The effect of hydrocortisone on the transport of water, sodium, and glucose in the jejunum. Perfusion studies in normal subjects and patients with coeliac disease

A Novel Electrochemical Aptasensor Based on a New Platform of Samarium Molybdate Flower-like Nanoparticles@Poly(pyrrole) for Non-Invasive Determination of Saliva CORTISOL

Cortisol, a famous stress biomarker, can be considered a potential predictor of cardiac diseases in humans. The presence of cortisol in saliva has encouraged researchers to design point-of-care devices for cortisol concentration in biological fluids. Here, human salivary cortisol was analyzed through a new non-invasive voltammetric aptasensor. Although cortisol is an electroactive compound, generally, the reduction in the current peak has been considered; however, this does not show a strong signal on a bare electrode surface, especially at low concentration levels. Hence, in this study, cortisol concentration was measured electrochemically and indirectly by monitoring the difference between electrochemical probe signals in the presence and absence of cortisol. A new polymeric nanocomposite of samarium molybdate flower-like nanoparticles decorated in poly(pyrrole) was electro-synthesized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode. Then, reduced graphene oxide was cast on the surface. Finally, the cortisol aptamer was immobilized covalently on the reduced graphene oxide. This platform was used to increase the oxidation current peak of the ferricyanide solution as a probe as well as its electrocatalyst. The novel designed polymeric has the potential ability for effective immobilization of aptamers on the electrode surface without decreasing their biological activities. Additionally, it can enhance the probe electrochemical signal. The differential pulse voltammetric method (DPV) was applied as the detection technique. By optimizing the effective parameters, a determination range of 5.0 × 10⁻¹⁴–1.5 × 10⁻¹¹ mol/L and a limit of detection of 4.5 × 10⁻¹⁴ mol/L were obtained. Selectivity of the proposed aptasensor relative to β-estradiol, progesterone and also prednisolone was studied as well. Finally, cortisol in a healthy human saliva sample was successfully analyzed by the proposed biosensors.

How to manage a high-output stoma

A high-output stoma (HOS) or fistula is when small bowel output causes water, sodium and often magnesium depletion. This tends to occur when the output is >1.5 -2.0 L/24 hours though varies according to the amount of food/drink taken orally. An HOS occurs in up to 31% of small bowel stomas. A high-output enterocutaneous fistula may, if from the proximal small bowel, behave in the same way and its fluid management will be the same as for an HOS. The clinical assessment consists of excluding causes other than a short bowel and treating them (especially partial or intermittent obstruction). A contrast follow through study gives an approximate measurement of residual small intestinal length (if not known from surgery) and may show the quality of the remaining small bowel. If HOS is due to a short bowel, the first step is to rehydrate the patient so stopping severe thirst. When thirst has resolved and renal function returned to normal, oral hypotonic fluid is restricted and a glucose-saline solution is sipped. Medication to slow transit (loperamide often in high dose) or to reduce secretions (omeprazole for gastric acid) may be helpful. Subcutaneous fluid (usually saline with added magnesium) may be given before intravenous fluids though can take 10-12 hours to infuse. Generally parenteral support is needed when less than 100 cm of functioning jejunum remains. If there is defunctioned bowel in situ, consideration should be given to bringing it back into continuity.

Psychosocial Stress, Cortisol Levels, and Maintenance of Vaginal Health

Stress stimuli are ubiquitous and women do not enjoy any exemptions. The physiologic "fight-or-flight" response may be deleterious to the female lower genital tract microbiome if the stress stimuli persist for longer than necessary. Persistent exposure to psychosocial stress and stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axes, and associated hormones are risk factors for several infections including genitourinary tract infections. Though this could be due to a dysregulated immune response, a cortisol-induced inhibition of vaginal glycogen deposition may be involved especially in the instance of vaginal infection. The estrogen-related increased vaginal glycogen and epithelial maturation are required for the maintenance of a healthy vaginal ecosystem (eubiosis). The ability of cortisol to disrupt this process as indicated in animal models is important in the pathogenesis of vaginal dysbiosis and the subsequent development of infection and inflammation. This phenomenon may be more crucial in pregnancy where a healthy Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota is sacrosanct, and there is local production of more corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the decidua, fetal membranes and placenta. To highlight the relationship between the stress hormone cortisol and the vaginal microbiomial architecture and function, the potential role of cortisol in the maintenance of vaginal health is examined.

The effects of physical therapeutic agents on serum levels of stress hormones in patients with osteoarthritis

To investigate the effects of physical agents on the levels of stress hormones in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot packs, and therapeutic ultrasound were applied to the lumbar region and knees of patients with OA. Blood samples were taken for the measurement of the serum levels of glucose, insulin (INS), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), cortisol (COR), and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) immediately before and after the 1st session, to investigate the acute effects of those physical agents on the endocrine system. The hormone levels were also measured every 5 sessions in a total of 10 sessions. The treatment response was also evaluated by using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) throughout the therapy period.After the 1st session, there was a decrease in INS levels and a mild decrease in PRL levels (P = 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Throughout the 10-session therapy period, the INS levels increased, whereas the ACTH and COR levels decreased (P < 0.05 for all). The VAS-spine, RMDQ, VAS-knee, and WOMAC scores decreased (P = 0.001 for VAS-spine and P < 0.001 for all others). A positive correlation was detected between the changes in serum COR and WOMAC-pain score (P < 0.05).Although the combination therapy caused changes in INS level accompanied with steady glucose levels, the application of physical agents did not adversely affect the hormone levels. The decrease in ACTH and COR levels may be attributed to the analgesic effect of agents and may be an indicator of patient comfort through a central action.

