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Copyright of Nouveau Praticien Vétérinaire Canine & Féline is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Nouveau Praticien Vétérinaire Canine & Féline is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• Les patients atteints d'acromégalie ont une faible prévalence de fractures vertébrales. • Étude des anomalies qualitatives de la colonne vertébrale chez les patients acromégaux. • Le patient acromégalie avait une forte prévalence de déformations de la colonne vertébrale. La plupart des études retrouvent une majoration du risque de fractures vertébrales chez les patients acromégales, malgré une densité minérale osseuse normale. Nous avons étudié la prévalence des fractures vertébrales chez les patients acromégales de moins de 80 ans suivis au CHU de Nantes. Étude transversale monocentrique réalisée au CHU de Nantes de 1988 à 2018. Cinquante patients (18 femmes, 32 hommes) d'un âge médian de 52,3 ans (27 -78 ans) ont été inclus. Les fractures vertébrales étaient évaluées sur des radiographies conventionnelles des rachis lombaire et thoracique de face et de profil, selon la méthode semi-quantitative de Genant. Nous avons également étudié les déformations vertébrales autres que les fractures, en utilisant 3 critères : présence d'ostéophytes, présence de pincement discal et aspect cunéiforme des vertèbres. Nous avons analysé la densité minérale osseuse par absorptiométrie bi-photonique et le statut hormonal. Trois patients (6 %) présentaient une fracture vertébrale : une fracture de grade 1 et 2 fractures de grade 2 selon la classification de Genant, chez deux patients ostéoporotiques et un patient ostéopénique. Leurs déficits anté-hypophysaires étaient substitués. En considérant les déformations franches (ostéophyte ou pincement discal ≥ grade 2 ou aspect cunéiforme), le rachis dorsal était déformé chez 22 patients (44 %) et le rachis lombaire chez 21 patients (42 %). Les patients acromégales présentaient une faible prévalence de fractures vertébrales, mais un nombre important de déformations vertébrales. Nous supposons que cette forte prévalence de déformations franches pourrait expliquer la forte prévalence de fractures vertébrales rapportée précédemment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For twenty years, growth hormone therapy has been available for adults with growth hormone deficiency. Recommendations and multiple tools have been put in place in order to best accompany the transition period, which is the obligatory passage for children with a chronic disease from pediatric care to the adult sector. Nevertheless, the fact remains that many adults are not treated or even monitored for their growth hormone deficiency, which is not without consequences for their state of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Animal Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Résumé: Les maladies chroniques du foie sont responsables d'une morbi-mortalité élevée. Après une agression hépatocellulaire, les hépatocytes matures peuvent proliférer et réparer le foie endommagé, mais ce processus de régénération est souvent limité. Lorsque la prolifération des hépatocytes est compromise, des cellules hépatiques progénitrices peuvent se différencier en hépatocytes. La transplantation hépatique représente le traitement de choix des patients ayant une insuffisance hépatique sévère mais n'est pas toujours possible en raison de la pénurie de greffons. La thérapie cellulaire, qui pourrait pallier cet écueil, repose sur l'inoculation de cellules souches de la moelle osseuse (CSMO) ou sur l'utilisation du facteur de croissance de la lignée granulocytaire (G-CSF) afin de mobiliser les CSMO et leur permettre de se différencier en hépatocytes fonctionnels. Les principales utilisations du G-CSF en hépatologie sont faites actuellement dans le cadre d'essai thérapeutique au cours de l'hépatite alcoolique aiguë sévère, de la cirrhose décompensée sans ou avec défaillance d'organes. Les résultats obtenus avec le G-CSF dans ces trois indications, sur la survie et sur l'amélioration des scores hépatiques, semblent prometteurs. Cependant, ces études majoritairement indiennes, sont d'effectif limité ; de plus, les résultats intérimaires d'une étude allemande récente réalisée chez des patients en ACLF n'ont pas confirmé l'innocuité du G-CSF dans cette indication et la survie n'était pas améliorée. De nombreuses études en cours ou en devenir et incluant des effectifs plus larges devraient permettre de confirmer ou non l'intérêt du G-CSF dans les maladies hépatiques sévères. Chronic liver diseases are responsible for a high worldwide morbidity and mortality. Following hepatocellular injury, the remaining mature hepatocytes may proliferate and repair the damaged liver, but this regenerative process is often limited. When hepatocyte proliferation is compromised, hepatic progenitor cells may proliferate and differentiate into hepatocytes. Liver transplantation (LT) represents the only proven definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease