Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11 β-HSD1) converts cortisone into its active metabolite, cortisol. Mechanisms regulating the promoter-activity of 11β-HSD1 are of considerable importance to understand the basics of intracellular cortisol, lipid and glucose metabolism. The incretine glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) has been suggested to affect insulin sensitivity. However, the mechanisms of this effect are unclear yet....

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is an incretin hormone secreted by K-cells of proximal small intestine that is secreted postprandial in response to glucose and fat ingestion. Its effect is mediated through a GIP receptor (GIPR) which is widely expressed in different tissues, e.g. pancreatic islets, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, adrenal cortex, heart, pituitary and in some regions of the brain. However, only the effect of GIP in pancreatic beta-cells is we...

Introduction: Free fatty acids (FFAs) affect pituitary function. While no effect of FFAs on ACTH and cortisol seems to exist in men, data in women are somewhat controversial. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of an acute increase of circulating FFA levels induced by the infusion of a lipid-heparin infusion on ACTH and cortisol secretion in healthy young women.Methods: Following a 10-h overnight fast 13 healthy female volunteers were investigated i...

Context: The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism and associated with obesity and impaired glucose metabolism. Despite the high prevalence of PCOS and the considerable clinical impact, the precise interplay between metabolism and hyperandrogenemia is not entirely clear. We therefore aimed to analyse the relation between circulating free fatty acids (FFAs) and androgen metabolism in vivo in women.Design and partic...