Palmitate turnover and its response to glucose infusion in weight-losing cancer patients

Palmitate turnover in weight-stable control subjects (n = 4) and weight-losing patients with progressive malignant disease (n = 4) has been determined. Measurements were made after an overnight fast and during glucose infusion (3.5 mg/kg/min). Turnover rates were calculated from plateau isotopic enrichment of palmitate in plasma during a continuous infusion of 1-13C palmitate. Palmitate turnover was higher in the cancer group before (180%) and during glucose loading (170%) compared with the control group. Palmitate turnover was reduced during glucose administration by approximately 34% in both groups. Plasma concentration of insulin was decreased and of cortisol was increased in the cancer group compared with the control group before and during glucose infusion. We conclude that cancer patients with weight loss have increased rates of fatty acid turnover indicative of enhanced mobilisation of body fat stores. Altered plasma concentrations of insulin and cortisol may mediate this effect. Nonetheless, even at more advanced stages of cachexia cancer patients have normal control mechanisms for inhibiting fatty acid turnover following administration of carbohydrate.     

Benign familial disease with muscle mounding and rippling.

Four members of a family in three generations exhibited unusual clinical features of localised transient swelling of muscle induced by percussion (muscle mounding or myoedema) and were able, voluntarily, to induce rhythmic waves of contraction in certain muscles (muscle rippling or rolling). All had raised serum creatine kinase activity. Muscle biopsy in two members showed no specific abnormality. Experimental studies performed on excised intercostal muscle showed that abnormal "after-contractions" and increased sarcolemmal excitability could be demonstrated in vitro.     

Las Vegas: bright lights, big profits

The Las Vegas area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, a trend that's helping to keep the market's healthcare providers in the chips. Both the area's for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals are busy developing projects to meet the needs of the surging population.