Endocrine Abstracts

Nuclear Receptors control many developmental and physiological processes by regulating the expression of networks of genes. Their ability to activate or repress gene transcription depends on the recruitment of coactivators and corepressors that function as scaffolds for the binding of chromatin remodelling enzymes. RIP140 is a ligand dependant corepressor for most, if not all, nuclear receptors with key roles in energy homeostasis and reproduction.RIP140...

Nuclear receptors control developmental and physiological processes by regulating the transcription of gene networks in specific cells. This is achieved by the recruitment of coactivators and corepressors that lead to chromatin remodelling and alterations in gene transcription. RIP140 is a ligand dependant corepressor for nuclear receptors that plays key roles in adipose tissue and muscle to regulate energy homeostasis.RIP140 regulates carbohydrate and l...

Pregnancy is associated with increased circulating growth hormone (GH), which is thought to originate from the placenta in humans, but from the pituitary in rats. In this study we investigated the changes in somatotroph and lactotroph populations, and quantified spontaneous and secretagogue-induced GH and prolactin (PRL) secretion during pregnancy in rats.Using electron microscopy and immunogold labelling, somatotroph and lactotroph populations were quan...

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5–20% of women of reproductive age worldwide and is associated with disorders of glucose metabolism. Hormone and metabolic signalling may be influenced by phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones. Their endocrine effects may modify symptom penetrance in PCOS.We investigated, whether women with PCOS and healthy controls differ in their capacity to metabolize dietary isoflavones and whether this capacity...

Thyroid hormones (TH) reduce liver steatosis. As steatosis is the initial step of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), we hypothesized that TH treatment could ameliorate ALD. Wildtype (WT) mice were treated with either ethanol (EtOH) or liquid control diet for 10 days followed by a single EtOH or maltose binge on day 11. In both groups, diet was supplemented with either T3 or solvent. Serum triglycerides (TG) were increased by EtOH and, surprisingly, further elevated by T3. Liver we...