Endocrine Abstracts

Serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (Sgk1) is an early transcriptional target of glucocorticoids with antiapoptotic effects. Sgk1 becomes active after phosphorylation by growth factors such as insulin and IGF1 through the PI3 kinase/PDK1 pathway. Activated Sgk1 increases the cellular uptake of glucose by increasing the membrane abundance of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4. Here we present data on the expression and regulation of Sgk1 in adipose tissue using three di...

We present data on open reading frame 62 encoded on human chromosome 6 (C6orf62), a gene whose protein expression and function has not been described to date. The gene product of C6orf62 was designated pituitary associated regulator of hormone secretion (PARS).Initial gene expression screens showed that PARS transcription is differentially regulated in secreting and non-secreting pituitary adenomas, as well as in normal pituitary tissue. Inspired ...

Glucocorticoids suppress insulin secretion, inhibit glucose uptake in peripheral tissues, and promote gluconeogenesis in the liver. These effects are known to be mediated via genomic mechanisms of slow onset. Despite recent evidence on rapid non-genomic glucocorticoid signaling in several organs, there is no information on rapid glucocorticoid effects on carbohydrate metabolism in humans.Here we present data on the rapid effects of hydrocortisone on the ...

Adrenomedullin is a vasoactive peptide originally discovered in extracts of human pheochromocytoma. It is highly expressed in plasma and adipose tissue of obese subjects and considered as a member of the adipokine family. Adrenomedullin inhibits adipogenesis under the transcriptional control of insulin. We determined plasma adrenomedullin concentrations in a cohort of 360 healthy subjects and found a very significant positive correlation to body mass index (BMI). In parallel, ...

Ghrelin and PYY are gastrointestinal peptides involved in appetite regulation. The cholinergic part of the vagal nerve participate in the regulation of glucose and insulin levels. We aimed to examine the effects of the cholinergic antagonist atropine on ghrelin, PYY, glucose and insulin under basal conditions and after meal ingestion in lean and obese subjects. Eight lean and eight obese subjects received in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study design...

Objectives: We investigated in women with prior GD (pGD) at risk of diabetes and premature atherosclerosis in comparison to women with normal glucose tolerance during and after pregnancy (C) parameters of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and glucose tolerance in a follow-up study.Methods: 119 pGD and 41 C underwent an oral glucose tolerance test 3 months, 1 and 2 years after delivery with measurements of plasma concentrations of circulating adhesion...

Obestatin has recently been identified as a peptide derived from pre-proghrelin that opposes ghrelin effects on appetite and body weight in rodents. We studied the effect of food intake on both these hormones in obese and lean subjects and recorded in parallel the subjective sensations of satiety and hunger. Eight obese (two males and six females, BMI=31–52 kg/m2) and eight age- and sex-matched lean subjects (BMI=19–23 kg/m2) were randomized to ...

Background: Despite adequate hormone replacement therapy, evidence suggests that mortality is increased in patients suffering from primary adrenal insufficiency (AI), mainly because of cardiovascular diseases. Since activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system (RAAS) plays an important role in the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease we aimed to investigate, if there are differences in AI compared to healthy controls.Methods: E...

Acromegaly is a rare disorder usually caused by a benign tumour of the pituitary gland. Long-term presence of elevated growth hormone (GH) and insulin like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels accompanying this disease is associated with complications such as heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnoea and arthropathy. Incidence of acromegaly is 3-5 patients per million per year. Klinefelter syndrome is ...

Introduction: Hypoparathyroidism can occur post-surgically after thyroid or parathyroid surgery or in autoimmune or genetic diseases. Over several decades, the management of hypoparathyroidism included only supplementation with calcium, vitamin D3 (cholecaliferol), as well as active 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol). In cases with severe hypoparathyroidism, this treatment can be limited by hypercalciuria, and these patients often need substitution with recombinant parathyro...