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8th European Congress of Endocrinology incorporating the British Endocrine Societies

Poster Presentations

Cytokines and growth factors

ea0011p218 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

The role of IL-4 and IFN-gamma as prognostic factors of major adverse cardiac events in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction assigned primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Osuch M , Szygula-Jurkiewicz B , Szkodzinski J , Wojnicz R , Lekston A , Polonski L , Blazelonis A , Zubelewicz-Szkodzinska B

Mediators of inflammatory reaction are present at every stage of forming of atheromatous plaque, its proliferation and destabilization. Cytokines play a key role in regulation of intensity of chronic inflamatory reaction. We aimed at investigation if IL-4 and IFN-gamma are predictors of MACE in a group of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).A total of 50 patients: 40 males and 10 females, aged 56±10 years (mean±S.D.),...

ea0011p219 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Adiponectin and resistin concentrations during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in insulin-resistant subjects

Szosland K , Lewandowski K , Randeva H , Lewinski A

Background and aims: Mechanism underlying the IR (Insulin-resistance) remains yet to be identified. Resistin has been shown to antagonize insulin action, and thus might be implicated in the pathogenesis of IR. In contrast, adiponectin has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and improve glucose tolerance. We aimed to test the hypothesis that resistin levels might correlate positively with the indices of insulin resistance, while the opposite might be true for adiponectin...

ea0011p220 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Effects of IGF-2 on glucose metabolism

Zachariah S , Brackenbridge A , Russell Jones D

The effects of IGF-2 on glucose homeostasis have been more understood from individuals with fasting hypoglycaemia associated with non-islet cell tumours. Endogenous IGFs which circulate in adults fail to exert their immense potential hypoglycaemic activity because they are largely trapped within the vascular space due to their sequestration in a high molecular weight protein complex. The tumours produce excessive amounts of ‘big IGF-2’ which is less readily bound by ...

ea0011p221 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Interleukin 6 and transforming growth factor beta1 concentration in serum in patients with coronary vessels restenosis

Blazelonis AB , Szkodzinski J , Romanowski W , Danikiewicz A , Gasior M , Polonski L , Kaszuba A , Muc-Wierzgon M , Zubelewicz-Szkodzinska B

Cytokines play a role in cardiovascular diseases by inducing inflammation, cell proliferation and apoptosis. It is well known that activated macrophages are one of the main sources of inflammatory cytokines. Previous studies have shown that the cells found in the vascular wall produce various kind of cytokines which are involved in cardiovascular diseases. It has been reported that some cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) are increased in acute coronary syndrome. The results of some other ...

ea0011p222 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Immunosuppressive effect of recombinant human erythropoietin

Vahdati Akabar , Adib Minoo , Kashfi Shirin

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone produced in kidneys in response to tissue hypoxia and is the main regulator of red blood cell (RBC) production in the body as well. New studies show the effects of EPO on immune system. In this study the antihuman leukocyte (anti-HLA) antibody titer were determined in five groups of rats, which were sensitized with human lymphocyte. Also, the effects of stimulation’s frequency and dose of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu...

ea0011p223 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Low dose dexamethasone does not alter serum adiponectin or resistin concentrations

Lewandowski KC , Szosland K , Lewinski A

Background: Adiponectin and resistin belong to the group of adipocytokines, that are thought to be involved in regulation of insulin sensitivity, and that also exert the opposite effects on inflammatory processes related to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Glucocorticoids have anti-inflammatory properties, but also increase insulin resistance. There are, however, conflicting data on the effects of glucocorticoids on serum concentrations of adiponectin and resistin....

ea0011p224 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha in hemodilaysis patients: association with obesity and metabolic syndrome

Rasic Z , Perunicic G , Gluvic Z , Tica J , Pavicevic M

Recent studies revealed that the elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels were associated with body fat, especially visceral adiposity, in obese healthy subjects. We investigated the relationship between circulating TNF-alpha and IL-6, parameters of body fatness, and the metabolic syndrome in chronic renal failure maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods: We explored the relationships between fatness and vis...

