics of CAB are dose independent, and that the pharmacodynamic data and the frequencies of adverse events of CAB are dose related, with no significant differences in the PRL-lowering effect of the 1.0- and 1.5-mg doses.

We performed glucagon stimulation tests in 59 normally growing siblings of children who died from sudden infant death syndrome. These investigations were performed to exclude a possible metabolic disorder (found in 4 siblings) as an underlying cause of sudden infant death syndrome. The remaining 55 siblings (32 boys and 23 girls) provide control data for this age range. Testing was performed at 0800 h after a 15-h fast. The median age was 98 days (range, 13-349 days). Plasma glucose and serum cortisol, insulin, and GH were determined before and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min after im injection of 0.1 mg/kg glucagon. No side-effects were observed during the procedure. Asymptomatic hypoglycemia was noted in 11% of the infants at least once between 120-180 min. Basal and peak GH concentrations were greater than 10 micrograms/L in 31% and 80% of the infants, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between age and basal GH concentration [Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) = -0.37; P < 0.01]. There was a significant correlation between age and glucagon-stimulated cortisol at 120, 150, and 180 min (rs) = 0.41; P < 0.005), but not between age and changes in glucose levels. There was no significant correlation between age and basal cortisol or peak GH concentrations and no difference between boys and girls for any of the variables studied. In conclusion, the glucagon stimulation test is well tolerated in very young subjects. The peak GH response to glucagon injection is independent of age between 0.5-12 months. The age-related increase in the glucagon-stimulated cortisol response despite a similar decrease in glucose suggests the existence of a postnatal maturation in the response of the pituitary-adrenal axis to stress.

Data regarding effects of lower-dose GH on cardiopulmonary function in GH-deficient (GHD) adults are limited. The objective was to assess effects of lower-dose GH on exercise capacity and echocardiographic parameters in GHD adults. The study was a 6-month double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. The study was conducted at the General Clinical Research Center. Thirty hypopituitary adults with GHD were studied. Subjects were randomized to recombinant human GH or placebo for 6 months, followed by open-label recombinant human GH for 12 months. Primary endpoints were exercise duration, maximal oxygen consumption, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Secondary endpoints were echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic function, left ventricular mass, lipids, and body composition. In the 6-month double-blind phase, mean GH dose was 0.64 mg/d. Mean IGF-I sd score increased from -4.5 to -1.0. Exercise duration, maximal oxygen consumption, left ventricular ejection fraction, and other echocardiographic parameters were normal at baseline and did not change. GH decreased total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 7.5% (P = 0.016) and 14.7% (P = 0.002) (P = 0.04 vs. placebo). Mean lean body mass increased by 2.2 kg (P = 0.004), fat mass decreased by 1.7 kg (P = 0.21), and percent body fat decreased by 2.5% (P = 0.018), although between-group changes were not significant. Human GH did not improve exercise performance or echocardiographic parameters or decrease fat mass but significantly decreased total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased IGF-I, and increased lean body mass. These results indicate that responses to human GH are variable and should be assessed at baseline and during treatment.

The effect of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) on thyroid function and ultrasonically determined thyroid volume was investigated in nine healthy euthyroid male volunteers. Each received either 0.9 mg rhTSH or isotonic saline in a randomized order, and thyroid volume and function were closely monitored during the following 28 d. No significant changes were observed after saline injection. After rhTSH stimulation, the median serum TSH increased from 2.03 mU/liter (range, 0.99-3.07 mU/liter) to more than 200 mU/liter (range, 78.9 to >200.0 mU/liter) after 4 h, with a subsequent rapid decline. Mean (+/-SEM) serum free T(4) and free T(3) peaked at 48 h with levels 204.7 +/- 26.1% and 226.9 +/- 31.4%, respectively, above baseline (P < 0.001). Twenty-four hours after rhTSH stimulation, mean (+/-SEM) thyroid volume was significantly increased by 23.3 +/- 5.8% (P = 0.003) and after 48 h by 35.5 +/- 18.4% (P = 0.02). On d 4 the mean thyroid enlargement had reverted to baseline values. One individual developed a 90-ml tender thyroid enlargement (initially 21 ml) 36 h after rhTSH administration, associated with a very high level of serum thyroglobulin. It is concluded that 0.9 mg rhTSH may result in a profound stimulation of not only thyroid function but also of thyroid size, appearing in the period 1-4 d after injection. Further dose-response studies are needed to clarify the potential hazards before routine use, for example in the context of (131)I therapy and goiter.

Context: Several trials have reported an increased risk of fractures and falls after intermittent high-dose vitamin D. Treatment with loading doses of vitamin D may increase 1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D catabolism through changes in calcium/phosphate homeostasis and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23). Objective: The aim was to determine the effects of high-dose vitamin D on circulating concentrations of 1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D and FGF-23 in patients with osteoporosis and vitamin D insufficiency. Design, setting, patients, and intervention: We carried out a prospective study of 45 subjects with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency treated with a bolus dose of 300 000 IU of vitamin D(2) im. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment. Outcome measures: Changes in 1,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D and FGF-23 were measured. Results: Loading dose of vitamin D(2) increased 1,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D(2) at 3 months, with a mean [SD] of 41 [56] pmol/L at baseline and 162.3 [137.8] pmol/L at 3 months (P < .001). FGF-23 increased significantly at all time points with a peak at 3 months, with percent change from baseline (mean [SEM]) of 50% [48%] at 3 months (P < .01). There was a positive correlation between FGF-23 and serum phosphate (r = 0.36, P = .024) and calcium (r = 0.532, P < .001) and a negative correlation between total 1,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D and FGF-23 (r = -0.32, P = .036) at 3 months. Conclusions: High-dose vitamin D increases 1,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D and FGF-23 concentration. Further studies are required to determine whether adjusting vitamin D dose and frequency to minimize increases in FGF-23 may prevent the adverse outcomes associated with high-dose intermittent vitamin D supplementation.