but LT is not always possible because of the scarcity of donor organs. Stem cell therapy, which could overcome this pitfall, is based on two strategies: The first one consists on the inoculation of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSC) and the second one uses granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) which mobilizes BMSC. G-CSF is currently used in hepatology, as part of therapeutic trials, in three different contexts, namely severe acute alcoholic hepatitis, decompensated cirrhosis and cirrhosis with organ failure. With G-CSF, the results on survival and on liver specific scores in these three indications appear promising. However, these trials are mostly Indian and sample sizes are small; in addition, interim results from a recent German study did not confirm the safety of G-CSF in ACLF patients and survival was not improved. Several studies using G-CSF in hepatology are currently in progress and will be able to confirm (or not) the relevance of G-CSF in severe liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acute moderate (MEx) and heavy (HEx) exercises on ghrelin, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in untrained subjects. A pre/post interventional study including seven overweight middle-aged males (mean ± SD: age = 36.4 ± 4.35 years) was designed. Participants performed two sessions of exercise at 7-day interval. Each session consisted in cycling exercise during 20 min at 60% (moderate exercise, MEx) or at 80% (heavy exercise, HEx) of peak aerobic power (PAP). Venous blood samples were obtained before, at the end (0 min) and after 30, 60, 90 and 120 min recovery in each session. After exercise and during recovery, ghrelin, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations have been unchanged in both groups. However, GH concentration has significantly increased at the end of exercise (0.12 ± 0.09 vs. 1.08 ± 0.73 ng·mL−1; P = 0.004; ES = 1.99) and 30 min after (0.12 ± 0.09 vs. 0.60 ± 0.36 ng·mL−1; P = 0.035; ES = 1.98) in HEx session, only. No significant correlation was observed at baseline between ghrelin and the other markers (GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3). Our results suggested that 20 min moderate or heavy sub-maximal exercises not stimulate the production and the release of ghrelin after 2 hours recovery. In our experimental conditions, it appears that: ghrelin does not participate in the regulation of the GH response to exercise in overweight males and; exercise intensity and duration may be determinant to affect ghrelin secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of changing concentric-eccentric contraction time ratio in a single session of resistance exercise on hormonal response in trained men. Methods In a double-blind cross section study design, ten young men (mean age: 26.3 ± 1.2 years, mean weight: 81.2 ± 4.25 kg, and mean height: 178 ± 6 cm) were selected and completed 4 resistance exercise sessions with 3 days’ between sessions interval. Protocols included, 1 second concentric and 1 second eccentric contraction; 3 second concentric and 3 second eccentric contraction; 4 second concentric and 2 seconds eccentric contraction; 2 seconds concentric and 4 seconds eccentric contraction. In each session subjects performed one of the four protocols. The exercise protocol was consisted of leg extension, bench press, hamstring curls and lat pull-down with three sets of eight repetitions and intensity of 0.65 of one repetition maximum. Rest times for sets and exercises were 1 and 2 minutes respectively. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after exercise. Results Increases in lactate were observed after all protocols. Serum levels of testosterone and growth hormone increased significantly in all, but 1 second concentric and 1 second eccentric contraction protocol, while level of serum cortisol did not change significantly in none of the protocols. Conclusions The result of this study showed that in a single session of RE, changes in concentric-eccentric contraction time ratio had no effect on hormonal response, however slower contractions produced greater hormonal response compare to normal protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Les hormones de croissance et leurs agonistes, les antagonistes de l’hormone de croissance et les inhibiteurs de la sécrétion de l’hormone de croissance appartiennent au secteur de l’endocrinologie. Leurs indications sont multiples et leur dispensation à l’officine nécessite un conseil éclairé de la part du pharmacien. Summary Growth hormones and their agonists, growth hormone receptor antagonists and growth hormone secretion inhibitors belong to the endocrinology sector. Their indications are multiple and the pharmacist must be able to provide clear advice when dispensing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth hormone (GH) is involved in the parr-smolt transformation of salmonid fishes and is known to improve salinity tolerance. This study compared the capacity for seawater acclimation of GH transgenic coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum, 1792)) to that of wild-type fish, allowing examination of responses to sustained (chronic) exposure to elevated GH. GH transgenic fish (GH TG) smolted 1 year in advance of wild-type salmon and showed a greater capacity to hypo-osmoregulate in seawater. As GH TG fish were much larger than the wild-type fish, a second experiment was conducted with three size-matched groups of coho salmon (a 1+-year-old wild-type group, a 1+-year-old ration-restricted GH TG group, and a 0+-year-old fully fed GH TG group). When size-matched, the effect of GH transgenesis was not as dramatic, but the feed-rationed TG1+ group exhibited smaller deviations in plasma ion and osmolality levels following seawater exposure than did the other groups, suggesting a somewhat improved hypo-osmoregulatory ability. These results support a role for GH in the development of seawater tolerance by salmonid fishes independent of fish size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Les courbes de croissance staturopondérale et de corpulence sont les éléments essentiels pour statuer sur une éventuelle anomalie de la croissance. La croissance d’un enfant à un âge donné est dite « anormale » si elle se situe au-delà de +2 déviations standard (DS) ou en deçà de −2DS. Elle mérite également exploration en cas d’accélération ou de ralentissement excessif de la vitesse de croissance conduisant à un changement de couloir. Enfin, la notion de couloir génétique de croissance est essentielle. La petite taille est le plus souvent (> 70 % des cas) de type constitutionnel (d’hérédité polygénique). La pathologie endocrinienne représente moins de 10 % des étiologies. Le déficit en hormone de croissance peut être secondaire à une lésion (tumeur) ou à une irradiation de la région hypothalamohypophysaire, être d’origine génétique (anomalie monogénique ou syndrome), malformative (interruption de tige pituitaire avec posthypophyse ectopique, rarement de cause monogénique) ou être idiopathique (imagerie par résonance magnétique [IRM] hypothalamohypophysaire normale). Pour ce dernier, le diagnostic est difficile et souvent fait par excès. Il faut systématiquement évoquer le syndrome de Turner chez la fille et réaliser un caryotype, même en l’absence d’élément dysmorphique évocateur. Le retard de croissance intra-utérin est la cause de 10 % des petites tailles, mais il nécessite une démarche diagnostique étiologique, à la recherche d’une maladie ayant perturbé la croissance dès la période anténatale. Dans un contexte familial, la réalisation systématique de radiographies de squelette permet d’identifier des anomalies osseuses constitutionnelles caractéristiques de dyschondrostéose ou d’hypochondroplasie. La fréquence des anomalies osseuses dans les retards staturaux est mal précisée, mais on peut l’estimer à près de 5 % des cas. Le retard pubertaire est responsable d’un retard à l’accélération de la vitesse de croissance staturale. Cela explique que le motif de consultation soit souvent la petite taille. Chez le garçon, il s’agit d’un retard pubertaire simple dans plus de 80 %. Chez la fille, il est plus souvent d’origine organique. La grande taille, constitutionnelle dans plus de 90 % des cas, est un motif beaucoup plus rare de consultation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jacques Monod's ideas on the applications of science came within the scope of a long tradition at the Institut Pasteur. Louis Pasteur, whose scientific career was characterized by a permanent come and go between science and its applications, long opposed the idea of getting any income from his research, until the financial needs of the Institut Pasteur made him change his mind. As for Jacques Monod, he remained a fervent supporter of basic science during his whole scientific career. However, once he became director of the Institut Pasteur, he realized that the applications of research had to be developed to support the institute from a financial point of view. Thus, he reorganized the valorization of research in the institute, through an incitation of scientists to develop projects with possible applications, and by creating a company, Institut Pasteur Production, for which he had a factory built, and which was in charge of producing and commercializing the vaccines and reagents stemming from the research at the Institut Pasteur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of maximum and submaximum movement velocities after a muscular hypertrophy type resistance exercise protocol on testosterone, human growth hormone (hGH) and cortisol concentrations and on neuromuscular performance assessed with a vertical jump. Eleven males performed a control and 3 resistance exercise protocols (4 sets of squat and 4 sets of leg-press exercises, 8 repetitions/set, 10-repetition maximum load). The first exercise protocol was performed at maximum velocity ( Vmax); the second at 70% of Vmax with equal training volume (70% VmaxEV) to Vmax; and the third at 70% of Vmax (70% Vmax) with a 10.6% higher training volume to Vmax. Testosterone