Endocrine Abstracts

Hyponatraemia represents an independent risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures, affecting both bone density and quality. A direct stimulation of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in the presence of reduced extracellular sodium concentrations ([Na+]) has been shown, but, to date, the effects of reduced [Na+] on osteoblasts have not been elucidated. This study investigated the effects of a chronic reduction of extracellular [Na+], independently of osmotic stress, on hum...

Introduction: There is evidence that chronic mild hyponatremia (serum (Na+) 130–135 mmol/l) may have clinical consequences, such as fracture occurrence and neurological symptoms including unsteadiness, falls and attention deficits. These have been traditionally associated to water movement into nervous cells, as a result of the hypotonic state. The aim of the present study was to determine whether low extracellular sodium directly exerts negative effects on human neuronal...

The exposure of cells to high glucose concentrations is considered a determinant of diabetic neuropathy. Conversely, members of the Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) system are well known neurotrophic factors. Here, we investigated the effects of constant and intermittent high glucose concentrations on IGF-I and IGF Binding Proteins (IGFBPs) in human neuroblast long-term cell cultures (FNC). We first demonstrated that FNC express the IGF-I receptor, and express and release in t...

Thyroid hormones (TH) play a fundamental role during brain development by modulating the expression of different genes involved in neuronal differentiation, proliferation, migration, myelinization, and synapse formation. Seladin-1 (for SELective Alzheimer’s Disease INdicator-1) is a recently identified anti-apoptotic gene, which has been found to be down-regulated in brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We hypothesized that seladin-1 might be a ...

White adipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ that secretes a variety of adipokines and coordinates a number of biological processes such as energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine and immune functions. Recent studies demonstrated that abundant adipose tissue depots (particularly visceral adipose tissue), by producing inflammatory cytokines, contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation processes which may underlie the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders such as obesity, atheroscl...