Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: To assess the relation between questionnaires of androgenic function (AMS and IIEF-EF scores) and sex hormones (DHT, estradiol and total and free testosterone) in men attending an outpatient clinic for endocrine and reproductive disorders.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all data entered in the electronic database of the Münster Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology (CeRA) Androbase from patients visited between January 2015 and Oct...

Introduction: Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are rare tumours with high morbidity. The majority are benign and surgically curable, but genetic testing suggests that many are associated with germline mutations, and careful long-term follow-up of patients and their family members is important. Regular biochemical screening with plasma or urinary metanephrines (uMetanephrines) is essential, but currently 24-h collections of uMetanephrines is cumbersome and inconven...

Context: Disease processes that affect the pituitary stalk are broad, ranging from indolent lesions requiring simple observation to severe lesions with significant implications. Diagnosis and management of these lesions remains unclear.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical presentation, biochemical and pathology characteristics of pituitary stalk thickening lesions and their association with specific MRI features in order to provide...

The importance of measuring renin or plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone in establishing mineralocorticoid deficiency is not in doubt. Once mineralocorticoid replacement therapy is initiated, guidance suggests that optimization of mineralocorticoid dose should be based upon measurements of blood pressure, renin (or PRA), and electrolytes. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between renin and clinically important variables to determine whether measurem...

Objective: Endocannabinoids (CBs) are novel lipid mediators that modulate appetitive behaviour and energy metabolism. The overactivation of the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in obesity. Endocannabinoids may regulate the lipid metabolism through their receptors (CB1 and CB2) in liver and adipose tissue. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1) type 1 regulates the local availability of active glucocorticoid, potent inductors of adipogenic different...

Introduction: In humans, testosterone treatment affects body fat distribution and metabolism. The mechanisms involved in these processes are not yet fully understood. We investigated whether sex hormones modulate the expression and activity of type1 11-β-hydroxy-steroid-dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1). 11β-HSD1 catalyses the conversion of inactive cortisone into active cortisol, a key step for the development of functional adipocytes. Based on previous studies an inhib...

Background: Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is the major extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves’ disease (GD). Even if usually mild and non-progressive, in its worst forms, GO can represent a major therapeutic challenge, because is not always responsive to the available medical treatments. First line treatment for moderate-to-severe and active GO relies on intravenous (i.v.) methylprednisolone. Optic neuropathy is a sight-threatening complication which can seriously impact ...

Objective: 2–3% of the population of the UK receive glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. Significant adverse effects are not confined to chronic use: recurrent short-course administration is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Data about the cumulative dose responsible for drawbacks during GC treatment are still lacking. The aim of this study was to test the impact of 7 days of 10 or 15 mg of Prednisolone on metabolism in healthy male volunteers.<p class="abste...

Objective: Currently, 2–3% of the population of the UK and US receive glucocorticoid (GC) therapy. Significant adverse effects are not confined to chronic use; recurrent short-course administration is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The efficacy of GC therapy is not in doubt but data about the cumulative dose responsible for adverse effects during GC treatment are still lacking. The aim of this study was to test the impact of 7 days of 10 or 15 mg of Pr...

Introduction: GEP-NENs represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with increasing incidence in the last years. Pathogenesis and risk factors of sporadic GEP-NENs are not clear and still debated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the main risk factors for sporadic GEP-NENs in patients followed by the NETTARE Unit (NeuroEndocrine TAsk force of of ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome).Methods: We performed a case-control study including 32 consecuti...