Endocrine Abstracts

Through activation of the HPA axis, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the 41-amino acid hypothalamic peptide, plays a fundamental role in mammalian survival and response to stressful stimuli. CRH belongs to a family of stress-related peptides that includes urocortins (UCNs) that have been linked with many pathophysiological effects. Their actions are mediated via activation of two types of CRH receptors (CRH-R1 and R2) that exhibit distinct pharmacology and functional pro...

The family of urocortins (UCNs) exert important pathophysiological actions in the control of peripheral homeostatic mechanisms, through activation of the type 2-corticotropin releasing hormone receptor (CRH-R2). This G-protein coupled receptor preferentially binds urocortins (UCN, UCNII and UCNIII) than CRH. In most tissues, CRH-R2 activation leads to increased cAMP production. In this study we used HEK293 cells stably overexpressing recombinant CRH-R2β receptors to inves...

In addition to well established role in coordinating mammalian adaptive responses to stressful stimuli, the family of “stress” peptides that includes corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortins (Ucns) are emerging as important regulators of the homeostatic mechanisms regulating energy balance and metabolism. CRH acting through specific G-protein coupled receptors, CRH-R1 and R2 can target multiple peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle and adipose tissue...

Placental corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) appears to play important physiological roles during pregnancy and labour. In the placenta, CRH appears to regulate diverse actions such as human trophoblast cell grown and invasion, tissue remodeling, direct modulation of the placental prostaglandin generation and bioavailability and control of placental vascular tone through regulation of endothelial NOS (NOSIII) expression and activation1. CRH actions are mediated ...

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its related peptides, the urocortins (UCNs) mediate their effects by binding to two types of GPCRs, CRH-R1 and CRH-R2. In most target tissues, the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/PKA and the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) are the two main pathways mediating the biological effects of CRH-Rs. For most multi-signal G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), there is considerable level of ‘cross-talk’ between different signalling cascad...

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and urocortins (UCN) bind to two types of GPCRs (CRH-R1 and CRH-R2), activating a plethora of signalling cascades, including the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathways. Although previous studies have identified that CRH directly regulates adrenal steroidogenesis1, the second messenger systems and downstream effectors remain poorly defined. The adrenal cell line H295R, which express both CRH-Rs1 was used to...

Aim: To explore the metabolic phenotype of Male Obesity-associated Secondary Hypogonadism (MOSH) and following treatment with long-acting intramuscular (IM) testosterone undecanoate.Methods: A prospective observational pilot study on metabolic effects of IM testosterone undecanoate in MOSH (Hypogonadal [HG] group, n=13), including baseline comparisons with controls (Eugonadal [EG] group, n=15). Half the subj...

Aim: To explore the metabolic phenotype of Male Obesity-associated Secondary Hypogonadism (MOSH) and following treatment with long-acting intramuscular (IM) testosterone undecanoate.Methods: A prospective observational pilot study on metabolic effects of IM testosterone undecanoate in MOSH (Hypogonadal [HG] group, n=13), including baseline comparisons with controls (Eugonadal [EG] group, n=15). Half the subj...

Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and its related peptides, urocortins (UCN), are now emerging as critical regulators of energy balance and homeostasis. These peptides exert their effects through activation of two types of CRH receptors (CRH-R1 and CRH-R2). The role of these peptides as regulators of mammalian thermogenesis and their effects on brown adipose tissue (BAT) have been primarily attributed to modulation of brain centres controlling sympathetic outflow. However,...

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine kinase that couples energy and nutrient abundance to cell growth and is critically involved in the onset and progression of diabetes, cancer and ageing. Placental mTOR is involved in nutrient sensing and transfer to the fetus. Animal models suggest that placental mTOR is upregulated in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes (GDM). Our aim was to characterize expression, and cellular localization of mTOR and whether ...