Changes in carbohydrate metabolism, oxidative stress and loss of cortisol secretion in adrenocortica l cells of Oreochromis niloticus exposed in vitro to endosulfan

The effects of endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide regularly used in Niger Delta ecological zone, were examined and also its effects on various biochemical parameters in the serum of Oreochromis niloticus, a dominant fish species in Nigeria. One hundred and fifty juveniles of O. niloticus were used for the toxicity study. Lethal concentration of 50% mortality of sample (LC50) was determined using semi-static method. From the result of the LC50 determination, lower concentrations of endosulfan were prepared for sublethal test. Five fish per test concentration in three replicates were exposed to varying concentrations of endosulfan. Glucose level and the enzyme activities were measured spectrophotometrically at the end of 28 days of exposure. Glucose levels and glutathione- S-transferase activities were significantly ( p < 0.05) higher than the control and the concentrations increased with increasing concentration of the toxicant and exposure duration. Cortisol secretion was significantly ( p = 0.05) lower in the treated fish than the control. These findings indicated that endosulfan altered all the investigated parameters, which is an indication of their suitability as markers for fish and other aquatic organism toxicity study.

Cortisol's purpose

It is proposed that cortisol's primary purpose is to mobilize the body's defenses against water-losing intestinal diseases and corticosterone's against serum diseases. They do this by inversely controlling those immune cells, enzymes, and hormones, etc. that affect survival during infection. These glucocorticosteroids affect fight-or-flight mobilization as an adjunct made possible because most processes that enhance immunity have a reverse effect on fight-or-flight.

Duodenal secretomotor function in untreated coeliac disease

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to characterize the epithelial transport properties of the distal duodenal mucosa in untreated coeliac disease.

METHODS

The study was performed in 20 patients and in 22 healthy controls. Net fluid and bicarbonate transport was measured with a triple-lumen perfusion technique. Interdigestive motility was recorded by manometry, and the transmural potential difference (PD) was measured as an indicator of electrogenic anion secretion.

RESULTS

In the patients a net fluid secretion was seen (-1.04 +/- 0.26 versus 0.12 +/- 0.11 ml/min x 10 cm in the controls; p < 0.01), and there was no significant net bicarbonate absorption (5.6 +/- 3.4 versus 27.5 +/- 4.4 mumol/min x 10 cm in the controls; p < 0.001). The epithelial transport rate varied with the interdigestive motility; a shift in the secretory direction was seen in late phase II of the migrating motor complex (MMC). Moreover, the MMC-related PD curve was significantly displaced in the lumen-negative direction (p < 0.001 versus controls).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that in untreated coeliac disease, active chloride secretion is enhanced, and Na+/H+ exchange is reduced. This remodelled mucosa still seems to respond to neurogenic stimuli, as suggested by the presence of MMC-related changes in secretion rate.

Influence of D-glucose-induced water absorption on rat jejunal uptake of two passively absorbed drugs

The intestinal absorption of D-glucose is coupled to transepithelial sodium transport and this process generates intestinal water absorption. In situ jejunal perfusions were performed in rats to determine the extent of water transport as a function of perfusion flow rate, perfusate osmolality, and D-glucose concentration. Jejunal perfusions of iso-osmolar D-glucose, at flow rates and concentrations representative of the fed state, increased the dimensionless membrane permeabilities of the analgesic acetaminophen from 0.6 to 1.4, and that of the corticosteroid prednisolone from 1.6 to 2.2. This increase is less important for the more hydrophobic prednisolone since its baseline permeability (1.6) is indicative of complete uptake from solution, while the lower baseline permeability (0.6) of the more hydrophilic acetaminophen represents incomplete membrane uptake. The results suggest that nutrient-induced water transport can enhance jejunal uptake of small hydrophilic solutes. This phenomenon may contribute to variability in the absorption of drugs in this physicochemical class during the fed state.

Inter-relationships between the absorptions of hydrocortisone, sodium, water and actively transported organic solutes in the human jejunum

The effect of intraluminal hydrocortisone (100 mg/l) on sodium and water transport in the small intestine was investigated by jejunal perfusion (flow rate 15 ml/min) of healthy subjects with normal saline and saline containing 56 mmol/l galactose or alanine. Minimal absorption of sodium and water occurred with normal saline and did not change significantly in the presence of hydrocortisone. Galactose and alanine enhanced sodium and water absorption and further significant increases occurred in the presence of hydrocortisone. Glucocorticoid induced increases in absorption were detected within 20-30 min, while plasma cortisol concentrations were in the normal range. 43% of the perfused dose of hydrocortisone was absorbed with normal saline (p less than 0.01). There was a significant positive correlation (p less than 0.0025) between hydrocortisone and water absorption. Thus, in the presence of actively absorbed organic solutes, hydrocortisone rapidly increased sodium absorption and the concurrent increase in water absorption appears to have facilitated passive absorption of hydrocortisone.