Endocrine Abstracts

Extra-cellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT; also referred to as visfatin/PBEF) concentrations are elevated in serum of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the relationship between abnormally elevated serum eNAMPT and the pathophysiology of T2D is unclear. eNAMPT circulates in functionally and structurally distinct monomer and dimer forms. eNAMPT-dimer exerts NAD-biosynthetic activity. The role of eNAMPT-monomer is unclear but may exert NAD-independ...

ObjectivePlant-derived extracts have long been used to treat Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but their effects have not been rigorously investigated at the cellular level in vitro. The aims of the current study were to determine the effects of a virgin isolate of Gymnema sylvestre (GS), designated OSA, on pancreatic β-cell function.Materials and MethodsCell viability was measured by Trypan...

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are an innovative oncologic therapy used in several types of solid and hematological neoplasms. This treatment enables the antitumoral immune system response and results in significant improvement of clinical outcomes and survival rate. However, endocrine related adverse effects (ERAE) have been related, with thyroid and pituitary dysfunction being the most common endocrine diseases described. An association between the surge of e...

Introduction: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid nodules can be associated with non-diagnostic (ND) results, despite the usage of ultrasound (US) guidance. It is recommended to repeat the FNAC because of the possible risk of malignancy in these nodules.Aim: To evaluate the influence of demographic, clinical and echographic characteristics in the recurrence of ND FNAC in a thyroid nodule.Methods: Retrospective review ...

Background: Calcitonin (CT) is a specific marker of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC). However, its routine measurement in the assessment of nodular thyroid disease (NTD) remains controversial because MTC is rare and CT may have false positive results.Objective: To evaluate the frequency of hypercalcitoninemia (hyperCT) among patients with benign NTD and to disclose possible underlying factors.Methods: Retrospective study including...

Introduction: Prembrolizumab, a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, is one of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) that have revolutionized cancer therapy. However, ICIs can also trigger immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in different organ systems, including endocrine glands. While thyroid dysfunction is among the most common endocrinopathies reported, ICI-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) is extremely rare, with an overall incidence ranging from 0.9 to 2%.</p...

Introduction: Adrenal oncocytoma (AO) and ganglioneuroma (GN) are rare causes of adrenal masses, corresponding usually to nonfunctional and benign tumors. However, 20% of the AO shows some elements of malignancy and 10–20% of them affect adrenal hormone production. GNs account for 0.3%-2% of adrenal incidentalomas, with punctate calcifications in CT imaging being highly suggestive. However, preoperative differential diagnosis remains challenging. Adrenal arterial emboliza...

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common illness of pregnancy. Despite its frequency, there’s no worldwide accepted screening criteria for GDM. In 2011, Carpenter and Coustan (CC) screening (50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) followed by 100-g glucose tolerance test (OGTT) if GCT screen was positive) was abandoned and began the implementation of the screening of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) 20...

Background: Bilateral adrenal haemorrhage (Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome) is a rare consequence of sepsis (usually a result of meningococcal infection), with an estimated 15% mortality. Despite the predominant association with meningococcal infection, there are other recognised aetiologies: sepsis resulting from other organisms, and non-infectious causes, such as anticoagulant treatment, trauma and postoperative adrenal haemorrhage.Case report: A...

Introduction: Acromegaly is usually caused by a pituitary adenoma; ectopic or eutopic secretion of GHRH is a rare condition, responsible for <1% of the cases. Ectopic secretion of GH itself is even rarer.Case report: A 34-year-old woman was referred to the Endocrine Clinic with a multinodular goiter. However, on physical examination there were some physical signs of acromegaly: coarsening of facial features, protusion of the lower jaw and thick, oily...