Endocrine Abstracts

Growth hormone (GH) responsive cells are extensively distributed in the brain, including in neurons of the arcuate nucleus (ARH) and ventromedial nucleus (VMH) of the hypothalamus, areas that control food intake, energy expenditure and blood glucose levels. However, the functional role of central GH signaling for energy and glucose homeostasis has not been unveiled yet. We generated mice lacking GH receptor (GHR) in multiple neuronal populations to investigate whether central ...

Introduction: Pregnancy leads to extensive adaptations in the female’s body, by changing the secretion and responses to several hormones. GH is required for fetal nutrition, growth during pregnancy and for mammary development and lactation, although its central effects are not completely clarified.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether central GH signaling regulates physiological and metabolic adaptations during pregnancy.<p class...

Growth hormone (GH) is an important factor involved in the regulation of multiple biological functions. Although the influence of GH is widespread throughout several organs and tissues, the effects of GH on brain functions, such as those related to reproductive functions, are still elusive. GH deficiency or resistance can be related to late puberty onset, lack of sexual maturation and infertility. In contrast, GH therapy can accelerate puberty onset or be used to increase preg...

Growth hormone (GH) responsive cells are extensively distributed in central nervous system, including in neurons of the arcuate (ARH) and ventromedial nucleus (VMH) of hypothalamus, areas that control food intake, energy expenditure and blood glucose. During metabolic stresses, such as food restriction and hypoglycemia, GH secretion is stimulated and may be important to maintain survival. In the present study, we first verified that an acute GH injection stimulates food intake...

Introduction: The availability of the body’s most abundant amino acid, glutamine is compromised in obesity-associated diabetes. This may impair glucose metabolism by increasing hepatic insulin resistance, oxidative stress and the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Objective: Evaluate the effects of free and dipeptide (DIP, L-alanyl-L-glutamine) forms of L-glutamine on glucose metaboli...

Introduction: Non-syndromic pituitary gigantism can result from AIP mutations and the recently identified Xq26.3 microduplications causing X-LAG.Patients and methods: DNA samples and clinical data were collected from 151 patients with pituitary gigantism. All samples were tested for AIP mutations; AIP mutation negative cases (AIPneg) were screened for Xq26.3 microduplications.Results: Xq26.3 micr...