Endocrine Abstracts

Neuropeptide PACAP 38 expressed in steroidogenic ovarian cells of rat could be an auto- or paracrine regulator of progesterone synthesis. Moreover, it has been shown that PACAP38 can affect ovarian secretion of prostaglandins. The first and rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of progesterone is the transfer of cholesterol into mitochondria which is facilitated by the cycloheximide-sensitive steroid acute regulator (StAR) protein. StAR protein has been established as an esse...

Background: Data from the literature has documented a remarkable immune-modulating role of prolactin. Previous evaluations of prolactin levels in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), disease of autoimmune origin, showed conflicting results. Thus, to clarify the impact of prolactin on MS pathology we decided to assess prolactin levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in naïve to treatment subjects with newly diagnosed MS.Material and methods: A to...

Neuropeptides and adipocytokines influence metabolic homeostasis and food intake. Deregulation in their secretion leads to insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome. Adiponectin possesses anti-diabetic and insulin sensitizing properties. Expression of this gene remains under control of nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma. Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for GH secratagogue receptor (GHSR), modulates metabolic homeostasis. A high amino-acid homology and...