Endocrine Abstracts

ObjectiveIt is controversial whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) always reflects mild thyroid failure and if treatment is beneficial. The arguments in favour of treatment are prevention of progression, reducing cholesterol levels and improving symptoms. The consequence of SCH on body weight and its response to treatment has never been studied in a systematic manner.MethodsUnselected population-based stud...

Few studies have investigated the intracellular signaling pathways mediating the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretagogues in enteroendocrine L cells. Specific receptors, channels, and intracellular signaling proteins expressed by the L cells have only begun to be characterized. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the olfactory receptor (OR) OR51E1 in GLP-1 secretion. We verified the expression of olfactory marker protein (OMP), an indicator of OR...

The Osteoprotegerin (OPG) RANK and RANK-L system is a novel paracrine system that forms part of the mechanism of bone turnover. The aim of this study was to explore if the OPG/ RANK-L system, detectable in blood, is related to bone mineral density.The study population consisted of 185 osteoporotic women (mean age 62.4 years), with bone mineral density (BMD) more than 2.5 SD below the young adult value, and 185 age-matched controls, with normal bone miner...

High protein diets suppress appetite and facilitate weight loss, but are difficult to adhere to in the long-term. Understanding the mechanisms by which protein suppresses appetite may establish targets for more acceptable interventions to treat or prevent obesity. Of particular interest is the concept of functional foods or novel products which aim to potentiate satiety. However, the specific mechanisms regulating protein-induced satiety are unknown. Protein has a satiating ef...

Cannabinoids are known to exert effects throughout the endocrine system, including in the anterior pituitary. Whilst cannabinoid receptors (CB1 in particular) are expressed in numerous tissues, expression and function of an endocannabinoid system within specific anterior cell types has not been investigated. We have used well-characterised gonadotroph (LβT2 and αT3-1) and somatolactotroph (GH3) cell lines to establish the expression and functional role for cannabinoi...

Background: Adrenal incidentalomas (AI) are identified in 4–7% of patients >40 years undergoing abdominal CT/MRI. Evidence of subclinical autonomous glucocorticoid hypersecretion (SAGH) is found in 5–10% of cases depending on the diagnostic criteria/thresholds adopted.Aim: To examine the utility of basal DHEAS measurement in the detection of SAGH in a cohort of patients with AI.Methods: Ninety-six consecutive subjects...

Introduction: Overt hypothyroidism and severe subclinical hypothyroidism (ScH) are associated with dyslipidaemia, and its condition is reversible after thyroid replacement therapy. We investigated the effect of levothyroxine therapy on lipid parameters in patients with mild form of subclinical hypothyroidism (ScH).Material and methods: Fifty-seven patients with newly diagnosed ScH with TSH levels below 10 mU/l and 30 age and sex-matched healthy subjects ...

Introduction: Thyroid hormone deficiency can lead to the impairment of cardiac function. Whether subclinical hypothyroidism (ScH) is a risk factor for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is controversial. Aim of the study was to assess whether ScH is associated with LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction and it’s reversibility after treatment with L-thyroxine.Material and methods: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with newly diagnosed Sc...

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine deficiency due to inadequate amounts of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and is characterised by hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia. Current management regimens with large amounts of oral calcium and active vitamin D do not adequately control mineral homeostasis and can lead to complications in many patients. The phase III REPLACE and RELAY clinical trials established the efficacy and safety of once-daily s.c. injection of r...

Introduction: Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a rare but well-known cause of acute pancreatitis, which can be fatal with an overall mortality rate of 36-50% in the most severe forms.Case presentation: A 29-year-old patient was admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain, bilious vomiting and alteration of general condition. Physical examination showed hemodynamic shock with diffuse abdominal tenderness. The Laboratory results showed a serum li...