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The role of systemic and local insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the development of prostate cancer is still controversial. Transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice express the SV40 T-antigen under the control of the probasin promoter, and spontaneously develop prostate cancer. We crossed TRAMP mice with liver IGF-deficient (LID) mice to produce LID-TRAMP mice, a mouse model of prostate cancer with low serum IGF-I, to allow us to study the effect of circulatory IGF-I levels on the development of prostate cancer. LID mice have a targeted deletion of the hepatic Igf1 gene but retain normal expression of Igf1 in extrahepatic tissues. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in LID and LID-TRAMP mice were measured using novel assays, which showed that they are approximately 10% and 60% of control L/L- mice, respectively. Serum growth hormone (GH) levels of LID-TRAMP mice were 3.5-fold elevated relative to L/L-TRAMP mice (P < 0.001), but IGFBP-2 levels were not different. Surprisingly, rates of survival, metastasis, and the ratio of genitourinary tissue weight to body weight were not significantly different between LID-TRAMP and L/L-TRAMP mice. There was also no difference in the pathologic stage of the prostate cancer between the two groups at 9 to 19 weeks of age. LID-TRAMP tumors displayed increased levels of GH receptors and increased Akt phosphorylation. These results are in striking contrast with the published model of the GH-deficient lit/lit-TRAMP, which has smaller tumors and improved survival, and indicate that the reduction in systemic IGF-I is not sufficient to inhibit prostate cancer tumor progression in the TRAMP model, which may require a reduction of GH levels as well.

Objective: The mouse serves as an important model for insulin-like (IGF)-related research. However, lack of homologous mouse assays has prevented studies of the normal ontology of the murine IGF system. Therefore, we developed and validated immunoaassays for murine IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and ALS and studied levels of these analytes in mice., Methods: Using commercially available reagents, we developed and validated specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for murine IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and ALS. Levels of these analytes were measured in sera from CD-1 mice, male and female, sampled at 1, 2, 4, 8, 20 and 32 weeks of age. In addition, sera from pregnant and postpartum CD-1 mice were also studied., Results: Validation of specific ELISAs for murine IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and ALS are described; all 3 assays were highly sensitive, precise and accurate. As measured by our homologous ELISA, IGF-I levels (ng/mL, mean+/-SD) in male mice were relatively low at 1 week (53+/-8), rising sharply to peak at 8 weeks of age (636+/-48), and gradually declining thereafter, reaching 395+/-64 at 32 weeks. IGF-I levels in non-pregnant female mice peaked at 4 weeks of age (548+/-77) declined at 8 weeks (417+/-61), then recovered to plateau at 539+/-78 and 535+/-88 at 20 and 32 weeks, respectively. In male mice, trends in IGFBP-3 were similar to the patterns of IGF-I. However, in non-pregnant female mice, the IGFBP-3 levels declined relatively slowly after peaking at 4-weeks of age, unlike IGF-I levels during this period. ALS levels followed the same pattern as IGF-I in both sexes. IGF-I to IGFBP-3 molar ratios (percent) were similar between sexes, rising continuously with age: approximately 30% at 1 week, 80% at 4 weeks, 135% at 32 weeks. IGF-I was reduced in 8 week old mice in mid-pregnancy (354+/-75 vs 417+/-61 in non-pregnant 8 week females), reaching a nadir in late-term (146+/-40), and only partially recovering in the postpartum period (239+/-23). IGFBP-3 was also lower in late-pregnancy (1245+/-100 vs 1925+/-439) and remained depressed postpartum. In contrast to IGF-I and IGFBP-3, ALS increased more than threefold in mid-pregnancy (12180+/-1641 vs 3741+/-910), followed by a 4-fold decrease in late-pregnancy (2964+/-489), recovering postpartum (6104+/-1178)., Conclusions: We report the first ontological studies of IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and ALS in mice using newly-characterized sensitive, homologous immunoassays. Our results indicate that mice have a generally similar pattern in IGF-related axis components, with low levels early in life, increasing to peak during sexual maturation and declining thereafter. Significant gender differences in non-pregnant levels and dramatic changes during pregnancy were also found. Knowledge of the normal developmental changes in the murine IGF system and accurate tools for investigations of this system are a necessary foundation for research in this field.

A history of unexplained low back pain associated with chronic constipation in an adolescent girl of menarchal age or in an obviously postmenarchal girl should make one consider an imperforate hymen with hematocolpos. This is a particular important differential diagnosis in the work-up of an adolescent who denies ever having had menses or sexual activity. The case of a girl with an imperforate hymen presenting with a six-month history of chronic constipation and intermittent low back pain is described.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) is one of six soluble binding proteins that regulate the actions of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). Liver is the major source of IGFBP-1 in non-pregnant humans. In normal physiology, IGFBP-1 transcription is potently inhibited by insulin and serum levels are limited by a rapid clearance rate. Elevated levels of IGFBP-1 in liver disease have been attributed to insulin resistance; however, the relationships between these analytes have not been defined. We studied insulin, proinsulin and IGFBP-1 in normal subjects (NL, N=47, 43+/-12 yr), cirrhosis (CIR, N=29, 54+/-14 yr), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, N=42, 61+/-11 yr), and other liver tumors (TUM, N=8, 60+/-17 yr). All three analytes were significantly increased in liver disease (mean+/-SEM; p-values relative to normals): IGFBP-1 (NL 24+/-4 ng/ml; CIR 235+/-53, p<0.0001; HCC 505+/-105, p<0.0001; TUM 118+/-36, p<0.0001), insulin (NL 72+/-4 pM; CIR 261+/-62, p<0.0002; HCC 180+/-25, p<0.0001; TUM 189+/-58, p<0.0001), proinsulin (NL 6.5+/-0.7 pM; CIR 36.8+/-7.7, p<0.0001; HCC 26.2+/-3.8, p<0.0001; TUM 32.1+/-9.7, p<0.0001). The ratio of proinsulin to insulin was also significantly elevated in liver disease. A typical curvilinear inverse relationship of insulin and IGFBP-1 was observed, but was shifted several fold higher for the liver disease groups. Our results demonstrate that insulin and proinsulin are elevated in liver disease. However, these elevations are paradoxically accompanied by elevated IGFBP-1 levels, indicating disruption of normal regulatory mechanisms. IGFBP-1 is postulated to play a dynamic role in metabolic substrate utilization via regulation of free IGF. Therefore, inappropriate elevation of IGFBP-1 could play an important role in the metabolic disturbances associated with liver disease.

