Endocrine Abstracts

Background and aims: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exert an immunosuppressive effect on immune system and can abrogate in vitro the pro-inflammatory Th1 response to islet antigen GAD in type 1 diabetes by impairing the production of IFN-gamma. The mechanism may involve paracrine factors. Microvesicles (MVs) released from MSCs may account for this paracrine mechanism through a horizontal transfer of mRNA and microRNA. In the present study we evaluated whether MSC-derived...

Introduction: In humans bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS/endotoxin) causes chronic low-grade and acute inflammatory responses, which decrease insulin sensitivity and may lead to chronic type 2 diabetes and acute stress diabetes. Systemic LPS invariably generates cytokine release, which triggers release of anti-insulin stress hormones and it is not known whether insulin resistance is secondary to stress hormones or LPS per se. Our study was designed to test whether local place...

Introduction: We previously developed and validated a structured interview (SIEDY) dealing with the organic (scale 1), relational (scale 2) and intrapsychic (scale 3) components of erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of the present study is to identify a pathological threshold for SIEDY scale 3 and to analyze scale 3 score with biological and psychological correlates in subjects with sexual dysfunction.Method: A pathological threshold of SIEDY scale 3 sco...

Impaired GH secretion occurs in Cushing’s syndrome (CS), reflecting hypothalamic and pituitary alterations, without IGF-I impairment. Obesity is known to blunt GH release, leading to BMI-related tests for GHD. Evaluation of GH in CS after remission is difficult, due to chronic previous hypercortisolism and persistent overweight. Aim of this study was to evaluate in 22 patients with Cushing’s syndrome (16 Cushing disease, CD, 6 adrenal adenomas, CS) GH response to GHR...

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) may occur in about 60% of acromegalics treated and cured by surgery or radiotherapy. Effects of GH replacement have not yet been extensively studied in such a patients.Aim: To investigate whether rhGH replacement improve metabolic parameters in acromegalic patients who become GHD.Patients and methods: Forty GHD patients (mean age (S.D.): 48±10, BMI 27±3 kg/m2) were...

Context: Decreased levels of both vitamin D and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) may be associated with obesity, however this had not been well established. We have examined the relationship of vitamin D status and circulating IGF1 with metabolic parameters in abdominal obesity women.Methods: Serum 25(OH)D and IGF1 levels were measured by means of ELISA in 90 women (mean age 45.6±4.3) with abdominal obesity (according to IDF criteria, 2005). Anth...

Introduction: High serum homocysteine (Hcy) has been associated with insulin resistance (IR) syndrome and cardiovascular risk, although controversy exists. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is regarded as the hepatic component of IR syndrome, but data on Hcy are limited. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate serum Hcy levels in patients with NAFLD.Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients (54±11years, 8 males) with biopsy-prove...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is currently believed a common endocrine-plurimetabolic disorder often associated to insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperandrogenism, dyslipidemia and obesity, pathological conditions predisposing to high cardiovascular risk. Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction could represent early mechanisms of the cardiovascular risk in patients with PCOS. In order to confirm this hypothesis, 25 young (23.8±1.3 yr), over-w...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age often associated with insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hyperandrogenism, dislipidemia, obesity and hypertension, pathological conditions predisposing to high cardiovascular risk. Insulin resistant subjects may have higher plasma renin activity and it is well known that aldosterone plays a well-recognized role in the pathophysiology of hypertension and in the development of...

A 22 year old man was referred to the endocrine unit at St Barts following an abnormal visual field test with his optician and subsequently with ophthalmology at Moorfields eye hospital. At presentation he was noted to be very tall (194 cm), with facial features of growth hormone excess. Despite starting puberty at the age of 12–13 he had experienced continued vertical growth - he was the tallest in his family and his parents had commented that he was continuing to grow, ...