Outcome and predictors of failure of highly active antiretroviral therapy: one-year follow-up of a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected persons. (49/26303)

The outcome and predictors of virologic treatment failure of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were determined for 271 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected protease inhibitor-naive persons. During a follow-up of 48 weeks after the initiation of HAART, 6.3% of patients experienced at least one new AIDS-defining event, and 3.0% died. Virologic treatment failure occurred in 40% (indinavir, 27%; ritonavir, 30%; saquinavir, 59%; ritonavir plus saquinavir, 32%; chi2, P=.001). Risk factors for treatment failure were baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA (odds ratio [OR], 1.70 per log10 copies increase in plasma HIV-1 RNA), baseline CD4 cell count (OR, 1. 35 per 100 CD4 cells/mm3 decrease), and use of saquinavir versus other protease inhibitors (OR, 3.21). During the first year of treatment, 53% of all patients changed (part of) their original HAART regimen at least once. This was significantly more frequent for regimens containing saquinavir (62%; 27% for virologic failure) or ritonavir (64%; 55% for intolerance) as single protease inhibitor.  (+info)

Effect of retinoids on AOM-induced colon cancer in rats: modulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis and aberrant crypt foci. (50/26303)

We have previously reported that the retinoids, 4-(hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR) and 9-cis-retinoic acid (RA) prevented azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon tumors and along with 2-(carboxyphenyl)retinamide (2-CPR) prevented aberrant crypt foci (ACF). In this study, we evaluated the effect of 2-CPR on AOM-induced colon tumors and the effect of the three retinoids on apoptosis and cell proliferation. Male F344 rats were administrated 15 mg/kg AOM at weeks 7 and 8 of age. 2-CPR (315 mg/kg) was administered in the diet starting either 1 week before or at week 12 after the first dose of AOM. The rats continued to receive the 2-CPR until killed at week 46. Unlike the demonstrated prevention of colon cancer by the other two retinoids, both dosing schedules of 2-CPR resulted in an approximate doubling of the yield of colon tumors. In adenomas, 2-CPR, 4-HPR and 9-cis-RA were equally effective in reducing mitotic activity, while only 4-HPR and 9-cis-RA but not 2-CPR enhanced apoptosis. When administered for only the 6 days prior to killing 4-HPR but not 2-CPR decreased the Mitotic Index and increased the Apoptotic Index in adenomas. In non-involved crypts, chronic exposure to 4-HPR and 9-cis-RA in contrast to 2-CPR reduced the Mitotic Index and enhanced the Apoptotic Index. In concurrence with our previous study, both 2-CPR and 4-HPR were very potent in preventing ACF when administered in the diet starting 1 week before the first dose of AOM and continuing for the 5 weeks of the study. Hence, unlike the other two retinoids, 2-CPR, although very potent in preventing ACF, enhanced rather than prevented AOM-induced colon cancer. Furthermore, our results suggest that the effect of 2-CPR on tumor yield is different from 4-HPR and 9-cis-RA because, unlike them, it does not enhance apoptosis.  (+info)

GH-binding protein in obese men with varying glucose tolerance: relationship to body fat distribution, insulin secretion and the GH-IGF-I axis. (51/26303)

Bioelectrical impedance for measurement of total body fat and computed tomography for visceral and subcutaneous fat at umbilicus levels were performed in 34 obese and 10 lean men. Insulin secretion in response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and a GH stimulation test by L-dopa, growth hormone-binding protein (GHBP) and IGF-I were measured. Obese subjects were divided into three groups according to the OGTT. The obese type II diabetes mellitus group had the highest GHBP levels and the most visceral fat. GHBP levels were most strongly correlated with the ratio of visceral fat area to body weight (VWR) above any other parameters (r = 0.725, P<0.001). The insulin and free fatty acid (FFA) areas under curves (AUC) during the OGTT, and the IGF-I level, were also positively correlated with GHBP levels (r = 0.474, P<0.005; r = 0.572, P<0.005; r = 0.453. P<0.005). GH-AUC to the L-dopa stimulation test was negatively correlated with GHBP levels (r = -0.432. P<0.005). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that VWR, FFA-AUC and insulin-AUC significantly contributed to the variability of GHBP (r2 = 0.58). In conclusion, we demonstrated that: (i) visceral fat amount mainly determined GHBP levels in obese men with varying glucose tolerance: (ii) hyperglycemia per se did not influence the GHBP level, whereas insulin and FFA could play a role in regulation of GHBP: and (iii) although GH was not the main regulator of GHBP, the unchanged IGF-I level despite GH hyposecretion suggests that increased GHBP levels reflect GH hypersensitivity in order to compensate for decreased GH secretion in obesity.  (+info)