and hGH increased after all exercise protocols ( p < 0.05) compared with baseline and were higher versus control values ( p < 0.05). Cortisol concentrations gradually decreased in 70% Vmax, 70% VmaxEV and control protocols following a typical circadian rhythm ( p < 0.05), but remained relatively constant in Vmax protocol. Comparisons among protocols showed that hGH was higher in 70% Vmax versus Vmax ( p < 0.05), while cortisol was higher in Vmax versus 70% VmaxEV and control ( p < 0.05). The greatest reduction in vertical jump and increase in heart rate were observed after the Vmax protocol ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, a hypertrophy type resistance exercise protocol performed at maximum movement velocity increases testosterone and hGH and generates a greater biological stress, as evident by a higher cortisol concentrations and heart rate responses, and a greater reduction in neuromuscular performance. A protocol, however, performed at submaximum movement velocity combined with greater training volume stimulates to a greater extent the hGH response with no effect on cortisol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared growth hormone (GH) and plasma glucose (PG) levels in type 1 diabetic individuals performing aerobic before resistance exercise (AR) to when resistance exercise was performed first (RA). In AR, GH secretion declined in late exercise while it rose throughout exercise in RA, resulting in higher GH in RA versus AR at exercise completion. Higher GH during RA may support PG by increasing hepatic glucose production and lipid mobilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth Hormone therapy has been used therapeutically for over 50 years. Until recently, growth hormone therapy has been restricted for children and adolescents with proven hypothalamic-pituitary short stature. Today some other causes - but not all - can be treated with growth hormone. To the well-established indications belong apart from proven growth hormone deficiency, children with Turner Syndrome and with Prader Willi Syndrome, children born small for gestational age without catch-up growth and children with chronic kidney disease and with some haematological and oncological diseases. Careful and accurate diagnosis is essential. Growth hormone therapy is rare in everyday practice and requires close cooperation with a pediatrie endocrinologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to better understand the molecular events governing ontogeny in winter flounder ( Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum, 1792)). The expression of seven genes involved in key metabolic processes during metamorphosis were measured at settlement (S0), at 15 (S15), and 30 (S30) days after settlement and compared with those in pelagic larvae prior to settlement (PL). Two critical stages were identified: (1) larval transit from the pelagic to the benthic habitat (from PL to S0) and (2) metamorphosis maturation, when the larvae stay settled without growth (from S0 to S30). Growth hormone ( gh) gene expression significantly increased at S0. At S30, an increase in cytochrome oxidase ( cox) gene expression occurred with a second surge of gh gene expression, suggesting that enhanced aerobic capacity was supporting growth before the temperature decrease in the fall. Expression patterns of pyruvate kinase ( pk), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase ( g6pd), and bile salt activated lipase ( bal) genes indicated that energy synthesis may be mainly supplied through glycolysis in PL, through the pentose-phosphate pathway at settlement, and through lipid metabolism at S30. The expression of the heat-shock protein 70 ( hsp70), superoxide dismutase ( sod), cox, and peroxiredoxin-6 ( prx6) genes revealed that oxidative stress and the consequent development of antioxidative protection were limited during the PL stage, reinforced at settlement, and very high at S30, certainly owing to the higher growth rate observed at this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine acute hormonal responses after different sequences of an upper-body resistance-exercise session. Twenty men completed 2 sessions (3 sets; 70% 1-repetition maximum; 2 min passive rest between sets) of the same exercises in opposite sequences (larger to smaller vs. smaller to larger muscle-group exercises). Total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), testosterone/cortisol (T/C) ratio, sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), growth hormone (GH), and cortisol (C) concentrations were measured before and immediately after each sequence. The results indicate that the GH concentration increased after both sessions, but the increase was significantly greater ( p < 0.05) after the sequence in which larger muscle-group exercises were performed prior to the smaller muscle-group exercises. No differences were observed between sessions for TT, FT, SHBG, C, or the T/C ratio at baseline or immediately after resistance exercise. These results indicate that performing larger muscle-group exercises first in an upper-body resistance-exercise session leads to a significantly greater GH response. This may have been due to the significantly greater exercise volume accomplished. In summary, the findings of this investigation support the common prescriptive recommendation to perform larger-muscle group exercises first during a resistance-exercise session. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High-dose chemotherapy with stem cells support has largely improved in terms of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells harvest procedures as well as in those, which target or manipulate the cellular composition of autologous graft. Optimal preparative regimens and supportive care had lead to better use of autologous transplantation procedure. For other patients assigned to hematopoietic transplantation, availability of allogeneic donors appears to be an interesting alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells. Since three decades, hematopoietic growth factors development has allowed mobilization optimization and collection of peripheral hematopoietic stem cells leading to reduced days of hospitalization and less blood products requirements, being more cost-effective for patients in autologous transplantation settings and for stem cell collection facilities in allogeneic ones. New perspectives include, besides ex vivo manipulation of graft, development of mobilizing drugs in order to perform transplantation even in poor mobilizers patients. An important goal is achieved with the description of genetic polymorphisms related to optimal mobilization of stem cells. New approach using more promising and selective agents called chemokines, such as plerixafor the main leader among these agents are now available and appear complementary for alternative approach using cytokines alone (G-CSF, GM-CSF, SCF). The aim of this review is to assess the evolution of theses biotechnologies and their role in different steps of autologous transplantation and allogeneic stem cells collection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

l-arginine (2-amino-5-guanidinovaleric acid) is a conditionally essential amino acid. Intravenous (IV) administration of l-arginine invokes a large metabolic (nitrate/nitrite (NOx)) and hormonal (growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and insulin) response; however, research examining oral l-arginine supplementation is conflicting, potentially owing to dose. The purpose of this study was examine a low and high dose of oral l-arginine on blood l-arginine, NOx, GH, IGF-1, and insulin response. Fourteen physically active males (age: 25 ± 5 years; weight: 78.0 ± 8.5 kg; height: 179.4 ± 4.7 cm) volunteered to be in a randomized, double-blind, repeated-measures study. Following an overnight fast, an IV catheter was placed in a forearm vein and a resting blood sample was drawn at ∼0800 hours. Each subject was then provided 1 of 3 treatment conditions (placebo, low (0.075 g·kg-1 of body mass), or high (0.15 g·kg-1 of body mass of l-arginine)). Blood samples were drawn at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min after consumption. l-arginine plasma concentrations significantly increased ( p < 0.001) to a similar level at any time point in both the low- and high-dose conditions; there was no change over time in the placebo condition. There was no significant difference between conditions for NOx, GH, IGF-1, or insulin. Based on these findings, a low dose of l-arginine was just as effective at increasing plasma l-arginine concentrations as a high dose; however, neither dose was able to promote a significant increase in NOx, GH, IGF-1, or insulin at rest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise has the potential to impact disease by altering circulating anabolic and catabolic factors. It was the goal of this study to determine how different regimens of low-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise affected circulating levels of these anabolic and catabolic factors in HIV-infected men. Exercise-naive, HIV-infected men, medically cleared for study participation, were randomized into one of the following groups: a moderate-intensity group (MOD, who completed 30 min of moderate-intensity aerobic training followed by 30 min of moderate-intensity resistance training; a low-intensity group (LOW), who completed 60 min of treadmill walking; or a control group (CON), who attended the clinic but participated in no activity. Blood and saliva samples were collected at selected time points before, during, and after each of the 3 required sessions. Compared with baseline, the MOD group (n = 14) had a 135% increase in growth hormone (GH) (p < 0.05) and a 34% decrease in cortisol (CORT) (p < 0.05) at the post time point, a 31% increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p < 0.05) at 30-min post exercise, and a 23% increase in IL-6 (p < 0.05) and a 13% decrease in soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFrII) (p < 0.05) at 60-min post exercise. The LOW (n = 11) group had a 