The αVβ3 integrin (vitronectin receptor) plays a pivotal role in bone resorption. We hypothesized that L-000845704, an αVβ3 integrin antagonist, would potently inhibit bone resorption, thereby increasing bone mass as assessed by bone mineral density (BMD) in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-month study, 227 women (average 63 yr) with low lumbar spine or femoral neck BMD were randomly assigned to receive 100 or 400 mg L-000845704 once daily (qd), 200 mg L-000845704 twice daily (bid), or placebo. L-000845704 increased lumbar spine BMD (2.1, 3.1, and 3.5% for the 100-mg-qd, 400-mg-qd, and 200-mg-bid treatment groups, respectively, vs. −0.1% for placebo; P < 0.01 all treatments vs. placebo). Only 200 mg L-000845704 bid significantly increased BMD at the hip (1.7 vs. 0.3% for placebo; P < 0.03) and femoral neck (2.4 vs. 0.7% for placebo; P < 0.05). No L-000845704 group increased total body BMD. All doses of L-000845704 resulted in a similar approximately 42% decrease from baseline of N-telopeptide cross-links (P < 0.001 vs. placebo). L-000845704 was generally well tolerated; adverse events resulting in discontinuation from the study were relatively infrequent. In conclusion, the antiresorptive effect of the αVβ3 integrin antagonist L-000845704 translated into significant increases in lumbar spine BMD. Furthermore, 200 mg L-000845704 bid provided efficacy at the hip sites. These data suggest that the αVβ3 integrin antagonist L-000845704 could be developed as an effective therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11betaHSD1) is a promising target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. 11betaHSD1 catalyzes the intracrine conversion of inactive cortisone to the active glucocorticoid cortisol. Demonstrating inhibition of 11betaHSD1 is challenging because there is no accessible way to directly assess the enzyme activity in vivo. Thus, it was proposed to assess the enzyme activity, in an indirect fashion, using two biomarker methods: the prednisolone generation study (conversion of oral prednisone to prednisolone in plasma) and the ratio of cortisol and cortisone metabolites in urine. This was a phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multiple-dose study. The study was conducted in a clinical research unit. Sixty healthy adult volunteers participated in the study. Oral doses of PF-00915275 (0.3-15 mg) and prednisone (10 mg) were administered during the study. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of PF-00915275, a selective 11betaHSD1 inhibitor, were measured. Overall, multiple oral doses of PF-00915275 were safe and well tolerated. After oral administration, PF-00915275 was rapidly absorbed, slowly eliminated, and generally displayed dose-proportional increases in exposure. At the 15-mg dose, mean exposure to prednisolone was reduced by 37%, and there was a dose-dependent fall in the 5alpha-tetrahydrocortisol + 5beta-tetrahydrocortisol to tetrahydrocortisone ratio with maximum inhibition of 26% after 14 d. The urinary free cortisol to urinary free cortisone ratio, an indicator of 11betaHSD2 inhibition, did not change. PF-00915275 was safe at all doses tested. The results of the prednisolone generation test and the urinary metabolite ratios confirm that PF-00915275 is a selective 11betaHSD1 inhibitor.

Context: The pathogenesis of isolated hypoparathyroidism, also referred to as idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IH), is not clear. There is a paucity of information related to the immunogenetic basis of the disease due to its rarity. A recurrent theme of several autoimmune disorders is aberrant antigen presentation. Objective: We investigated for the association of alleles of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II loci with IH. Patients and controls: A total of 134 patients with IH and 902 healthy controls from the same ethnic background participated in the study. Results: There was a significant increase of HLA class I alleles HLA-A*26:01 [P < 1.71 × 10(-34); odds ratio (OR) = 9.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 6.08-14.16] and HLA-B*08:01 (P < 8.19 × 10(-6); OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.63-4.04) in patients with IH compared to healthy controls. However, the association of A*26:01 was primary because B*08:01 was in linkage disequilibrium with A*26:01. Although the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is very polymorphic, several alleles of HLA loci share key residues at anchor positions in the peptide binding pockets such that similar peptides may be presented by different MHC molecules encoded by the same locus. These allelic forms with similar anchoring amino acids have been clustered in supertypes. An analysis of HLA-A locus supertypes A01, A02, A03, and A04 revealed that supertype A01 was significantly increased (P < 9.18 × 10(-9); OR = 2.95) in IH compared to controls. However, this increase in the supertype A01 was contributed by A*26:01 because 68.7% of the A01 samples had A*26:01. Other alleles of the supertype did not show any significant differences. Conclusion: The strong association of HLA-A*26:01 suggests an important role of MHC class I-mediated presentation of autoantigenic peptides to CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells in the pathogenesis of IH. These data provide evidence for the autoimmune etiology of IH akin to other autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Graves' disease is known to be HLA-D associated; however, the primary loci involved remain unclear. We examined HLA genotypes of DRB1 and DQB1 plus DRB3 subtypes using PCR-based sequence-specific priming in two groups of North American (Gainesville, FL; and Toronto, Canada) Caucasian patients with Graves' disease. We stratified patients into those with either early age at onset (<20 yr; 13.1 +/- 4.8 yr; n = 30) and later age at onset of disease (38.8 +/- 9.7 yr; n = 62) and compared the results to 192 normal controls. As expected, we found that DRB1*03 was associated with Graves' disease, but at a higher odds ratios for early-onset than later-onset patients (3.7 vs. 2.2). The frequency of DRB1*08 was also increased in both groups of patients, but significantly so only in patients with early-onset Graves' (P = 0.001; chi2 = 10.8). DRB3 was highly associated with Graves' in both groups of patients (P = 0.009; chi2 = 6.83 and P = 0.0015; chi2 = 10.1, respectively); however, the subtypes of DRB3 revealed differential susceptibilities. Whereas the frequencies of both DRB3*0101 and DRB3*0202 were increased over the entire cohort, that of DRB3*0301 was not. Significant P values were found for DRB3*0101 in patients with early-onset and for DRB3*0202 in patients with later onset of Graves' disease. When the haplotypes of DRB1*03-DRB3 of all subtypes were removed for analysis (all DRB1*03 positive also had DRB3*0101), the frequency of DRB3*0202 remained significantly higher in the patients with later onset of Graves' disease than in controls (P = 0.0043; chi2 = 8.13), but DRB3 was no longer positively associated with the early-onset group. In addition, we found that DRB1*07 was negatively associated with both groups of patients (P = 0.024; chi2 = 5.10 and P = 0.0085; chi2 = 6.93). These data suggest that DRB3*0202 is more likely to be the primary susceptible locus than DRB1*03 for patients with later onset of Graves' disease.

The transmission disequilibrium test was used to analyze haplotypes for association and linkage to diabetes within families from the Human Biological Data Interchange type 1 diabetes repository (n = 1371 subjects) and from the Norwegian Type 1 Diabetes Simplex Families study (n = 2441 subjects). DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 was transmitted to 2 of 313 (0.6%) affected offspring (P < 0.001, vs. the expected 50% transmission). Protection was associated with the DQ alleles rather than DRB1*1501 in linkage disequilibrium with DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602: rare DRB1*1501 haplotypes without DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 were transmitted to 5 of 11 affected offspring, whereas DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 was transmitted to 2 of 313 affected offspring (P < 0.0001). Rare DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 haplotypes without DRB1*1501 were never transmitted to affected offspring (n = 6). The DQA1*0101-DQB1*0503 haplotype was transmitted to 2 of 42 (4.8%) affected offspring (P < 0.001, vs. 50% expected transmission). Although DRB1*1401 is in linkage disequilibrium with DQB1*0503, neither of the two affected children who carried DQA1*0101-DQB1*0503 had DRB1*1401. However, all 13 nonaffected children who inherited DQA1*0101-DQB1*0503 had DRB1*1401. In a case-control comparison of patients from the Barbara Davis Center, DQA1*0101-DQB1*0503 was found in 5 of 110 (4.5%) controls compared with 3 of 728 (0.4%) patients (P < 0.005). Of the three patients with DQB1*0503, only one had DRB1*1401. Our data suggest that both DR and DQ molecules (the DRB1*1401 and DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602 alleles) can provide protection from type 1A diabetes.

TAK-013 is a novel nonpeptide and orally active GnRH antagonist. We first examined the effect of TAK-013 on GnRH-stimulated LH release using primary-cultured pituitary cells of cynomolgus monkeys. TAK-013 suppressed LH release to below basal levels at concentrations higher than 100 nM with the IC(50) value of 36 nM. Next, we examined the effect of chronic oral administration of TAK-013 on serum hormone levels in regularly cycling female cynomolgus monkeys. TAK-013 administered at 90 mg/kg x d (30 mg/kg 3 times daily) for approximately 80 d continued to suppress LH, estradiol, and progesterone, but not FSH. The suppressive effect was reversible, in that normal profiles of sex steroids were observed immediately after discontinuation of the TAK-013 treatment. Interestingly, the suppressive effect of TAK-013 was not observed in marmoset monkeys. In summary, TAK-013 by oral administration suppresses a pituitary-ovarian axis continuously and reversibly in cynomolgus monkeys. Considering that TAK-013 has more potent antagonistic properties for human GnRH receptor than for monkey receptor, our data suggest that TAK-013 would be effective for reproductive disorders such as endometriosis and uterine leiomyoma and useful for assisted reproductive technology procedures.

