Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P61278 (somatostatin)
22,083 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

There is evidence that GH secretion is reduced in normal elderly subjects as well as in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). To clarify the mechanisms underlying this GH hyposecretory state in 14 elderly subjects (age 65-75 years) and 15 AD patients (age 61-78 years), we studied the effects of both pyridostigmine (PD, 120 mg orally), a cholinesterase inhibitor, and arginine (ARG, 0.5 g/kg i.v.), two substances likely acting via inhibition of hypothalamic somatostatin, on GH response to GHRH (1 microgram/kg i.v.). The GH response to PD alone was also studied. Twenty-two young healthy volunteers were studied as control group. Basal GH levels were similar in young, elderly and AD subjects (0.7 +/- 0.2, 0.8 +/- 0.2 and 0.9 +/- 0.2 microgram/l). IGF-I levels were lower (p < 0.005) in elderly (73.9 +/- 8.2 microgram/l) and in AD subjects (108.0 +/- 5.9 micrograms/l) than in young subjects (288.7 +/- 22.1 micrograms/l); however, they were higher (p < 0.01) in AD patients than in the elderly subjects. The PD-induced GH release did not significantly differ in young, elderly and AD subjects while the GH responses to GHRH in the elderly (AUC: 297.9 +/- 49.2 micrograms/l) and in AD subjects (437.6 +/- 93.5 micrograms/l/h) were lower (p < 0.01) than in young subjects (658.6 +/- 100.1 micrograms/l/h). PD potentiated the GH response to GHRH both in elderly and in AD subjects (901.7 +/- 222.4 and 1,070.3 +/- 207.2 micrograms/l/h, p < 0.005) but these responses were lower (p < 0.0001) than those recorded in young subjects (2,041.1 +/- 245.6 micrograms/l/h).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Growth hormone secretion in Alzheimer's disease: studies with growth hormone-releasing hormone alone and combined with pyridostigmine or arginine. 813 94

Cholinergic pathways in the central nervous system positively influence growth hormone (GH) secretion. In fact pyridostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, enhances both basal and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-induced GH secretion while, conversely, pirenzepine, an antagonist of muscarinic M1 receptors, inhibits the GH response to GHRH and to other physiological and pharmacological stimuli. The effect of the cholinergic system on GH secretion probably takes place via inhibition of the release of endogenous somatostatin. In this study in 36 normal adults (26 males and 10 females, age 22-35 years) we compared the effects of three cholinesterase inhibitors (pyridostigmine, 120 mg p.o., n = 19; neostigmine, 10 micrograms/kg i.v., n = 6; physostigmine, 12.5 micrograms/kg i.v., n = 6) and bethanechol, a direct muscarinic receptor agonist that is mainly active on muscarinic M3 receptors (25 micrograms/kg i.v., n = 5), on both basal and GHRH (1 microgram/kg i.v.)-stimulated GH secretion. Pyridostigmine, neostigmine and physostigmine induced a significant GH increase (peak vs. basal levels, mean +/- S.E.: 10.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 0.6 +/- 0.2 micrograms/l, P = 0.0001; 13.3 +/- 1.2 vs. 0.5 +/- 1.1 micrograms/l, P = 0.004; and 14.9 +/- 3.1 vs. 2.7 +/- 1.1 micrograms/l, P = 0.025;, respectively). These drugs also induced a similar potentiation of the GH response to GHRH (peak: 48.3 +/- 5.6 vs. 16.2 +/- 2.2 micrograms/l, P = 0.0001; 49.2 +/- 2.2 vs. 19.9 +/- 5.1 micrograms/l, P = 0.006; and 76.9 +/- 12.4 vs. 18.1 +/- 5.3 micrograms/l, P = 0.001, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Effects of direct and indirect acetylcholine receptor agonists on growth hormone secretion in humans. 820 11

