Endocrine Abstracts

Orexin-A (OR-A) and orexin-B (OR-B) play an important role in the regulation of energy balance and the control of sleep-wake cycle. They act via G-protein coupled receptors, namely orexin receptor-1 (OX1R) and orexin receptor-2 (OX2R). OX2R has equal affinity for both OR-A and OR-B, whilst OX1R has a 10-fold greater affinity for OR-A. Orexin-mediated functions have been extensively explored, however, the intracellular signalling pathways remain poorly understood. Using HEK-293...

Obesity is linked to the development of insulin resistance, diabetes and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue-derived proteins so termed ‘adipokines’ have been implicated in cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome although the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Adiponectin, unlike other adipokines, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and insulin-sensitising effects. Import...

Background: Sleep loss in the early morning has been shown to reduce secretory activity of the pituitary–gonadal axis in men, but the determinants of this effect are unknown.Objective: To assess the effects of sleep restriction on serum concentrations of LH, testosterone , and prolactin (PRL).Methods: Fifteen young, healthy men were examined in a condition of sleep time restriction to 0245–0700 h for two consecutive night...

Cushing’s disease is caused by ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Gold standard therapy is the resection of the adenoma by transsphenoidal surgery with high cure rates even in cases of negative MR imaging. Surgical failure despite clear endocrinological test results is possible and mostly explained by hidden minute adenomas within the gland.We report on a 50-year-old woman suffering from ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Endocrinological work-...

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...