Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder that is rarely seen in clinical practice. Resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH) gives rise to specific developmental and biochemical abnormalities allowing for a diagnosis of pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) [1]. Uniquely the skeletal defects seen in pseudohypoparathyroidism can occur in the absence of its associated biochemical sequelae, a condition referred to as pseudopseudohypoparathyroism (PPHP). The following ca...

Objective: Diamorphine and methadone administration are associated with dysfunction of the hypothalamo pituitary gonadal axis in premenopausal women. However, the effects of less potent opioids on this axis remain unclear.Methods: We report a case of a 42 year old woman referred with secondary amenorrhoea and low oestradiol levels (oestradiol <50 iu/l). She started menarche aged 14, followed by regular menstrual cycles, two successful pregnancies, tw...

Objectives: Conflicting data of the benefits of GH replacement improving psychological and physical well being is available, though open GH studies generally agree on an overall improvement. For growth hormone deficient patients to continue on therapy after evaluation there should be a 7 point improvement in their QoL-AGHDA, as documented in the NICE guidelines. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of 0.4 mg of GH on QoL in severe GH deficient patients in a double...

Thirty-two years old female G2P1A0 seen at our endocrinology clinic 9 years ago complaining of persistent menstrual irregularities associated to elevated prolactin values. MRI done revealed a pituitary microadenoma. However, she refused treatment for microprolactinoma. Four years afterwards, patient return complaining of recurrent episodes of headache. Repeated MRI showed a pituitary macroadenoma, so start on cabergoline treatment.Once more, patient was ...

Background: Des-acyl ghrelin (Des-G) is an isoform of ghrelin without the n-octanoyl modification at Ser3 present in this peptide. It is mainly produced in endocrine cells located in the stomach, in the mucosal layer of the fundus, and it is secreted into bloodstream where it circulates in higher amounts than ghrelin (2:1).Although Des-G was previously thought of as a non-functional peptide, since it does not activate GHS-R1a, recent studies have shown t...

IntroductionIodine is an essential micronutrient used by the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is related to impaired neurocognitive development of fetus and neonate. The WHO recommends iodization of salt as main measure to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. In pregnant population other international organizations recommend the use of iodine supplements to guarantee adequate nutritional status of iodine (medi...

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a highly heterogeneous group of tumors that arise from the diffuse neuroendocrine system and whose incidence has increased over the last years. Among them, pancreatic NENs (PanNENs) are relatively common and one of the most studied NENs. PanNENs are characterized by a low number of mutations, with some genes frequently mutated, such as MEN1, ATRX/DAXX, and mTOR signaling pathway genes. Despite genomics, transcripto...

Lung carcinoids are slow-proliferating neuroendocrine neoplasms commonly showing low mutational burden but a high heterogeneity and difficult clinical management. Despite valuable advances in their molecular characterization, some aspects remain still unknown. Recent studies have shown that alternative splicing is severely dysregulated in lung carcinoids, where it could promote tumoral features. In contrast, the role of some molecular systems closely related to splicing and ot...

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and carcinomas (NECs) are a heterogeneous group of malignances whose incidence is increasing worldwide. First-line approach is represented by surgery, whereas an effective pharmacological treatment for disseminated and relapsing disease is still needed. Somatostatin (SS) receptors (SSTs) constitute the main suitable pharmacological targets for NETs therapy with SS analogs (SSAs). Nevertheless, a large proportion of NETs and most NECs, are unrespons...

Background: Acromegaly most commonly results from an excess production of GH and secondary increase in IGF1. More than 95% of the time from the pituitary gland, but the source of excess GH secretion may not necessarily be pituitary in origin. Ectopic acromegaly may arise due to neuroendocrine tumors by production of GHRH and in <0.5% of the cases from ectopic pituitary remnants in the sphenoid sinus.Clinical case: We present a case of a 37 years old ...