Being one of the most lethal human neoplasms and refractory to such conventional treatment as chemo- and radiotherapy, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a prime target for innovative therapy. p53 gene inactivation is a constant feature of this neoplasia. Therefore, we evaluated a therapeutic approach based on an E1B 55-kDa gene-defective adenovirus (ONYX-015) that replicates only in cells with impaired p53 function and leads to cell death. Here we report that the ONYX-015 virus induces cell death in three human thyroid anaplastic carcinoma cell lines (ARO, FRO, and KAT-4). In addition, we found that the growth of xenograft tumors induced in athymic mice by the injection of ARO cells was drastically reduced by ONYX-015 treatment. The ONYX-015 virus worked synergistically with two antineoplastic drugs (doxorubicin and paclitaxel) in inducing ARO and KAT-4 cell death. These results suggest that ONYX-015 may be a valid tool in the treatment of the human thyroid anaplastic carcinoma.

ONYX-015 is a genetically modified adenovirus with a deletion of the E1B early gene and therefore is designed to replicate preferentially in p53-mutated cells causing their death. We previously demonstrated that the ONYX-015 virus kills anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) cells and enhances the antineoplastic effects of doxorubicin and paclitaxel. Here we report that ONYX-015 increased the cytopathic effect of radiotherapy in three ATC cell lines. In fact, ONYX-015 and radiation induced a significant cytopathic effect on ATC cells. DNA fragmentation analysis showed that ATC ONYX-015-treated cells were very sensitive to radiation-induced apoptosis. In addition, low doses of ONYX-015 associated with a single radiation dose of 10 Gy delayed the growth of a xenograft tumor induced by ARO cells in athymic mice. Our results suggest that the combination of ONYX-015 and radiotherapy should be considered for experimental trials in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Our previous results have suggested that genes outside the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II locus may affect the phenotype of type 2 diabetic patients from families with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (mixed type 1/2). To study whether the TNF alpha gene could be such a modifying gene, we studied TNF alpha promoter polymorphisms (G-->A substitution at positions -308 and -238) in relation to HLA-DQB1 genotypes in type 2 patients from mixed type 1/2 families or common type 2 diabetes families as well as in patients with adult-onset type 1 diabetes and control subjects. The TNF alpha(308) AA/AG genotype frequency was increased in adult onset type 1 patients (55%, 69 of 126), but it was similar in type 2 patients from type 1/2 families (35%, 33/93) or common type 2 families (31%, 122 of 395), compared with controls (33%, 95/284; P < 0.0001 vs. type 1). The TNF alpha(308) A and DQB1*02 alleles were in linkage disequilibrium in type 1 patients (Ds = 0.81; P < 0.001 vs. Ds = 0.25 in controls) and type 2 patients from type 1/2 families (Ds = 0.59, P < 0.05 vs. controls) but not in common type 2 patients (Ds = 0.39). The polymorphism was associated with an insulin-deficient phenotype in the type 2 patients from type 1/2 families only together with DQB*02, whereas the common type 2 patients with AA/AG had lower waist to hip ratio [0.92 (0.12) vs. 0.94 (0.11), P = 0.008] and lower fasting C-peptide concentration [0.48 (0.47) vs. 0.62 (0.46) nmol/liter, P = 0.020] than those with GG, independently of the presence of DQB1*02. In conclusion, TNF alpha is unlikely to be the second gene in the HLA area responsible for our previous findings in type 1/2 patients. However, we could show an association between TNF alpha(308) polymorphism and the phenotype of common type 2 diabetes.

Stiff-man syndrome (SMS) is a rare disorder of the central nervous system of probable autoimmune origin. Patients with SMS often have other autoimmune diseases, in particular type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Approximately 60% of patients with SMS have high titers of autoantibodies against the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase. Similar to SMS, the majority of patients with IDDM have autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase at or before diabetes onset, although usually at a lower titer and with a different reaction pattern than patients with SMS. To investigate the immunogenetic basis of SMS, we HLA-typed 18 patients with the disease. Seventy-two percent carried the DQB1*0201 allele (13 of 18, P = 0.02 vs. 18 of 48 controls), indicating that SMS is associated with this allele. DQB1*0201 is also a susceptibility allele for IDDM and other autoimmune diseases. Patients with SMS carried the IDDM-protective DQB1*0602 allele and other sequence-related DQB1*06 alleles with the same frequency observed in controls. In contrast, these alleles are rarely found in IDDM. Five of 8 (62.5%) SMS patients lacking a DQB1*06 allele were diabetic in contrast to only 2 of 10 (20%) with a DQB1*06 allele (P = 0.08), suggesting that the presence of DQB1*0602 or other DQB1*06 alleles may be associated with a reduced prevalence of diabetes among patients with SMS.

Information on genetic susceptibility to Graves' disease in African Americans is limited. We studied DRB1, DQB1, DRB3 subtypes, DQA1*0501, DQA1*0201, and CTLA-4 polymorphisms in 49 African American patients with adult onset Graves' disease and 47 racially-matched controls using PCR-based sequence-specific priming methods. There were no significant differences in DRB1 or DQB1 allelic frequencies or CTLA-4 polymorphisms between patients and controls. However, we found that the frequency of DRB3 was significantly increased in the patients (75.5% vs. 57.4%, P = 0.006, X2 = 3.52), especially for the DRB3*0202 subtype (53.1% vs. 23.4, P = 0.003, X2 = 8.91). In this one respect, the finding was in concordance with our previous observations in Caucasian patients with adult-onset Graves' disease. In addition, whereas the frequency of DQA1*0501 was increased (P = 0.018, X2 = 5.63) in our patients, the haplotype of DRB3/DQA1*0501, or DRB3*0202/DQA1*0501 was found to be more strongly associated (P = 0.008, X2 = 7.0; P = 0.0008, X2 = 11.34, respectively). These data suggest that DRB3*0202, particularly when found with DQA1*0501 in a haplotype is a susceptible gene(s) for Graves' disease in adult African Americans. Considering these data with those in Caucasian patients, our results would suggest that the primary Graves susceptible locus is likely DRB3 and not DRB1.

Pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) is multifactorial. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection has been proposed to be involved in nongastrointestinal conditions and reported more frequently in ATD adult patients. We evaluated the prevalence of Hp antibodies in young ATD patients and investigated the possibility that a susceptible immunogenetic profile could influence the development of ATD in subjects with Hp infection. We retrospectively studied 90 children with ATD (median age 11.2 yr), 70 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects as controls, and 65 patients with Turner syndrome (median age 18.8 yr). Antibodies to Hp were determined at diagnosis in ATD patients and, in Turner patients, at the last control in cases without ATD and before the appearance of thyroid autoantibodies in the others. Serological and molecular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing for classes I and II polymorphisms was performed. Prevalence of positive Hp serology resulted significantly higher in ATD patients than controls (P = 0.032). No association was found between individual HLA alleles and Hp serology. HLA-A1, B8, and DRB1*0301 were found significantly associated with ATD. A significant interaction between HLA-DRB1*0301 and Hp infection was present in ATD patients and not controls (P = 0.007), suggesting that the copresence of these two factors might favor ATD development. A similar phenomenon was observed in Turner syndrome patients (P = 0.02; cumulative Mantel test, P = 0.0001). Another target of Hp-elicited immune inflammatory response might be the thyroid gland in subjects with a peculiar immunogenetic profile so that ATD may be a consequence. Our findings suggest the opportunity of eradicating Hp infection in children with ATD and/or susceptible HLA alleles.