3.5% decrease in sTNFrII (<0.05) at 30-min post exercise compared with baseline and a 49% decrease (p < 0.05) in GH at 60-min post exercise. The CON group (n = 13) had a decrease in GH at 30-min (62%, p < 0.05) and 60-min (61%, p < 0.05) post exercise compared with baseline. The increase in GH from baseline to post was greater in the MOD group (p < 0.05) and the decrease in CORT from pre to post was greater in the MOD group (p < 0.05) than in the other groups. These data suggest that individual sessions of both low-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise can alter circulating anabolic and catabolic factors in HIV-infected men. The changes in the MOD group present potential mechanisms for the increases in lean tissue mass seen with resistance exercise training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Psychosocial dwarfism is a rare condition, but can still be observed. We report the case of a 5-year-old girl seen in our clinic for severe growth retardation that had been evolving for several years. A growth arrest was observed beginning at the age of 3.5years. Initial clinical examination and biological investigations were negative. As the child was hospitalized, serious disturbances in mother-child relations were observed. A significant modification of the child''s behavior was observed when the mother was absent. Following questioning, the mother admitted social problems; the pregnancy had not been desired and this contributed to a lack of attachment between the mother and the child. Psychosocial dwarfism seems to originate from serious disturbances in the mother-child relationship. It seems to be caused by a partial growth hormone deficiency and a frequent context of malnutrition due to food behavior disorders. Family problems need to be taken into account and intensive medical and psychological follow-up is required. Prognosis is good if an early diagnosis is made and followed with a close and prolonged follow-up. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to differentiate the effects of hyperthermia and physical activity on circulating growth hormone (GH) secretion. Nine healthy volunteer adults performed two 40 min exercise trials and two 50 min passive standing trials. The exercise was performed in either thermo-neutral (N-Ex: air temperature 18 °C, air humidity 40%, and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) 17.7 °C) or hot environmental conditions (H-Ex: air temperature 33 °C, air humidity 30%, and WBGT 34.6 °C). The passive exposure trials were also performed in either a comfortable (N-P: air temperature 18 °C, air humidity 40%, and WBGT 17.7 °C) or a hot climatic chamber (H-P: air temperature 40 °C, air humidity 100%, and WBGT 97.1 °C). Plasma GH, plasma volume (PV), tympanic temperature (Tty), and body mass loss (BML) were measured before and after each trial. The decrease in PV was significantly higher during H-Ex and H-P sessions than during N-Ex and N-P sessions. Comparisons showed significantly lower BML in the N-Ex session (1.5% ± 0.3%) than in the H-Ex and H-P sessions (2.1% ± 0.3% and 1.9% ± 0.2%, respectively) (p < 0.001). The rise in Tty was significantly higher during the H-P session (2.9 ± 0.4 °C) (p < 0.001) when compared with the other sessions. Plasma GH concentration increased significantly during all the trials, particularly during the H-Ex session (45 ± 7 ng·mL-1) (p < 0.01). Both exercise and heat exposure, separately, are sufficient to increase significantly the plasma GH concentration, and their combined effect induced a highly synergistic rise in GH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé: Introduction: L''axe hypothalamopituitaire IGF-1 et les taux de ghréline pourraient être modifiés dans la fibromyalgie suite à l''augmentation de somatostatine. L''objectif de cette étude est de comparer l''axe hypothalamopituitaire IGF-1, les concentrations de ghréline et leurs relations chez des femmes préménopausées atteintes de fibromyalgie ou saines. Méthodes: Soixante-quinze femmes (47 fibromyalgiques et 28 femmes saines) ont été incluses dans l''étude. La glycémie, l''hormone de croissance (GH), l''insuline, le peptide-C, l''IGF-1, la protéine de liaison-3 de l''IGF-1 (IGFBP-3) et les taux de ghréline ont été mesurés. Les symptômes dépressifs étaient évalués par le Beck Depression Inventory. L''intensité de la douleur et les troubles du sommeil étaient évalués sur une échelle visuelle analogique. L''activité diurne était évaluée par un questionnaire d''impact de la fibromyalgie. Résultats: Il n''y avait pas de différence significative dans les taux de GH, d''IGF-1, d''IGFBP-3, de glucose, d''insuline et de peptide-C entre les patientes fibromyalgiques et les témoins, alors que les taux de ghréline étaient significativement abaissés chez les patients en comparaison des témoins (p <0,05). Les taux de ghréline n''étaient pas corrélés aux taux de GH, d''IGF-1, d''IGFBP-3, de glucose, d''insuline et de peptide C. Ils étaient en revanche, positivement corrélés avec l''index douleur tender point score la sensibilité et les