Endocrine Abstracts

Mitotane is the only approved drug for the treatment of advanced adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and we recently demonstrated that a high expression of cytochrome P450 2W1 (CYP2W1) correlated with response to mitotane. The association between CYP2W1 alleles and a generally increased cancer risk is under debate. Aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of CYP2W1 polymorphisms and its correlation with the response to mitotane treatment in ACC patients.<p class="abstext"...

Introduction: Bilateral sampling of the inferior petrosal sinuses (IPSS) is considerate actually the best diagnostic test for Cushing.Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed our series of patients undergone IPSS for Cushing disease and we compared the difference between central and peripheral ACTH gradient in basal condition and after CRH stimulation in cases of localization of the tip of the catheters inside the inferior petrosal sinus or at t...

: Non-thyroidal-illness syndrome (NTIS) is present in chronic renal failure and considered an adaptive mechanism. However oxidative stress is linked to NTIS in a vicious circle, due to deiodinases alteration and negative effect on antioxidant levels or activity. One key antioxidant, protective toward ROS-mediated tissue damage, is extracellular superoxide-dismutase (ec-SOD), present in extracellular matrix and with a role in mediating nitric oxide-induced signaling. ec-SOD is ...

Introduction: Adrenocortical tumours comprise frequent adenomas (ACA) and rare highly malignant carcinoma (ACC). Livin/ML-IAP/BIRC7 is a member of the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins family, which are involved in tumorigenesis, mostly through the inhibition of caspase-3. Aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of livin/BIRC7 in normal and neoplastic adrenal glands.Methods: The mRNA expression of BIRC7, its isoforms livin α...

GEP NETs, especially gastrinomas, occur in 40–70% of MEN1 patients and represent the main cause of death in these patients.We aim to investigate the efficacy of lanreotide autogel (ATG) in the treatment of MEN1-related gastrinomas.We report a monocentric series of seven MEN1 patients (three M, and four F) treated with lanreotide ATG (120 mg/4 weeks) for a mean period of 62.1 months. Plasma gastrin levels have been measured at ...

It is well known that insulin resistance (IR) is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Oxidative stress (OS) is, in turn, related to IR, with a vicious cycle. PCOS patients presented higher circulating concentrations of oxidative stress products such as homocysteine, malondialdehyde, an increase of superoxide dismutase and reduction of antioxidants such as glutathione and paraoxonase-1 activity. Most studies however concerned obese PCOS subjects. The physiopatholog...

The chemical composition of the cervical mucus (CM), its physical characteristics and the volume secreted show cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle.Clinical proteomics has recently developed new technologies and bioinformatics useful in identifying molecular markers of physiology and pathology. The development of novel mass spectrometers, like the LTQ-Orbitrap, considerably contributed to increase the quantity of acquired data. Aim of the present ...

It is well known that heart failure is associated with oxidative stress (OS). Reactive oxygen species in fact influence sarcolemmal and mitochondrial ione channels, which are responsible for cardiomyocyte excitability and are important in myocardial remodeling after a myocardial infarction. The decrease of anabolic axes can have a role in the progression of the illness.In order to evaluate the relationship between growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and inde...

The IGF1 response to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) showed some individual variability and the responsible factors for this behavior remain unknown. Some studies have emphasized the possible role of isoforms of the GH receptor (GHR), showing conflicting results.Therefore, we investigated the possible influence of the isoforms of the GHR to the diagnosis of GHD and in determining adult hormone replacement therapy responsiveness.<p class="abst...

Anabolic therapies represent a major advance in the management of severe osteoporosis. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and human recombinant PTH peptide 1–34 (Teriparatide) demonstrated an increase in bone mineral density and a significant reduction in vertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis when given for 18–24 months. The intermittent administration of PTH or teriparatide stimulates osteoblastic function, improves bone architecture and has an additional analges...