In recent-onset type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (IDDM), insulin autoantibodies (IAA) and islet cell antibodies (ICA) occur preferentially in young (< 10 yr) patients with the HLA DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 risk haplotype. We investigated whether this association also exists in siblings of IDDM patients. In our group of 310 siblings, aged 0-39 yr, 6% were positive for IAA, 7% for ICA 12 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation units (JDFU) or more, 5% for ICA 20 JDFU or more, and 2% for high titer ICA (> or = 80 JDFU). The occurrence of IAA and ICA (> or = 20 JDFU) was significantly associated, with a preferential relationship to the HLA DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 susceptibility haplotype. In the present group of siblings, IAA and DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 were significantly associated under age 10 yr (26% positivity for IAA vs. 4% in relatives without this haplotype). In this age group, IAA were more prevalent than (high titer) ICA (6%) in the presence of the haplotype. The association between (high titer) ICA and DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 was not restricted to subjects under age 10 yr. High titer ICA (n = 5) occurred exclusively in homozygotes for the latter haplotype and in carriers of the heterozygous DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302/DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201 high risk genotype, mostly under age 20 yr (four of five). The preferential occurrence of IAA in DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302-positive siblings under age 10 yr was caused by their high prevalence (47%) in subjects with the heterozygous high risk genotype in this age group. As in patients at onset, IAA and high titer ICA are preferentially associated with the DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 haplotype in siblings of IDDM patients, but, unlike at onset, these associations are observed with specific genotypes only and are more pronounced in subjects under age 10 yr for IAA only. Longitudinal analysis in first degree relatives and other normal controls carrying the DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 haplotype should assess the hypothesis that IAA qualify as earlier predictive markers for IDDM than high titer ICA.

The aim of this study is to identify insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-susceptible HLA antigens in IDDM patients who do not have established risk allele, HLA-DQA1*0301, and analyze relationship of these HLA antigens and the degree of β-cell destruction. In 139 Japanese IDDM patients and 158 normal controls, HLA-A, -C, -B, -DR and -DQ antigens were typed. Serum C-peptide immunoreactivity response (ΔCPR) to a 100-g oral glucose load ≤ 0.033 nmol/l was regarded as complete β-cell destruction. All 14 patients without HLA-DQA1*0301 had HLA-A24, whereas only 35 of 58 (60.3%) normal controls without HLA-DQA1*0301 and only 72 of 125 (57.6%) IDDM patients with HLA-DQA1*0301 had this antigen (Pc = 0.0256 and Pc = 0.0080, respectively). ΔCPR in IDDM patients with both HLA-DQA1*0301 and HLA-A24 (0.097 ± 0.163 nmol/L, mean ± sd, n = 65) were lower than in IDDM patients with HLA-DQA1*0301 only (0.219 ± 0.237 nmol/L, n = 45, P < 0.0001) and in IDDM patients with HLA-A24 only (0.187 ± 0.198 nmol/L, n = 14, P = 0.0395). These results indicate that both HLA-DQA1*0301 and HLA-A24 contribute susceptibility to IDDM independently and accelerate β-cell destruction in an additive manner.

We investigated whether the associations between HLA alleles of patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism varied according to the presence or absence of TSH receptor-blocking antibody (TRBab). We analyzed the HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DR antigens by serotyping and the DQA1 and DQB1 genes using both enzymatic DNA amplification and sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridizations. The patient population consisted of 47 Korean patients with atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis and 62 patients with goitrous autoimmune thyroiditis. The antigen frequency of HLA-DR8 was significantly increased in 23 atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis patients that were positive for TSH binding inhibitor immunoglobulin (TBII) compared to 136 controls [52% vs. 16%; chi 2 = 13.1; Pc (corrected P value) = 0.003]. This relative risk was 5.7; the etiological fraction was 0.43. HLA-DQB1*0302 was also increased in patients with TBII-positive atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis (24% vs. 7%; chi 2 = 11.2; Pc = 0.012; relative risk = 4.4; etiological fraction = 0.19). No specific DR antigens or DQB1 alleles were increased in either TBII-negative atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis or goitrous autoimmune thyroiditis. A significant decrease in the frequency of HLA-DR6 antigen was observed in both TBII-positive atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis (0% vs. 32%; chi 2 = 8.4; Pc = 0.03) and goitrous autoimmune thyroiditis (0% vs. 32%; chi 2 = 23.2; Pc < 0.001) patients. The frequency of the HLA-Cw1 antigen was significantly increased in all patient groups. We conclude that TRBab-positive atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis is immunogenetically different from both goitrous autoimmune thyroiditis and TRBab-negative atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis. It is possible that HLA-DR8 and/or DQB1*0302 may be related to the susceptibility genes involved in the production of TRBab in Koreans.

Of 957 patients with type 1 diabetes without known Addison's disease 1.6% (n = 15) were positive for 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies. Among DQ8/DQ2 heterozygous patients, the percentage expressing 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies was 5% (10 of 208) vs. less than 0.5% of patients with neither DQ8 nor DQ2. Three of the diabetic patients found to have 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies on screening were subsequently diagnosed with Addison's disease. Overall, the genotype DQ8/DQ2, consisting of DRB1*0404/DQ8 with DRB1*0301/DQ2, was present in 14 of 21 patients with Addison's disease (8 of 12 with diabetes and 6 of 9 without diabetes or antiislet autoantibodies) vs. 0.7% of the general population (109 of 15,547; P < 10(-6)) and 11% of patients with DM without Addison's disease (62 of 578; P < 10(-6)). Among patients with diabetes with DQ8, Addison's disease was strongly associated with the specific DRB1 subtype, DRB1*0404 (8 of 9 patients from 8 families, in contrast to only 109 of 408 DQ8 DM patients with diabetes without Addison's disease having DRB1*0404; P < 0.001). Among 21-hydroxylase autoantibody-positive DQ8 patients, 80% with DRB1*0404 (12 of 15) had Addison's disease, in contrast to 1 of 10 autoantibody-positive patients with DRB1*0401 or DRB1*0402 (P < 0.001). We conclude that patients with DRB1*0404 and 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies are at high risk for Addison's disease. Patients with DRB1*0401 and DRB1*0402 have more limited progression to Addison's disease despite the presence of 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies.

The insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is characterized by the following diagnostic criteria: severe spontaneous hypoglycemia without evidence of exogenous insulin administration, high levels of total serum immunoreactive insulin, and the presence of a high titer of antiinsulin antibody. Just before the onset of IAS, 13 of the 35 (37%) patients with IAS examined in this study had taken methimazole for the treatment of Graves' disease. To investigate the difference between the Graves' disease patients treated with methimazole who developed IAS and other IAS patients, HLA class II genes in both groups were analyzed by serological and DNA typing methods. All 13 patients with Graves' disease who developed IAS possessed a specific allelic combination, Bw62/Cw4/DR4 carrying DRB1*0406, whereas only 1 of 50 Graves' disease patients without IAS had Bw62/Cw4/DR4 (odds ratio, 891; P < 1 x 10(-10)) and carried not DRB1*0406 (odds ratio, 2727; P < 1 x 10(-10)), but DRB1*0405. Of the 22 IAS patients without Graves' disease, 13 had the combination Bw62/Cw4/DR4 carrying DRB1*0406 (odds ratio, 19.0; P < 0.07). Thus, it is highly likely that patients with Graves' disease develop IAS via treatment with methimazole when their Bw62/Cw4/DR4 carry DRB1*0406.

The association between the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) serotype DR3 and Graves' disease (GD) in Caucasian populations is well known. However, an even stronger association has been reported recently, especially in the male population, between the closely linked HLA allele DQA1*0501 and GD. We postulated that the reported association between DQA1*0501 and GD may be a result of the linkage of this allele with DR3 and may not represent an independent association. Accordingly, we screened a population of North American Caucasians (n = 218), including patients with GD (n = 101, 32 males, 69 females) and individuals with documented normal thyroid function (n = 117, 51 males, 66 females), for the presence of the DQA1*0501 allele and those alleles corresponding to the DR3 serotype (DRB1*03). Screening was accomplished using sequence specific PCR. A significant association was documented in the total study population between DR3 positivity and GD (P = 0.0002), but not between DQA1*0501 positivity and GD (P = 0.06). After gender stratification, significant associations were found only in the female population (DR3, P = 0.0004; DQA1*0501, P = 0.012) and not in the male population (DR3, P = 1.0; DQA1*0501, P = 1.0). Additionally, in those DR3 negative female subjects (n = 100), there was no independent association between DQA1*0501 positivity (n = 26) and GD (p = 0.82). P-values were corrected, where appropriate, for gender stratification and/or the number of HLA alleles tested. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a lack of independent association between the presence of the HLA allele DQA1*0501 and GD. We suggest that the apparent association between this allele and GD in the female population may be the result of its' close linkage to DR3.

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland. Genes of, or closely associated to, the HLA complex are assumed to contribute to the genetic predisposition to GD. We have previously reported an increased frequency of HLA-DR3/DQ2 in Caucasian patients with GD, and recently the importance of Dw24 encoded by DRB3 gene has been suggested. To further investigate the associations of GD and these genes, 94 unrelated patients with GD and 75 control subjects were typed for HLA-DRB3, -DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1, using sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes to analyze polymerase chain reaction amplified DNA (PCR-SSO). Three findings emerged from these studies. 1) The frequency of subjects positive for DQA1*0501 (GD, 73.4% vs. control 42.7%, P = 0.0001, Pc < 0.001, RR = 3.71) was significantly increased among patients. The frequency of DR3 (GD, 34.0% vs. control 17.3%, P = 0.0146, RR = 2.46), which is in tight linkage disequilibrium with DQA1*0501, was also increased; however, it was not significant when the P value was corrected for the number of antigens tested. Neither DQB1 nor DRB3 alleles were significantly increased in frequency. 2) After exclusion of DR3-positive subjects, DQA1*0501 was still significantly increased (GD, 59.7% vs. control 30.6%, P = 0.0012, Pc < 0.01, RR = 3.35) among patients. 3) The distributions of Dw24 and Dw25,26 (Dw25 or Dw26) did not differ between patients and controls on either DR3 positive or negative groups. These findings suggest that DQA1*0501, or a closely associated unknown gene, confers susceptibility to GD, while Dw24 is not directly involved. The importance of DR3, however, remains to be elucidated, because of the fixed linkage with DQA1*0501.

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune thyroid disease and is associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR3 and -DQA1*0501 in caucasians. The incidence of GD is 5 times higher in females than in males, possibly due to their greater immune reactivity. Although many attempts have been made to correlate HLA phenotypes and clinical features of GD little attention has been paid to possible heterogeneous HLA distribution among patients of different sexes. To investigate this possibility, 133 (26 males) unrelated caucasian patients with GD and 104 (43 males) control subjects were typed for HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1, using sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes to analyze polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA. There were no significant differences in HLA distribution between male and female controls. The frequencies of HLA-DQA1*0501 were increased in both [88.5%; relative risk (RR) = 9.13; P = 0.000015] and female patients (66.4%; RR = 2.66; P = 0.00046) compared to that in the entire control group (42.3%). The frequencies of DR11 (RR = 2.83; P = 0.019) and DQB1*0301 (RR = 2.50; P = 0.034) were increased only in male patients, whereas that of DR3 was higher in female (RR = 2.39; P = 0.0066) and male (RR = 2.54; not significant, P = 0.051) patients, suggesting the possible heterogeneous HLA distribution between the sexes. When the male and female patients were compared, a significant difference was found only for DQA1*0501. The prevalence of DQA1*0501 was significantly higher in males than in females (P = 0.019). As females have augmented immune responsiveness, we speculate that considerable numbers of females may develop GD without a strong HLA susceptibility allele, whereas only a few males develop GD without it.

Recently, several studies have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor microsatellite polymorphism (TNFalpha) contributes to the susceptibility of type 1 diabetes. This study investigates the influence of TNFalpha on the predisposition to insulin dependency in adult-onset diabetic patients with type 1 diabetes-protective human leukocyte antigen haplotypes. The TNFalpha of three groups of DRB1*1502DQB1*0601-positive diabetic patients who had initially been nonketotic and noninsulin dependent for more than 1 yr was analyzed. Group A included 11 antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADab)-positive patients who developed insulin dependency within 4 yr of diabetes onset. Group B included 11 GADab-positive patients who remained noninsulin dependent for more than 12 yr. Group C included 12 GADab-negative type 2 diabetes, and a control group included 18 nondiabetic subjects. In the group C and control subjects, DRB1*1502-DQB1*0601 was strongly associated with the TNFalpha13 allele. DRB1*1502-DQB1*0601 was strongly associated with the TNFalpha12 allele among the group A patients, but not among the group B patients. Interestingly, sera from all patients with non-TNFalpha12 and non-TNFalpha13 in group B reacted with GAD65 protein by Western blot. These results suggest that TNFalpha is associated with a predisposition to progression to insulin dependency in GADab/DRB1*1502DQB1*0601-positive diabetic patients initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and that determination of these patients' TNFalpha genotype may allow for better prediction of their clinical course.

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQA1*0102/DQB1*0602/DRB1*1501 (DR2) haplotype confers strong protection from type 1 diabetes. Growing evidence suggests that such protection may be mostly encoded by the DQB1*0602 allele, and we reported that even first degree relatives with islet cell antibodies (ICA) have an extremely low diabetes risk if they carry DQB1*0602. Recently, novel variants of the DQB1*0602 and *0603 alleles were reported in four patients with type 1 diabetes originally typed as DQB1*0602 with conventional techniques. One inference from this observation is that DQB1*0602 may confer absolute protection and may never occur in type 1 diabetes. By this hypothesis, all patients typed as DQB1*0602 positive with conventional techniques should carry one of the above diabetes-permissive variants instead of the protective DQB1*0602. Such variants could also occur in ICA/DQB1*0602-positive relatives, with the implication that their diabetes risk could be significantly higher than previously estimated. We therefore sequenced the DQB1*0602 and DQA1*0102 alleles in all ICA/DQB1*0602-positive relatives (n = 8) previously described and in six rare patients with type 1 diabetes and DQB1*0602. We found that all relatives and patients carry the known DQB1*0602 and DQA1*0102 sequences, and none of them has the mtDNA A3243G mutation associated with late-onset diabetes in ICA-positive individuals. These findings suggest that diabetes-permissive DQB1*0602/3 variants may be very rare. Thus, although the protective effect associated with DQB1*0602 is extremely powerful, it is not absolute. Nonetheless, the development of diabetes in individuals with DQB1*0602 remains extremely unlikely, even in the presence of ICA, as confirmed by our further evaluation of ICA/DQB1*0602-positive relatives, none of whom has yet developed diabetes.

