Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0014848 (achalasia)
 2,804 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Long-lasting problem on the differentiation of adenohypophyseal cell, which prepares them for their specific tasks (somatotropic, lactotropic ect.), becomes elucidated after recognition of the differentiational effect of transcription factor Pit-1. Expression of that factor in somatotrops results in STH secretion, contrary to lactotrops producing prolactin. Subclinical hypothyreosis (increased TSH with normal T3 and T4) endangers vessel not because of hypercholesterolemia, but because of changes in the dynamics of the blood flow. The idea of cardiotropic effect of thyroidal hormones is supported by the finding that administration of trijodthyronine to children after the surgical correction of heart malformations (cardiopulmonary bypass) improves myocardial function--it elevates cardiac output and decreases requirements on the intensive care. Receptors for hormones in tissues are flexible, they can be "heterooligomers" for dopamine and somatostatin. Mutations of mineralocorticoid receptor may cause hypertension in pregnancy and progesterone receptors have several isoforms. Receptors can be also activated by short exposition to a hormone. Glucocorticoids have probably also membrane receptors. Diabetes mellitus "type I" needn't to be immunogenic and DM type II not only results from down-regulation of receptors and subsequent insulin resistance, but it can be also caused by defects in insulin secretion. Insulin has receptors in the brain and participates in the appetite regulation. The attempt to use "desensibilisation" by peroraly administered insulin in patients with immunogenic DM had no effect. Stress affects memory mechanisms, heavy emotional stress during gravidity can bring congenital malformations. The decrease of mental functions in aged women depends on the level of free estradiol (the fraction, which is not bound to plasma proteins). Activation of dopaminergic neurons can be achieved by neurotropic growth factors. Nesiritide is a recombinant brain natriuretic hormone successfully tested in heart failure. The role of leptin in the appetite regulation in man is still not clear, other signalling molecules may have also an effect, e.g., ghrelin, which primarily stimulates STH secretion and brings about weight gain. Sildenafil influences nitrergic neurons elsewhere than in penis, for example it has positive effects in patients with oesophageal achalasia.
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PMID:[Endocrinology 1999-2000]. 1128 21

The propagation of oesophageal peristaltic contractions and lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) relaxation depends on neural release of nitric oxide (NO) which acts to increase intracellular cGMP. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor that increases cGMP, reduces basal LOS pressure in patients with achalasia. We investigated the effect of sildenafil on the propagation of oesophageal contractions and LOS relaxation in the cat. Oesophageal manometry was performed in five cats under light sedation. Peristaltic contractions were monitored at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 cm proximal to the LOS, at the LOS using a Dent sleeve, and at 3 cm distal to the upper oesophageal sphincter. Swallow-induced oesophageal contractions and LOS relaxation were recorded during 30 min before and 30 min after intravenous administration of sildenafil. Sildenafil reduced the amplitude of oesophageal contractions only in the smooth muscle oesophagus. The latency from swallow to distal oesophageal contractions was significantly delayed. LOS pressure was significantly reduced but the relaxation nadir was not modified by sildenafil. Sildenafil has profound effects on oesophageal motility: it modifies propagation and amplitude of oesophageal contractions and reduces LOS pressure. Slowing down the propagation of contractions in the transitional zone between the striated and smooth muscle can be a useful tool in patients with segmental aperistalsis or intermittent simultaneous contractions, while the effect on the LOS can benefit patients with achalasia.
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PMID:Effect of sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, on oesophageal peristalsis and lower oesophageal sphincter function in cats. 1157 91

Distal esophageal spasm (DES) is an uncommon esophageal motility disorder associated with dysphagia and/or chest pain. Its pathophysiology implies an impairment of esophageal inhibitory neural function. Using conventional manometry, DES was defined by the presence of simultaneous esophageal contractions. With the introduction of high-resolution manometry and esophageal pressure topography (EPT) in clinical practice, rapidly propagated contractions are nonspecific of esophageal spasm. Hence, a more physiological and clinically relevant definition was proposed. Distal latency (DL) measures the period of inhibition that precedes contraction in the distal esophagus immediately proximal to the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Premature contractions, defined as reduced DL, appeared to be much more specific for DES in EPT. Premature contractions with normal EGJ relaxation constitute DES, while premature contractions with impaired EGJ relaxation are diagnostic of spastic achalasia. Because of the interaction between DES and gastroesophageal reflux disease, 24-h esophageal pH monitoring should also be considered in patient evaluation. Medical treatment of DES aims to compensate for the deficient inhibitory neural function. Sildenafil, which blocks nitric oxide degradation and thus prolongs esophageal muscle relaxation, is a promising treatment. Endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin in the esophageal muscle is also an interesting therapeutic option. Finally, extended surgical myotomy might be discussed in extreme cases after failure of other therapeutic options.
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PMID:Distal esophageal spasm. 2221 81