ea0011p225 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Vegf and sVCAM in patients with adrenal gland tumors

Britvin TA , Kushlinsky NE , Kazantseva IA , Sivtsova MA , Kalinin AP

The study presents the outcome of determination of serum VEGF and sVCAM in 58 patients (43 women and 15 men aged 20–76 years) with adrenal tumors: adrenal cortical adenoma (34), adrenal cortical carcinoma (12), pheochromocytoma (9), myelolipoma (2) and lymphangioma (1). Control group comprised 25 practically healthy volunteers (13 women and 12 men aged 17–67 years). Serum VEGF was measured by enzyme immunoassay using reactants from ‘R&D’ (USA), sVCAM &#...

ea0011p226 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Prolactin deficiency is independently associated with reduced IGF-I status in severely GHD adults

Mukherjee A , Ryder WDJ , Jostel A , Shalet SM

Background: Considerable overlap of IGF-I levels exists between normal subjects and those with severe GHD determined by conventional testing of GH status. Recognised factors influencing IGF-I status in GHD patients include age, gender, timing of onset of GHD and exogenous oestrogen therapy, but these do not fully explain the GH/IGF-I discordance in severe GHD. The primary structures of prolactin and GH are similar. Effects of hypoprolactinaemia are not well described in humans...

ea0011p227 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

GH/IGF-I axis and haematological alterations in anorexia nervosa

Polli N , Cavagnini F

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorder featuring multiple endocrine abnormalities, comprising a decrease in IGF-I production and an increase in GH concentrations. This resistance to GH action may contribute to impaired haematopoiesis in AN as GH/IGF-I modulate blood cell proliferation and GH therapy exerts beneficial effects on hematocrit values in GH deficient patients. Aim of the present study is to evaluate the link between GH/IGF-I status and haematologic p...

ea0011p228 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Selected hormones serum levels in dependence on BMI and sex

Tajtáková M , Semanová Z , Petrášová D , Petroviová J , Pytliak M

Objectives: To investigate the influence of body weight and sex on serum levels of insulin, leptin, ghrelin, IGF1, adiponectin and TSH.Methods: Serum levels of insulin, IGF1, TSH and ghrelin were measured by RIA, leptin by IRMA and adiponectin by ELISA in 90 individuals (42 women, average age 49.8±8.9 years( 48 men, average age 49.1±6.6). The sample was divided into three subgroups: normal weight (BMI=15.5–24.9), excess weight (BMI=25.0&#1...

ea0011p229 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Abnormalities of humoral immunity with reduced immunogenicity to pneumococcal vaccine in panhypopituitarism

Mukherjee A , Helbert M , Davis JRE , Shalet SM

Although prolactin is well recognised as a cytokine, effects of hypoprolactinaemia on biological endpoints are not well described in humans. In-vitro and clinical studies suggest an influence on humoral and cell mediated immunity and autoimmunity. We studied basal and stimulated immune function in panhypopituitary adults with and without prolactin deficiency and age and gender matched healthy controls. The study was approved by hospital and local research ethics committees. Ni...

ea0011p230 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Lack of influence of an IGF-I gene polymorphism on circulating IGF-I levels in severely GHD adults

Janssen JAMJL , Mukherjee A , Gleeson HK , Lamberts S , Shalet SM

Considerable overlap in IGF-I levels exists between normal and severely GHD subjects; the mechanisms underlying this observation remain poorly understood. Under various clinical circumstances therefore, IGF-I estimation is an unreliable marker of GH status. A polymorphism in the IGF-I gene influences IGF-I levels in normal populations; a higher IGF-I is associated with the presence of 2 wild type alleles of the IGF-I gene (WTG). The possibility that an IGF-I gene polymorphism ...

ea0011p231 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Serum TGF-β-1 levels in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Yener S , Akinci B , Bayraktar F , Demir T , Akarsu M , Özcan MA , Yalcin M , Kebapcilar L , Comlekci A , Yesil S