The recent availability of a Tyr3-substituted octreotide (SDZ 204-090) for radioiodination has allowed somatostatin (SRIH) receptor binding to be studied in vivo, and receptor-positive tumors of different origins to be visualized with a gamma-camera. This prompted us to investigate whether this compound could be used for external imaging of functionless pituitary adenomas displaying SRIH receptors. Eight patients with functionless pituitary adenomas, three patients with acromegaly, and three with macroprolactinoma were injected iv with 123I-labeled Tyr3-octreotide and then scanned with a gamma-camera. Positive scans were obtained in the three acromegalics and in two of the eight patients with functionless pituitary tumors. The patients with macroprolactinoma had negative scans. The diagnosis of functionless pituitary adenomas was confirmed by light and electron microscopic examination as well as immunocytochemical studies. In vitro binding of [125I]Tyr11-SRIH to cell membranes was evaluated in four functionless and three GH-secreting adenomas removed from seven of the patients. All of the GH-secreting as well as one of the four functionless adenomas had high affinity SRIH-binding sites, without differences in number or affinity, whereas SRIH-binding sites were not detected in the others. Positive scans were observed only in patients bearing tumors with high affinity SRIH-binding sites. In conclusion, [123I]Tyr3-octreotide appears to be a promising tool for singling out, in vivo, patients with functionless pituitary tumors displaying SRIH receptors who might potentially benefit from octreotide treatment.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) regulates the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in thyroid carcinoma cells. Both pathways are associated with aggressive phenotype in thyroid carcinomas. Our objective was to assess the effects of the clinical PI3K inhibitor GDC-0941 and genetic inhibition of PI3K and HIF on metastatic behavior of thyroid carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Vascular endothelial growth factor ELISA, HIF activity assays, proliferation studies, and scratch-wound migration and cell spreading assays were performed under various O(2) tensions [normoxia, hypoxia (1 and 0.1% O(2)), and anoxia] with or without GDC-0941 in a panel of four thyroid carcinoma cell lines (BcPAP, WRO, FTC133, and 8505c). Genetic inhibition was achieved by overexpressing phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) into PTEN-null cells and by using a dominant-negative variant of HIF-1α (dnHIF). In vivo, human enhanced green fluorescence protein-expressing follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC) were treated with GDC-0941 (orally). Spontaneous lung metastasis was confirmed by viewing enhanced green fluorescence protein-positive colonies cultured from lung tissue. GDC-0941 inhibited hypoxia/anoxia-induced HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression and HIF activity in thyroid carcinoma cells. Basal (three of four cell lines) and/or hypoxia-induced (four of four) secreted vascular endothelial growth factor was inhibited by GDC-0941, whereas selective HIF targeting predominantly affected hypoxia/anoxia-mediated secretion (P < 0.05-0.0001). Antiproliferative effects of GDC-0941 were more pronounced in PTEN mutant compared with PTEN-restored cells (P < 0.05). Hypoxia increased migration in papillary cells and cell spreading/migration in FTC cells (P < 0.01). GDC-0941 reduced spreading and migration in all O(2) conditions, whereas dnHIF had an impact only on hypoxia-induced migration (P < 0.001). In vivo, GDC-0941 reduced expression of HIF-1α, phospho-AKT, GLUT-1, and lactate dehydrogenase A in FTC xenografts. DnHIF expression and GDC-0941 reduced FTC tumor growth and metastatic lung colonization (P < 0.05). PI3K plays a prominent role in the metastatic behavior of thyroid carcinoma cells irrespective of O(2) tension and appears upstream of HIF activation. GDC-0941 significantly inhibited the metastatic phenotype, supporting the clinical development of PI3K inhibition in thyroid carcinomas.

Incubation of human mononuclear leukocytes (MLN) with isoproterenol rapidly desensitizes beta-adrenergic receptors, i.e. isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation decreases. This desensitization is accompanied by a redistribution of the receptor into a cellular environment to which hydrophilic compounds have limited access. We found that the total number of beta-receptors [defined as binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol (DHA) inhibited by 1 microM propranolol] was unchanged in the desensitized MNL. In control MNL, virtually all DHA binding was inhibited by 1 microM CGP-12177, suggesting that all of these receptors are on the cell surface, whereas in desensitized cells, only 33 +/- 2% (mean +/- SEM) of the DHA binding was inhibited by CGP-12177. We quantitated the sequestered receptors by subtracting the number of surface receptors from the total number of receptors. The sequestered receptors were homogeneous, with an affinity for DHA identical to that of surface receptors (Kd, 0.66 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.62 +/- 0.08 nM). The time courses of desensitization and sequestration were identical. The functional status of the sequestered receptors was assessed using the agonist zinterol, which (unlike catecholamines) is quite hydrophobic. Zinterol competed for DHA binding to both sequestered and surface receptors, whereas isoproterenol only competed for binding to the surface receptors. However, cAMP accumulation in desensitized MNL was reduced to the same extent regardless of whether isoproterenol or zinterol was used as the agonist. These results demonstrate that desensitization of intact cells to beta-agonists cannot be attributed to limited accessibility of the sequestered receptors to catecholamines, but, rather, that the sequestered receptors are not functionally coupled to adenylate cyclase.

Azodicarbonamide (ADA, or 1,1′-azobisformamide) is a flour-maturing agent currently being promoted for use in the baking of commercial breads. Since ADA bears some structural resemblance to the known antithyroid agent aminotriazole (ATZ), we tested ADA for antithyroid action in rats. Rats given ADA in doses of 5 or 10% of the diet for 10 days or 4 weeks had lower 24-hr thyroidal 125I uptakes than control animals and had serum PBI levels which tended to be lower than those of the controls. However, there was no consistent goitrogenic effect of ADA, and the experimental animals showed no rise in serum TSH as estimated by radioimmunoassay. ADA in doses of 0.2, 2 and 20 mg/100 g body wt/day given parenterally caused no antithyroid effects, though rats given the highest dose showed other evidence of toxicity. The ADA reduction product biurea (BiU, or 1-carbamylsemicarbasize) caused no change in thyroid function when given orally as 5 or 10% of the diet or parenterally in doses of 2 or 20 mg/100 g body...

Studies of the antithyroid action of 1,1,3-tricyano-2-amino-1-propene (U-9189) were performed. In rats, this agent induces acute inhibition of the organic binding of iodine, suppresses the formation of thyroxine, and inhibits the conversion of monoiodotyrosine to diiodotyrosine. Following prolonged administration, these actions are supplemented by inhibition of the thyroidal iodide-concentrating mechanism. The antithyroid actions of U-9189 apparently also obtain in man, since this agent is capable of ameliorating human thyrotoxicosis. However, a high incidence of toxic reactions was observed in a small number of patients so treated.

