Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0030193 (pain)
 261,466 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Recently somatostatin (SST) intra-articular administration has been used in the treatment of some rheumatoid diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis with encouraging results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of SST intra-articularly injected, involving 20 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Treatment consisted of 4 injections, administered weekly, each of 750 mcg SST. Additionally, in six of them we evaluated the circulating levels of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 at the base-line time and then every 7 days (immediately before each dose of SST). The results revealed an improvement in pain and in joint function after intra-articular SST, confirmed by statistical analysis. The circulating levels of IGF-1 did not show significant variations following intra-articular administration of SST. The excellent tolerability and the absence of unwanted side-effects with SST allow us to foresee that intra-articular SST could be used in cases of painful knee osteoarthritis, especially in those patients in which other drugs are not appropriate. Moreover, in the absence of modifications of serum levels of IGF-1, SST could be used in athletes.
 ...
PMID:Intra-articular injection of somatostatin in knee osteoarthritis: clinical results and IGF-1 serum levels. 783 29

Epidemiologic studies continue to provide evidence that fibromyalgia is part of a spectrum of chronic widespread pain. The prevalence of chronic widespread pain is several times higher than fibromyalgia as defined by the 1990 American College of Rheumatology guidelines. There is now compelling evidence of a familial clustering of fibromyalgia cases in female sufferers; whether this clustering results from nature or nature remains to be elucidated. A wide spectrum of fibromyalgia-associated symptomatology and syndromes continues to be described. During the past year the association with interstitial cystitis has been explored, and neurally mediated hypotension has been documented in both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Abnormalities of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-1 axis have been also documented in both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The commonly reported but anecdotal association of fibromyalgia with whiplash-type neck trauma was validated in a report from Israel. However, unlike North America, 100% of Israeli patients with posttraumatic fibromyalgia returned to work. Basic research in fibromyalgia continues to pinpoint abnormal sensory processing as being integral to understanding fibromyalgia pain. Drugs such as ketamine, which block N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (which are often upregulated in central pain states) were shown to benefit fibromyalgia pain in an experimental setting. The combination of fluoxetine and amitriptyline was reported to be more beneficial than either drug alone in patients with fibromyalgia. A high prevalence of autoantibodies to cytoskeletal and nuclear envelope proteins was found in chronic fatigue syndrome, and an increased prevalence of antipolymer antibodies was found in symptomatic silicone breast implant recipients who often have fibromyalgia.
 ...
PMID:Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and myofascial pain. 956 2

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a painful syndrome of nonarticular origin, characterized by fatigue and widespread musculoskeletal pain, tiredness, and sleep disturbances, without any other objective findings on examination. Interestingly, some of the clinical features of FM resemble the ones described in the adult GH-deficiency syndrome. Furthermore, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels are frequently reduced in patients with FM. To gain further insight into the mechanisms leading to dysregulation of the GH-IGF-1 axis in these patients, we assessed 24-h spontaneous GH secretion, GH responses to GHRH, and IGF-1 and IGF binding protein (BP)-3 levels before and after 4 days treatment with human (h)GH. We found that, in comparison with controls, patients with FM exhibited a marked decrease in spontaneous GH secretion as assessed by mean GH secretion (2.5 +/- 0.4 microg/L in controls vs. 1.2 +/- 0.1 microg/L in FM, P < 0.05), pulse height (4.7 +/- 0.8 microg/L in controls vs. 2.5 +/- 0.3 microg/L in FM, P < 0.05), and pulse area (4.7 +/- 1 min/mg x L in controls vs. 2.3 +/- 0.3 min/mg x L in FM, P < 0.05). In contrast, GH responses to GHRH (100 microg, i.v.) were similar in controls (mean peak, 13.5 +/- 2.5 microg/L) and in patients with FM (12.2 +/- 3 microg/L). Finally, treatment with hGH (2 IU, s.c. daily), over 4 days, led to a clear-cut increase in plasma IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in patients with FM. In conclusion, our data show that patients with FM exhibited a marked decrease in spontaneous GH secretion, but normal pituitary responsiveness to exogenously administered GHRH, thus suggesting the existence of an alteration at the hypothalamic level in the neuroendocrine control of GH in these patients. Furthermore, our finding of increased IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels after GH treatment, over 4 days, opens up the possibility of testing the therapeutic potential of hGH in patients with FM.
 ...
PMID:The growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-GH-insulin-like growth factor-1 axis in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. 1048 13