To find out whether the secondary failure of glyburide in type 2 diabetes is complete or partial, we studied 38 patients, age (M +/- SD) 69 +/- 9 years, suffering from diabetes from 13.5 +/- 8.4 years and treated with glyburide for 5-13 years, with poor glycemic control (glycohemoglobin 10.6 +/- 2.6%). Serum glucose, insulin and C-peptide were assayed before and 1 h and 2 h after a simulated meal load (355 Cal), after which the drug was replaced with placebo for 4 weeks, and the test repeated. After glyburide withdrawal, fasting glycemia increased from 10.3 +/- 3.3 to 15.1 +/- 4.4 mmol/L (p < 0.001), but in 3/38 patients, it even decreased and in five others the changes were less than +/- 2 mmol/L. These changes negatively but only weakly correlated with initial glycemia: r = 0.4123, p < 0.010. The mean post-meal glycemia at 1 h and 2 h increased respectively by 3.3 and 5.9 mmol/L (both p < 0.001). Neither the levels of glycemia nor its changes after the glyburide withdrawal correlated with the levels of, or changes in, insulin or C-peptide. We conclude that in most but not all type-2 diabetic patients, poorly controlled with glyburide, the drug still retains some limited therapeutic effectiveness, and therefore its withdrawal causes further deterioration of control with the almost equal increases in fasting and post-meal levels of glycemia. These changes are not accompanied by decrease in insulin secretion.

Objective: To compare the effect of the antihypertensive drugs nitrendipine and enalapril on the excretion of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and albumin in hypertensive non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) subjects., Research Design and Methods: After a 4-week washout period, mildly hypertensive (systolic blood pressure [sBP] > or = 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure [dBP] > or = 90 mmHg) NIDDM patients with albuminuria (15-200 micrograms/min) were randomized into an 8-month-long therapy with either nitrendipine (n = 11) or enalapril (n = 10). Blood pressure, EGF, and microalbumin excretion were measured at baseline and throughout the treatment period., Results: A significant fall in sBP was noticed in the enalapril group and in dBP in the nitrendipine group. In the enalapril group, EGF excretion progressively increased from 188 to 214 nmol/mmol creatinine after 6 weeks and to 274 after 8 months of therapy (P = 0.03). There was a significant fall in albumin excretion while patients were on enalapril, but in the nitrendipine group, neither albuminuria nor EGF excretion changed significantly. There was no correlation of improved EGF excretion with a decrease in albuminuria or BP., Conclusions: The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril has been effective in decreasing albumin and increasing EGF excretion. Measurement of urinary EGF may provide a new valuable index of renal function.

Evidence suggests that magnesium (Mg) deficiency may play a key role in cardiovascular disease. In particular, Mg deficiency may lead to a potentiation of platelet aggregation. However, the factor(s) regulating intracellular-free Mg concentration ([Mg2+]i) in platelets is not known. We studied the effects of insulin on the changes of [Mg2+]i in human platelets. Preincubation of hirudinized platelet-rich plasma with insulin had a dose- and time-dependent effect on the increase of [Mg2+]i measured in Mag-fura-2-loaded cells with a fluorescence spectrophotometer. The maximal effect was achieved by incubation with 200 microU/mL insulin for 30 min. [Mg2+]i increased from the basal value of 266 +/- 23 mumol to 355 +/- 46 (SD, P < 0.001). In the presence of an antiinsulin receptor monoclonal antibody the effect of insulin was abolished suggesting that the Mg transport mechanism was an insulin-receptor mediated process. Furthermore, the insulin-stimulated Mg transport was inhibited by the addition of chelating agent ethylenediaminete-traacetate while the receptor binding was not altered. These findings suggest that insulin can translocate Mg from the extracellular space. Insulin alone had no effect on the changes of intracellular calcium (Ca) concentration using Ca-Fura-2 as a probe. In addition, glucose (5 mg/mL) was not effective in altering either the Mg or Ca concentration. Insulin (100 microU/mL) decreased thrombin-induced platelet aggregation (washed platelets resuspended in N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid-Tyrode buffer). Similarly, the production of the proaggregatory eicosanoids thromboxane B2 was inhibited by insulin from 16 +/- 1 ng/10(8) platelets to 13 +/- 2 (P < 0.05). The results suggest that insulin, through the interactions with its receptors may be a key factor regulating, Mg transport in human platelets.

Objective: To study whether fasting and 1-h postbreakfast C-peptide levels in NIDDM stabilize with time in individual patients., Research Design and Methods: Within the period of 4-6 yr, 49 NIDDM patients had repeated tests of fasting and 1-h postprandial levels of plasma glucose and C-peptide with the aim of determining their individual qualitative patterns. Throughout the follow-up period, 13 patients were treated with insulin, 21 with oral sulfonylureas, and 15 were switched from oral drugs to insulin, with the tests done in both treatment periods., Results: The group as a whole demonstrated no changes in mean fasting or postprandial C-peptide within 4-6 yr of observation, irrespective of the mode of therapy or its changes. Glycemic and C-peptide response to breakfast was qualitatively typical for each patient with the correlation between plasma glucose and C-peptide. However, the response was vastly different from patient to patient, and the cross-sectional data showed no correlation between postprandial changes in glycemia and C-peptide, nor between glycemic response to breakfast and fasting plasma glucose or C-peptide. In spite of high fasting glycemia, 25% of the patients showed remarkable tolerance to breakfast with only small increases in plasma glucose. In many other patients, however, in spite of similar increase in C-peptide, plasma glucose rose sharply after the meal., Conclusions: In our group, no deterioration of the insulin secretory function was observed within 4-6 yr of follow-up. Qualitative patterns of the glycemic and C-peptide responses to breakfast were typical for each patient but vastly different between patients. We see in NIDDM a syndrome with few common characteristics and recommend further work for its subclassification into forms with different pathogenesis.

