Study Of The Endocrine And Metabolic Dysfunction And Assessment Of Hormonal Interventions In A Novel In Vivo Experimental Model Of Critical Illness

"This is a Ph.D. dissertation. In this thesis attention will be focuses on the mechanisms by which growth hormone and insulin modify some major metabolic pathways, in light of their opposite effects on outcome of critical iliness. Chapter 1 comprises a bri"

This is a Ph.D. dissertation. Contents include: General introduction, Measurement of intestinal CYP3A4 and P-Glycoprotein activity by a combined oral and intravenous 14C-Erythromycin breath and urine test, Alterations of CYP3A4 and P-Glycoprotein activity in vivo with time in renal graft recipients, CYP3A4 and P-Glycoprotein activity in healthy controls and transplant patients on cyclosporine vs. Tacrolimus vs. Sirolimus, Impact of gastric acid suppressants on cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-Glycoprotein: consequences for FK506 assimilation, Diarrhoea after transplantation: impact on cytochrome P4503A4/P-Glycoprotein and assimilation of calcineurin inhibitors, Discussion.

The development, growth and survival of eukaryotic organisms require the proper regulation of tens of thousands of genes. Therefore, a correct temporal and spatial expression of genes is crucial. These expression patterns are controlled by a wide variety of mechanisms, but a major level of gene expression occurs at the transcription initiation process. In this part, the basic mechanisms of eukaryotic gene transcription will be discussed. Contents include: 1) General Introduction, 2) Characterization of the two coactivator interacting surfaces of the androgen receptor and their relative role in transcriptional control, 3) Screening for environmental (anti)androgenic activity, 4) Detection of endocrine disrupting activities in pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls, and 5) General Discussion / Future Perspectives.