Endocrine Abstracts

Recently, two new peptides named Orexin-A and Orexin-B, have been implicated in the regulation of feeding behaviour. Studies in starved rats have shown that catabolic activity quickly predominates, reinforced by elevated corticosterone, not driven by ACTH, implicating adrenal activity as a metabolic regulator. In view of these findings, we sought to investigate whether orexin and orexin receptors are present in human fetal and adult adrenals, and therefore may be implicated in...

Orexins, in addition to regulating food intake and playing a role in the sleep wake cycle, are involved in the activation of HPA axis. Starvation induces metabolic changes in the body, including upregulation of orexin and its receptors in the hypothalamus. We investigated the expression and signalling characteristics of rat orexin receptors at the hypothalamic and adrenal level in food deprived animals and controls. Food deprivation induced both orexin type-1 (OX1R) and type-2...

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is associated with insulin insensitivity, abnormalities of endothelial function and increased cardiovascular mortality. Hyperhomocysteinaemia is also associated with impaired endothelial function, and it has been established as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. GH treatment improves lipid profile and endothelial function, but it is not known whether it can affect homocysteine levels.Material & Methods: Twenty-t...