Tritium-labeled aldosterone and the principal labeled conjugates derived from aldosterone were measured in arterial plasma during a constant infusion of 1,2-³H-aldosterone. Acid-labile conjugate was present in a concentration less than ⅕ that of aldosterone. After plasma was treated with betaglucuronidase, labeled tetrahydroaldosterone and a less polar fraction could be extracted. The concentration of tritium found as total conjugates was equal to or greater than the concentration of ³H-aldosterone in plasma. Blood was obtained from a hepatic or renal vein through a venous catheter. The conjugates were present in hepatic vein plasma in concentrations approximately 40% higher than in simultaneously drawn samples of arterial plasma, indicating production of these conjugates in the liver. Approximately 20% of free aldosterone in arterial plasma was removed from blood passing through the kidney, corresponding to the fraction filtered through the glomeruli: but only 1.3–3.6% of the estimated amount of filtered aldosterone appeared in the urine. The acid-labile conjugate, on the other hand, appeared in urine at a greater rate than could be expected from the renal extraction ratio of this metabolite (25–46%). Conversion of free aldosterone to acidlabile conjugate in the kidney would account for these findings. The plasma clearance and hepatic extraction of free aldosterone were reduced in patients with advanced congestive heart failure, as previously reported. The increased concentrations of labeled conjugates in plasma of patients with heart failure indicated that renal clearances of conjugates were below normal.

A novel low mol wt inositol phosphoglycan antagonist of insulin action of oxidative glucose metabolism in isolated rat adipocytes was partially purified from normal human plasma and shown to be increased in type II diabetic plasma. It was characterized chemically as a myo-inositol phosphoglycan containing a cyclic 1,2-phosphate. This antagonist, termed fraction V3, is now shown to inhibit the action of an inositol glycan insulin pH 2.0 mediator that stimulates pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase in a similar manner to insulin. In addition, fraction V3 inhibits stimulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) phosphatase by Mg2+, the enzyme's required metal, and by spermine, a polyamine. Fraction V3 does not inhibit active PDH itself. The inhibitory effect is dose dependent and apparently noncompetitive or nonsurmountable for the insulin inositol glycan pH 2.0 mediator, thus comparing kinetically with its insulin antagonistic action on intact adipocytes. Its inhibitory action on PDH phosphatase is dose dependent and competitive for Mg2+ stimulation of the phosphatase. Additionally, fraction V3 is shown to inhibit stimulation by Mg2+ of cloned recombinant PDH phosphatase catalytic subunit. Inhibition by fraction V3 of Mg(2+)-stimulated PDH phosphatase and its cloned catalytic subunit helps explain its mechanism of action to inhibit insulin-stimulated oxidative glucose metabolism in adipocytes and its potential clinical significance in insulin resistance.

Twelve males with azoospermia secondary to exposure to the nematocide 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane were challenged to iv LRH (100 micrograms), TRH (200 micrograms), and metoclopramide (MET; 10 mg) administered 30 min apart. When compared to 24 male controls, both basal FSH and LH levels as well as peak gonadotropin responses to LRH were increased in the azoospermic group. The patients also had increased total estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) as well as testosterone-binding globulins levels. Free T levels, however, were not significantly different from the controls. Basal PRL levels were similar in the two groups. However, the peak PRL responses to both TRH and MET were significantly increased in the azoospermia subjects (P < 0.001). In both groups, the PRL response to MET was greater than to TRH. In the individual control and azoospermic subjects, there was no correlation between the PRL response and E2, T, or the E2 to T ratio. However, a positive correlation did exist between testosterone-binding globulin levels and the PRL response to TRH and MET. Although the precise mechanism underlying the PRL hyperresponsiveness is unknown, it may be an estrogen-induced phenomenon.

The synthesis of very high specific activity 25-OH-vitamin D3 (78 Ci/mmol) has made possible the study of the metabolism and plasma disappearance of 3H after a single dose of 3H-1,25-(OH)2-D3 in quantities that are only 10-20% of the endogenous plasma pool. We studied seven healthy adults who were given doses of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 ranging from 30-2300 pmol. Plasma disappearance was rapid with only 14 +/- 2% of administered 3H remaining in the plasma pool 4 h after labeling. Plasma metabolite profiles during the first 4 h showed only 1,25-(OH)2-D3. Thereafter, significant amounts of other metabolites were detected. The 6-day cumulative excretion of 3H in urine and feces (virtually all associated with metabolites of 1,25-(OH)2-D3) averaged 16 +/- 3% and 49 +/- 11% of the dose, respectively. Compartmental analysis of the isotope data for two subjects who received the smallest doses of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 indicated that endogenous renal 1,25-(OH)2-D3 synthesis rates approximate 0.8-2.4 nmol/day (0.3-1.0 microgram/day).

The liver of a 38-year-old man was injected via the portal vein with 100 μc-1,2-3H-cortisol over a period of 1 minute. Blood samples were withdrawn via the liver vein with a heart catheter at 1-, 3-, 5-, 10- and 20-minute intervals. Metabolism of cortisol was rapid (at 5 min.). The glucuronides represented 20% of the recovered metabolites. Cortols, cortolones, tetrahydrocortisone and tetrahydrocortisol predominated in this fraction. Only the ring-A reduced metabolites were found in the conjugate fraction, indicating a limitation by the Δ4-3-keto-reducing system. There appeared to be an influence by the oxygen at C-11 on the configuration of the 20-hydroxyl. There were a considerable number of metabolites in the unconjugated fraction. Cortisol, cortisone and their 20-reduced analogues, as well as the 6-hydroxylated derivatives, were in this portion. Five 11-oxygenated-17-ketosteroids were also indicated. The sulfates appeared in such low concentration that their analysis was not attempted.

A novel low mol wt inositol phosphoglycan inhibitor (M tau 1200-1500) of insulin action in rat adipocytes has been partially purified from normal human plasma. This inhibitor, termed fraction V after the first purification step and fraction V3 after the second, is different from other reported serum insulin antagonists. It contains myoinositol, galactosamine, and mannose in approximate molar ratios of 1:1:3.3. The myoinositol has a 1,2-cyclic phosphate substituent, which is essential for the inhibitory activity. Its inhibitory activity is significantly elevated (161%, P < 0.05 for fraction V; 278%, P < 0.05 for fraction V3) in plasma of humans with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus as compared with plasma of nondiabetic controls. These findings represent the first report of a naturally occurring mammalian inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate containing phosphoglycan related to insulin action.

Since 1923 sporadic reports have appeared on the presence of chromatophorotropic hormone or melanocyte-stimulating hormone in mammalian blood (1–20). Unfortunately, many of these studies were performed with inadequate techniques and they were, moreover, wrongly interpreted and poorly understood because their relation to the adrenal gland was then still unknown.

