Effects of short term glucocorticoid administration in primary hyperparathyroidism: Comparison to sarcoidosis

N. A. Breslau, J. E. Zerwekh, M. J. Nicar, C. Y C Pak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

The amount and distribution of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in healthy adult human subjects remain uncertain. BAT has been described in patients with pheochromocytoma. This pathological situation was chosen to try to characterize human BAT using both morphological and biochemical criteria. Typical multilocular brown adipocytes were observed; the cytoplasm of these adipocytes was filled with mitochondria with numerous tightly packed cristae, as in rat or hamster BAT. Isolated mitochondria exhibited a loose respiratory coupling sensitive to guanosine diphosphate; the chloride conductance of these mitochondria was reduced by the addition of this nucleotide. It is concluded that in patients with pheochromocytoma, there is a large amount of a tissue around the adrenal glands and kidneys which fullfills the ultrastructural and biochemical criteria for a BAT.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)803-807
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume54
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1982

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of short term glucocorticoid administration in primary hyperparathyroidism: Comparison to sarcoidosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this