A dose-dependent effect of magnesium on the inhibition of platelet aggregation and release of ATP from dense granules was observed in human platelets (in whole blood, platelet-rich plasma, or washed platelets) against various aggregation agents (ADP, U46619, collagen, or thrombin). The synthesis and release of the proaggregatory cyclooxygenase (CO) and lipoxygenase (LO) products, thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), respectively, in platelets were also inhibited by Mg in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 4 to 6 mmol/L). These Mg-mediated activities were further enhanced when platelets were preincubated with insulin (100 microU/mL). The effect of extracellular Mg on the change of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was assessed using Fura-2/AM loaded cells in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca. Thrombin-stimulated influx of Ca ions decreased from 194 +/- 30 nmol/L to 156 +/- 21 nmol/L in the presence of 5 mmol/L Mg and to 111 +/- 16 nmol/L in 10 mmol/L Mg. However, the intracellular Ca release (as determined in the presence of 5 mmol/L EGTA) was not affected by Mg. The intracellular Ca-dependent protein kinase C and myosin light chain kinase activities on the phosphorylation of endogenous p47 and p20 proteins studied after 2 min of thrombin addition decreased only 10 to 25% in the presence of 5 to 10 mmol/L Mg. Similar results were obtained when EGTA was added prior to the initiation of protein phosphorylation. We conclude that Mg can dose dependently inhibit a wide variety of agonists on platelet aggregation. Furthermore, insulin can potentiate the inhibitory effects of Mg on platelet activation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1. This study examined (i) whether blood-infused epidermal growth factor (EGF) can pass into urine; (ii) whether infused labelled EGF behaves like endogenous plasma immunoreactive EGF; and (iii) which parts of the human nephron show morphological evidence of EGF synthesis? 2. We infused human [131I]-EGF into a volunteer. After 6 min, only 66% of the plasma counts represented intact EGF. At the end of infusion, the T1/2 of EGF was calculated to be 1.6 min. The tail of the curve lasted for at least another 2 h. The total excretion of the labelled EGF was 2.45% of the infused dose and was proportional to the urine volume. 3. After a water load, the excretion of endogenous EGF was, on the contrary, inversely related to urine volume. 4. Immunohistochemically, human kidneys were not stained by monoclonal anti-EGF antibodies but showed positive in situ hybridization for EGF mRNA in the nuclei of glomerular mesangial cells, distal convoluted tubules and collecting tubules. 5. We conclude that human kidneys synthesize EGF and release it into urine. Plasma-derived EGF constitutes under normal conditions only a small part of the urinary EGF. Contrasting volume-dependency of the excretion of endogenous and [131I]-EGF requires further study and cautions against extrapolating results obtained with labelled EGF to physiological conditions.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) are potent mitogens present in human platelets. Since they are likely to be released simultaneously at the site of vessel injury, their combined effects on vascular smooth muscle cells are more relevant physiologically than their individual actions. Therefore, we added various concentrations of growth factors to quiescent porcine aortic smooth muscle cells cultured in low-serum (0.5%) medium and measured the amount of [3H]thymidine incorporated into DNA. Effect of TGF-beta alone was concentration-dependent: stimulatory (1.5-fold increase over the basal) at 0.025 ng/ml and inhibitory at greater than or equal to 0.1 ng/ml. Effects of the other three growth factors on DNA synthesis were only stimulatory; their maximally effective concentrations were 20 ng/ml for PDGF (eightfold over the basal), 40 ng/ml for EGF (six-fold increase), and 20 ng/ml for IGF-I (fourfold increase). When PDGF, EGF, and IGF-I were added at submaximally effective concentrations, their effects were additive. TGF-beta at 1 ng/ml inhibited at least 50% of the effects of 20 ng/ml EGF and of 10 ng/ml IGF-I, whereas inhibition of the effect of 10 ng/ml PDGF required 10 ng/ml of TGF-beta. The concentration of TGF-beta needed to inhibit 50% of the combined effect of EGF, IGF-1, and PDGF was 5 ng/ml. These results show complex interrelationships between the growth factors contained in the alpha-granules of human platelets in their effects on porcine aortic smooth muscle cells.

Platelet-rich plasma in acidic-citrate-dextrose anticoagulant was kept for 5 days in an oxygen-permeable bag at 22 degrees C in an incubator/rotator. Platelet count remained stable throughout the experiment. On days 0, 3 and 5, aliquots were removed; platelets were isolated by centrifugation at 22 degrees C, 1500 g for 20 min, reconstituted to the original volume with PBS buffer, and the contents of alpha-granules were released by repeated freezing and thawing. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) in the platelet-poor plasma and platelet lysates were determined by radioimmunoassays. Results indicated that in platelet-free plasma, both total EGF and beta-TG increased 3-5-fold after 5 days; this amount represented 10-20% of the factors stored in the platelets. Correspondingly, the EGF and beta-TG contents of the platelet lysates exhibited accompanying decreases. HPLC fractionation showed that the main EGF fraction which progressively decreased in the lysates and increased in plasma had a molecular mass of 140 kDa. The contents of the 67 kDa and 6 kDa fractions did not change substantially. We conclude that under these conditions, the 140 kDa fraction was released preferentially. In view of these and previous experiments, it seems likely that different organs contribute to plasma EGF fractions.

