Endocrine Abstracts

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare disease characterized by progressive muscle rigidity and spasms, which can lead to functional disability. This condition can be challenging to diagnose if there is no high index of suspicion. Its etiology is unknown, but one of the most likely causes is autoimmune aggression, which is corroborated by that fact that it is associated with other autoimmune diseases in half of the cases described in literature.We will pr...

IntroductionMetabolic homeostasis in the testis is essential for a healthy spermatogenesis. Insulin is regarded as one of the most important intervenients in the metabolic regulation of spermatogenesis, where it acts directly on the differentiation of spermatogonia into primary spermatocytes or indirectly through the metabolic modulation of Sertoli cells. Additionally, insulin is hypothesized to play a major role on human spermatozoa capacitation, althou...

Infertility is a growing concern in Western countries. Several factors, including lifestyle habits and increased prevalence of chronic disorders associated with hormonal alterations, increased chronic inflammation and systemic oxidative stress (such as obesity and diabetes mellitus), are contributing to the reduction of reproductive potential among males in modern societies. Evidence suggests these factors negatively impact human sperm quality resulting in a combination of alt...

Pituitary adenomas account for ~10–15% of intracranial tumors and result in morbidity due to both altered hormonal patterns as well as side effects of therapy. Currently, great attention has been given to natural coumpouds from functional foods. Among these substances, we highlight that the consumption of carotenoids is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases including cancer and vascular diseases. In this study we evaluate the influence of β-carotene and ly...

Aims: End stage renal disease is associated with disorders of calcium and phosphate metabolism that favor the loss of bone mass.Kidney transplant may alter this unbalance restoring bone mass. Nevertheless, recent studies showed that 48 months after transplant, the loss of bone mass still is superior to general population. Post-transplant corticosteroid therapy is considered the main responsible for the loss of bone mass.The authors...