Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Despite normal aldosterone levels, diabetics often profit from the treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists (MRAs). We therefore speculated if the expression of MR and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) were changed in cells of glomerular origin under diabetic conditions and – if not - whether the synthesis of other corticosteroid hormones, that could act on MR, was increased in diabetics.Metho...

Introduction: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) become upregulated very early on in pregnancy and is crucial in maintaining blood pressure. In addition to the peripheral RAS there is a uteroplacental RAS, which is also important in regulating placental function and development. Recent work has shown extra-renal sodium storage in the skin; it is suggested that the placenta may also function as a salt sensing organ and is important in regulating maternal blood pressure.<p c...

Background: Aldosterone levels are elevated in normal pregnancy but fall despite volume contraction in preeclampsia. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) have been implicated in this phenomenon in vitro and in animal work. Low placental growth factor (PlGF), which is closely linked to VEGF signalling, identifies women at risk of preeclampsia between 20 and 35 weeks gestation. We aimed to examine these relationships ...

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is considered as a human carcinogen. A potential intermediate mechanism could be hormone-related by disturbing steroidogenesis in gonads and adrenal glands. We tested whether urinary Cd excretion, as a marker of long-term exposure, is associated with the urinary steroid profile in the general adult population.Methods and Findings: The Swiss Kidney Project on Genes in Hypertension (SKIPOGH) is a multicentric family-based populatio...