Aim: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease and the incidence in the population varies from %10–24. TGF- β –1 is the most important TGF- β isoform responsible for fibrosis and its effect on hepatic fibrosis was demonstrated in-vitro and in chronic viral hepatitis. Besides TGF- β is an immunsuppresive cytokine and it is known that low TGF- β activity can trigger autoimmune diseases and inflammation.<...

ea0011p232 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Subclinical hypothyroidism could be regarded as benign condition in oxidative stress but not in atherosclerosis

Kebapcilar L , Akinci B , Bayraktar F , Comlekci A , Solak A , Demir T , Yener S , Kume T , Ozkaya A , Yesil S

Introduction: Whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is related to risk for cardiovascular disease is controversial. Inflammation and oxidation of lipoproteins play an important role in the progression and complications of atherosclerosis.Therefore we aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as a marker of oxidative stress, high sensitive CRP (hsCRP) and lipid profile as a risk factor for atherosclerosis in...

ea0011p233 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Low TGF beta-1 serum levels in idiopathic male osteoporosis

Akinci B , Bayraktar F , Saklamaz A , Demir T , Yener S , Comlekci A , Ozcan MA , Kebapcilar L , Yuksel F , Yesil S

Introduction: Although the etiology of osteoporosis is different between men and women, the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism is similar, namely an absolute or relative increase in bone resorption, leading to progressive bone loss. Transforming growth factor (TGF) beta-1 is a growth factor in human bone, which is produced by osteoblasts and inhibits osteoclast proliferation and activity and stimulates proliferation and differentiation of preosteoblasts.<p class="abstex...

ea0011p234 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Possible predictive value of IGF-II mRNA expression in breast cancer (BC)

Giani CG , Giustarini EG , Fierabracci PF , Campani DC , Lippman MEL

Insuline like growth factor II (IGF II) is an important regulator of neoplastic growth and it is stromal in origin. Estrogen and Progesterone receptor (ER, PR) are considered a good prognostic predictors in BC. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of IGF II mRNA expression in the clinical outcome in breast malignancy. The study group included 75 women (mean age ±S.D.=53.3±15.6 yr) submitted to radical mastectomy for ductal infiltrating breas...

ea0011p235 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

IGF II protein expression in breast cancer. Relationship with the most important predictive parameters in breast malignancy

Giustarini EG , Pinchera AP , Campani DC , Fierabracci PF , Cullen KC , Giani CG

Recent in situ hybridization data showed high content of IGF-II mRNA in the stroma of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of IGF-II protein and its relationship with several prognostic parameters in 75 ductal infiltrating carcinoma (DIC) of the breast.The tissue sections were evaluated for IGF II protein, proliferating activity, ER, PR, p53, P21 oncogene expression using immunohistochemical procedures. The amoumt of ...

ea0011p236 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

The effect of growth hormone replacement on the diurnal and ultradian dynamics of ghrelin and leptin in adult growth hormone deficiency

Joseph F , Brabant G , Ahmad A , Durham B , Fraser WD , Vora JP

Rhythmic, timed secretion of ghrelin and leptin is integral to the intricate temporal interplay of hormonal signals that maintains energy balance, feeding and body weight. Growth hormone replacement (GHR) in adult growth hormone deficient (AGHD) patients has been shown to alter body composition, energy balance and insulin sensitivity with changes in leptin secretory pattern and concentration. With GHR, single time point ghrelin concentrations have been shown to either increase...

ea0011p237 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Growth hormone receptor extracellular domain linked to glycophosphatidyl inositol (GHR-GPI); a potential growth hormone receptor antagonist

Bowles CE , Wilkinson I , Gavalas N , Watson P , Watts D , Ross R

Introduction: The growth hormone receptor (GHR) consists of 620 residues and belongs to the class I cytokine receptor family. It is a single membrane spanning protein that binds its ligand, GH, via the extracellular domain. GH binding to GHR induces a conformational change in the preformed receptor dimer, which leads to intracellular signalling. Correct functional dimerisation of two GHR molecules is essential for GH signalling. We have previously shown that membrane bound tru...

