Endocrine Abstracts

Dysregulation of types 2 and 3 deiodinases (D2 and D3) alters the metabolism of thyroid hormones in the patients with nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS). Previous studies have demonstrated that deiodinase expression varies in the muscle in different disease models. Nevertheless, the location of D2 and D3 and the effect of oxidative stress on reticulum endoplasmic (ER) and mitochondrial function are not described in human muscle with different types of acute disease and NTIS....

Dysregulation of types 2 and 3 deiodinases (D2 and D3) are present and profoundly alters the metabolism of thyroid hormones in the nonthyroidal iIllness syndrome (NTIS). The activation of this enzyme in peripheral blood cells can be one of the factors that alters the progression of this syndrome. However, the effect of oxidative stress on D3 expression in these cells from ill patients is unknown.ObjectiveEvaluate the presence and variations of D3 expression in the granulocytes...

Together with Profs Lefkowitz and Kobilka, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have taken the stage in the 2012 Nobel award for Chemistry. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences states that ‘About half of all medications achieve their effect through G-protein-coupled receptors’. As shown in previous talks in this session, GPCRs are not acting individually; often they form homodimers and, more interestingly, they may occur as heterodimers. Heteromers open a completely ...

Evidence is accumulating that type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. In fact, numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that T2D patients have a significantly higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases and, in particular, Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In clinical practice there are no reported phenotypic indicators or specific examinations to identify T2D patients at risk of developing AD. This gap should be urgently bri...

Cushing syndrome is a comorbid condition resulting from long-term exposure to glucocorticoids (GC). It affects body fat composition in various parts of the body. Since each fat depot has a distinct response to glucocorticoid exposure, we wanted to understand adipose tissue turnover. In order to reproduce the disease state, we used a rodent model recapitulating Cushing syndrome. We inserted subcutaneous mini pumps in the dorsal area of rats to infuse Dexamethasone at a rate of ...

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is nowadays an asymptomatic disease characterized by mild hypercalcemia and elevated parathormone (PTH) levels. A non-typical form of the disease distinguished by high PTH levels, normal serum calcium concentrations, and no evidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism was recently identified. The data about parathyroid imaging findings in the normocalcemic type of the disease are lacking. Ultrasonography (US) is the most convenient i...

Introduction: It is known that fasting causes several physiological changes in the endocrine pancreas, such as insulin secretion, pancreatic islet metabolism and beta cells redox state. However, there is still no consensus about the effects of intermittent fasting (IF), a fad diet widespread by the media and adopted by individuals seeking rapid weight loss. In the present study, we sought to study the effects of the IF diet for three months in an animal model.<p class="abs...

IntroductionDiabetes, a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal blood glucose levels, is a serious chronic disease that implies an important public health problem. Being Insulin the main hormone for modulating blood glucose levels, subcutaneous injections are the main way for its administration in the diabetes treatment. However, this way of administration can lead to poor patient compliance, apart from several side-effects. Although other ways of a...

Background: Adipose tissue is considered a highly active metabolic and endocrine organ with important physiological functions. The evaluation of protein expression has the potential advantage of providing a global vision of the cellular pathways associated with adipose tissue dysfunction and obesity, permitting the identification of novel candidate molecules that would have not been considered of interest otherwise.Objectives: To identify proteins differ...

Introduction: The prevalence of Transgender individuals seeking gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) has been increasing. This therapy has been known to be highly effective in the treatment of gender dysphoria and enhancing mental health in this population.Aim: To evaluate the overall impact of GAHT on self-esteem, well-being and social/familial relations in the Portuguese adult transgender populationMethods: Cross-sectional stu...