Submandibular glands in mice were traumatized by handling and then removed. Immunoreactive epidermal growth factor (EGF) in serum increased after 5 min and continued to increase, reaching at 1 h a peak of 50-fold normal in males and twice normal in females. If after traumatization the glands were repositioned with their blood supply intact, maximal increase of serum EGF at 1 h was 190-fold control values in males and 2-fold in females. In male mice, incision of abdominal wall skin led to a 15-fold increase of EGF in the serum; this rise was absent 3 days after sialoadenoectomy. After traumatization, repositioned submandibular glands lost 80% of their EGF; after the abdominal wall incision, only 30%. Following removal of submandibular glands, decrease of EGF level in serum was very slow: to 60% of the initial value after 3 days and to 40% after 10 days. By the HPLC characteristics, immunoreactive EGF in control serum and at its peak were indistinguishable. Urinary excretion of EGF was significantly elevated only when its serum level was 190-fold normal. We conclude that traumatized submandibular glands discharge into circulation a large part of their stored EGF. A similar but much less pronounced process takes place after abdominal skin incision. The presence of EGF in serum after its slow decline in sialoadenoectomized mice shows that a fraction of circulating EGF may recirculate prolonging its apparent half-life.

In 25 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis the level of epidermal growth factor (EGF) was significantly increased in plasma (61 +/- 10 vs. 36 +/- 12 pM in 23 aged-matched controls; p less than 0.0001) and serum (189 +/- 51 vs. 138 +/- 69 pM, p less than 0.006) and slightly increased in platelets (391 +/- 134 vs. 308 +/- 87 aM/10(6) platelets in controls; p less than 0.0582). In those 15 patients who produced urine, EGF was absent or close to the low limit of the sensitivity of the method (17 pM). Thus, kidneys are not delivering EGF to blood but their role in EGF removal is possible. Urinary EGF virtually disappears in severe chronic renal failure.

Excretion of epidermal growth factor (EGF) is decreased in renal failure. We assayed it in diabetes mellitus in an attempt to relate it to clinical parameters, esp. those of diabetic nephropathy. EGF excretion declined with age but in all age groups of diabetic patients was below the first percentile for controls. In 26 control and 34 prepubertal diabetic children excretion was correspondingly 1126 +/- 442 and 932 +/- 489 pmol/mmol creatinine (P = 0.087); in 26 control and 42 diabetic adolescents below age 18, 778 +/- 222 and 676 +/- 335 (P = 0.023) and in 81 control and 83 diabetic adults, 371 +/- 153 and 235 +/- 140 (P less than 0.0001). Decreased excretion of EGF was seen in some patients without any diabetic complications. Excretion of EGF was independently and inversely correlated with age and duration of diabetes but not with type of diabetes, treatment, body built, C-peptide, plasma glucose, glycohemoglobin or retinopathy. A positive correlation was seen with creatinine clearance and a negative correlation, with albuminuria, but the strongest and the only independent correlation found by stepwise multiple variable selection was with serum creatinine (r -0.711, P less than 0.0001). EGF excretion was not elevated in patients with hyperfiltration. We conclude that EGF excretion is abnormal in many patients with diabetes and that this abnormality reflects a kidney function different from glomerular filtration or glomerular permeability.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is known to be present in the alpha granules of human platelets; however the source of this EGF, ie, whether it is taken up by the platelets from the circulation, or whether it is packaged into the platelets from the megakaryocyte during thrombopoiesis, is unknown. To determine whether EGF is taken up by platelets, platelets for EGF receptors were assayed and it was attempted to detect uptake of EGF by the platelets from culture medium. Platelets were found to lack EGF receptors, and no uptake of EGF from the culture medium was detected. To assess whether EGF is packaged into platelets from the megakaryocyte, megakaryocytes in frozen section bone marrow cores were stained for EGF protein by immunohistochemistry, and it was demonstrated that EGF is present in megakaryocytes. In addition, staining of megakaryocytes by in situ hybridization for EGF mRNA demonstrated its presence in these cells. Therefore it is concluded that the source of EGF in human platelets is the megakaryocyte and that this EGF is synthesized in the megakaryocyte rather than being taken up from its environment.

Epidermal and platelet-derived growth factors are potent mitogens for many types of cells, including smooth muscle cells. Epidermal growth factor in blood of humans is present both in platelets (as reflected in its serum level) and in plasma, the source(s) of which remains unknown. We assayed its level in 82 diabetic patients and 53 age-matched controls. In diabetes, epidermal growth factor level was increased in serum (191 +/- 43 vs 155 +/- 64 pmol/l, p = 0.0002) and plasma (53 +/- 9 vs 38 +/- 14 pmol/l, p less than 0.0001), without any difference between the patients with and without complications. Platelet-derived growth factor level was assayed only in serum of 19 patients with uncomplicated diabetes and found elevated (222 +/- 47) as compared with 13 controls (160 +/- 26 pmol/l), (p = 0.0002). Type of diabetes, its duration, mode of therapy, control, presence of retinopathy or albuminuria (in case of epidermal growth factor), as well as C-peptide age and sex did not correlate with epidermal or platelet-derived growth factor levels. Serum but not plasma epidermal and platelet-derived growth factor were negatively correlated with serum creatinine (correspondingly, r = -0.373, p = 0.0008 and r = -0.564, p = 0.0285). It is concluded that diabetes itself and not its complications cause increased levels of epidermal growth factor in plasma and serum and of platelet-derived growth factor in serum.