ea0011p238 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

The depot specific expression of NPY in human adipose tissue and its upregulation under hyperinsulinaemic conditions in isolated human adipocytes

Kos K , Harte AL , Gupta P , O’Hare P , McTernan PG , Kumar S

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a centrally expressed peptide with potent orexigenic properties, released post-prandially to stimulate appetite, regulated by insulin and altered by obesity. NPY is expressed in adipose tissue which suggests it may have a potential effect on altering appetite control in obesity. To date no study has investigated NPY and its regulation in human adipose tissue. Therefore, the aims of this study were to 1) determine the depot-specific expression in abdomin...

ea0011p239 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

The role of BMPs in the establishment of zona glomerulosa in the adrenal gland

Bakmanidis A , King PJ

The adrenal gland is composed of the medulla (neurodermal origin) and the cortex (mesodermal origin). The cortex is further subdivided into three zones: zona glomerulosa (zG), zona fasciculata (zF) and zona reticularis (zR). The zones of the cortex are functionally characterised by their ability to synthesise different steroids and consequently they express different steroidogenic enzymes. These and other markers of the zones have been described but so far no good candidate fo...

ea0011p240 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Anosmin-1: a novel cofactor for fibroblast growth factor receptor 1

Hu Y , Kim S , Cadman S , Guimond S , Turnbull J , Bouloux P

Introduction: Autosomal dominant Kallmann’s syndrome (AKS) results from mutations within the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1: KAL-2). The FGFR family of tyrosine kinases are involved in a multitude of biological processes from embryogenesis to adult homeostasis. The crystal structure of FGF-FGFR-heparan sulphate (HS) ternary complex has provided a basis for understanding the way in which FGF, FGFR and HS cooperate to assist FGFR dimerization. Anosmin-1, KAL-1 g...

ea0011p241 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Effect of growth hormone deficiency in adults on insulin action and gene expression of selected adipokines in subcutaneous adipose tissue

Penesova A , Skopkova M , Pura M , Vlcek M , Radikova Z , Vorzakova I , Tajtakova M , Vanuga P , Belan V , Koska J , Payer J , Klimes I , Gasperikova D

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults seems to predispose to insulin resistance (IR). Development of GHD related IR could be associated with adipose tissue (AT) derived signals. To investigate the nature of this pathological regulation we 1) measured gene expressions for leptin, adiponectin, TNFalpha, IL-6, 11beta HSD1, SREBP, PPARgamma in the AT of untreated GHD adults, and 2) assessed effect of euglycemic hyperinsulinemia (HI) at the gene level.Met...

ea0011p242 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Soluble interleukin 2 receptor is elevated in sera of women with Graves’ disease and has relation to serum free thyroxin and thyroid volume

Jiskra J , Antosova M , Potlukova E , Lacinova Z , Mareckova H , Sandova P , Smutek D , Limanova Z

Introduction: Although some studies have shown elevated soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) in sera of patients with hematological malignancies and some autoimmune diseases, its role in serum is not fully understood.Patients and methods: The aim was to compare serum levels of sIL-2R in four groups of women (11 with Graves’ disease, 10 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 11 with breast cancer and 10 healthy controls) and to test their possible rel...

ea0011p243 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Molecular mechanisms of idiopathic muscle hypertrophy in humans

Solomon AM , Hoffman EP , Ghimbovschi SD , Wang Z , Orrell RW , Goldspink G , Harridge SD , Bouloux PMG

Understanding the molecular factors that regulate human muscle mass is acquiring increasing scientific interest. Hitherto, known (+ve) endocrine regulators of lean body mass included the GH-IGF-1 system, anabolic steroids, and (−ve) myostatin. In order to elucidate this process further, we have investigated a clinical case at a genetic and phenotypic level. A 46-year-old man with idiopathic muscle hypertrophy requiring multiple therapeutic fasciotomies underwent clinical...

ea0011p244 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

CD4 T-cell count improves during sustained IGF-I response following low dose growth hormone therapy in HIV-infected patients on stable antiretroviral regimens. A pilot study

