Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Testosterone circulates in the blood mainly bound to albumin and human sex-hormone-binding globulin (hSHBG). It is generally admitted that only the protein unbound fraction of testosterone (free hormone hypothesis) is biologically active. From our routine SHBG binding assay, we observed that SHBG concentration may have an influence on its affinity for testosterone (personal data). To further explore this assumption we used surface plasmon resonance (SPR, Biacore)...

Background: Abrupt catecholamine release may cause paroxysmal attacks in patients with pheochromocytoma, and is associated with major hemodynamic changes during adrenalectomy. We investigated whether preoperative paroxysmal attacks are associated with further intraoperative adverse hemodynamic changes during adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.Material and methods: From 1994 to 2006, 88 patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. I...

The genetic landscape of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is being rapidly uncovered. It has long been known that, like other endocrine tumors, NETs might occur in the context of familial predisposition syndromes, involving genes like MEN1, VHL, TSC1/TSC2, NF1 and CDKN1B. Recently, several seminal papers have described the main molecular abnormalities underlying sporadic or apparently sporadic NETs. The results confirm that: (a) well di...

The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) serum concentration is the marker of vitamin D status. It is measured by immunoanalysis, mostly on automated platforms, or by separative methods such as HPLC or LC/MS-MS. An important inter-method variability has been evidenced some years ago. This has however improved recently thanks to the availability of an international standard and of a reference method (RM), and to the implementation of the Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP). Some pr...

GnRH agonists continually stimulate the pituitary gonadotrophs, leading to desensitization and decreases in LH release and, to a lesser extent, FSH release after an initial flare-up. They have transformed the management of precocious puberty since their initial use in early 80’s. However, several issues remain unresolved that are pertinent to the indications and use of these medications. Different GnRH agonists are available in various depot forms and their use results in...

Amphibia, through metamophosis, recapitulate the evolution of water homeostasis from aquatic life to terrestrial one. Whereas the tadpole has the status of a freshwater fish, the adult has developed a three osmoregulatory organ system, including kidney, bladder and skin, for facing terrestrial dehydration. Amphibia have differentiated epithelial hydroosmotic cells in each organ: principal cells in nephron collecting duct, granular cells in urinary bladder, principal cells in v...

Tissue and cell type specific control of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) levels is thought to occur through the usage of alternate promoters, and associated non-coding alternate first exons. The vast majority of the known alternative first exons are located within a 3.2 kbp CpG island. Methylation of certain CpG dinucleotides within the rat Gr promoter has been implicated in changes in hippocampal GR expression levels and the resultant disturbances in the HPA axis.<...

Human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency is a rare form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia resulting from HSD3B2 gene mutations, leading to steroidogenesis impairment in both adrenals and gonads. The transition period is important for a successful adult fertility, but information about fertility is lacking in this rare disease.The patient presented with salt wasting at birth in Trousseau Hospital. Consanguinity was present, since the parents ...

Introduction: Reproductive processes are regulated with the participation of the kisspeptinergic neurotransmitter system and the hormonal axis hypothalamus – adenohypophysis – gonads. The action of all regulators of reproductive processes can be disturbed by the development of inflammation and the action of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this case, cognitive dysfunctions may occur, since sex hormones are involved in the regulation of brain functions. The study analyz...

Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia (CLAH) is a severe disorder characterized by early impairment of both adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis, leading to early adrenal failure and male sex reversal. The most common aetiology of CLAH is mutation of Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) gene.Objective: We report evolution over 20 years of a 46XX patient harbouring a novel StAR gene mutation.Methods: Clinical, hormonal and i...