Endocrine Abstracts

The 16-kDa N-terminal fragment of human prolactin (16K hPRL) is a potent angiostatic factor described to prevent tumor growth in mouse models. Using microarray experiments, we have dissected how the endothelial-cell genome responds to 16K hPRL treatment. Of the 23.000 transcripts present on the chips, 210 are regulated by 16K hPRL. Bio-informatic analysis and experiments performed on endothelial cells with various chemical inhibitors clearly suggest that NF-κB is crucial ...

Introduction: Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) during pregnancy is rare but requires a specific approach for its diagnosis HPT is associated with a high incidence of associated maternal, fetal and neonatal complications, including miscarriage (3,5x-fold higher than expected), IUGR, prematurity and pre-eclampsia(1,2,3). The severity of complications is proportional to degree of maternal calcium level.Case report: We report the c...

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness of α-lipoic acid for the reducing the risk of developing peripheral diabetic neuropathy.Subjects and methods: We have studied 38 patients with type I and II diabetes, from age 28 to 35. The mean duration of disease was 9 years. Patients were divided in two groups. In group I were included 15 patients which got α-lipoic acid in order to prevent peripheral diabetic neuropathy in dos...

Adrenal rest tumours are well described in 21-hydroxylase deficiencies. However there are few reports in literature of rest tumours in 11-β hydroxylase (11- β OH) deficiency. We report a case with an established diagnosis of 11- β OH deficiency with non-compliance to steroid treatment and endocrine follow-upHe presented to Urology with haemospermia. He was found to have scrotal swellings. Ultrasound confirmed bilateral testicular tumours. ...

T3-receptor alpha (TRa) is the predominant TR isoform in bone. To investigate its function, we analysed mice harbouring a dominant negative R384C mutation in TRa1 (TRa1m/+). The homozygous TRa1m/m mutation is lethal whereas heterozygotes are euthyroid displaying only transient postnatal hypothyroidism. Critically, dominant negative activity of the mutation is overcome by a 10-fold increase in T3, which is achieved by crossing TRa1m/+ mutants wi...

Replacement with mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) or poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduces inflammation in the pre-diabetic subjects but the benefits are unclear in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our aim was to investigate whether saturated fatty acids (SFA), MUFA and PUFA produce a similar adipocyte inflammatory response, which may explain the rationale for maintained systemic inflammation noted in subjects with T2DM. The differentiated human preadipo...

34 years old male patient was admitted to Endocrine department with palpitation (130–140 beats/minute), weight loss(15 kg during 3 months), anxiety, nervousness, hand tremor, generalized nocturnal pruritus. Laboratory examination showed: decreased level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) <0.005 (n 0.3–4.0 iu/ml), markedly increased level of free thyroxin (FT4) - 100(n 12–22 pmol/l), free triiodthryonine FT3-6,5 (n-0,8-2,0 ng/ml),anti-R-TSH 15-(n- <1,75...

Background: Graves’ disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies directed to the TSH receptor (TRAb), which can be activating (TSAb), neutral, or blocking (TBAb). This balance determines the final clinical result. Typically TSAbs dominate, resulting in hyperthyroidism. Rarely, TBAbs prevail and result in hypothyroidism (1). The TRAb assay routinely used in the clinic does not allow to differentiate between stimulating or blocking characteristics.<p class...

Background: In patients with hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy is the only curative therapy. Anesthetic management differs function of etiology (primary vs secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism) and surgical technique (minimally invasive or classic parathyroidectomy).Aim: To evaluate peri-operative management in parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism of various etiologies, in a tertiary center.Patients and methods: Two ...

Background: Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT)/PBEF/visfatin is a widely expressed cytokine with various effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, cell survival, and inflammation. Despite a favorable body composition profile, acromegalic patients present insulin resistance, increased cardiovascular risk, and higher incidence of secondary tumors.Aim: Based on its relation to glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammation we hypothesized that NAM...