Endocrine Abstracts

Urocortin 2 (Ucn2) is a recently identified neuropeptide of the CRF-Family, involved in homeostatic mechanisms for stress response and control of anxiety. To further elucidate Ucn2 effects on steroidogenesis, we developed a mouse model with Ucn2 overexpression in the adrenals, gonads and parts of the hypothalamus, by crossbreeding SF1-Cre+/− mice with R26stop UCN2/stop UCN2 mice. Following genotypes were obtained: SF1-Cre&...

MicroRNAs (miRs) are a subset of small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Little is known about the expression and the role of miRs in the adrenal gland. Thus, we determined the miRs expression pattern under baseline conditions and 10, 30 and 60 min after ACTH stimulation test in mice adrenal glands using miRs microarray. The miRs expression profile of adrenals obtained from the array was bioinformatically analyzed to indentify miRs that putati...

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age causing symptoms that can lead to depression and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Associations of depression and HRQoL indices with hormonal and metabolic PCOS features have not been adequately studied.Methods/design: Thirty-seven premenopausal women (age: 28±6.4 years; BMI: 28.3±7.2 kg/m2) with PCOS accord...

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) contributes to incretin effect of insulin secretion which is impaired in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to develop a simple meal test for evaluation of GIP secretion and action and to examine GIP changes in type 2 diabetic patients. Seventeen type 2 diabetic patients, 10 obese non-diabetic and 17 non-obese control persons have been examined before and after 30, 60 and 90 min stimulation by meal test. In a mixe...

Introduction: Obese men and women still show their sex-specific fat accumulation. Not only does fat distribution differ between the sexes after puberty, but the dynamics of fat cell size and fat metabolism differ as well. While there is reliable evidence that pubertal sex steroids induce a sex-specific fat distribution with preferential abdominal/visceral fat accumulation in males and preferential gluteofemoral fat accumulation in females, later in life a number of paradoxes o...

The 5α-reductase is one of the enzyme of steroid synthesis and founded in two isoformes. Two distinct 5α-reductase isoenzymes, type I and type II, are found across mammalian species. Each of these isoenzymes is differentially expressed in tissues and during distinct developmental stages and also in different species. The 5α-reductase is enzyme responsible for the reduction of testosterone to dihydrostestosterone, progesterone to dihydroprogesterone and deoxycort...

A 45-year-old professional jockey presented as an emergency with a 10 day history of polyuria and polydipsia in excess of 10 l daily. 10 days previously he had suffered a head injury complicated by concussion while horse racing in Norway. There was no significant past medical or drug history but he admitted to the use of ‘wasting’ methods prior to a race to maintain his body weight. Examination was unremarkable. Renal function, liver function, thyroid function, serum...

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of balding in men. AGA is the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, glucose metabolism disorders and also the risk of benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma.Methods: A group of 26 men (mean age: 31 years, mean BMI 25.58), in which premature hair loss begun before 30 years of age was involved in the present study. In all individuals, their hormonal profile involving total tes...

Background: Radioiodine therapy using I131 is a well established, safe, cheap and effective treatment for thyrotoxicosis. Current recommendations support the administration of 400-550 Mbq. At this centre, we use a dose of 550 Mbq with the aim of minimising the chance of the patient remaining thyrotoxic following therapy.Aims: To determine (a) the thyroid status of patients following treatment with I131 at a dose of 550 Mbq, (b) the ...

Adult progenitor cells exist in most adult tissues, their differentiation being primed by insult, repopulating damaged or dysfunctional tissue. Utilisation of resident progenitor cells has the potential to cure many diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders or diabetes which presently can only be managed. This potential is limited in the brain by constraints on endogenous progenitor cell mobilisation and by difficulties in progenitor cell harvesting for ex vivo ex...