Endocrine Abstracts

Ghrelin, the endogenous ligand of GH secretagogue receptor type 1a, has emerged as pleiotropic modulator of diverse biological functions, including energy homeostasis and recently, reproduction. The effects of i.c.v. administered ghrelin on morphological characteristics of pituitary FSH- and LH-cells were examined in adult male Wistar rats. The animals were randomized in two groups: control and experimental group, each consisted of seven animals, and implanted with an i.c.v. c...

Daidzein, one of the main phytoestrogens of soy, is able to act as estrogen-like compounds due to its structural similarity with 17β-estradiol, which gives them the capacity to bind estrogen receptors and to induce hormone-like effects. Considering, that somatotropic system is sensitive to sex steroids, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of daidzein on stereological and biochemical parameters of pituitary somatotropic (GH) cells in orchidectomized adult ...

Herein, we have tested the effects of application of commercial soy extract, rich in estrogen-like isoflavones, to orchidectomized adult rats (the model of mild andropause), on the corticosteroid secretion. Exploited animal model provides the opportunity to examine the potential effects of steroid-like compounds in the hormonal milieu deprived of endogenous sex steroids along with preserved hippocampal and hypothalamic regulation of the adrenal gland function. The experimental...

Glucocorticoids affect the growth and maturation of fetal organ systems, but overexposure to exogenous glucocorticoids retard fetal growth and may alter developmental process in sensitive tissues. On the other hand, fetal ovary is not characterized by definitive follicular structure, but the clusters of germinative cells are predominant. Germ cells may be in meiotic prophase or with sign of degeneration.The aim of this study was to determine whether pren...

Aging is a complex process characterized by a progressive decline in cellular function, alterations of the endocrine system and the increased incidence of thyroid diseases. Citrus flavanones naringenin (NAR) and hesperetin (HES) may contribute to maintenance of health at old age however they may also affect thyroid hormone economy. The aim of this study was to test weather NAR or HES administration alter thyroid functioning. NAR or HES were administrated orally (15 mg/kg) to m...

Diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin of natural origin, demonstrated some therapeutic effects when it comes to the treatment of cardiovascular issues, malignancies and the menopausal symptoms. In this study, we have investigated histological changes and corticosterone secretion of the adrenal gland after diosgenin application in a rat model of the menopause. Middle-aged, acyclic female Wistar rats were divided into control (C; n=6) and diosgenin treated (D; n=6) ...

Obesity, a major public health problem, is associated with hypercholesterolemia and other metabolic disorders, which are potent risk factors for athero-thrombotic disease, a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Advances in both dietary and pharmacological interventions contribute significantly to prevention and treatment of modifiable risk factors. Consumption of purified soybean isoflavones was reported to reduce plasma and liver cholesterol levels. The precise mechanism has...

Previous studies reported increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and mortality rates from cardiovascular causes in hypopituitary patients. Fatty liver disease was added recently to this unfavorable cardio-metabolic phenotype. We studied the prevalence of MS and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in unselected cohort of 282 hypopituitary patients (146 male), mean age 49.2±15.1 years, on standard replacement therapy (76.4% received l-thyroxin, 76% hydrocorti...