troubles du sommeil, et négativement corrélés avec les scores d''intensité de la douleur. Conclusion: Nos résultats suggèrent que les faibles taux de ghréline au cours de la fibromyalgie ne sont pas liés aux modifications de l''axe hypothalamopituitaire–IGF-1, mais qu''il existe une relation avec certains symptômes de la fibromyalgie. D''autres études sont nécessaires pour éclairer nos résultats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plant sterols combined with exercise beneficially alter lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic adults. The effect of this combination therapy on other indicators of coronary heart disease risk, however, has yet to be determined. The objective of this trial was to investigate the effect of plant sterols and exercise, alone and in combination, on levels of apolipoprotein (apo) A1 and B, adiponectin, ghrelin, and growth hormone in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic adults. In an 8 week, parallel-arm trial, 84 subjects were randomized to 1 of 4 groups: combination, exercise, plant sterols, or control. Body mass decreased by 1.1% (p < 0.01) and 0.9% (p < 0.05) in the combination and exercise group, respectively. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased (p < 0.01) by 0.30 mmol/L in the combination group and by 0.49 mmol/L in the plant sterol group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased by 7.5% and 9.5% (p < 0.01) in the combination and exercise groups, respectively. Plant sterols increased (p < 0.05) adiponectin levels by 16%. No change in apoA1, apoB, ghrelin, or growth hormone levels were noted in any intervention group. ApoA1 was correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.33, p = 0.01), whereas apoB was weakly related to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (r = 0.13, p = 0.002). Adiponectin was associated with body mass index (r = –0.10, p = 0.006) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.17, p = 0.0003). These findings suggest that plant sterols can increase adiponectin levels, thereby possibly reducing the risk of future coronary heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth hormone (GH) gene of teleost fish exhibits a higher degree of variability compared with other vertebrate groups. However, the different selective constraints at the sequence level are not well understood. In this study, maximum-likelihood (ML) models of codon substitutions were used to investigate Darwinian adaptive evolution of the GH gene in teleost fishes. Complete GH gene sequences of 54 fish species were classified into 4 orders, and the variable nature of GH was examined by determining the dN and dS rate variation and the rates of molecular evolution for each teleost order. The results indicate that although the overall evolution rate for teleost GH is high ((1.15 ± 0.01) × 10–9 substitutions/(aa site·y)) compared with the "slow phases" in mammals ((0.21 to 0.28 ± 0.05) × 10–9), the vital structure of this gene has been retained. While the majority of the amino acid changes appear to be due to relaxation of purifying selection, some positively selected sites were detected in regions with no specifically identified role in protein function. The positively selected regions observed in salmoniformes lineage suggests a possible role for positive selection driving functional divergence in paralogous forms of the GH gene after whole-genome duplication in this lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim. – This paper presents a review of the biological mechanisms of action of Growth Hormone and it’s associated effects on physical performance. Current. – Growth Hormone is used as a doping substance (to date hardly detectable) since the 80’s in response to the large progresses made in the detection of anabolic steroids. Growth Hormone has two main effects, both through direct and indirect pathways. Growth Hormone has definite but indirect action on growth through Insulin-Like Growth Hormone-I secretion and a direct action on lipolysis and insulin-resistance. Supplementation in Growth Hormone in order to increase physical performances (increases in muscle strength, muscle mass, endurance...) is efficient in Growth Hormone deficient adults but not in other amyotrophic patients with different pathologies. In the elderly and the endurance and/or strength-trained athlete, studies reported a lack of any positive effect on physical performance associated to multiple negative side effects. However, body composition is positively modified with an increase in lean body mass (extra cellular water + conjunctive tissue) and a decrease in fat mass. Conclusion. – Since no evidence support the beneficial effect of growth hormone on physical performances in healthy subjects, extrapolating the results of scientific studies on doping is hazardous as the environmental conditions surrounding the usage of growth hormone are different. The effect of growth hormone on the reduction of fat mass appears to be the main raison for its use as doping substance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The