Andersen O , Hansen BR , Flyvbjerg A , Madsbad S , Ørskov H , Nielsen JO , Iversen J , Haugaard SB

Objective: High dose growth hormone (rhGH) regimens (2 to 4 mg/day) have been shown to increase circulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I to supra-physiological levels in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on combined antiretroviral therapy (CART). This setting may improve immunologic output. However, a high plasma IGF-I concentration has detrimental effects on glucose metabolism, which hampers the use of high dose rhGH regimens.Me...

ea0011p245 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

The differential influence of specific plant lectins on insulin and IGFs binding to solubilised placental membrane IGF and insulin receptors

Masnikosa R , Baricevic I , Nedic O

The influence of the plant lectins on binding of IGF-I, IGF-II and insulin to the cognate receptors from solubilised human placental cell membranes was examined. The lectins (wheat germ agglutinin, WGA; concanavalin A, Con A; phytohaemagglutinin, PHA and Sambucus nigra agglutinin, SNA) were chosen according to their sugar specificity and were expected to bind to the most abundant saccharides present as terminal residues on N-glycan moieties of insulin receptor (IR) and ...

ea0011p246 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

GH and GH antagonist B2036 effect on the immune system

Maamra M , Perna F , Colao A , Pivonello R , Zappacosta S , Ross RJM , Matarese G

Introduction: Growth Hormone (GH) receptors are expressed on, and GH is secreted by, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). However, the role of GH in immunity has remained elusive and studies have given conflicting results. Experimental data strongly implicates a role for pituitary GH in the immune response of rodents. The data from knockout mice suggests that GH acts not as an obligate immunoregulator but as an anabolic and stress-modulating hormone. Despite the c...

ea0011p247 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

IGF-I modulates HIF-1α and HIF-2 α in Kaposi Sarcoma

Catrina SB , Botusan IR , Rantanen A , Catrina AI , Pyakurel P , Axelson M , Biberfeld P , Poellinger L , Brismar K

Neoangiogenesis is essential for tumor development. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), a transcriptional factor composed of two subunits (α and β) plays a key role in this process, activating proangiogenic factors, such as VEGF. The HIF α subunits are critically regulated by oxygen but also modulated by growth factors. Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is a highly vascular tumor which releases large amounts of VEGF and for which we have recently described an essential role for I...

ea0011p248 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Proinflammatory cytokine gene expression shows intrinsic circadian oscillation in peripheral cells

McMaster A , Lebiecki J , Loudon A , Donn R , Ray DW

An extraordinary array of behavioural and physiological systems is regulated by endogenous circadian timekeepers within mammals. This circadian machinery is comprised of intricate autoregulatory transcription feedback loops, which interact to generate a time delay of approximately 24 hours in the cyclical transcription of components. In addition to the master clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus it is clear that peripheral tissues also express clock components. The central clo...

ea0011p249 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Plasma interleukin 18 in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome – relation to insulin resistance

Kowalska I , Straczkowski M , Nikolajuk A , Kozlowska A , Karczewska-Kupczewska M , Adamska A , Wolczynski S , Kinalska I , Gorska M

Aim of the study: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is common disease affecting women in reproductive age which leads to anovulation. In pathogenesis of PCOS insulin resistance plays an important role. The aim of the present study was to look for possible relationship between interleukin 18 (IL-18) and insulin resistance in patients with PCOS.Material and Methods: The study was done in 76 patients with PCOS and 40 women without menstrual disturbances. The...

ea0011p250 | Cytokines and growth factors | ECE2006

Expression of functional toll-like receptors in adipocytes

Oeff KM , Bornstein SR

Various proinflammatory cytokines have been demonstrated to be involved in insulin resistance and other obesity related diseases. Preadipocytes and adipocytes are likely to modulate inflammatory and immune processes by intrinsic mechanisms. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) which are – together with CD14 – involved in the innate immunity and are able to recognize microbial components. Microbial components and immunosuppressive drugs modulate the cytokine expression. We addr...