Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Nrf2 (Nfe2l2) is a transcription factor that regulates a series of cytoprotective and antioxidant enzymes. Upon exposure to oxidative or electrophilic stress, Nrf2 enters the nucleus and induces its target genes expression. Follicular thyroid cells have physiologically high levels of reactive oxygen species as oxidation of iodine is essential for iodination of thyroglobulin and thyroid hormones synthesis. We have shown previously that Nrf2 pathway is active in th...

Background/Aims: Food intake is orchestrated by complex neuronal networksresiding in the forebrain, hypothalamus, and brainstem, via orexigenic and anorexigenic neuropeptides. Nesfatin-1, the amino-terminal fragment of nucleobindin 2, is a potent anorexigenic and anti-obesogenic neuropeptide, with widespread central distribution in rodents. In obese humans, our research group has recently reported reduced nesfatin-1 protein expression in the lateral hypothalamic area, a brain ...

Background: Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a protein exclusively synthesized by follicular thyroid cells. Serum Tg levels depend on thyroid volume, serum TSH levels, gender, age, smoking, and iodine intake. Consequently, serum Tg reference range may exhibit variations among different populations. It is crucial to establish population-specific reference ranges, especially when interpreting serum Tg values in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who have undergone...

Background: KEAP1 gene (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) that encodes the main inhibitor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related transcription factor 2 (Nrf2), a central mediator of antioxidant responses, has been found to be one of the mutated genes that lead to familial multinodular goiter (MNG). The proposed association of KEAP1 with familial MNG is based on only two loss-of-function mutations in respective Japanese families. To date, there is no experim...