Endocrine Abstracts

Inhibins and activins were discovered based on their abilities to inhibit and stimulate follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from pituitary gonadotrope cells. These ligands are members of the TGFbeta superfamily of secreted ligands. Current dogma suggests that activin B produced by gonadotropes stimulates FSH production in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Inhibins A and B from the gonads suppress FSH by competing for binding to activin receptors. This binding is aided by...

SARS-CoV-2 infection produces greater morbidity and mortality in people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity, raising the possibility that the consequences of viral infection are modulated directly and indirectly by the endocrine system. Hospitalization and severity of illness is more common in males, further suggesting that sex, possibly male and female sex hormones, modifies the host response to coronavirus infection. SARS-Co-V-2 cellular infection requires ACE...

Incretins are gut peptides that potentiate nutrient-dependent insulin secretion following meal ingestion. The two dominant incretins glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) stimulate insulin secretion and promote expansion of β-cell mass in preclinical models via control of cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis. GLP-1, but not GIP, decreases the rate of gastric emptying, inhibits glucagon secretion, and diminishes appeti...

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, 2019, 62(2): 67–78 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1530/JME-18-0145)...

Background: Androgens promote erythropoiesis and have been used for the treatment of anaemia. Furthermore, polycythemia is a known side effect of androgen therapy. In congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), elevated adrenal androgens cause virilisation of female patients. Glucocorticoid treatment reduces androgen levels but there is a difficult balance between excess androgens and suppressed androgens due to excess glucocorticoid treatment.Aim of study: To...

Background: Observational and genetic Mendelian randomisation (MR) data has demonstrated the association of adulthood overweight/obesity with development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the contribution of early life (i.e. childhood/adolescence) body composition on incident PCOS is unclear. This study determines the influence of body composition on the likelihood of developing PCOS.Methods: We conducted a 2-sample Mendelian randomisation st...

Introduction: Xanthogranulomatous hypophysitis (XGH) is a very rare form of pituitary hypophysitis that may present both clinically and radiologically as a tumour. Our case series compares paediatric and adult presentations of XGH.Case series: Patient 1: A 15-year-old female presented with refractory headache, lethargy, short stature, delayed growth (weight (−3.36) SDS, height (−1.73) SDS, BMI 14 kg/m2), and pubertal arres...

Receptor endocytosis plays an important role in regulating the responsiveness of cells to specific hormones. Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4, 5)P2) has been shown to be critical for many endocytic processes including the internalization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We have previously shown that depletion of PtdIns(4, 5) P2 by the chemically induced plasma membrane recruitment of a 5-phosphatase domain prevents the internalizati...

Objective: We studied the prevalence of endocrine dysfunction in subjects with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) on newer dopaminergic agents (DA). DA are used in endocrine hypersecretory states in small doses and we hypothesized that endocrine dysfunction was likely in IPD where DA was used in comparatively much higher dosage.Patients and methods: 25 subjects with IPD on DA for were recruited to this cross-sectional study. We measured IGF1, prol...

PurposeAs the majority of patients with pituitary disease are of working age, their health situation may negatively impact their functioning at work. However, work participation can also be influenced by contextual (environmental and personal) factors. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate the perspective of patients with pituitary disease on their functioning at work and on contextual factors contributing to work-related problems, using t...