mechanisms whereby exogenous growth hormone modulates intestinal structure and function in fish were investigated. Goldfish (Carassius auratus) were fed commercial flake diet sprayed with recombinant carp growth hormone (cGH) daily for 1 month. Control animals received food sprayed with the vehicle. After 1 month of daily feedings, body mass and length were determined, and animals were sacrificed to study intestinal characteristics. Sections of foregut were removed after determination of total gut length for measurement of leucine uptake, histology, and epithelial ultrastructure. Oral administration of cGH for 1 month resulted in a 40% increase in body mass and an 8% increase in body length above controls. Gut length was 43% greater and the gut length to body length ratio was 32% greater as a result of the cGH treatment. Feeding with cGH also resulted in a significant increase in leucine uptake and increased gut mucosal thickness. Analysis of transmission electron micrographs revealed significant increases in the microvillous height and density and epithelial surface area. The findings indicate that growth hormone added to feed may increase growth in fish, in part by significantly increasing gut length, mucosal thickness, and epithelial brush border surface area, leading to enhanced epithelial absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A defining character of the piscine family Salmonidae is autotetraploidy resulting from a genome-doubling event some 25–100 million years ago. Initially, duplicated genes may have undergone concerted evolution and tetrasomic inheritance. Homeologous chromosomes eventually diverged and the resulting reduction in recombination and gene conversion between paralogous genes allowed the re-establishment of disomic inheritance. Among extant salmonine fishes (e.g. salmon, trout, char) the growth hormone (GH) gene is generally represented by two functional paralogs, GH1 and GH2. Sequence analyses of salmonid GH genes from species of subfamilies Coregoninae (whitefish, ciscos) and Salmoninae were used to examine the evolutionary history of the duplicated GH genes. Two divergent GH gene paralogs were also identified in Coregoninae, but they were not assignable to the GH1 and GH2 categories. The average sequence divergence between the coregonine GH genes was more than twofold lower than the corresponding divergence between the salmonine GH1 and GH2. Phylogenetic analysis of the coregonine GH paralogs did not resolve their relationship to the salmonine paralogs. These findings suggest that disomic inheritance of two GH genes was established by different mechanisms in these two subfamilies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of EMC-Pediatrie is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim. – We explored growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and IGF-BP3 (IGFs binding protein 3) responses during a submaximal exercise and its recovery in trained and sedentary young subjects.Subjects and methods. – The study investigates 18 year old sportsmen (N = 20) and sedentary boys of the same age as control group (N = 19). A 20 min exercise is performed on an ergocycle to reach by steps 90% of the theoretical maximal heart rate which is maintained during the last 7 min. Blood samples were drawn before the test, at the end of exercise and at 10th, 20th and 45th minutes in the recovery period.Results. – Basal GH levels are higher in sportsmen than in controls (4 ± 5 vs. 2 ± 1 mUI/ml; P < 0.05) and during recovery (P < 0.005). Basal IGF-1 level is lower in sportsmen than in controls (705 ± 232 vs. 357 ± 83 ng/ml; P < 0.0001), at all times during exercise. Basal IGF-BP3 levels are 4.5 ± 1.1 μg/ml in sportsmen and 4.4 ± 1.2 in controls. IGF-PB3 is not modified by exercise and does not depend on the training level. The W170 (power capacity at 170 pulses/min), and the maximal oxygen uptake differ between the two groups (P < 0.0001). Glycaemic variations during the test did not differ significantly between the two groups.Conclusion. – Response of GH to exercise is more significant in sportsmen than in sedentary men; IGF-1 and IGF-BP3 levels do not vary significantly during exercise. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Diabetes & Metabolism is the property of Masson Editeur and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of IBS, Immuno-analyse & Biologie Specialisee is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Obestatin is a 23-amino-acid peptide encoded by the same gene as ghrelin. Because there is a paucity of data concerning the effects of exercise on obestatin, this study investigated the effect of anaerobic exercise training-detraining on obestatin and growth hormone (GH) plasma levels. Ten young female volunteers participated. Blood was collected 24 h before, and 24 h, 48 h and 7 days after the training. The data indicate that anaerobic training caused a significant reduction in GH levels but had no effect on plasma obestatin concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]