Urinary excretion of cyclic-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate in hyperthyroidism

Plasma and urine cyclic nucleotide levels in patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism

Plasma levels and 24-h urinary excretion of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were measured in 18 patients with hyperthyroidism, 7 patients with hypothyroidism and 25 normal subjects. Mean plasma and urinary levels of both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were significantly positive correlations between the serum thyroid hormone levels and plasma and urinary cyclic nucleotide concentrations were also found, suggesting that the elevated extracellular cyclic nucleotide levels in hyperthyroidism are probably a consequence of increased secretion of thyroid hormones. In the hypothyroid patients the extracellular cyclic nucleotide concentrations did not differ significantly from those of the normal subjects.

Effect of triiodothyronine on bronchial asthma. II

Triiodothyronine (T3) administration to patients suffering from chronic bronchial asthma or patients suffering from nasopharyngeal allergy was reported to ameliorate the attacks. Twelve patients aged less than 35 years suffering from chronic bronchial asthma for more than 5 years, who were maintained on usual anti-asthmatic drugs with the exception of steroids and chromoglycate and who were not the subject of repeated attacks of bronchitis were chosen for the study. Each patient was given T3 orally as 40 micron/day divided into two doses, for a period of 60 days. The drug increased the peak flow in all cases. The increase averaged 24.6% +/- 8.48 (P less than 0.001). Three cases reported marked improvement and four were able to reduce the dose of anti-asthmatic drugs. There was no significant change in the pulse rate, ECG, body weight, blood pressure, or appetite. One patient complained of insomnia and another of increased anxiety. It is possible that T3 exerts its beneficial effect through correcting the level of C-AMP, which is known to be low in asthmatics, through improvement of body mechanism for antibody formation, or through other unidentified mechanisms.

Urinary cyclic AMP in diagnosis and management of hypercalcaemia: studies of patients without primary hyperparathyroidism

Urinary adenosine -3' ,5' - cyclic monophosphate was measured in 14 patients with hypercalcaemia not caused by primary hyperparathyroidism. Increased levels were found in patients with malignant disease without bone metastases and believed to be examples of paraendocrine syndrome. Decreased levels were found in patients with metastatic carcinoma involving bone, and in patients with multiple myeloma, lymphoma and immobilisation after fracture. Results obtained during treatment for hypercalaemia are described in three patients. In two hypercalcaemic patients (one with hyperthyroidism and one with breast cancer with bone metastases) normal levels were found. This measurement is a useful substitute for assay of serum parathyroid hormone and is of value in the diagnosis of hypercalcaemia, in monitoring effects of treatment and in revealing underlying mechanisms.