Endocrine Abstracts

Kisspeptin is a neuropeptide secreted in anteroventral-periventricular and arcuate hypothalamic nuclei involved pubertal onset and in other functions of adult life. Kisspeptin levels are sex dependent, so they are higher in prepubertal girls and in adult women compared to age-matched male. This sex-related pattern has been reported in adult obesity, but few data are reported in childhood obesity. In order to evaluate correlations between metabolic status and kisspeptin, we stu...

It is known that in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy improves metabolic control and reduces risk of hypoglycaemia in comparison with multiple daily injection (MDI). Metabolic outcomes usually considered are HbA1c, BMI, and inflammatory parameters. However few data are available on pituitary and gonadal hormone responses, which are involved in metabolic processes. In order to study the response of anabolic hormones in patie...

It is known that functional hypothalamic amenorrhea is associated with low bone turnover due to low gonadal homone levels. Estrogens are critical for activation of bone remodelling units, suppression of bone reabsorption, increase of 1-25(OH)Vitamin D receptors expression. Other mechanisms could be operative, including improper diet and unbalanced exercise; however the physiopathology of such a condition is not entirely known. In order to evaluate the correlation between pitui...

Hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis are common in patients with Down’ syndrome (DS), leading to common prescription of thyroid replacement therapy. On the other hand, thyroid function is involved in oxidative stress (OS) mechanisms. DS is a well-known high OS condition because several genes involved in OS mechanisms map on chromosome 21 and coenzyme Q10, lipophilic antioxidant, could be more correlated with hypothyroidism than TSH in DS people. To investigate relati...

Male idiopathic osteoporosis is an underestimated disease, despite its clinical and social importance. The biochemical mechanisms are still poorly understood even if the interaction between genetic factors and hormone environment (especially gonadal steroids and GH) plays a undoubtful role. In previous studies we demonstrated low plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in hypogonadal patients. The aim of this study was to investigate oxidative stress as risk factor for bone fr...

It is well known that insulin resistance (IR) is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Oxidative stress (OS) is, in turn, related to IR, with a vicious cycle. PCOS patients presented higher circulating concentrations of oxidative stress products such as homocysteine, malondialdehyde, an increase of superoxide dismutase and reduction of antioxidants such as glutathione and paraoxonase-1 activity. Most studies however concerned obese PCOS subjects. The physiopatholog...

It is well known that heart failure is associated with oxidative stress (OS). Reactive oxygen species in fact influence sarcolemmal and mitochondrial ione channels, which are responsible for cardiomyocyte excitability and are important in myocardial remodeling after a myocardial infarction. The decrease of anabolic axes can have a role in the progression of the illness.In order to evaluate the relationship between growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and inde...