Neuroendocrine deficiencies have been implicated in fibromyalgia (FM). In the present study, adrenal androgen metabolites and their relationship with health status in FM were investigated. For comparison, serum levels of other implicated neuroendocrine mediators were correlated with health status. Fifty-seven consecutive women with FM completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Fasting blood samples were taken for measurement of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), free testosterone (T), cortisol, serotonin and insulin-like growth factor-1. Normal value for DHEAS and T were obtained from 114 controls. DHEAS levels were decreased significantly in pre- and postmenopausal patients (P<0.0001 and P<0.0005, respectively). T levels were decreased significantly in premenopausal and insignificantly in postmenopausal patients (P<0.0001 and P=0.06, respectively). The following correlations between neurohormonal levels and FIQ scores were found: DHEAS (after adjustment for age) vs. pain (P<0.001) and T (after adjustment for age) versus physical functioning (P=0.002). None of the other neurohormonal levels correlated significantly with any of the FIQ scores. IGF-1 levels were lower in the obese patients as compared to those who were non-obese (P=0.03). The BMI correlated positively with pain (P<0. 001) and inversely with DHEAS levels (P=0.006). After further adjustment for BMI, the correlation between age adjusted DHEAS and pain was no longer significant. Hyposecretion of adrenal androgens was documented in FM. This was more pronounced in obese patients. Low serum androgen levels correlated with poor health status in FM. Longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate whether these are cause and/or effect relationships.
Pain 1999 Nov
PMID:Hyposecretion of adrenal androgens and the relation of serum adrenal steroids, serotonin and insulin-like growth factor-1 to clinical features in women with fibromyalgia. 1053 4

The prolongation of life expectancy and the drastic reduction of fertility rate are the primary cause of an aging world. It is projected that the elderly (above 65) will increase within the next 25 years by 82%, whereas the new born only by 3%. Despite the enormous medical progress during the past few decades, the last years of life are still accompanied by increasing ill health and disability. The ability to maintain active and independent living for as long as possible is a crucial factor for aging in health and dignity. Therefore, the promotion of healthy aging and the prevention of disability in men, must assume a central role in medical research and medical practice as well as in the formulation of national health and social policies. Effective programs promoting health and aging will ensure a more efficient use of health and social services and improve the quality of life in older persons by enabling them to remain independent and productive. The most important and drastic gender differences in aging are related to organs and or systems dependant or influenced by reproductive hormones. In distinction to the course of reproductive aging in women, with the rapid decline in sex hormones and expressed by the cessation of menses, aging men experience a slow and continuous decline of hormones. This decline in endocrine function involves: A decrease of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAQ), oestrogens, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and melatonin. This decrease is concomitant with an increase of LH and FSH. In addition sex hormone binding globulin's (SHBG) increase with age resulting in further lowering the concentrations of free biologically active androgens. Interventions such as hormone replacement therapy may prevent, delay or alleviate the debilitating conditions which may result from secondary partial endocrine deficiency. Primary and secondary preventive strategies such as the promotion of a safe environment, healthy lifestyle including proper nutrition, appropriate exercise, avoidance of smoking, avoidance of drug and alcohol abuses, if done effectively, should result in a significant reduction of the health and social costs, reduce pain and suffering, increase the quality of life of the elderly and enable them to remain productive and contribute to the well-being of society. In light of this, public awareness of medical knowledge needs to be increased and basic, clinical, socio-economic and epidemiological research intensified.
 ...
PMID:Aging men--challenges ahead. 1156 Nov 84

Nerve root irritation induced by factors produced by the intervertebral disc may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sciatic pain production. In this study we used immunohistochemistry to investigate the presence of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-6-receptor (IL-6R) and fibronectin in lumbar disc bioptic specimens from 30 patients with disc herniation (protrusion type). Chondrocytes of herniated discs stained positive for TGF-beta1, IGF-1, IL-6 and fibronectin. We demonstrated for the first time the presence of IL-6-R in the chondrocytes of herniated tissue. Specimens from autoptic healthy tissue were used as controls. In these sections no immunoreaction for TGF-beta1, IL-6, or IL-6R was found, while they expressed IGF-1 and fibronectin, but in lower quantities than herniated discs. These results demonstrated the production of factors such as TGF-beta1, IGF-1, IL-6, IL-6R and fibronectin at the site of lumbar disc herniation.
 ...
PMID:Cytokines and growth factors in the protruded intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine. 1195 21

Cancers of the breast, prostate, and lung commonly metastasize to the bone resulting in osteolysis, pathologic fracture, pain and significant clinical morbidity. To date, the reason for such selectivity in the site of metastasis remains largely unknown. The bone is a rich source of many chemokines and growth factors, including: insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I and II, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), interleukins, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). We propose that exposure of breast cancer cells to the bone microenvironment results in alterations in gene expression that favour the growth and proliferation of tumour cells in the bone. To investigate this hypothesis, MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells were exposed to bone-derived conditioned media (BDCM) generated by culturing fetal rat calvaria for 24 h under serum free conditions. Using cDNA microarray technology, we have identified the insulin-like growth factor family of binding proteins (IGFBPs) as genes whose expression profiles are consistently and significantly altered with exposure to this simulated bone environment in vitro, when compared to untreated controls. Our data suggests that the upregulation of IGFBP-3 seen with exposure to the bone microenvironment is directly linked to an increase in TGF-beta mediated cell proliferation. Furthermore, this process appears to be functioning through an IGF-independent mechanism.
 ...
PMID:Role of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) in breast cancer proliferation and metastasis. 1459 81

