These findings confirm that changes of plasma leptin concentration occur in PD patients with loss of weight.

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Background Sex steroid hormones influence function of the human gastrointestinal tract. Although the specific receptor proteins have been identified in surgical specimens of both intestinal mucosa and colorectal carcinomas, it is still unknown whether they are expressed in intestinal epithelial cells. Methods Expression of androgen receptor (AR) protein and estrogen receptor (ER) protein was studied by Scatchard analysis and ELISA (for ER only) in surgical specimens of normal‐appearing mucosa, colorectal carcinomas, isolated colonocytes, and human colorectal carcinoma cell lines. Northern analysis was applied to identify the appropriate mRNAs, followed by the sensitive technique of reverse transcription‐polymerase‐chain‐reaction (RT‐PCR). Results AR protein was identified in all surgical specimens analyzed and ER protein in 10 out of 13 normal‐appearing mucosa specimens and 4 out of 7 colorectal carcinomas. The receptor proteins were not found in isolated colonocytes or in the transformed cell lines. RT‐PCR confirmed that none of the isolated normal colonocytes or transformed colorectal carcinoma‐derived cells expressed these mRNAs. Intestinal smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts were found to express sex steroid receptor mRNAs. Conclusions Both receptors are present in human large intestine but are expressed in stromal cells and not in intestinal epithelial cells. We hypothesize that sex steroids may influence the function of colonocytes indirectly through stromal‐epithelial interactions. J. Surg. Oncol. 64:3–11 © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Diurnal variations in the plasma cortisol level were studied in anoestrous, pro-oestrous and pregnant ewes subjected to weak electric stimulation of the forelimbs 9 h daily for 3 consecutive days. In non-pregnant ewes the cortisol level rose on each of the 3 days when the stimulation was applied and then decreased on the day following the stimulation. A similar decrease in plasma cortisol concentrations in pregnant ewes appeared on the second day of footshocking. The acrophase of the circadian rhythm on electrostimulation days was synchronous with the time of application of footshocks; therefore, in stimulated ewes it was significantly accelerated compared to the prestimulatory day. A decrease in the plasma cortisol level in pro-oestrous and pregnant ewes was accompanied by disappearance of its normal rhythmicity. Since a normal plasma cortisol response to exogenous corticotrophin was noted after 3 days of foot\x=req-\ shocking it seems unlikely that the decrease in the cortisol level after prolonged stress was caused by exhaustion of the adrenal cortex. Some central mechanisms which could account for the biphasic changes in the plasma cortisol level and for disturbances of the hormone diurnal rhythmicity under conditions of prolonged stress are discussed.Although considerable attention has been given to the effect of acute stress on the secretion of hvpophvsial and adrenal hormones, the influence of prolonged or chronic stress has been studied much less extensively, and contradictory results are re¬ ported in the literature. Dallman & Jones (1973) described, in immobilized male rats, a biphasic Requests for reprints to Dr. E. Domanski. variation of the plasma corticosterone level consist¬ ing of a rise during the first hour of restraint and a decrease after 4 h. On the other hand, Mikulaj et al. (1974) andTaché et al. (1976) showed that longterm stressing procedures increased adrenocortical activity in rats when applied for several days. In particular. Taché et al. (1976) found a progressive elevation of the plasma corticosterone level in male rats which were immobilized 8 h daily for 6 days.In previous studies we found that prolonged footshock disturbed oestrous cycles when admini¬ stered during 24 h to female rats (Chomicka et al., unpublished data) or during 9 h dailv up to 4 days in sheep (Przekop et al. 1984). The effect of stress on reproductive function was found to depend on the oestrous phase of its administration. These results prompted us to compare the effect of prolonged footshock on plasma cortisol levels, the classical index of responsiveness to stress, in anoestrous, pro-oestrous and pregnant ewes. Materials and Methods AnimahTwenty-six Polish Merino ewes 2.5-3.5 years old were used in this study. Thev were kept singly in 2 x 2 m compartments under natural light conditions, fed hay and concentrates and water ad libitum. In winter ambient temperature was maintained at 14 ± 2°C. Each animal bore an indwelling catheter in the jugular vein for drawing blood samples