Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The endothelium produces molecules regulating vascular function, such as nitric oxide (NO). NO protects blood vessels from endogenous injury and causes vasodilation through activation of second messengers. In diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperglycemia provokes oxidative stress, reduction of NO and increased synthesis of vasoconstrictors (e.g. endothelin). Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes, controlling the rate of degradation of second messengers....

Introduction: Male sexual behaviour is deeply influenced by the endocrine system. However, few data are available on low cortisol serum levels and sexuality.Subjects and methods: In order to investigate the sexual function in 12 men before and during replacement treatment for Addison disease (AD), we performed sexual and psychological evaluations before replacement therapy (‘baseline’) and at least 8 weeks after complete recovery from cortisol ...

Introduction: Obesity and connected metabolic alterations are a growing problem in paediatric age, but few data are available in the youngest population. Poor evidences on metabolic syndrome (MS) definition are present in childhood and the most used definitions are those of the modified National Cholesterol Education Program and of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of MS in obese children using these two definitions and ...

Introduction: In type-1 neurofibromatosis (NF-1) there is an increased risk of endocrine tumors, especially pheochromocytomas, whereas thyroid carcinomas seem to be extremely rare, with few cases reported in literature.Subjects and methods: In order to investigate the frequency of hypercalcitoninaemia and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in patients with NF-1, we evaluated the thyroid gland morphology and function in 17 patients with NF-1 by i) neck US, ii...

It is known that adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is associated with oxidative stress (OS): both GH and IGF-1 exert antioxidant functions. OS is in turn related to systemic inflammation and cardiovascular/oncological risk. Discordant data concerning GH effects on antioxidants are reported. Moreover, no data are available in partial GHD, which can induce cardiovascular alterations. To evaluate oxidative damage on macromolecules and systemic inflammation, 80 patients, studi...

Background: Endothelial dysfunction leads to cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), through a reduction of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have hemodynamic effects, improving NO levels.Aim: To investigate if long term, chronic treatment with the PDE5i Vardenafil improves systemic endothelial function in men with T2DM.Methods: A longitudinal, prospective, invest...

Subjects and methods: We performed nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity monitoring (NPTRM) in order to study the effects of Tadalafil on sleep-related erections in 23 adult healthy men (age: 34.27±8.48 years). The subjects were randomly administered Tadalafil, 10 mg tablet, the 1st (N1) or the 2nd (N2) night (Group A and B respectively) of 3 consecutive nights of erections’ monitoring. In Group A the 3rd night monitoring was regarded as control (N-ctr); in Group ...

Background: The recently discovered myokin Irisin, a peptide originated by a proteolytic cleavage of the transmembrane protein fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5) whose expression is induced by exercise and/or by increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), has been considered a prognostic factor in Chronic Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Acute Heart Failure. Nevertheless, no data are available on Irisin level...

Adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD), a condition characterized by increased oxidative stress (OS), is related to augmented cardiovascular, metabolic and oncological risk. Thymidine-glycol (ThyG) (5, 6-dihydro-5, 6-dihydroxy-2’-deoxythymidine) is a marker of DNA oxidation produced when thymidine is damaged by hydroxyl radicals. It is considered a specific marker since it is not incorporated in RNA; while 8-OH-deoxyguanosine, a well-known marker of oxidative damage, is ra...