In rats, a moderately hepatotoxic single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) 100 mg/kg causing depletion of liver glycogen, elevation of aspartate aminotransferase and decreased liver uptake of 3-O-methylglucose, resulted in substantial changes in insulin and glucagon balance. Two days after DEN, insulin binding to liver membranes and insulin removal by the liver were sharply reduced whereas its binding to muscle and adipocyte membranes remained unaltered. Serum insulin (random and after an overnight fast) remained normal. Intravenous (I.V.) insulin (10 U/kg) caused the usual degree of hypoglycemia that, however, lasted longer than in the control animals. Removal of glucagon by liver was also depressed in spite of its normal binding to hepatocytes, and peripheral serum glucagon was increased three-fold. I.V. glucagon (40 micrograms/kg) resulted in a blunted response of plasma glucose. I.V. glucose tolerance test (1 g/kg) remained normal in spite of the insulin increase to a level twice as high as in the controls, and in spite of nonsuppressed glucagon. These changes were still present after 1-3 months, but disappeared by 6 months. The results demonstrate remarkable ability of homeostatic mechanisms to preserve normal plasma glucose and glucose tolerance in spite of dramatic changes in insulin and glucagon.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was determined by radioimmunoassay in serum, plasma, and urine of 23 patients undergoing ablative therapy followed by bone marrow transplantation. The difference between the serum and plasma values reflected the amount of EGF released from the platelets at the time of blood coagulation. Platelet-derived EGF strongly correlated with platelet count (r + 0.850, P less than 0.0001), and the intercept of the regression line was very close to zero; one platelet contained approximately 2.5 x 10(-18) g EGF. Correspondingly, when the platelet count dropped after bone marrow ablation from 222 +/- 97 to 33 +/- 13 x 10(9)/l, the serum EGF decreased from 603 +/- 222 to 65 +/- 41 pg/ml (P less than 0.0001). Plasma EGF content did not correlate with the platelet count and did not change significantly after bone marrow ablation (before and after the ablation, correspondingly, 290 +/- 80 and 332 +/- 99 pg/ml, P = 0.194). High-performance liquid chromatographic fractionation of serum and plasma showed different molecular mass distribution of EGF-immunoreactive fractions. The main molecular mass components of the plasma EGF did not change after bone marrow ablation. Urine excretion remained unchanged (320 +/- 133 and 314 +/- 173 pmol EGF/mmol creatinine). We conclude that whereas platelets are the source of serum EGF, the origin of plasma EGF is different and the search of its origin is warranted.

Anesthetized mice were infused into the tail vein with 7.5% mannitol in saline (0.1 ml/min for 60 min) alone or with EGF at 0.5 microgram/min. Urine was collected every 10 min starting 20 min after the beginning of the infusion and ending 20 min after its termination. EGF concentration in the serum of mice infused with EGF increased from the baseline level of 0.6 +/- 0.4 to 70.7 +/- 16.0 ng/ml at 80 min. Total excretion of EGF for 80 min was 117 +/- 49 ng with mannitol alone and 1916 +/- 420 ng (6.4% of the EGF infused) after mannitol with EGF. Serum and urine EGF was indistinguishable from the native mouse EGF by its radioimmunoassay and HPLC characteristics. Intact labeled EGF was also found in urine when mice were infused with 125I-EGF (1 x 10(6) cpm/ml) in mannitol. After 5 min infusion with 125I-EGF (6 x 10(6) cpm/ml in saline), more than 80% of the label was found in the liver and kidneys and more than 90% of it was intact EGF. However, 30 min after infusion more than 95% of the labeled EGF was degraded. We conclude that at least part of the urinary EGF in mice originates in blood and that liver and kidneys are the main organs of EGF degradation.

The total contribution of the thyroid to epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in blood and urine was determined in 18 patients cured from thyroid cancer at the time of thyroxine treatment and 6 weeks off it in the state of athyroidism. As compared to the euthyroid state, the athyrodism was associated with a drop in the urinary EGF excretion from 24.8 +/- 8.4 to 11.8 +/- 4.6 ng/mg creatinine (p less than 0.0001) and some increase in the EGF level in blood serum from 159.5 +/- 55.0 to 191.2 +/- 41.0 pM (p = 0.023). We conclude that the thyroid affects the synthesis and/or blood delivery of EGF and is responsible for approximately one half of its urinary excretion.

Levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in serum were significantly decreased in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice (446 +/- 168 pg/ml after 1 week and 423 +/- 52 after 4 weeks vs 766 +/- 162 pg/ml in controls, P.002 and less than .001. respectively) and in genetically diabetic ob/ob mice (455 +/- 285 vs 962 +/- 453 pg/ml in nondiabetic ob/+ controls, P.043). The urinary excretion of EGF was significantly increased in STZ mice (104 +/- 53 vs 51 +/- 23 ng/h, P.013) but unchanged in ob/ob mice (33 +/- 9 vs 45 +/- 16 ng/h, P.134). However, when expressed per mg creatinine it was decreased in both cases: in STZ mice to 680 +/- 250 ng/mg at 1 week and 684 +/- 211 at 4 weeks vs 1250 +/- 303 ng/mg in controls (P less than .01); and in the ob/ob mice to 552 +/- 117 vs 1237 +/- 300 ng/mg in ob/+ controls (P less than .01). EGF content of the submandibular glands of STZ mice remained unchanged at 1 week (13.1 +/- 2.9 vs 11.0 +/- 1.8 micrograms/mg protein, P.170) but dropped by 4 weeks (4.7 +/- 1.2 micrograms/mg, P less than .001); in the ob/ob mice it was less than 20% that of controls (2.1 +/- 0.8 vs 12.2 +/- 3.6 micrograms/mg protein). In kidneys, the EGF content was not altered in either ob/ob (524 +/- 50 vs 571 +/- 33 pg/mg protein) or STZ mice (652 +/- 183 vs 665 +/- 80 pg/mg). The preproEGF mRNA level in STZ-treated mice was reduced after 4 weeks in submandibular glands but not in kidneys. The results show that diabetes affects EGF production, utilization and/or excretion in mice and that kidneys are spared from suppression of EGF synthesis that is pronounced in the submandibular glands.

