Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Epigenetic and genetic alterations contribute to cancer initiation and progression. These alterations may be playing a determinant role in the development of pituitary adenomas (PAs). One of these epigenetic processes is the DNA methylation and, specifically, methylation of Tumour Suppressor Genes (TSG). TSG are key elements that allow the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Due to epigenetic changes are reversible, a better understanding of the underlying epige...

Introduction: Silent corticotroph tumours (SCT) are a pituitary tumours (PT) subtype of corticotroph lineage that do not clinically express Cushing disease. Inmunohistochemical (IHC) studies reveal no differences between SCT and functioning corticotroph tumours with Cushing Syndrome (FCT). However, the silencing mechanisms of this type of tumours are not fully understood.Aim: In an important series of SCT, to sequence the POMC gene and quantify ...

Introduction: Bronchial Carcinoids are rare neoplasms originating from the diffuse neuroendrocrine system. Surgery is the only effective therapy but may not be feasible due to metastases. Available therapy may control symptoms but not tumor bulk. Everolimus has shown promising results, however patients may develop resistance. Previous studies demonstrated that Everolimus reduces viability of NCI-H720 (Atypical Carcinoid) but not of NCI-H727 cells (Typical Carcinoid). In order ...

GnRH neurons are the final output of the brain controlling reproduction. These neurons receive information from multiple central and peripheral signals, ranging from gonadal steroids to metabolic cues and brain neuropeptides, to regulate their activity. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an intracellular sensor, activated by energy deficiency, involved in the regulation of the cellular and whole-body energy homeostasis. Previous in vitro studies suggested the part...

Introduction: Treatment with somatostatin analogues (SSA) leads to shrinkage of pituitary adenoma in acromegaly naïve patients, as shown by the PRIMARYS study. Therefore the effect of this treatment on surgery was investigated.Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of pre-treatment with SSA in acromegaly patients qualified for neurosurgery.Material and methods: Group A (46 patients: 36 female, 10 male) were pre-treated with SSA. Group ...

The concentrating function of the kidney is important to maintain the water homeostasis of the body. It is regulated by the arginine-vasopressin system through the type 2 vasopressin receptor (V2R). Loss-of-function mutations of V2R in kidney can lead to nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) which results several symptoms such as polyuria, polydipsia, and hyposthenuria. In this study, we functionally characterized and investigated the potential rescue of a missense mutation (S1...

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent (≥1 per week for 3 months), brief (≤2 h), psychologically distressing binge-eating episodes during which patients sense a lack of control and consume larger amounts of food than most people would under similar circumstances. The prevalence of BED is estimated to be between 2% and 3.5% and majority of individuals with BED are either overweight or obese. Most of the genetic research about eating disorders (ED)...

Introduction: In patients receiving Parenteral Nutritcion (PN), hyponatremia is associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of volemic classification (hypovolemia, euvolemia or hypervolemia) on in-hospital mortality in patients receiving PN presenting hyponatremia.Methods: Prospective, non-interventional, multicenter study in 19 Spanish hospitals. 543 non-critical patients receiving PN were recruited. Hypo...

The connection between metabolic state and fertility is well-recognized, and the hypothalamus clearly plays a central role in translating metabolic signals into altered GnRH release which affects the reproductive axis. We hypothesized that the gonadotropes might also directly impart some of the effects of hyperglycemia on reproductive function. Gonadotropes were shown to express predominantly the insulin-independent Glut-1 transporter, and their incubation in high glucose incr...

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms showing a wide spectrum of clinical behaviors. The therapeutic options available for NET treatment are rarely curative and most are palliative, as NETs frequently show resistance to pharmacological therapy. Cancers develop in complex tissue environments, which they depend upon for sustained growth, invasion and metastasis. A major characteristic of the tumor microenvironment is inflammatory cell infiltration, where tumor-associat...

Introduction: The long-term mountain cycling effects on cognitive development for better performance, are still not fully elucidated. Notwithstanding, this type of exercise may induce a link with energy metabolism and sympathetic nervous system. We previously observed that a mountain cycling ultramarathon, induced a comodulatory influence of genetic- and exercise-associated factors on inflammatory and haemoglobin catabolic marker haptoglobin. We hypothesised that inflammatory ...