Endocrine Abstracts

In our previous investigation on microRNAs expression pattern in parathyroid carcinomas (Ca), we detected the over-expression of microRNAs belonging to C19MC, the largest human cluster on chromosome 19q13.41. In the present study, the analysis of the expression of selected C19MC and the closely distal MIR371-3 clusters microRNAs (MIR512-3p, MIR517C, MIR520H and MIR372) was extended to 11 Ca, 24 adenomas (Ad) and 6 normal glands. The four microRNAs was expressed in 11% of parat...

Introduction: The role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of GH secretion is not well defined. Hypercortisolism inhibits GH secretion, but also hypocortisolism is correlated with impaired GH response to dynamic tests. This study was aimed to evaluate the GH reserve after GHRH+arginine test in patients with Addison’s disease (AD) and in operated patients with Cushing’s disease (CD).Design: Twelve AD patients (6M, 6F, aged 52±3.4 years, BM...

Hypogonadism occurs in myotonic dystrophy (DM) type 1 and 2, a multisystemic autosomal dominant disorder. DM patients have genetically induced insulin-resistance (IR) and visceral obesity, providing a model to study the impact of metabolic disruptions on hypogonadism. We assessed hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function and metabolic features in 22 DM1 and 8 DM2 males (mean±S.D., 46±11years). Hypogonadism, defined as total testosterone (T)<320 ng/dl...

Introduction: In type 1 multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1), primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a challenging problem due to the high post-surgery recurrence rate. Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic agent which showed to be effective in patients in whom surgery is contraindicated or refused. In this study we assessed the efficacy and the safeness of cinacalcet in MEN1 patients, in comparison with patients with sporadic PHPT (sPHPT). Moreover, the influence of Arg990Gly CASR polym...

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) negatively affects renal function. It is known that chronic kidney disease is a predictor of cardiometabolic diseases. Cystatin C (cystC), an alternative measure of renal function, has been associated with adverse cardiovascular events and cardiometabolic risk factors. This study was aimed to evaluate serum cystC, its relationships with PTH and cardiometabolic risk in patients with PHPT.The following parameters were mea...

Introduction: Myotonic dystrophy (DM) type 1 and 2 are multisystemic autosomal dominant disorders with visceral obesity, insulin resistance and hypogonadism. The prevalence of metabolic risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in DM is not well defined, particularly in patients affected by DM2, a milder and clinical challenging condition.Methods: We assessed the frequency of CAD risk factors in 31 male DM1 (44±11 years) and 13 male DM2 (54&#17...

Primary HPT shows a great variability in its clinical course and severity, which might be related to polymorphic variants of the CASR gene. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of two known CASR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), i.e. G/T at codon 986 and G/A at codon 990, in a homogenous North-Italian cohort of PHPT patients compared with a sex and age matched healthy population and the possible correlation of these CASR gene variants with the clinical and ...

Tumour-associated myofibroblasts are activated fibroblasts known to influence many aspects of tumour development. Parathyroid tumours show increased microvessels and atypical/malignant tumours are characterized by fibrous bands suggesting activation of the stromal cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of myofibroblasts in parathyroid tumorigenesis. Human parathyroid tissues were analysed by specific immunostaining for the myofibroblast marker alpha-sm...

Introduction: Hypogonadism occurs in myotonic dystrophy (DM) type 1 and 2, a multisystemic autosomal dominant disorder with insulin resistance and visceral obesity. DM patients provide a model to investigate the impact of metabolic alterations on hypogonadism.Methods: We assessed Leydig and Sertoli cell functions and metabolic features in 32 DM1 (44+11 years),13 DM2 patients (54+9 years) and 32 age and BMI-matched controls.Results:...