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between short-term dynamic exercise therapy and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Forty RA patients were assigned into dynamic or range of motion (ROM) exercise groups. Also control group carried out the same dynamic exercise protocol. Morning stiffness, pain (VAS), Health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) and Ritchie articular index (RAI) were evaluated and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels of the participants were recorded. The assessments were determined before, at the 7th and 15th days of treatment. VAS and RAI scores were significantly improved by the dynamic exercises in RA patients. There were increases on IGF-1 in dynamic exercise group, although IGF-1 levels showed a decrease in ROM exercise and control groups. Also no significant changes were observed on IGFBP-3 in three groups. Our results suggest that short-term dynamic exercise therapy increases serum IGF-1 in RA patients. The manipulation of serum IGF-1 levels by dynamic exercise therapy may indicate the beneficial effects of dynamic exercise in RA patients.
 ...
PMID:Association between dynamic exercise therapy and IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 1593 56

Relief of symptoms can be achieved following surgery for growth hormone (GH)-secreting adenomas, as well as after pharmacological therapy with somatostatin analogs. Recently, long-acting somatostatin analog depot formulations, octreotide LAR and lanreotide SR have become available. Somatostatin analogs control GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 excess, induce tumor shrinkage in a high proportion of patients, improve symptoms of acromegaly with relatively limited side effects and are successfully administered in patients not suitable for surgery. Furthermore, preoperative somatostatin analogs have been suggested to improve outcome for tumors with limited invasiveness, while surgical tumor debulking in cases that are, at least partially, somatostatin resistant, increases the achievement of normal IGF-1 levels by postoperative somatostatin analog treatment. Effective control of hypertension, as well as diabetes, is mandatory in order to reduce the increased vascular morbidity/mortality. Control of GH/IGF-1 excess generally improves glucose metabolism. Somatostatin analogs improve insulin sensitivity, exerting, however, a concomitant direct inhibitory effect on insulin secretion, with a net balance leaning towards a deterioration in glucose homeostasis. As a result, oral insulin secretagogues (and/or insulin) should probably be preferred to insulin sensitizers in acromegalic patients developing diabetes while on somatostatin analogs. Nevertheless, glucose tolerance remains normal in most of the nondiabetic acromegalic patients, while diabetic acromegalic patients on insulin are at risk for hypoglycemia during initiation of somatostatin analog therapy. Although successful management of acromegaly has been associated with improvement in morphological and functional parameters of cardiomyopathy, limited and conflicting information is available regarding the effect on blood pressure control. Contradictory results have also been reported regarding sleep hypopnea or apnea in treated acromegalic patients. As acromegalic skeletal abnormalities are rather irreversible, apneic episodes may persist after normalization of hormonal levels. Aggressive therapy, including surgery, pharmacological treatment and, in some cases, pituitary irradiation, aiming at normalization of IGF-1 levels, is required for arthropathy management. Some improvement in pain, crepitus and range of motion has been observed after treatment with somatostatin analogs. Information on the impact of disease control, either by surgery or somatostatin analog treatment, on gonadal function is limited. Finally, the link between the hormonal/biochemical and the psychiatric/psychological features of acromegaly, as well as a potential basis for positive effects of somatostatin analog therapy remain unclear.
 ...
PMID:Medical treatment of acromegaly: comorbidities and their reversibility by somatostatin analogs. 1704 90

The mechanism of action of acetaminophen is currently widely discussed. Direct inhibition of cyclooxygenase isoforms remains the commonly advanced hypothesis. We combined behavioral studies with molecular techniques to investigate the mechanism of action of acetaminophen in a model of tonic pain in rats. We show that acetaminophen indirectly stimulates spinal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A receptors in the formalin test, thereby increasing transcript and protein levels of low-affinity neurotrophin receptor, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor alpha subunit, and growth hormone receptor and reducing the amount of somatostatin 3 receptor (sst3R) mRNA. Those cellular events seem to be important for the antinociceptive activity of acetaminophen. Indeed, down-regulation of sst3R mRNA depends on acetaminophen-elicited, 5-HT1A receptor-dependent increase in neuronal extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activities that mediate antinociception. In addition, spinal growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 receptors would also be involved in the antinociceptive activity of the analgesic at different degrees. Our results show the involvement of specific 5-HT1A receptor-dependent cellular events in acetaminophen-produced antinociception and consequently indicate that inhibition of cyclooxygenase activities is not the exclusive mechanism involved. Furthermore, we propose that the mechanisms of 5-HT1A receptor-elicited antinociception and the role of the spinal ERK1/2 pathway in nociception are more intricate than suspected so far and that the GH/IGF-1 axis is an interesting new player in the regulation of spinal nociception.
 ...
PMID:Acetaminophen recruits spinal p42/p44 MAPKs and GH/IGF-1 receptors to produce analgesia via the serotonergic system. 1708 3


1 2 3 4 5 Next >>