Endocrine Abstracts

Androgen signalling plays a central role in the regulation of male reproduction. Androgens act predominantly by activating the classical intracellular androgen receptor (AR). In addition, alternative pathways may account for rapid effects of androgens via cytoplasmic or membrane-localized androgen receptor − ZIP9. In the testis, the main source of androgens, in particular testosterone, are Leydig cells. The proper synthesis of testosterone depends on the structural condi...

Somatic cells of the seminiferous epithelium, called Sertoli cells, play a key role in germ cell development and maintenance of proper course of spermatogenesis. Although androgens are considered the main regulators of Sertoli cell activity, recent studies indicate that their metabolites, estrogens, also influence Sertoli cell function. Estrogens, act mainly through nuclear estrogen receptors α and β (ERα, ERβ), however non-classical signaling via ...

Introduction: Vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are measured to diagnose states of insufficiency or deficiency. The aim of this study is to apply accurate assays of vitamin D forms (single hydroxylated (25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3), double-hydroxylated (1α,25(OH)2D2, 1α,25(OH)2D3), epimers (3-epi-25(OH)D2, 3-epi-25(OH)D3)) in mothers (serum) and neonates (umbilical cord) i) to expl...

Introduction: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte imbalance in hospitalized patients and frequent finding in intensive care units. Hyponatremia is characterized with serum sodium values less than 135 mmol/l and defined by the ratio of total sodium and total body water. It presents with lethargy, confusion, neuromuscular excitability, hyperreflexia, stupor and even coma. In addition to neurological signs and symptoms, assessment of hyponatremia is based on severity and ...

Introduction: Pituitary tumors leading to acromegaly are typically diagnosed as macroadenomas with the potential to infiltrate nearby tissues. If left untreated, acromegaly can result in systemic complications, such as hypertension, glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, leading to substantial comorbidities and a higher mortality rate.Case report: We present a case of a 57-year-old patient who initially presented in 1993 with g...

Introduction: Double and multiple pituitary adenomas (PAs) are rare in patients with Cushing’s disease. If two PAs are found, MRI cannot assess secretory activity. The claimed diagnostic effectiveness of inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) ranges from 82 to 100% across various studies. Yet, this procedure has limitations in everyday clinical practice. Thus, more clinical data on these lesions and possible advanced yet simpler diagnostical procedures are needed, as tre...

Introduction: Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors originating from chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla, secreting catecholamines and causing symptoms such as hypertension, anxiety, panic attacks, palpitations, and headaches. An adrenal gland incidentaloma is identified as an unintentional discovery in approximately 3 - 4 % of computed tomography (CT) abdomens performed. Pheochromocytoma is diagnosed in about 5% of adrenal incidentalomas. Diagnosing pheochromoc...

Introduction: Pheochromocytomas, rare neuroendocrine tumors originating from adrenal medulla chromaffin cells, excessively secrete catecholamines, manifesting diverse symptoms. With an incidence of 2-9 per million inhabitants, these tumors pose diagnostic challenges due to their varied clinical presentation.Case Description: We present five patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma at the Clinical Hospital Center Osijek. The incidentaloma of the adrenal g...