Endocrine Abstracts

Ghrelin (Ghr) acts as a link between energy balance and reproduction; hence, hyperghrelinemia reduces reproductive success. In addition, this hormone has an evident physiological role on reproduction, since Ghr and/or its receptor are synthesized by gametes/embryos and several reproductive tissues (including decidua/placenta); in addition, Ghr plasma concentration rises during gestation.The objectives of our study were to evaluate the effects of ghrelin ...

Background: Aberrations in the timing of puberty may result in significant adverse health outcomes, including cancers, cardiovascular and neurological pathologies. Self-limited delayed puberty (DP) (i.e. constitutional delay of puberty) runs in families with either autosomal dominant or complex inheritance patterns in >70% of families, indicating a strong genetic basis of the trait. However, only a few genes have been identified underlying DP so far....

Adipose tissue is a highly active metabolic organ which, together with its role as an energy storage depot, produces a wide variety of bioactive molecules (i.e. adipokines) with important roles in the regulation of energy metabolism and homeostasis, immunity and inflammation. Alterations in lipid metabolism and/or in adipokine production associated to the excess of adipose tissue that defines obesity or to adipose tissue deficiency, as occurs in lipodystrophy, are linked to in...

Introduction: Pregestational diabetes is a threatening condition for pregnancy; a strict glycemic control can decrease some pregnancy complications. That control can be achieved while on multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) treatment or with subcutaneous insulin infusion systems (CSII). Up to now no benefits of CSII treatment over MDI on pregnancy outcomes have been proved.Design: Case control retrospective study, comparing glycemic control and pregna...

Introduction: Kisspeptins, the products of the Kiss1 gene that act via the receptor, GPR54 (or Kiss1R), are pivotal elements in the neuroendocrine control of GnRH neurons and, thereby, gonadotropin secretion. Extensive efforts have been devoted recently to elucidate the pharmacological effects and major putative regulators of the kisspeptin system. Yet, our knowledge on the potential interactions of kisspeptins with other key neurotransmitters involved in the central re...

Introduction: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) has been associated with complications both in the neonate and in the mother; including increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2), obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a key regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism. Recently, the relationship between FGF21 and metabolic component diseases such as diabetes mellitus and obesity has been demonstrated. In addition, FGF21 mRNA and prote...