Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Because type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the T cell-mediated destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, the depletion of the autoreactive T cells via apoptosis represents a viable strategy for the prevention of autoimmune diabetes. The functional role TNF Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), a novel member of TNF superfamily, in autoimmune diabetes remains unknown. To understand this, TRAIL function was counteracted by an injection of solub...

The NOD (non-obese diabetic) mouse remains the best experimental model of type I diabetes. We have previously described several thymic dysfunctions in these animals, including the presence of giant perivascular spaces (PVS) with arrest of mature T cells (including Treg cells) and partial impairment on fibronectin/VLA-5-dependent NOD thymocyte migration. Herein, we further studied the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) ligands, alone or in combination with the chemokine CXCL12 ...

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of ghrelin on secretion of pro-inflammatory (TNF, IL-1, IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TGF-β) in starved rats. Male Wistar rats (4 weeks old, 12 per group) were fed ad libitum or starved by caloric restriction (40% of chow consumed by their ad libitum fed controls from previous day) for 4 weeks. Afterwards, half of the animals in each group receive...

The melanocortin system is significant for energy homeostasis and receptors have distinct tissue specific expression. The melanocortin 2-receptor (Mc2r) transmits ACTH dependent signalling in the adrenal cortex. Increased expression in adipocytes during differentiation indicates relevance for lipid homeostasis. Mc2r activation in adipocytes results in increased lipolysis, however, implication compared to norepinephrine (NE) stimulated lipolysis is unknown. To further define fu...

Diabetic nephropathy, the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, is characterized by a pro-apoptotic and pro-oxidative environment. The mechanisms by which lifestyle interventions, such as exercise, benefits diabetic nephropathy are unknown. We hypothesized that exercise inhibits early diabetic nephropathy via attenuation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and oxidative damage. Type 2 diabetic db/db and normoglycemic wild type mice were exercised for an hour ever...