We have produced evidence for a new metabolic pathway for vitamin D2 in humans involving the production of 24-hydroxyvitamin D2 (24OHD2) and 1,24-dihydroxyvitamin D2 [1,24-(OH)2D2]. These metabolites were produced after either a single large dose (10(6) IU) of vitamin D2 or repeated daily doses between 10(3) and 5 x 10(4) IU. We developed assay systems for the metabolites in human serum and showed that in some chronically treated patients, the concentration of 1,24-(OH)2D2 equalled that of 1,25-(OH)2D2 at about 100 pmol/L. The metabolites were identified by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array spectrophotometry for 24OHD2 and by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for 1,24-(OH)2D2. We show that 1,24-(OH)2D2 synthesis can be stimulated by PTH, indicating a renal origin for this metabolite and postulate that it is formed from 24OHD2, which may be synthesized in liver. We conclude from this study that vitamin D2 gives rise to two biologically active products, 1,24-(OH)2D2 and 1,25-(OH)2D2, and that 1,24-(OH)2D2 could be an attractive naturally occurring analog of 1,25-(OH)2D3 for clinical use.

A lipid indistinguishable from 1,24(R)-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,24(R)-(OH)2D3] was found in serum and tumor extracts from a hypercalcemic patient with a small cell carcinoma of the lung. The lipid comigrated with authentic 1,24(R)-(OH)2D3 on high performance liquid chromatography using both straight and reverse phase columns and competed with tritiated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3)] for binding to intestinal 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor. Increasing doses of the lipid factor from tumor and authentic 1,24(R)-(OH)2D3 gave parallel responses in a bone resorption assay, as assessed by 45Ca release from prelabeled mouse calvaria. The lipid factor from the patient's serum and authentic 1,24(R)-(OH)2D3 had identical biological activities in the receptor binding and bone resorption assays. In addition, the mechanisms of action of this lipid factor and 1,24(R)-(OH)2D3 were indistinguishable. Bone resorption by both was inhibited by calcitonin, and neither the lipid factor nor authentic 1,24(R)-(OH)2D3 affected cAMP content in osteoblast-like bone cells derived from mouse calvaria. The estimated concentrations of the 1,24(R)-(OH)2D3-like lipid, expressed as 1,24(R)-(OH)2D3 were 11 ng/g tumor wet wt by the receptor binding assay and 9.2 ng/g tumor wet wt by the bone resorption assay. The mean serum concentration was 1.4 +/- 0.3 (+/- SD) ng/ml (n = 3) by the receptor binding assay. No activity was detected in either bioassay when extracts of nontumor tissues from this patient or tumor extracts and sera from one hypercalcemic and four normocalcemic cancer patients were tested. The mean serum 1,25-(OH)2D level was low (6.4 +/- 0.5 pg/ml; n = 2), and serum 1,24(R),25-(OH)3D in this patient was high (103 pg/ml) compared to normocalcemic cancer patients, in whom the mean serum 1,25-(OH)2D level was 27 +/- 12 pg/ml (n = 4) and the 1,24(R),25(OH)3D level was 28 +/- 1.3 pg/ml (n = 4). Thus, the 1,24(R)-(OH)2D3-like lipid may be a substrate for metabolic conversion to 1,24(R),25-(OH)3D in vivo. These results provide evidence for the presence of a novel metabolite of vitamin D3, 1,24(R)-(OH)2D3. Detection of this bone-resorbing lipid in both tumor and serum suggests, but does not prove, that the tumor secreted this bioactive lipid into the circulation and that the high level of circulating bone-resorbing lipid was related to the hypercalcemia in this patient.

We observed that plasma 1,25-(OH)2-D concentrations average 87 +/- 30 SD pmol/l in 48 healthy adults without a personal or family history of kidney stones. Plasma 1,25-(OH)2-D concentrations were significantly elevated among 26 patients with recurrent calcium-containing renal stones and hypophosphatemia: 150 +/- 74 pmol/l; P less than 0.001, and among 9 patients with proven parathyroid adenoma and hypophosphatemia: 200 +/- 54 pmol/l; P less than 0.001. Plasma 1,25-(OH)2-D levels in these 3 groups were inversely correlated with serum phosphate concentration: plasma 1,25-(OH)2-D, pmol/l = 282 - 141 X serum PO4, mmol/l; r = 0.51; P less than 0.001. During dietary PO4 deprivation lasting 11 to 16 days in 10 healthy women, serum PO4 fell and plasma 1,25-(OH)2-D concentrations rose whereas in 8 healthy men neither serum PO4 nor 1,25-(OH)2-D concentrations changed. The change from control in plasma 1,25-(OH)2-D levels were correlated with the change from control in serum PO4 concentrations: delta1,25-(OH)2-D, pmol/l = 1 - 82 X delta serum PO4 mmol/l; r = 0.59; P less than 0.01. We conclude that reductions in serum PO4 concentrations, either directly or indirectly, stimulate renal synthesis of 1,25-(OH)2-D in humans.

This report describes a microassay for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] in plasma which does not require high performance liquid chromatography. The assay involves rapid extraction and preliminary purification on a C-18 Sep-Pak cartridge, followed by final purification on a silica Sep-Pak using hexane-isopropanol. Quantitation of 1,25-(OH)2D is achieved using a nonequilibrium assay employing 1,25-(OH)2D receptor from calf thymus. The method is sensitive to 1.5 pg/tube, with B50 occurring at 9 pg/tube and a useful assay range of 1.5-40 pg/tube. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation are 6.5% and 11.5%, respectively, and the method is linear over a wide range of sample dilutions. In addition, this assay measures both 1,25-(OH)2D2 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 with equal affinity. The importance of using an assay with equal affinity for 1,25-(OH)2D2 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 is demonstrated by the findings that 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (250HD2) constituted 38.9% of the total 25-OHD found in clinical samples (12.6 +/- 0.7 ng/ml 25-OHD2 vs. 20.1 +/- 0.5 ng/ml 25-OHD3; n = 807). Results of this new assay have been compared to those of the assay of Horst et al. (21), which employs Sephadex LH-20 and high performance liquid chromatography sample purification. The correlation coefficient was r2 = 0.96, and the slope was 1.05. Using this new assay, plasma 1,25-(OH)2D concentrations were as follows: normal adults, 37.4 +/- 2.2 pg/ml (n = 22); chronic renal failure, 10.6 +/- 1.5 pg/ml (n = 7); anephrics, undetectable (n = 10); infant cord blood, 22.9 +/- 4.4 pg/ml (n = 7); and hyperparathyroidism, 68.9 +/- 5.0 pg/ml (n = 13). This assay should be particularly useful in pediatric or other studies in which sample size is limited.

Serum calcium, phosphorus, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] were measured in 6 women and 2 men with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, 22 normal subjects, 5 patients with chronic renal failure, and 5 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Serum 1,25-(OH)2D levels were significantly higher in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and lower in patients with chronic renal failure than in normal subjects. In patients with medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, the serum calcitonin levels were elevated, but the parathyroid hormone and 1,25-(OH)2D levels were within normal ranges. The serum 25OHD levels were not significantly different in any group. It is concluded that chronic elevation of serum calcitonin has no effect on the serum 1,25-(OH)2D level.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is usually associated with normal or elevated serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] levels. We report a patient with extreme hypercalcemia (serum calcium, 19.4 mg/dl), primary hyperparathyroidism, and a very low plasma concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D. Surgical removal of a large parathyroid adenoma was associated with a decrease in the serum calcium and immuno- and bioactive PTH concentrations and normalization of the 1,25-(OH)2D level. The postoperative course was complicated by severe protracted hypocalcemia and cardiac arrest, requiring treatment with large doses of calcium iv. The low concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D in this patient are an unusual manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism, probably due to suppression of renal 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity by the severe hypercalcemia. We conclude that in severe hypercalcemia, a low serum 1,25-(OH)2D level does not exclude the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.