Gene expression of the receptors for insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) was studied in the livers of rats after a single injection of a hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN) 100 mg/kg or after feeding the animals N-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) 0.02% w/w. DEN induced a time-dependent decrease in mRNA transcription of the receptors for insulin (10.3 and 8.5 Kb) and EGF (10.0, 5.8 and 2.8 Kb), evident already after 4 hours, reaching a nadir of 10-20% of the initial level between 16 and 24 hours and returning to normal by 10 days. In rats fed AAF, transcription of both receptor genes decreased to less than 20% of the control values after 2 days. In the livers of rats treated with DEN, that developed hepatocellular carcinomas one year later, expression of both receptors was also very low. DNA showed no changes. The results suggest that the hepatocarcinogens or their metabolites decrease RNA transcription or destabilize the steady state RNA level of both receptors in the early phase of toxic effect and that some tumor-derived products may be involved in the same phenomenon in the later stage of tumor development.

The comparative effects of insulin and ethanolamine on 14CO2 production and lipid synthesis from [U-14C]-D-glucose in isolated rat adipocytes were studied. Ethanolamine (10 mM) increased 14CO2 production (glucose oxidation) about 5-fold and lipogenesis about 3-fold as compared to the control. Ethanolamine was more efficient than 25 microU/ml insulin regarding both parameters, but it was less efficient than 200 microU/ml insulin in glucose oxidation, and equally potent in lipogenesis. The combination of ethanolamine and insulin was more active than insulin alone. The mechanisms of ethanolamine action include facilitation of glucose transport and increase of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity.

51CrCl3 was added to the incubation medium of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for up to 48 hr. After repeated freezing and thawing, lysing in 9 M urea with 1% NP-40 detergent, and dialysis against water, the lower molecular weight (Mr less than 3500) dialysate was retained on a SE53 cationic exchange column, eluted with 0.25 M NH4OH and fractionated on a Bio-gel P-2 column. The insulin-like biological activity of the fractions was measured by the 14C-glucose oxidation in isolated rat adipocytes. The biological activity that was found in two of nine fractions did not correspond to their chromium content. Moreover, identical findings were obtained when chromium was added not to the live yeast but to the yeast extract, which showed that its binding was a chemical process not requiring cellular activity. No fraction demonstrated insulin-potentiating activity on rat adipocytes.

Using the adjacent histologically normal tissues obtained from the same patients as controls, six human lung tumors were studied for the activities of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor binding, and receptor autophosphorylation. There was a 1.2- to 2.8-fold increase in EGF receptor activities in lung tumors due to an increase in the number of receptors without changes in their affinity. The increase had no direct correlation with the degree of differentiation or the type of lung tumors. The elevated expression of EGF receptor may be one of the characteristics in lung tumors. Epidermal growth factor and its receptor also may play a role in the regulatory mechanisms during tumorigenesis.

The livers of male F344 rats which were fed 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) for two days or more had decreased binding of insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) to their hepatic receptors in microsomal and Golgi fractions. Hepatic receptors which were partially purified from carcinogen-fed rats by Triton X-100 solubilization and wheat germ agglutinin affinity column chromatography also had decreased binding activity compared to receptors from normal rats. Scatchard analysis indicated that the decrease in insulin receptor binding was due to decreased receptor number whereas the change in EGF receptor binding was attributed to decreased receptor affinity. Insulin receptor phosphokinase activity was also decreased in 2-AAF-fed rats and correlated with the decrease in receptor binding. EGF receptor phosphokinase activity was unchanged in 2-AAF-fed rats when stimulated with a high concentration (1 microM) of EGF but was decreased when stimulated with low concentrations (0.01-0.1 microM) of EGF. No EGF or insulin competing activity for receptor binding was found using acid-ethanol extracts of 2-AAF-altered liver. These results suggest that 2-AAF causes different alterations in the insulin and EGF receptors of the rat liver.

Experimental chemical hepatocellular carcinomas that were induced in male F344 rats using three different regimens of limited exposure to the carcinogens 2-acetylaminofluorene or diethylnitrosamine were characterized by very low (as compared to peritumorous or normal tissues) binding of epidermal growth factor and decreased autophosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptors. Similar changes were also found in the insulin receptors. We suggest that the carcinogens 2-acetylaminofluorene and diethylnitrosamine cause an initial chemical effect on the great majority of cells. Most of them with time recover their receptor function, and only a small minority become truly initiated and retain these changed characteristics up to the tumor stage. The observed changes appear to be associated with the altered growth state induced by chemical carcinogens. Simultaneous changes observed in the two receptors raise the possibility of a common underlying mechanism.

The incubation of proteins with chromium (Cr3+ or Cr6+) in the presence of 32P ([gamma-32P]ATP or H3(32)PO4) at room temperature for 10-30 min resulted in the labeling of these proteins with 32P. The 32P-labeled proteins could be separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and identified by exposure to X-ray film. The characteristics of this procedure included: the optimal chromium concentration was 100 microM; the minimum requirement of each protein was 1 microgram; the optimal pH value was between 6 and 8; metal ions such as V5+, Mn2+ and Fe3+ strongly inhibited the effect of chromium, whereas Ca2+ and Mg2+ had little effect. It was concluded that chromium binds to the proteins and forms a complex with 32P to achieve the 32P-labeling of the proteins. This technique can be applied for the rapid preparation of 32P labels on protein markers for gel electrophoresis and for the identification of unknown protein species.

Male F-344 rats (180-200 g) received either a single injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) or continuous feeding with 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF). DEN induced a decrease in the binding of human GH (hGH) to its hepatic Golgi receptors in a dose-dependent manner; the changes were due to a decrease in the number of hGH receptors without significant changes in their affinity. Thirty days after DEN, the binding of hGH returned to normal. After the administration of AAF, the binding of hGH increased owing to the greater number of binding sites, and this effect persisted for the 30-day period of the continuous AAF feeding. In three separate hepatocellular carcinomas, the hGH binding to the Golgi fraction of the tumors was only one quarter of the binding to the peritumorous tissues. We conclude that DEN and AAF, administered acutely for a short time, affect hepatic hGH receptors in a different way, but that hepatocellular carcinomas bind much less hGH than peritumorous or normal tissues. The results show that hepatocarcinogenesis encompasses changes in receptors belonging to different classes.

