HEAVY PARTICLES, THE BRAGG CURVE AND SUPPRESSION OF PITUITARY FUNCTION IN DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Diabetes (U.S.)

OSTI ID:4067820

Lawrence, J H; Tobias, C A; Linfoot, J A; Born, J L; Gottschalk, A; Kling, R P

During the past six years heavy particles such as protons and alpha panticles were used to achieve partial or complete hypophysectomy in an attempt to slow down the progressivee, severe diabetic retinopathy in 71 patients. Pituitary suppression was indicated by fall in the insulin requirements and target-organ outputs of these patients. Sixty-one patients were followed long enough for reevaluation; the retinopathy had stabilized in 38 of these, and it was further noted that 14 of these 38 patients also showed improvement in visual acuity. The objective improvements observed in the appearance of the eye grounds were decreases in frequency of hemorrhages and microaneurysms and a decrease in neovascularization and exudates. Eleven patients had died: six with uremia, three of acute myocardial infarction, one of auricular fibrillation, and one of cardiovascular collapse. The findings indicate that retinopathy- can be favorably influenced by suppression or ablation of pituitary function, but it is felt that patients with advanced cardiovascular and renal complications are not desirable candidates. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Berkeley
• NSA Number: NSA-18-015927
• OSTI ID: 4067820
• Report Number(s): UCRL-10906; 0012-1797
• Journal Information: Diabetes (U.S.), Journal Name: Diabetes (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 12; ISSN DIAEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALPHA PARTICLES
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
DISEASES
EYES
GLANDS
HEART
HEMORRHAGE
HORMONES
INSULIN
KIDNEYS
MAN
PITUITARY GLAND
PROTONS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOTHERAPY
UREA
USES