The osmotic effect of intravenous glucose was investigated in eight healthy volunteers. Increases in plasma glucose can induce water movement from the intracellular to the extracellular space. Serum choline esterase was used as an endogenous marker of serum dilution. Intravenous tests with 5, 15, 30 and 35 g of glucose showed that the water shift was proportional to the amount infused. The respective dilutions of choline esterase were 1.3 +/- 0.7%, 3.3 +/- 0.9%, 6.3 +/- 0.8% and 7.8 +/- 0.5%. The effect on extracellular water was maintained when plasma glucose remained elevated (inhibition of insulin secretion with a somatostatin analogue). In comparison to glucose, infusion of 10 g of a mixture of amino acids produced a less pronounced effect than expected. The acute water shift after intravenous glucose dilutes serum components including glucose (8% of total extracellular glucose at 35 g). This can be misinterpreted as glucose clearance when calculating metabolic rates. For estimated amounts a proportional correction should be made (3.5% per 5 mmol l-1 increase). A measured plasma glucose of 22.2 mmol l-1 should be corrected to 24.8 mmol l-1, while a plasma glucose value of 5.0 mmol l-1 needs no correction.
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PMID:Glucose-induced water movement from the intracellular to the extracellular space and its influence on calculations of glucose metabolism. 835 32

There is evidence suggesting that androgens influence GH secretion in man. Our aim was to verify whether the GH releasable pool is preserved and influenced by testosterone replacement in male hypogonadism. To this goal, in eight male hypogonadal patients (HP, age 32.2 +/- 5.0 yr; Body Mass Index 23.9 +/- 1.1 kg/m2) before and after 3 months testosterone therapy, we studied the GH response to GHRH (1 microgram/kg iv) alone and combined with pyridostigmine (PD, 120 mg po), a cholinesterase inhibitor which likely inhibits hypothalamic somatostatin release allowing exploration of the maximal somatotrope secretory pool. Sixteen normal subjects (NS, age 30.1 +/- 3.5 yr; Body Mass Index 22.5 +/- 1.8 kg/m2) were studied as controls. The GH response to GHRH in HP was similar to that in NS (AUC, mean +/- SE: 1238 +/- 362 vs 1018 +/- 182 micrograms/L/h). PD potentiated to the same extent the GH response to GHRH in both groups (2092 +/- 807 and 2840 +/- 356 micrograms/L/h). After three month testosterone therapy, in HP the GH responses to GHRH alone (1352 +/- 612 micrograms/L/h) and combined with PD (1948 +/- 616 microgram/L/h) were unchanged. Also IGF-I levels in HP were similar to those in NS (222 +/- 42 vs 210.6 +/- 55.8 micrograms/L) and were unchanged during testosterone replacement (280 +/- 31 micrograms/L). As androgens have been reported to modulate sympathoadrenal activity in the rat, both before and during testosterone replacement, we also measured plasma catecholamine levels. Basal NE (p < 0.05) but not E levels were lower in HP than in NS; testosterone restored basal NE levels to normal without affecting basal E. delta absolute increase of NE and E (p < 0.05 and 0.01 vs baseline, respectively) after PD in HP were similar to those in NS and were unchanged during testosterone replacement. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the GH releasable pool is preserved in male hypogonadism. As in this condition a reduction of spontaneous GH secretion has been reported, it could be due to neurosecretory dysfunction but not to pituitary impairment. Subtle alterations of sympathoadrenal activity seem to be present in male hypogonadism and reversed by testosterone replacement.
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PMID:Effect of testosterone replacement therapy on the somatotrope responsiveness to GHRH alone or combined with pyridostigmine and on sympathoadrenal activity in patients with hypogonadism. 871 99