The diameter of the common femoral artery in healthy human: influence of sex, age, and body size. (52/26303)

PURPOSE: To determine the relevance of dilatations of the common femoral artery (CFA), knowledge of the normal CFA diameter is essential. The diameter of the CFA in healthy male and female subjects of different ages was investigated. METHODS: The diameter of the CFA was measured in 122 healthy volunteers (59 male, 63 female; 8 to 81 years of age) with echo-tracking B-mode ultrasound scan. The influence of age, sex, height, weight, body surface area (BSA), and systolic blood pressure was analyzed by means of a multiple regression model. RESULTS: The CFA increased steadily in diameter throughout life. From 25 years onwards, the diameter was larger in men than in women. Significant correlations were found between the CFA diameter and weight (r = 0.58 and r = 0.57 in male and female subjects, respectively; P <.0001), height (r = 0.49 and r = 0.54 in male and female subjects, respectively; P <.0001), and BSA (r = 0.60 and r = 0.62 in male and female subjects, respectively; P <.0001). Age and BSA were used to create a model for prediction of the CFA diameter (r = 0.71 and r = 0.77 in male and female subjects, respectively; P <.0001). CONCLUSION: The diameter of the CFA increases with age, initially during growth but also in adults. This is related to age, body size, and sex male subjects have larger arteries than female subjects. It is now possible to predict the normal CFA diameter, and nomograms that may be used in the study of aneurysmal disease are presented.  (+info)

Development of diving capacity in emperor penguins. (53/26303)

To compare the diving capacities of juvenile and adult emperor penguins Aptenodytes forsteri, and to determine the physiological variables underlying the diving ability of juveniles, we monitored diving activity in juvenile penguins fitted with satellite-linked time/depth recorders and examined developmental changes in body mass (Mb), hemoglobin concentration, myoglobin (Mb) content and muscle citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase activities. Diving depth, diving duration and time-at-depth histograms were obtained from two fledged juveniles during the first 2.5 months after their depature from the Cape Washingon colony in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. During this period, values of all three diving variables increased progressively. After 8-10 weeks at sea, 24-41 % of transmitted maximum diving depths were between 80 and 200 m. Although most dives lasted less than 2 min during the 2 month period, 8-25 % of transmitted dives in the last 2 weeks lasted 2-4 min. These values are lower than those previously recorded in adults during foraging trips. Of the physiological variables examined during chick and juvenile development, only Mb and Mb content did not approach adult values. In both near-fledge chicks and juveniles, Mb was 50-60 % of adult values and Mb content was 24-31 % of adult values. This suggests that the increase in diving capacity of juveniles at sea will be most dependent on changes in these factors.  (+info)

Effect of leptin deficiency on metabolic rate in ob/ob mice. (54/26303)

