Endocrine Abstracts

Pasireotide (SOM230) is a multireceptor ligand somatostatin analogue with high binding affinity to somatostatin receptor subtype 5, which is predominantly expressed in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas. It is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) for whom pituitary surgery is not an option or has not been curative. Our study evaluated the effects of pasireotide, administered for 12 months at a dose of 600–900 μg/daily, in five...

Background: Increased rates of autoimmune diseases (ADs) have been reported in association with Hashimoto′s thyroiditis (HT); however, the risk factors for coexisting ADs in HT patients have been poorly investigated.Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with AD comorbidities in patients with HT.Materials and Methods: We recruited 687 patients (626 F and 61 M, mean age at diagnosis 39 ± 14.06 yr, F:...

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF), a monogenic disease from mutations in the CFTR gene on chromosome 7, causes pancreatic insufficiency and impaired nutrients absorption. Unlike other malabsorption disorders, no data are available in literature on L-T4 absorption in CF. This study analyzed L-T4 absorption and requirement in hypothyroid CF patients.Methods: Ten CF patients (7 F, 3 M; mean age 37 yr), with autoimmune (n=6) or post-thyroidectomy (<e...

Background: Pituitary tumours (PT) are generally benign, but they can rarely show an aggressive behaviour, invade surrounding structures and/or grow/recur despite multimodal treatment, making their management extremely challenging. According to the latest guidelines, temozolomide (TMZ) can be an option after failure of standard therapies in aggressive PT, while little data are available on alternative approaches such as peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Herein we r...

Introduction: The classical replacement therapy for hypoadrenalism may expose patients to non-physiologic glucocorticoids levels with negative metabolic consequences. Up to now, one study demonstrated that, as compared to the classical treatment, a modified-release hydrocortisone (MRH), improves weight, blood pressure, glycaemic control and QoL in a 3-month follow-up period. Few data are available on the long-term persistence of these benefits.Design/met...

Mortality risk is increased in acromegalics, due to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. These events are namely related to atherosclerotic vascular alterations, both at coronary and peripheral level. Systemic comorbidities increase the risk of atherosclerosis, but the role of GH and IGF-1 excess is still debated. To evaluate the relationship between GH/IGF-1 excess, systemic atherogenic complications and vascular alterations we investigated stiffness index (β), pul...

Background: Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare metabolic, inherited disease of bone metabolism, caused by loss-of-function mutations within the gene coding for TNSALP, that result in a decrease in serum ALP concentrations and consequent accumulation of ALP substrates outside of the cell, including inorganic pyrophosphate which inhibits bone mineralization. HPP leads to a variety of clinical manifestations across all ages and its prognosis is conditioned principally by the skelet...

Objective: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that that have been reported to cause a variety of toxic effects, including inflammation and cancer, through binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). In turn, AhR promotes xenobiotic detoxification and antioxidant defense, by up-regulating specific responsive genes, the so-called “AhR gene battery”. AhR is also involved in modulation of immune response, by regulating programmed cell ...

Background: Lymphocytic infiltration and inflammation in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) results in accumulation of HA, contributing to the pathogenesis of both thyroidal and extra-thyroidal (ophthalmopathy, pretibial dermopathy and mixedema) manifestations of AITDs. HA fragments, originating from native HA during tissue inflammation and injury, in turn promote the expression of different mediators of oxidative stress and inflammation, by interacting with the Toll-like rec...

Background: Pituitary adenomas in children/adolescents represent around 3% of all intracranial neoplasms. They are more frequently hormone-secreting lesions, usually diagnosed in early childhood and late adolescence. Female gender is generally prevalent, because of most evident symptoms (i.e., irregular periods, galactorrhea, etc.). Giant pituitary adenomas (GA) very rarely occur in pediatric age, posing frequent challenges in their management.Patients a...