Cholinergic agonists are known to potentiate GHRH-induced GH secretion, probably acting via inhibition of hypothalamic somatostatin release. Their effect is reduced in aging and in patients with Alzheimer's disease. This may be the consequence of age-related cholinergic impairment, which, in turn, could cause somatostatinergic hyperactivity leading to GH hyposecretion. As in Down syndrome (DS) neural alterations have been reported similar to those in aging, including cholinergic impairment, we verified the GH response to GHRH (1 microgram/kg i.v. at 0 min) alone or combined with pyridostigmine (PD), a cholinesterase inhibitor (60 and 120 mg, respectively, in children and adults, orally at -60 min) in 15 DS children (13.5 +/- 0.6 years) and in 11 DS young adults (24.0 +/- 1.2 years). Fifteen normal children (11.9 +/- 0.5 years), 15 normal adults (27.3 +/- 0.9 years) and 16 normal elderly (76.3 +/- 1.5 years) were studied as controls. IGF-I levels showed an age-related reduction both in DS (children vs. adults, mean +/- SEM:354.8 +/- 44.9 vs. 204.4 +/- 29.4 micrograms/l, p < 0.02) and in controls (normal children vs. normal adults vs. normal elderly:281.4 +/- 36.3 vs. 175.4 +/- 11.2 vs. 72.5 +/- 6.6 micrograms/l, p < 0.001). The GH response to GHRH in DS children was higher than in DS adults (areas under curve: 1,197.6 +/- 241.5 vs. 434.4 +/- 83.3 micrograms/l/h, p < 0.01). On the other hand, in normal subjects the GHRH-induced GH rise was similar in children and adults (1,056.2 +/- 128.4 vs. 800.8 +/- 124.5 micrograms/l/h) and both were higher than that in elderly subjects (296.0 +/- 61.0 micrograms/l/h, p < 0.001). PD enhanced the GH response to GHRH both in DS and in normal subjects (p < 0.005). The GH response to PD+GHRH was lower in DS adults than in DS children (1,068.1 +/- 145.7 vs. 1,897.4 +/- 198.8 micrograms/l/h, p < 0.001) as well as in normal elderly subjects with respect to that in normal children and normal adults (832.3 +/- 144.7 vs. 2,172.1 +/- 156.1 and 2,347.6 +/- 322.4 micrograms/l/h, respectively, p < 0.001). The GH response to GHRH alone or combined with PD in DS adults was lower (p < 0.01) than that in normal adults and similar to that in normal elderly subjects. In conclusion, the present data demonstrate that the stimulated GH secretion in DS undergoes an accelerated age-related reduction. They also suggest the existence of a precocious impairment of central cholinergic activity in DS, which, in turn, could cause somatostatinergic hyperactivity and reduced GH secretion.
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PMID:The enhancing effect of pyridostigmine on the GH response to GHRH undergoes an accelerated age-related reduction in Down syndrome. 887 21

Our previous studies demonstrated that FK960 [N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-p-fluorobenzamide monohydrate], a novel antidementia piperazine derivative, exerts beneficial effects on memory deficits in various rodent models of amnesia, through activation of the somatostatin neuronal system. To extend the antiamnesic action of FK960 to nonhuman primates, FK960 was evaluated for its ability to reverse the deficits in visual recognition memory produced by muscarinic cholinergic receptor blockade by scopolamine or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockade by dizocilpine (MK-801) in four rhesus monkeys performing a computer-automated version of delayed nonmatching to sample, with a list length of 20 trial-unique graphic symbols. Furthermore, the effects of FK960 were compared with those of physostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor. Doses of FK960 (1, 3.2, 10, 32,100, 320 or 1000 microg/kg) injected i.m. 30 min before testing minimally affected visual recognition memory when administered alone. FK960 (1, 3.2, 10 or 32 microg/kg) significantly antagonized the deficits in visual recognition memory produced by scopolamine (10 microg/kg); the same doses of the drug minimally affected the deficits produced by dizocilpine (32 microg/kg). Similarly, physostigmine (3.2, 10 or 32 microg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently restored the visual recognition memory deficits produced by scopolamine (10 microg/kg) but not those produced by dizocilpine (32 microg/kg). From these results, we conclude that FK960 improves deficits in recognition memory associated with central cholinergic hypofunction in nonhuman primates, and we suggest that the therapeutic potential of this drug for patients with dementia should be evaluated.
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PMID:FK960 [N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-p-fluorobenzamide monohydrate], a novel potential antidementia drug, improves visual recognition memory in rhesus monkeys: comparison with physostigmine. 906 4

