Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis is based on the serum levels of prostatic specific antigen (PSA), which might be influenced by many clinical conditions, including obesity. In addition, the diagnostic capability of PSA test dramatically drops when considering patients with PSA levels lower than 10ng/mL (i.e. “grey-zone”). Therefore, the identification of more reliable non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for PCa is a critical unmet clinical need. In this sce...

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common endocrine-related cancers (ERCs) among men worldwide. The aggressiveness of this tumor pathology is highly influenced by different endocrine-related factors, highlighting the crucial role of androgens. Therefore, the main therapeutic approach for PCa patients is based on the pharmacological blockade of androgen-signaling. However, some patients become unresponsive and develop a highly lethal castration-resistant disease, pointing...

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are are ligand-dependent transcription factors, members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors. In humans two LXR isoforms exist, LXRα (NR1H3) and LXRβ (NR1H2). LXRα is expressed predominantly in metabolically active tissues, while LXRβ is expressed in the majority of tissues. They have long been known to have critical roles in regulation of lipid metabolism, particu...

The adrenal glands serve as central organs of the endocrine system by producing steroid hormone essential for organismal homeostasis. Mechanisms ensuring proper adrenal homeostasis and function are therefore crucial for maintaining human life. ACTH, released by the pituitary corticotrope, is required for the differentiation of the inner part of the adrenal cortex (the zona fasciculata) and the resultant stimulation of cortisol production. Perturbation of ACTH signaling can lea...

Introduction and aims: Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disease associated with hypercalcemia and elevated or inappropriately normal serum levels of PTH. Among PHPT manifestations, neuropsychological symptoms have been described, including depression, anxiety, loss of memory, impaired cognition, with a wide range (3-50%) depending on the study population. Neuropsychological/ccognitive symptoms in patients with PHPT have been evaluated as part of quality...

Introduction: Correct titration of basal insulin is one of the most important conditions allowing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients to reach correct and personalised fasting plasma glucose. The persistence of the pandemic, together with the persistence of the SARS-CoV2 virus made titration process more complex, and pushed the Lombardy diabetologists to develop solutions which could be handled by the patient independently, or with the remote online assistance of diabetes team.<...

Mitotane (MTT) currently represents the treatment of choice for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Clinical evidence shows the occurrence of hypogonadism following treatment with this drug, observed more frequently in male patients. The aim of the study, therefore, was to evaluate the impact of MTT treatment on male gonadal function on adult CD1 mice. At the end of the 45 days of treatment, testes were collected for morphological examination, and a blood sample of each animal was...

Introduction: Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of a sudden rise in serum osmolality. Along with extrapontine myelinolysis, it is part of the osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS). Known risk factors include severe hyponatremia, alcoholism, thiazide use, hypokalemia, and malnourishment.Case report: We report the case of a 31-year-old-male with history of alcohol and cannabis dependence, who had atte...

Background: A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to assess the use of independent injections (self/partner/home-administered) as an alternative to healthcare-setting injections for chronic diseases. The primary objective was to identify studies reporting on independent injection of somatostatin analogues (SSAs). Comparative evidence on independent injection of other medications was examined as a secondary objective.Methods: MEDLINE/Embase/t...

Background: Acromegaly is a rare disorder characterized by excess growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Extended dosing intervals (EDIs) of pharmacological treatments may reduce patient burden and costs compared with standard dosing. This systematic literature review (SLR) investigated treatment of acromegaly at EDIs.Methods: MEDLINE/Embase/the Cochrane Library (2001–June 2021) and key congresses (2018–2021) were searche...