Endocrine Abstracts

Chronic inflammatory disease is often accompanied by angiogenesis and fibrosis. Glucocorticoids (GCs) exert anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects, in which macrophages are a major target. Local endogenous GC action is controlled by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD), with the type 1 isozyme, 11β-HSD1 converting inactive GCs into active forms. Mice deficient in 11β-HSD1 have a phenotype consistent with reduced glucocorticoid action, including...

Prolactin (PRL) is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland and it is commonly known for its lactogenic and mammotrophic effects. In humans and primates, prolactin is also expressed in extra-pituitary sites where it is associated with numerous biological functions, but its spectrum of expression varies in different species.Hyperprolactinemia-induced osteoporosis is believed to be mediated by hypogonadism, but the expression of the prola...