Endocrine Abstracts

The propensity for prolactin (PRL) to form high molecular mass complexes in serum is well described. Macroprolactin (mPRL), a PRL-immunoglobulin complex (>100 kDa), is the predominant form of PRL in up to 20% of patients with hyperprolactinaemia. Big PRL (bPRL, 40–50 kDa) is a ubiquitous, minor component of serum PRL rarely the major immunoreactive form, the nature of which is unclear. Using gel filtration chromatography (GFC) we have investigated the relative abundan...

Introduction: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing’s syndrome (CS) secondary to an ectopic source is an uncommon condition, accounting for 4-5% of all cases of CS and between 9-18% of cases of ACTH-dependent CS. Although numerous malignancies have been associated with ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS), lung neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are the most common. Refractory hypokalemia can be the presenting feature in EAS and is seen in up to 80% of cases. We present ...

Introduction: It has been previously described that prolactinomas may have a more aggressive behaviour in men than in women.Methods: We performed a retrospective study in 59 patients diagnosed of prolactinoma (19 men). The variables collected were: age at diagnosis, clinical presentation, tumor size and stage (Hardy classification) and treatment response. The results were compared between both genders.Results: Age at diagnosis was ...

Pituitary adenomas comprise a heterogeneous group of tumours causing serious comorbidities, which would benefit from identification of novel, common molecular/cellular biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The ghrelin system comprises a complex molecular family with multiple functions, and some of its components have been linked to development of various endocrine-related cancers. In this work we aim at better delineating the patho-physiological significance of the ghrelin regul...