Endocrine Abstracts

Physiological role of acylated ghrelin (AG), unacylated ghrelin (UAG) and obestatin is poorly understood especially in childhood. To understand their biological implications in obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS), we measured AG, UAG, obestatin, at fasting and every 60′ during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 60 prepubertal (PP–OB; 32) and pubertal (P-OB; 28) children. Paediatric IDF 2007 criteria was used to identifying MS. In PP-OB group, 20 (62.5%) children ...

Growth hormone (GH) secretion is regulated by a complex interplay between GH-releasing hormone (GHRH), somatostatin and several other central and peripheral modulatory signals. Ghrelin has been hypothesized as physiological amplifier of GH pulsatility and acts via mechanisms, at least partially, independent of GHRH and somatostatin. The GH response to GHRH is strongly inhibited by previous administration of recombinant human GH (rhGH), likely as a consequence of a somatostatin...

ContextGenetic obesity, including syndromic and non-syndromic forms, represent a minority of cases but gene dysregulations make their management particularly difficult. Among them, Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a multisystem human genomic imprinting disorder characterized by overgrowth, macroglossia, abdominal wall defects, hemi hyperplasia, enlarged abdominal organs, and an increased risk of embryonal tumours. The syndrome is caused by genet...

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare hereditary autosomal dominant tumor syndrome caused by inactivating mutations of the tumor suppressor gene MEN1 which encodes the protein menin. It is characterized by the occurrence of tumors involving two or more endocrine glands, primarily parathyroid, entero-pancreatic, and anterior pituitary, as well as non-endocrine neoplasms. Glucagonomas occur in fewer than 3% of patients with MEN1, causing hyper...

Introduction: CBG is the main transport protein for glucocorticoids in blood. CBG gene is a member of the serine protease inhibitor family, located at chromosome 14q32. Inherited CBG deficiency (MIM 611489) is a rarely recessive disorder, and the phenotype associated includes low cortisol levels, presence of normal ACTH levels, hypotension and fatigue, although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms involved remain uncertain. We identified a family with a complex phe...

Introduction: The association between vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and metabolic parameters is not confirmed in some population studies. 25(OH)D concentration in blood is influenced by seasons and this covariate may explain some discordant results. The first aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in a population of obesity children (2–18 years) living in the North of Italy (latitude, 45°27′n) with respect to the season. The...

Introduction: Liraglutide, a GLP-1 analogue, is a new option for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (DM2). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liraglutide in daily clinical practice in a heterogeneous population with DM2.Subjects and methods: Four visits were scheduled in a 1 year study (baseline, 4, 8 and 12 months). All patients with a HbA1c not on target (>7%) during an oral hypoglycemic treatment, or patients intole...

Introduction: Liraglutide, a human GLP-1 analogue, is a new option for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (DM2). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of liraglutide on cardiovascular risk factors in daily clinical practice in a heterogeneous population with DM2.Subjects and methods: Four visits were scheduled in a 1 year study (baseline, 4, 8 and 12 months). Patients with a HbA1c not on target (>7%) during an oral hypoglycemic treatmen...

Introduction: Generously supported by IPSEN)-->In children, GH secretion is considered sufficient when at least one value is >20 ng/ml at the GHRH + arginine (ARG) test. Because GH typically peaks at 45 min, we evaluated whether peak occurrence at one specific time is predictive of clinical outcomes in short stature children who are GH sufficient.Subjects and methods: Children who performed a GHRH plus ARG ...

TSH receptor (TSHR) is a G-protein-coupled seven-transmembrane domain receptor located in the basolateral membrane of thyroid follicular cells. The activated receptor couples to two major signal transductions pathways: the Gs/adenylate cyclase and the Gq/11/phospholipase C signalling. Many loss of function mutations have been identified in this gene leading to a wide spectrum of thyroid abnormalities, ranging from hyperthyrotropinemia and TSH resistance to severe hypothyroidis...