Endocrine Abstracts

Activation of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) leads to a decrease of appetite and an elevation of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). The sympathoexcitatory property of leptin is mediated by the melanocortin system and a functional MC4R is a prerequisite for the development of hypertension associated with obesity in animal model. To test the hypothesis that functional mutations of the MC4R lead to a diminished SNA in humans, ten carriers of MC4R mutations and a control group ...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects more than 5% of women in reproductive age and is characterized by a heterogeneous spectrum of oligoanovulation and biochemical or clinical evidence of hyperandrogenism. Insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinaemia play a significant role in pathogenesis of PCOS.Chronic low level inflammation and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type2-diabetes are reported in women with PCOS.<p class="a...