Reduced metabolic rate may contribute to weight gain in leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice; however, available studies have been criticized for referencing O2 consumption (VO2) to estimated rather than true lean body mass. To evaluate whether leptin deficiency reduces energy expenditure, four separate experiments were performed: 1) NMR spectroscopy was used to measure fat and nonfat mass, permitting VO2 to be referenced to true nonfat mass; 2) dietary manipulation was used in an attempt to eliminate differences in body weight and composition between ob/ob and C57BL/6J mice; 3) short-term effects of exogenous leptin (0.3 mg. kg-1. day-1) on VO2 were examined; and 4) body weight and composition were compared in leptin-repleted and pair-fed ob/ob animals. ob/ob animals had greater mass, less lean body mass, and a 10% higher metabolic rate when VO2 was referenced to lean mass. Dietary manipulation achieved identical body weight in ob/ob and C57BL/6J animals; however, despite weight gain in C57BL/6J animals, percent fat mass remained higher in ob/ob animals (55 vs. 30%). Exogenous leptin increased VO2 in ob/ob but not control animals. Weight loss in leptin-repleted ob/ob mice was greater than in pair-fed animals (45 vs. 17%). We conclude, on the basis of the observed increase in VO2 and accelerated weight loss seen with leptin repletion, that leptin deficiency causes a reduction in metabolic rate in ob/ob mice. In contrast, these physiological studies suggest that comparison of VO2 in obese and lean animals does not produce useful information on the contribution of leptin to metabolism.  (+info)

Endotoxin-induced changes in IGF-I differ in rats provided enteral vs. parenteral nutrition. (55/26303)

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether acute changes in the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system induced by mild surgical trauma/fasting or endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] are differentially modulated by total enteral nutrition (TEN) or total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Rats had vascular catheters and a gastrostomy tube surgically placed and were fasted overnight. The next morning animals randomly received an isocaloric, isonitrogenous (250 kcal. kg-1. day-1, 1.6 g N. kg-1. day-1) infusion of either TEN or TPN for 48 h. Then rats were injected intravenously with Escherichia coli LPS (1 mg/kg) while nutritional support was continued. Time-matched control animals were injected with saline. After mild surgical trauma and an 18-h fast, TEN was more effective at increasing plasma IGF-I levels than TPN. Subsequent injection of LPS decreased IGF-I in blood, liver, and muscle in both TEN- and TPN-fed rats compared with saline-injected control animals. However, this decrease was approximately 30% greater in rats fed TPN compared with those fed TEN. LPS-induced downregulation of IGF-I mRNA expression in liver and muscle was also more prominent in TPN-fed rats. The LPS-induced increase in plasma corticosterone and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was greater (2- and 1.6-fold, respectively) in TPN-fed rats, and these changes were consistent with the greater reduction in IGF-I seen in these animals. In similarly treated rats allowed to survive for 24 h after LPS injection, the LPS-induced increase in the urinary 3-methylhistidine-to-creatinine ratio was smaller in TEN-fed rats. In summary, LPS reduced systemic levels of IGF-I as well as IGF-I protein and mRNA in critical target organs. Enteral feeding greatly attenuated this response. Maintenance of higher IGF-I levels in TEN-fed rats was associated with a reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels and lower rates of myofibrillar degradation.  (+info)

Insulin resistance of muscle glucose transport in male and female rats fed a high-sucrose diet. (56/26303)

It has been reported that, unlike high-fat diets, high-sucrose diets cause insulin resistance in the absence of an increase in visceral fat and that the insulin resistance develops only in male rats. This study was done to 1) determine if isolated muscles of rats fed a high-sucrose diet are resistant to stimulation of glucose transport when studied in vitro and 2) obtain information regarding how the effects of high-sucrose and high-fat diets on muscle insulin resistance differ. We found that, compared with rat chow, semipurified high-sucrose and high-starch diets both caused increased visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance of skeletal muscle glucose transport. Insulin responsiveness of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) transport measured in epitrochlearis and soleus muscles in vitro was decreased approximately 40% (P < 0.01) in both male and female rats fed a high-sucrose compared with a chow diet. The high-sucrose diet also caused resistance of muscle glucose transport to stimulation by contractions. There was a highly significant negative correlation between stimulated muscle 2-DG transport and visceral fat mass. In view of these results, the differences in insulin action in vivo observed by others in rats fed isocaloric high-sucrose and high-starch diets must be due to additional, specific effects of sucrose that do not carry over in muscles studied in vitro. We conclude that, compared with rat chow, semipurified high-sucrose and high-cornstarch diets, like high-fat diets, cause increased visceral fat accumulation and severe resistance of skeletal muscle glucose transport to stimulation by insulin and contractions.  (+info)