Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Abnormalities in cell cycle pathways, such as CDKN1B (p27) underexpression, have been identified in the pathogenesis of pituitary adenomas, but their underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. Ribosomal proteins have been recently related to pituitary tumorigenesis. In gastric cancer, RPS13 down-regulates p27 and promotes cell cycle progression; these mechanisms have not yet been explored in pituitary adenomas.Objective: To evaluate th...

Introduction: Several studies suggest DHEA and DHEAS (DHEA(S)) are related to memory enhancement and a better performance under stress. An anti-cortisol action may contribute to those relations. We looked for a new level of evidence, by studying DHEA(S) and cortisol relations to working memory (WM) and distraction in humans also at the electrophysiological level.Subjects and methods: Twenty-eight healthy female volunteers (18–26 years old) were pres...

Introduction: Several studies reported DHEA relations to memory and cognition improvement. An anti-cortisol action may contribute to those relations. The effect of working memory (WM) on DHEA levels is unknown. We studied DHEA and cortisol reactivity in humans after a WM stimulus with simultaneous distraction.Subjects and methods: Twenty eight healthy female volunteers (18–26 years old) were presented a well-established auditory-visual distraction t...

Introduction: Treatment of hyperthyroidism in older adults is crucial to reduce its morbidity and mortality. Radioactive iodine has been widely used in this age group due to its efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness.Aim: To determine the efficacy of 131I for treatment of hyperthyroidism in the elderly.Methods: Retrospective study of 86 hyperthyroid patients aged ≥65 years who performed radioiodine therapy. We eva...

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone secreted by the stomach with orexigenic properties that induce food intake trough the activation of hypothalamic AMP activated kinase (AMPK). In rodents fed on normal diet the central administration of ghrelin induces an increase in food intake, however, when fed a high fat diet (HFD) rodents are resistant to the orexigenic effect of ghrelin. Recent data show that Cidea interacts with AMPK β-subunit and promotes AMPK degradation trough ubiquit...

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is associated with increased risk of developing papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Although still controversial, these carcinomas appear to have a better prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the presence of thyroiditis in thyroids with PTC and the association with histological variables of prognostic value, Tg and evidence of metastasis in 131I scan.Methods: Descrip...

Introduction: Radiodine (131I) is widely used in the treatment of patients with thyroid cancer. This therapy is associated with some adverse effects including possible impairment of ovarian function and earlier menopause.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate female fertility after treatment with 131I of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).Methods: We retrospectively analysed 250 women with DTC treat...

Introduction: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive cutaneous malignancy, affecting predominantly caucasian and older individuals (slight male predominance). This neoplasm is associated with a high risk of local recurrence and regional lymph node involvement. Distant metastases are less frequent; they were described in liver, bone, CNS, skin, lung and spleen. The authors describe a clinical case of Merkel cell carcinoma with a single metastasis in a thyroid nodule....

Introduction: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) are approved for the treatment of several cancers and can induce hypothyroidism by unclarified mechanisms.Objectives: To assess the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients treated with TKIs.Methods: Retrospective review of clinical records of patients treated with TKIs in our institution between 2003 and 2009. We evaluated parameters such as sex, oncologic pathology, TKI used, TSH an...

Introduction: Procalcitonin (PCT) is currently used as a sepsis marker. Studies have shown that this prohormone is elevated in patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and, additionally, that its assay could have less limitation than calcitonin (CT).Objective: To evaluate the concordance between the values of CT and PCT.Methods: CT, PCT and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were measured in a total of 57 subjects. CEA and CT we...