There are data indicating that cholinergic activity is precociously impaired in Down's syndrome (DS). On the other hand, acetylcholine as well as arginine (ARG) play a major stimulatory role in the neural control of growth hormone (GH) secretion in humans, likely acting via the inhibition of hypothalamic somatostatin release. The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of pyridostigmine (PD, 120 mg p.o.), a cholinesterase inhibitor, and ARG (0.5 g/kg i.v.) on the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) (1 microgram/kg i.v.)-induced GH rise in 15 adult patients with DS (M/F: 8/7; age 26.5 +/- 2.2 years; body mass index, BMI: 25.7 +/- 1.0 kg/m2) in which the potentiating effect of PD on GH secretion has been reported to be reduced. The results in DS were compared to those in 15 normal subjects (NS) (M/F: 8/7; age: 30.0 +/- 1.3 years; BMI: 21.4 +/- 0.4 kg/m2). Basal GH and insulin growth factor I (IGF-1) levels in DS (1.8 +/- 0.7 and 206.5 +/- 21.0 micrograms/l) were similar to those in NS (1.4 +/- 0.3 and 179.4 +/- 11.0 micrograms/l). The GH response to GHRH alone in DS (526.5 +/- 120.1 micrograms/l/h) was lower (p < 0.05) than that recorded in NS (895.4 +/- 153.7 micrograms/l/h). The GHRH-induced GH rise was potentiated by PD both in DS (1,138 +/- 184.2 micrograms/l/h; p < 0.02 vs. GHRH alone) and in NS (2,213.8 +/- 212.8 micrograms/l/h; p < 0.005 vs. GHRH alone); however, as the percent potentiating effect of PD was similar in both groups (215 and 247%, respectively) the GH response to GHRH + PD in DS was lower (p < 0.005) than that in NS. The GHRH-induced GH rise was also potentiated by ARG in both DS (2,243 +/- 362.4 micrograms/h; p < 0.001 vs. GHRH alone) and NS (2,764.3 +/- 325.7 micrograms/l/h; p < 0.005 vs. GHRH alone). As the percent potentiating effect of ARG in DS was more marked than in NS (425 vs. 308%, respectively), the GH response to GHRH + ARG became similar in both groups. No sex-related difference was found in the GH response to various stimuli both in DS and NS. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that the potentiating effect of PD but not that of ARG is impaired in adults with DS in whom a reduced somatotrope responsiveness to GHRH is present. These findings indicate that in DS the pituitary GH releasable pool is fully preserved while an impairment of the tuberoinfundibular cholinergic pathways could lead to somatostatinergic hyperactivity and low somatotrope responsiveness to GHRH.
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PMID:Further evidence of cholinergic impairment of the neuroendocrine control of the GH secretion in Down's syndrome. 952 98

FK960 [N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-p-fluorobenzamide monohydrate] is a novel antidementia drug which has been demonstrated to have potential cognitive-improving actions through enhancement of somatostatin release. Since the mechanism of action is different from cholinesterase inhibitors (CEIs), FK960 might be more efficacious at alleviating cognitive deficiencies than CEIs alone, particularly when used in combination therapies with CEIs. We examined the ability of FK960 and donepezil, a CEI, to improve memory deficits in three rat models of dementia: scopolamine-treated rats, rats received with bilateral nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) lesions, and aged rats using the passive avoidance task. FK960 (0.1-10 mg/kg ip) significantly ameliorated the memory deficits in all three models. Donepezil (0.032-3.2 mg/kg ip) significantly improved the deficits induced by both scopolamine or by NBM lesion, but no significant effect was observed in the aged rat model. To determine whether concomitant treatment would be more effective, we coadministered FK960 and donepezil in NBM-lesioned rats using the same task. Concurrent administration of FK960 and donepezil at dosages that were suboptimal when the compounds were administered alone (FK960, 0.1 mg/kg; donepezil, 0.1 mg/kg) significantly improved memory impairment in the animals. Furthermore, coadministration of FK960 and donepezil at optimal dosages for both (FK960, 1 mg/kg; donepezil, 0.32 mg/kg) produced marked amelioration of memory deficits that was more efficacious than when either compound was administered individually. These results demonstrate that FK960 is more efficacious than CEIs in improving memory deficits, and that FK960 has synergistic efficacy when combined with CEIs.
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PMID:Combination of a novel antidementia drug FK960 with donepezil synergistically improves memory deficits in rats. 1215 Oct 24