Male rats (200 g) were rendered diabetic with one intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg) or streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). In hyperglycemic animals within 3 hours after the injection, the binding of EGF to liver membranes decreased by 43-52%; the maximal drop was by 70% and persisted for the 20 days of the experiment. EGF receptors decreased in number with almost no changes in their affinity. Autophosphorylation of the receptors decreased parallel to the ligand binding. In animals that received lower doses and did not develop diabetes and in animals in whom diabetes was prevented by the injections of glucose (before alloxan) or nicotinamide (before streptozotocin) the binding of EGF to liver receptors remained normal. We conclude that the decreased expression of EGF receptors was caused by diabetes and not by the toxic effects of the diabetogenic compounds on the liver.

In male F-344 rats fed phenobarbital 0.05% with chow the binding of EGF to microsomal and Golgi liver fractions decreased after 2 weeks, dropped by more than 60% after one month and remained low for the following five months of the experiment. The binding of insulin remained stable for 2 weeks after which it decreased by half. In both cases the receptors decreased in number without changes in their affinity. Autophosphorylation of the receptors showed changes parallel to those of the binding of the ligands.

Specific antisera were prepared against the Bowman-Birk trypsin inhibitor and four other trypsin inhibitors of low molecular weight isolated from soybeans (Glycine max L. cv. Tracy). These antisera were used to detect the presence and amount of the inhibitors in: (a) seeds and protein extracts of soybean meal; (b) seedlings; and (c) the water surrounding the seeds and roots of seedlings. Lectin activities in seeds, seedlings, and water were also determined at the same time as the protease inhibitor activities. By competitive inhibition of immunoprecipitation, the combined five low molecular weight protease inhibitors were found to constitute the following percentages of proteins (w/w): 6.3% in defatted soybean meal; 8.1% of the protein extracted from the meal by a buffer of pH 8.6; 8.3, 14.7, 15.2, 16.1, 17.2, and 18.9% of the protein in a lyophilisate of water in which seeds were incubated for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours, respectively; 8.2% in a lyophilisate of water in which roots of seedlings grew for 20 days; 1.5% in cotyledons; and less than 0.1% in epicotyls, hypocotyls, and roots of 12-day-old seedlings. Hemagglutination activities, expressed as the lowest amount of protein required to give a positive agglutination of 0.2 ml of 2% rabbit red blood cells, were as follows: purified soybean lectin, 0.08 mug; lyophilisate of water in which seeds were incubated for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours, 10, 2.5, 5, 5, and 2.5 mug, respectively; lyophilisate of water in which roots grew for 20 days, 5 mug; 12-day-old cotyledons, roots, epicotyls, and hypocotyls, 12.5, 100, >1,000, and >500 mug, respectively. The results indicate that a large amount of protease inhibitors as well as lectins are released from seeds during the first 8 hours of imbibition. Neither lima bean trypsin inhibitor (mol wt, 10,000) nor Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitor (mol wt, 21,500) showed competitive inhibition in tests with antisera against low molecular weight soybean protease inhibitors.

Carcinogen-mediated alterations in hepatic membrane growth factor receptor activity were investigated with the use of the hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine [(DENA) CAS: 55-18-5]. For the separate assessment of carcinogen-induced acute membrane receptor changes from changes associated with carcinogen-mediated alterations in growth, the receptor activity was measured both acutely after, and several months after, a single ip dose of DENA in male F344 rats. An acute dose-dependent decrease was observed in ligand binding and autophosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin receptor. Binding decreased sharply by 36 hours and recovered by 30 days in Golgi fractions and more slowly in plasma membranes. Scatchard analysis revealed a decrease in receptor number but not affinity. Chronic DENA administration also decreased insulin and EGF binding. Hepatocellular carcinomas, induced by single DENA injections 1 year previously, had decreased EGF receptor binding and autophosphorylation compared to those seen in age-matched controls and also less extensive insulin receptor changes. Single DENA doses thus have two effects: an acute reversible receptor change and a delayed, apparently permanent change associated with altered growth.

MCF-7 cells were cultured either in RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) or in a serum-free (SF) medium supplemented with insulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transferrin. Binding studies were performed with 125I-insulin or 125I-EGF. In the FCS containing culture, down-regulation was seen for insulin receptors (47%), and for the EGF receptors (75%). Using cells grown in the serum-free medium we could not demonstrate down-regulation of the insulin receptors, while the EGF receptors were down-regulated to the same extent (74%). The number of binding sites per cell was about twice as much in cells cultured in FCS as that in SF medium. No significant differences were observed for receptor affinity of insulin or EGF in cells grown in both media. The rate of internalization of insulin or EGF into cells was similar in both culture conditions. The mechanism in which only EGF but not insulin demonstrated receptor down-regulation in SF medium remains unknown.

Five protease inhibitors, I--V, in the molecular weight range 7000--8000 were purified from Tracy soybeans by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and G-75, and column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. In common with previously described trypsin inhibitors from legumes, I--V have a high content of half-cystine and lack tryptophan. By contrast with other legume inhibitors, inhibitor II contains 3 methionine residues. Isoelectric points range from 6.2 to 4.2 in order from inhibitor I to V. Molar ratios (inhibitor/enzyme) for 50% trypsin inhibition are I = 4.76, II = 1.32, III = 3.22, IV = 2.17, V = 0.97. Only V inhibit chymotrypsin significantly (molar ratio = 1.33 for 50% inhibition). The sequence of the first 16 N-terminal amino acid residued of inhibitor V is identical to that of the Bowman-Birk inhibitor; all other observations also indicate that inhibitor V and Bowman-Birk are identical. The first 20 N-terminal amino acid residues of inhibitor II show high homology to those of Bowman-Birk inhibitor, differing by 1 deletion and 5 substitutions. Immunological tests show that inhibitors I through IV are fully cross-reactive with each other but are distinct from inhibitor V.

