Endocrine Abstracts

Besides its critical functions as a reproductive hormone, 17β-estradiol (E2), plays an important role in the control of energy homeostasis. In experimental animals, reduction of circulating estrogen levels by bilateral ovariectomy leads to the development of obesity, which can be reversed or prevented by E2 treatment. E2 effects on energy balance resemble many similarities to the actions of leptin, key molecule involved in the control of e...

Repeated exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to endotoxin tolerance. Desensitization of hypophagia in response to repeated exposure to endotoxin is related to an inability of leptin to phosphorylate STAT-3 protein. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) activity is known to contribute to leptin resistance by inhibiting leptin signaling. In this study, we induced endotoxin tolerance, injecting repeated LPS doses (6LPS) (100 μg/kg, i.p.) in comparison with single (1...

Introduction: Pituitary apoplexy is a potentially life-threatening syndrome due to acute infarction and/or hemorrhage of the pituitary gland. In many cases it is the first form of presentation of a pituitary adenoma. The purpose of the study is to analyze the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome.Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis of the patients diagnosed with pituitary tumor apoplexy at Santo Antonio’s Hospita...

Introduction: Iodine is the key element for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and its intake modulates the physiology and physiopathology of thyroid gland. In Portugal, endemic goiter has disappeared, but some data make us consider that iodine intake, as in other European areas, is far from being sufficient. Taking into account the potential harmful effects of moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy, when needs are increased, and the absence of recent data on iodine intake...

Introduction: Bronchial Carcinoids are rare neoplasms originating from the diffuse neuroendrocrine system. Surgery is the only effective therapy but may not be feasible due to metastases. Available therapy may control symptoms but not tumor bulk. Everolimus has shown promising results, however patients may develop resistance. Previous studies demonstrated that Everolimus reduces viability of NCI-H720 (Atypical Carcinoid) but not of NCI-H727 cells (Typical Carcinoid). In order ...

Introduction: Acromegaly is a rare disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Surgical treatment is the first line treatment for these patients, with remission rates of >85% for microadenomas and 40–50% for macroadenomas.Objectives: Our objective was to characterize patients with acromegaly followed in our department and evaluate remission status after surgery. We also aimed to determine remission related factors.Me...

IntroductionTypical bronchial carcinoids (TBC) are rare well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) of the lung whose management can still be very challenging. In fact, the gold-standard treatment for TBC is total resection of the primary tumour; however, in case of metastatic disease adjuvant therapy with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus (eve) might be recommended. Unfortunately, prognosis may be very poor in cases showing moderate response rates to...

Introduction Immune reconstitution therapies (IRT), which include antibody-based cell-depleting therapies targeting CD52+ (alemtuzumab) or CD20+ (rituximab, ocrelizumab) leukocytes, are approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Thyroid autoimmunity is a common adverse effect of alemtuzumab treatment, Graves' disease being the most prevalent manifestation. To date, thyroid autoimmunity events have not been reported with CD20 targeting monoclonal a...

Introduction: Obese patients are at an increased risk of develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Evidence supports that bariatric surgery might have an important impact on hepatic profile in obese adults. Literature suggests that bariatric surgery in adolescents might decrease the prevalence of some comorbidities, but information about its impact on liver profile and steatosis and fibrosis risk remains scarce.Aim: To evaluate the impact of bariatric su...

Introduction: Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease and its prevalence in pediatric age has increased. Obesity prejudices the individual metabolic profile due to the adipotoxicity involved in this condition. Bariatric surgery improves the weight of obese patients along with metabolic comorbidities, being today one of the most effective treatments for obesity. Time of exposure to adipotoxicity appears to be an important risk factor for the development of metabolic complic...