Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Among various comorbidities of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection, male hypogonadism is very frequent with a prevalence of 19% in patients treated with highly active anti-retroviral therapy. However, literature data are still lacking and achieved by studies with <300 subjects each.Aim of the study: Prevalence and clinical characterization of hypogonadism among a large number of men with HIV-1.Methods...

Background: The classical steroidogenic route to the synthesis of dihydrotestosterone in Leydig cells involves delta-5 and delta-4 precursors. Besides, the “backdoor pathway”, encompassing progesterone metabolites, is gaining increasing interest in fetal development and men pathophysiology. Nowadays, liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the ideal technique to simultaneously quantify large panels of steroids with elevated sensitivity and specif...

Introduction: Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, which may impact reproduction. It is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon generated by the incomplete combustion of organic compounds. BaP may be accumulated in the environment, achieving effective concentrations in the nanomolar range and exerting genotoxic effects in long-term exposed humans.Aim: We evaluated the short-term impact of BaP on luteinizing-hormone (LH)/choriogonadotropin ...

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (HyperPT) and primary hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) are often underdiagnosed. Several strategies have been investigated in the past in order to identify diagnostic parameters, although the diagnosis of both HyperPT and HypoPT remains challenging so far, especially in asymptomatic patients. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are inversely related together, thus the Ca/P ratio could be an useful tool to define these conditions. Recently, we pro...

Background: Endothelial dysfunction leads to cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), through a reduction of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have hemodynamic effects, improving NO levels.Aim: To investigate if long term, chronic treatment with the PDE5i Vardenafil improves systemic endothelial function in men with T2DM.Methods: A longitudinal, prospective, invest...

Background: HIV-infection is associated to an increased prevalence of age-related comorbidities, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and testosterone (T)-deficiency.Aim: Definition of ED and T-deficiency in HIV-infected men using validated sexual questionnaires and the gold standard assay for T measurement: isotopic dilution–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (ID–LC–MS/MS)Methodology: Prospective, cros...

Background: GH–IGF1 status is important for bone health. Acromegaly affects bone status, but less is known on the role of treatments for acromegaly on bone mineral density (BMD). Pegvisomant (Peg) is effective in treating acromegaly by reducing IGF1. As serum GH is not influenced by Peg, it is not known if residual, direct GH effects on bone (not IGF1 mediated) are preserved during treatment.Methods: To evaluate the effects of Peg on BMD, we compare...

Introduction: Thyroid volume (TV) depends on age, gender, anthropometry, smoking and iodine status. IGF1 plays a role on thyroid growth, as demonstrated in acromegaly and GH-deficiency. Finally, TSH is a well recognised permissive factor for thyroid tissue growth. The aim of the study is to evaluate the long-term effect of TSH-deficiency on TV in hypopituitaric patients compared with healthy volunteers.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, controlled ...

Background: HIV-infected patients are predisposed to an increased risk of hyponatremia. In healthy population, low sodium is associated with impaired health status and reduced BMD, but less is known about this association in HIV-infection.Aim: To investigate the relationship between serum sodium, frailty and BMD in a large cohort of HIV-infected patients.Methodology: A retrospective, observational, cohort study on adult HIV-infecte...

Background: Thyroid nodules represent a common clinical finding and their prevalence is increasing worldwide. However, the most recent international guidelines do not give indications on the need to retest adults with previous negative neck ultrasound (US).Aim: To evaluate the incidence of thyroid US abnormalities in patients with previous negative thyroid US and identify patient’s characteristics able to predict the risk of developing thyroid disea...