Endocrine Abstracts

Abnormal growth patterns are commonly observed in children suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases. These disorders are associated with the increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which inhibit growth plate chondrocyte dynamics. Ceramide, a sphingosine-based lipid second messenger, mediates many of the actions of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Ceramide inhibits IGF-1 signalling and induces apoptosis in numerous cell types. This study determined the effects of C2-...

The actions of SOCS2 on GH and IGF-1 signalling in growth plate chondrocytes have yet to be reported. During chronic paediatric inflammatory diseases retarded growth is seen in association with increased inflammatory cytokine levels, which is an effect that may involve SOCS2. The primary aim of this study was to investigate STAT signalling in chondrocytes in response to GH, IGF-1 and IL-1β. We also investigated the temporal expression of SOCS2 in response to GH and IGF-1 ...

Background: Dexamethasone (Dex) induced growth retardation in children is partly mediated by direct growth plate effects. In contrast, IGF-I induces bone growth and may ameliorate these effects.Aims: To determine the direct effects of Dex and IGF-I on bone length, cell proliferation and mineralisation in cultured fetal mouse metatarsals.Methods: 18-day-old fetal metatarsals were cultured in triplicate in serum-free medium for 12 days supplemented with either Dex 10<sup...

Background: Glucocorticoid (GC) induced growth retardation is partly due to effects on the growth plate but may vary depending on the pattern of GC exposure.Aims: To compare the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) and prednisolone (Pred) and timing of GC exposure on chondrocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation on the ATDC5 murine chondrocyte cell line.Methods: The cell line was fully characterized by assessing marker gene expr...

Background: GCs retard growth prenatally in many mammals. Little is known of the prenatal effects of GCs in mice though this species is optimal for genetic and transgenic studies. IGFBP-2 is the predominant prenatal IGF binding protein and it may influence IGF action.Aim: To determine the weights, crown rump lengths (CRL) and serum IGF-I, Insulin and IGFBP-2 levels on 1 day old mice exposed to GC prenatally.Methods: Pregnant mice w...