Endocrine Abstracts

Pathophysiological calcification in the vasculature favours cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. In patients with chronic kidney disease vitamin K metabolites are associated with decreased vascular calcification.We investigated the expression of the vitamin K dependent proteins PRRG1-4 in vessels and bone to identify differences in expression pattern during atherosclerosis (AS) stages and compare the two tissue profiles.Gene expre...

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex condition of pregnancy, associated with substantial perinatal morbidity and mortality, affecting 2% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide. Its hallmarks are high blood pressure (hypertension) and endothelial dysfunction, leading to potential end-organ injury. Affected organ systems include liver, blood, kidneys, brain and placenta. In the present study, we investigated steroid hormones such as progestagens, estrogens, androgens, and glucocor...

Apart from the crucial effects of vitamin D on bone health, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with various chronic conditions such as metabolic or reproductive disturbances. The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. Women affected by PCOS frequently suffer from oligo- or anovulation as well as from obesity and insulin resistance. There is accumulating evidence showing an association of vitamin D s...

Calcification is a physiological process in bone but occurs also pathologically in the vasculature, favouring cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). Vitamin K metabolites, particularly K1 and MK-4, are associated with decreased vascular calcification especially in patients with chronic kidney disease. We investigated the expression of components of the vitamin K cycle (VKC) and the MK-4 synthesis (MKS) in aorta and bone of 26 brain dead organ donors in order to identify d...

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by the loss of bone density and deficits in bone microarchitecture. “Diabetoporosity” is a new term for osteoporosis in diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) patients, where classical tools for the assessment of bone properties like dual x-ray absorptiometry or bone turnover markers are lacking prognostic accuracy for the determination of bone quality and fracture risk.MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are get...

Calcification is physiologically present in bone but also pathophysiologically in the vasculature, favouring cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to investigate changes in the expression of calcification regulators (CR) during vascular calcification in bone and vasculature. Gene expression levels of OPG, RANKL, OPN, MGP, BSP-II and RUNX2 were determined in bone, aorta and arteria ilica externa tissue samples of 22 transplant donors. Gene expression levels during atheroscleroti...

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious and complex pregnancy-related condition, characterized by hypertension and endothelial dysfunction, which can potentially damage liver, brain and kidneys, resulting to an increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. We investigated pregnancy-related steroid hormones such as progestogens, estrogens, androgens, and glucocorticoids to assess maternal and fetal development. We aim to compare steroid hormone profiles throughout pregnancy, ...

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), the most prevalent autoimmune disorder of the thyroid (AITD) is characterized by the presence of circulating autoantibodies, induced by a not fully understood dysregulation of the immune system. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs, which can play a pivotal role in immune functions and the development of autoimmunity. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate whether a panel of nine selected miRNAs differs in ser...

Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive loss of both mass and function of skeletal muscle when ageing. It poses a serious issue for healthcare systems, as it is associated with increased risk of falls, osteoporosis, and mortality. To date, no ideal serum biomarkers for the diagnosis of this complex condition have been identified. Matrix-GLA-protein (MGP), primarily known as a vitamin K dependent calcification inhibitor, is present and active in bone, muscle, and adipose tis...

Background: Calcification occurs physiologically in bone and pathophysiologically in the vasculature. Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common causes of death within patients with chronic kidney disease and crucial for kidney transplantation (RTX) outcomes.Methods and aim: We investigated the pattern and the onset of expression of regulators of calcification (RC) in the arteria iliaca externa in 26 donors (D) and 25 recipients (R) of RTX to iden...