In many centres, a test dose (TD) of octreotide is administered before commencing somatostatin analogue therapy (SAT), although the merits of this procedure are uncertain. We have analysed the value of the GH response to a TD in predicting the efficacy of subsequent SAT in 47 patients with acromegaly (25 male, median age 51 years, range 20-82). The primary goal of SAT was a mean GH of , 5 mU/l. Median baseline GH was 19.3 mU/l (2.2-233 mU/l) and with the TD fell by 78% (35 -98%) to a nadir of 4.2 mU/l (, 0.3-85 mU/l). Optimal predictive power was observed when GH fell to , 5 mU/l after the TD. With this criterion, the TD had a positive predictive value (PPV) of achieving the primary goal on SAT of 82% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 50%. However, baseline GH was also highly predictive of the likelihood of successful SAT (GH , 5 mU/l). The GH response to the TD had PPV of 83% and NPV of 61% of normalising IGF-I on SAT. In summary, baseline GH and nadir after a TD are highly predictive of a good response to SAT; however, a poor response to a TD does not exclude an optimal response to SAT. Furthermore, failure to achieve biochemical control does not equate to no benefit, as biochemical improvement was seen in every patient; therefore, no patient should be deprived of octreotide therapy because of the result of a TD. In conclusion, our data indicate that the octreotide TD has no place in selecting patients for SAT.European Journal of Endocrinology 154 267-274

GH deficiency (GHD) in adults is associated with abnormalities in body composition, metabolic derangements, sub-optimal physical performance, high incidence of adverse cardiovascular risk factors and poor quality of life. GHD adults are insulin resistant and have reduced hepatic glycogen stores, reduced insulin stimulated glucose utilization and reduced glycogen synthesis in muscle. GH replacement results in either no change or slight reduction in insulin sensitivity. Hence, it is important to monitor for the development of glucose intolerance in patients on long-term GH replacement. GHD is associated with a lipid profile known to predispose to premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, i.e. increased total and LDL cholesterol, decreased HDL cholesterol, increased small dense LDL particles and increased triglycerides. LDL-cholesterol abnormalities appear to improve with GH replacement even if maintained within physiological dose range; the greatest improvement occurs in those subjects with higher baseline total and LDL cholesterol values and in female patients with adult onset GHD compared with male patients with childhood onset GHD. In contrast, hypertriglyceridaemia is not corrected by GH replacement. The majority of the reports suggest GH replacement increases Lipoprotein-a levels. Long-term observation will be required to determine whether GH replacement reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in GHD adults. The reduced muscle mass and strength associated with GHD has been shown to improve after GH replacement. GH treatment also improves maximal and sub-maximal exercise performance in GHD adults. The effects on protein metabolism, energy expenditure and thyroid metabolism in GHD adults are also critical.

Endocrine disrupters (EDCs) are naturally occurring or man-made substances that either mimic or obstruct the functions of oestrogens and androgens, thyroid hormones, as well as microminerals in the body. The present work aimed to evaluate the effects of oral administration of tartrazine and curcumin, synthetic and natural dyes, respectively, on thyroid hormones (T3, T4, and TSH), female reproductive hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, LH, and FSH), and minerals (iron, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, and chloride) in plasma, liver, and kidney of female rats after 15, 30, and 45 d of treatment. The rats were treated with admissible daily intake (ADI) and 10× ADI (9.6 and 96 mg/kg/body weight for tartrazine, 3.85 and 38.5 mg/kg/body weight for curcumin, respectively). Results showed significant changes in thyroid and female reproductive hormones, especially, in the tartrazine-treated groups as compared to the control. Low and high doses of tartrazine and curcumin significantly (p < 0.05) decreased iron, copper, and zinc concentrations in plasma, whereas, the concentrations of sodium and copper in liver and kidney increased. Both tartrazine and curcumin, at ADI and 10× ADI, resulted in lower LH levels after 30 and 45 d of treatment. After 30 d, low and high dose of tartrazine significantly decreased T4, oestrogen, and FSH levels; whereas, progesterone level increased. The results demonstrated that hormone secretion and mineral content in tissues are severely affected at ADI and higher concentrations of tartrazine and curcumin. These observations suggested that lower doses of these dyes might be a safer option for their usage in foods and pharmaceuticals.

Osteoporosis is increasingly being recognized by the medical fraternity as a significant health problem. This research was designed to study the incidence of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and its relation to body mass index, body muscles, body fat and mineral status (calcium and phosphorus). Thirty samples of post-menopausal women aging between 45-60 years were divided into 3 groups. Body weight and height seemed to be tested through the use of electronic weighing balance and Stadiometer. Body muscles and fat percentage were determined through Beurer GmBH BLACK Blr.64. Bone mineral density was calculated by bone densitometry. Serum concentration of calcium and phosphorus was determined by spectrophotometer. The data obtained was subjected to Analysis of Variance. Results showed the significant decrease in body muscle, bone mineral density and serum calcium with increasing age. It was concluded that body weight, body muscles, body fat, bone mineral density, serum calcium and phosphorus had significant association with age and osteoporosis. Body fat and serum phosphorus increases with age in post-menopausal women. Body mass index and height had non-significant association with age and osteoporosis.

Incorporation of the coloring agent, tartrazine and curcumin affects healthy physiological system leading to changes in hematology, biochemistry and enzymatic activity. Consequences of oral administration of tartrazine and curcumin were explored for 15, 30 and 45 days in female adult rat. Two doses were based on the admissible daily intake (ADI) of 9.6 and 96 (high) mg/kg/body weight for tartrazine, 3.85 and 38.5 mg/kg/body weight for curcumin. Phytochemicals such as saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannin, carbohydrates and phenolics were present in coloring agents. The renal function tests and lipid profile showed alterations in the values of uric acid, urea, total protein, albumin and cholesterol in all treatment groups. Additionally, the levels of liver enzymes fluctuated after 45 days of treatment with curcumin and tartrazine. Histopathological changes were also recorded in liver and kidney. In contrast, blood biochemistry depicted the significant reduction of RBCs, Hb, MCH, glucose, WBCs, MCHC and LDH at 15, 30 and 45 days. Besides, IgG, IgM and overall antibody GMT at 45 days were significantly increased. Study indicated that ADI and doses up to 10 times of the ADI of food colors intake exerted adverse effects on immune response and altered the biochemical parameters.