Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: DHEA is a well-known neurosteroid. Its plasmatic level is reduced with ageing in most individuals. A non-negligible portion of DHEA is hydroxylated at C7 and C16 to 7α-, 7β- and 16α- and 16β-hydroxyderivatives. A part of the antiglucocorticoid function of DHEA has been described to its 7-oxygenated metabolites, namely to 7α-hydroxy-DHEA. Due its anti-glucocoticoid action it is also considered a factor in fat deposition processes. Thus, we...

Introduction: Whereas the daily profiles of the main steroid hormones are well known, minor differences in the course of their levels related to defined and standardised food intake were studied rarely.Methods: Eight women (mean age 29.48±2.99 years, mean BMI 21.3±1.3 kg/m2) in follicular phase of menstrual cycle were examined. The levels of C-peptide, glucose, LH, FSH, SHBG, cortisol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, progesterone,...

Background: Secretion of insulin by beta-cells of the islets of Langerhans is a very complex dynamic process that includes basal and stimulated insulin secretion. Two phases, one early and one late, can be distinguished in insulin secretion. The early phase is characterised by the secretion of preformed insulin granules, lasts about 15 min and is formed by cephalic and gastrointestinal components. The cephalic phase of insulin secretion starts by stimulating visual, olfactory ...

Introduction: The influence of steroid hormones on food intake is well described. However, there are only a few studies on the effect of food intake on steroid levels.Methods: The study involved eight non-smoker women (average age 29.48±2.99 years; average BMI 21.3±1.3 kg/m2); they did not use any kind of medication affecting steroidogenesis. We analysed the influence of four various stimuli on the levels of steroid hormones and mela...

ACTH test is widely accepted as diagnostic tool in suspicion on peripheral as well as on central hypocorticism. The optimal dose of tetracosactide for determination of hypocorticism is still matter of debate. The 250 μg as a standard dose of tetracosactide has been approved for diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) many years ago. Moreover, current limited availability of tetracosactide and its increased financial cost on the market raised the question whether...

Hypoglycaemia stimulation serves as a model of physiological function of adrenal action during the stress reaction. The study aimed to describe the differences of steroid response between hypoglycemia and various doses of Synacthen (as ACTH stimulation alone). The goal of the study was to investigate the physiology of adrenal response. Twenty four steroids were measured in plasma using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry after stimulation of 1 μg, 10 μg and 250 &#...

The adrenal androgens dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, 5-androstenediol and 11β-hydroxy-androstenedione have a wide spectrum of important physiological effects. Aim of our study was to find differences in reaction of the C19 Δ5-steroids between healthy women and patients with adrenal insufficiency in various doses of Synacthen (1 ug, 10 ug and 250 ug). Our study involved seven healthy women and six premenopausal females (BMI an...

Objective: Smoking during pregnancy could have impact on steroidogenesis, with more marked changes in smokers carrying boys as well as in their newborns. The aim of study was compared steroid hormones between non-smokers, ex-smokers, which stop smoking in the beginning of pregnancy, and active smokers.Method: We focused on changes in steroidogenesis in the blood of mothers in their 37th week of pregnancy and in mixed cord blood from their newb...