Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Testicular ultrasound (US) is routinely employed in the evaluation of reproductive and sexual function. However, its use for characteristics other than testicular volume is hampered by a lack of information on the prognostic value of its findings, that to date have only been incorporated in a score proposed by Lenz et al. in 1993.Objectives: We sought to explore whether testicular US examination can predict spermatogenesis and provid...

Introduction: Patients with Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) often display small, multiple, non-palpable, and typically benign testicular micro-nodules at ultrasonographic examination, representing Leydig cell hyperplasia or Leydig tumors. Increased LH levels raising from testicular damage might play a pivotal role by acting as growth factor for Leydig cells. To date, evidence on the efficacy of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on decreasing the micro-nodules volume are lacking...

Introduction: GEP-NENs represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with increasing incidence in the last years. Pathogenesis and risk factors of sporadic GEP-NENs are not clear and still debated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the main risk factors for sporadic GEP-NENs in patients followed by the NETTARE Unit (NeuroEndocrine TAsk force of of ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome).Methods: We performed a case-control study including 32 consecuti...

Introduction: Immune tumor microenvironment plays a key role in tumors’ growth and metastatic spread, while its role in the heterogeneous field of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) remains unclear. There is evidence that tumor progression in NENs is promoted by an immunosuppressed microenvironment created by a plethora of infiltrating immune cells. Changes in circulating leukocyte and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) subpopulations can mirror the local alteration of...

Background: Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors (B-TCGT) are reported as rare findings (incidence 1-8%) and can be distinguish in synchronous (sB-TCGT) (recurrence within 3 months) and metachronous (mB-TCGT) (recurrence after 3 months). Risk factors of relapse are still underexplored. The aim of our study was to identify clinical, biochemical and radiological risk factors for the onset of a second tumor in a wide cohort of TGCT patients. Materials and ...

Background & Aim: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are detected in >80% of MEN1 patients. MEN1 pNETs are well differentiated G1-G2 NETs. They are usually not surged unless a size >1–2 cm or a growth rate >0.5 cm per year. Somatostatin analogues represent one of the main therapeutic option in patients affected with G1-G2 NETs. However, neither somatostatin analogues nor other therapies have been prospectively evaluated in clinical trials specificall...

Introduction: The role of Angiopoietin (Ang)/Tie2 kinase pathway in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) has recently received increasing attention, but its clinical role remains unclear. Tie2-receptor inactivation favours chronic inflammation. The balance between its agonist and antagonist regulates its signalling. Aim of this study was to measure serum soluble Tie2 (sTie2) and Ang-2 in patients followed at the NETTARE Unit (NeuroEndocrine TAsk foRcE of ‘Sapienza’ Univer...

Background: Experimental studies on Klinefelter syndrome (KS) reported increased intratesticular testosterone (T) levels coexisting with reduced circulating levels. Abnormalities in testicular microcirculation have been claimed; however, no studies investigated in vivo testicular blood flow dynamics in humans with KS.Objective: To analyze the testicular microcirculation in KS by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and correlate vascular par...

Introduction: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) represent a group of rare neoplasms characterized by wide heterogeneity in terms of biological characteristics and clinical behavior. Despite their increasing relevance in the oncology field, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and sexual function remain poorly investigated.Aim: To investigate sexual function in patients affected by NEN; to evaluate the impact of clinical severity (presence or absence of me...

Background: Cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase type 5(PDE5) inhibition was shown to counteract maladaptive cardiac changes triggered by diabetes in some, but not all studies.Objective: To assess sex differences in cardiac remodeling after PDE5 inhibition in patients with diabetic cardiomyopathy.Methods: 20-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (NCT01803828). 220 men and women (45-80 years) with long-duration (>3 ye...