Endocrine Abstracts

Bile acids are endocrine molecules that in addition to facilitating the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients regulate numerous metabolic processes, including glucose, lipid, and energy homeostasis. The actions of bile acids are mediated through specific bile acid-activated nuclear and membrane bound receptors such as farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5). Bile acid signaling is modified by interactions with gut bacteria which metabolize primary bile...

Thyroid diseases are common disorders. Globally, hypothyroidism is still frequently caused by iodine deficiency. In iodine sufficient areas, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is thyroid autoimmunity. Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with free thyroxine (fT4) estimates within the reference range. It is a common disorder that increases with age affecting up to 20% of the elderly, with a higher prevalence in women. S...

Bariatric surgery, also known as metabolic surgery, has been shown through multiple clinical trials to result in superior efficacy and sustainability of weight loss and remission of diabetes after surgery in patients with extreme obesity compared with intensive medical and lifestyle interventions. Although the metabolic effects of bariatric surgery have been observed for over 50 years, the primary molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are not well understood. A number ...