This review examines key pharmacological strategies that have been clinically studied for the primary or secondary prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Much information (neuropsychological, genetic and imaging) is already available to characterise an individual's risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. However, regulatory pathways for obtaining a prevention indication are less well charted, and such trials tend to involve 3- to 7-year studies of 1000 - 5000 individuals, depending on baseline status. Treatments developed for prevention will also need to have superior safety. For these reasons, > 100 proprietary pharmacological products are currently being developed for an Alzheimer's disease treatment, but only a few are being studied for prevention. Randomised trial data are available for antihypertensive agents (calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), pravastatin, simvastatin, conjugated oestrogen, raloxifene, rofecoxib, CX516 (AMPA agonist) and cholinesterase inhibitors regarding efficacy for Alzheimer's disease prevention. At least four large prevention trials of conjugated oestrogen, selenium and vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba and statins are currently underway. Strategies using other agents have not yet been evaluated in Alzheimer's disease prevention clinical trials. These include anti-amyloid antibodies, active immunisation, selective secretase inhibitors and modulators, microtubule stabilisers (e.g., paclitaxel), R-flurbiprofen, xaliproden, ONO-2506, FK962 (somatostatin releaser), SGS 742 (GABA(B) antagonist), TCH 346 (apoptosis inhibitor), Alzhemedtrade mark, phophodiesterase inhibitors, rosiglitazone, leuprolide, interferons, metal-protein attenuating compounds (e.g., PBT2), CX717, rasagaline, huperzine A, antioxidants and memantine. Studies combining lifestyle modification and drug therapy have not been conducted. Full validation of surrogate markers for disease progression (such as amyloid imaging) should further facilitate drug development. Reducing the complexity of prevention trials and gaining regulatory consensus of design is a high priority for the field.
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PMID:Pharmacological strategies for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. 1637 Sep 17

The aim of this study was to determine whether age-associated alterations in the GABAergic input to pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus are due to a dysfunction of GABAergic interneurons, and/or a decrease in their cholinergic control via nicotinic receptors (nAChRs). Electrophysiological recordings were obtained from pyramidal cells in the CA1 area of hippocampal slices from young (3-4 months old) and aged (25-30 months old) Sprague-Dawley rats. Synaptic GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials induced by stimulation of the stratum oriens were significantly smaller in aged rats. The frequency (but not amplitude) of spontaneous and miniature GABA inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) was reduced in aged rats, suggesting a presynaptic alteration. Tetanic stimulation of cholinergic afferents to release endogenous acetylcholine, or an exogenous application of the nAChR agonist cytisine, increased the frequency of spontaneous IPSCs in young rats; however these effects were not evident in aged rats, indicating that the nicotinic control of GABA release is lowered during aging. None of these age-related alterations were reversed by a chronic treatment with donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor. Immunofluorescent labeling of GABA interneurons with somatostatin (SOM), parvalbumin (PV) or calbindin (CB), together with the vesicular acetylcholine transporter VAChT, revealed a selective loss of subpopulations of SOM and CB positive interneurons. This loss was associated with a general decrease in density of the cholinergic network in aged rats. Thus, the lower GABAergic inhibition observed in the aged rat hippocampus is due to a selective loss/dysfunction of subpopulations of GABAergic interneurons, associated with a widespread cholinergic deficit.
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PMID:Age-related alterations of GABAergic input to CA1 pyramidal neurons and its control by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat hippocampus. 1689 Mar 74


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