Urinary epidermal growth factor (EGF) excretion was calculated as ng EGF per mg creatinine and ng EGF per 24 hr. It was increased 4-9 fold in rats with genetic (BB) or streptozotocin-induced diabetes. It decreased to 2-3 fold control values in insulin-treated animals. In contrast, EGF concentration in serum was lower in diabetic than in control rats (360 +/- 72 vs 524 +/- 150 pg/ml, P .086); EGF level in plasma was unchanged (319 +/- 67 vs 313 +/- 96 pg/ml). In diabetic rats EGF content was increased in submaxillary glands (1018 +/- 259 vs 738 +/- 122 pg/mg protein, P .060) but unchanged in the kidneys (70 +/- 18 vs 65 +/- 6 pg/mg protein in controls). EGF binding to the liver microsomes in diabetic rats was decreased by 30-40% and was not restored by insulin therapy. Binding to the kidneys also showed a tendency to decrease in diabetic animals. The EGF excretion and receptor binding were normal in obese normoglycemic Zucker fa/fa rats. We suggest that hyperglycemia and/or glucosuria may affect EGF synthesis and/or excretion in the kidneys and EGF synthesis or accumulation in the megakaryocytes. The mechanism of decreased EGF receptor binding remains to be clarified.

The effects of ethanolamine on insulin secretion by the perfused rat pancreas were examined. During the second phase of glucose-induced insulin secretion 5-minute perfusions of ethanolamine at final concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 mM inhibited insulin release in a dose-related manner. When given throughout the experiment the highest dose of ethanolamine markedly suppressed both phases of glucose-induced insulin release. The inhibitory effect of ethanolamine was blunted in the presence of phentolamine. It is concluded that ethanolamine inhibits glucose-induced insulin secretion by the perfused rat pancreas and that alpha-adrenergic receptors play a role in its actions on insulin output.

Twenty-five insulin-treated diabetic patients were randomly assigned postoperatively to 5 days of intravenous infusions of ProcalAmine (3% amino acids, 3% glycerol, and electrolytes) or FreAmineIII + dextrose and electrolytes. The solutions were given isocalorically and isonitrogenously. Insulin was adjusted to keep glycemia at the level of 150-200 mg/dl. The ProcalAmine group by the 5th day had plasma glucose of 158 +/- 25 mg/dl and required 1.20 +/- 0.10 U/hr insulin. The FreAmine + dextrose group had plasma glucose of 169 +/- 53 mg/dl and required 2.28 +/- 0.13 U/hr. At all time points postsurgically, the ProcalAmine group required less insulin.

Using the isolated pancreas of male Sprague-Dawley rats, three different concentrations of glucose were tested in the perfusion medium: 4.0, 6.7, and 9.4 mM. The insulinotropic effects of several potent secretagogues were examined with and without a 10(-7)-M corticosterone-21-acetate (CS) background. When the perfusion medium contained 4.0 mM glucose, there was no insulin secretion in the basal state, but 10(-6)M carbamylcholine chloride, 5 mM L-leucine, and 5 mM calcium chloride elicited moderate but sharp responses of insulin output. When the secretagogues were superimposed on CS infusion, their stimulatory effects were abolished. When the perfusion medium contained 6.7 mM glucose, a steady insulin secretion was observed. A 4- to 5-fold stimulation of insulin release was elicited by carbamylcholine, leucine, and calcium. With CS in the perfusate, the secretagogues were ineffective. However, at a higher glucose level (9.4 mM), the stimulants could partially escape the inhibitory effects of CS. It is concluded that CS may play a role in the regulation of insulin output by directly modulating the activities of some potent secretagogues.

Triton X-100 strongly affects the receptor binding and autophosphorylation of insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in rat liver Golgi fractions and partially purified microsomal receptors. At concentration 0.05% Triton X-100 decreased the insulin receptor binding by 15% and the EGF receptor binding by 70% as compared to controls. In contrast, 0.05% Triton X-100 increased insulin-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation by more than 370% as compared to 87% in the control. Similarly, the same concentration of Triton X-100 increased the EGF-stimulated receptor phosphorylation by 65% as compared to 14% in the control. EGF receptor binding was more sensitive to the treatment of Triton. At Triton concentrations 0.2% or more, the EGF receptor binding was totally abolished while the insulin receptor binding was decreased by 50%. On the other hand, the activity of ligand-stimulated receptor phosphorylation of both insulin and EGF receptors was only slightly decreased in the presence of 0.2% Triton.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and killed Staphylococcus aureus cells (S. aureus) were used as agents to separate free insulin from antibody-bound insulin in diabetic sera. Insulin was determined by conventional double antibody radioimmunoassay. The free insulin values after PEG treatment were almost half of those after S. aureus treatment. The free insulin levels in high-antibody containing sera preincubated at 37 degrees C, 2 h were double the value of fresh sera. PEG treatment caused about 40% loss of total serum protein. The addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the PEG-treated serum greatly increased the immuno-reactive insulin values. This may suggest that protein concentration plays a role in insulin radioimmunoassay. PEG treatment may also enhance the interaction between free insulin and free antibodies resulting in underestimation of free insulin level.

Five trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitors which have low molecular weights (ranging from 6800 to 8600) and are present in soybean seeds of the Tracy variety have been isolated and purified, and single crystals which give x-ray diffraction data beyond 3-A spacings have been obtained from one of them. The trypsin inhibitor crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell of symmetry P2(1) and dimensions a = 25.919(7) A, b = 43.23(1) A, c = 19.905(5) A, and beta = 103.63(2) degrees. The assymmetric unit contains 1 molecule of molecular weight 6800. The crystal, which has been found to be unusually stable to x-radiation, has solvent content of approximately 26% by volume.