Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (HyperPT) and primary hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) are often underdiagnosed. Several strategies have been investigated in the past in order to identify diagnostic parameters, although the diagnosis of both HyperPT and HypoPT remains challenging so far, especially in asymptomatic patients. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are inversely related together, thus the Ca/P ratio could be an useful tool to define these conditions. Recently, we pro...

Introduction: Despite normal thyroid-stimulating hormone serum levels, up to 60% of hypothyroid patients are dissatisfied with the treatment. Animal studies suggest that the persistence of symptoms may derive from peripheral hypothyroidism. Combination treatment with levothyroxine and liothyronine is a theoretically plausible solution but its efficacy is still questionable.Aim: To evaluate the effects of personalized twice-daily combination therapy on pe...

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the pregnancy hormone marketed as a drug for assisted reproduction technologies to support follicle-stimulating hormone action. Several hCG formulations are commercially available, differing in source, purification methods and biochemical composition. In this study, we investigated the molecular features and the intracellular signaling mediated by five urinary and recombinant hCGs. The drug comparisons were performed by quantifying the hor...