Endocrine Abstracts

Dopamine has been found in both semen and oviductal fluid and dopamine receptors (DRs) have been detected in male genital tract and spermatozoa, suggesting that dopamine system may control important reproductive functions in humans. Dopamine improves sperm motility and viability in animal models, although the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aims of this study were to investigate DRs expression in human spermatozoa and to evaluate the in ...

Somatostatin analogues (SA) are known to revert acromegalic cardiomyopathy mainly in young patients with short disease duration, whereas pegvisomant (PEG) reportedly improves cardiac structure and performance in patients resistant to SA. To date, no data are available on the effects of long-term SA+PEG on cardiovascular complications. The current study aimed at investigating the effects of long-term SA+PEG on cardiac structure and performance in acromegaly. Thirty-six acromega...

In patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, life-long glucocorticoid (GC) treatment is often required to replace cortisol deficiency and to avoid the ACTH-dependent androgen levels increase. However, in these patients, the multiple daily doses required with conventional GCs can cause cortisol overexposure, leading to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MS), an impaired quality of life (QoL), and poor treatment compliance (TC). T...

The mTOR and IGF/insulin pathways are frequently dysregulated in HCC. Antitumoral activity of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) has been demonstrated in experimental models but in early clinical studies mTORi alone have shown modest antitumoral activity. IGF/insulin-dependent Akt activation, via IGF1R and IR, has been suggested as potential mechanism for mTORi resistance. This study aimed at evaluating the expression of mTOR and IGF/insulin pathway components and the effects of mTORi al...

Background: Several evidences suggested that conventional glucocorticoids (CGCs) used as replacement treatment in adrenal insufficiency (AI) are inadequate to mimic physiological cortisol circadian rhythm (CCR), and that CCR disruption, represented by non-physiological pattern of peaks and troughs and elevated evening GC levels, might be responsible for the increased metabolic and, consequently, cardiovascular risk. It has been demonstrated that once daily dual-release-hydroco...

Obesity is caused by an imbalance between dietary energy intake and expenditure. The expression of dopamine receptors (DRs) in human adipocytes has been already demonstrated. Moreover, the effects of cabergoline, a dopamine agonist, on body weight and glucose homeostasis in obese subjects without hyperprolactinemia has already been reported. The current study investigates the effects of cabergoline on lipid accumulation and on adipogenic factors expression to better define the...

Background: Vitamin D is an important modulator of cell growth, differentiation and death in normal and neoplastic cells. Its actions are mediated by vitamin D receptor (VDR), which heterodimerizes with nuclear retinoid X receptors (RXRα). Recently, it has been suggested that vitamin D system have a role in male reproduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the VDR and RXRα localization in normal and neoplastic human male reproductive tissues.<p class="a...

Introduction: Hyperprolactinemia is reportedly associated with an impaired metabolic profile, particularly in patients with concomitant hypogonadism. The current study aimed at investigating the effects of short (12 months) and long (60 months) treatment with cabergoline (CAB) on metabolic complications, metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence and visceral adiposity index (VAI) in hyperprolactinemic patients.Patients and methods: Seventy-one patients (51 F, 2...

Introduction: Generously supported by IPSEN)-->Hyperprolactinemia (HPRL) is associated with an impaired metabolic profile, particularly in patients with hypogonadism. This study aimed to: i) investigate the effects of short and long treatment with cabergoline (CAB) on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin sensitivity and ii) to evaluate the impact of gonadal function on metabolic changes, in male patients with HPRL.</...

Ovarian carcinoma (OC) is associated with poor prognosis and low survival rate. Eligible treatment for advanced OC is surgery followed by chemotherapy based on a combination of Platinum and Taxol, but unfortunately long-term outcome of such therapy is disappointing. Moreover, systemic administration of cytotoxic agents is usually accompanied by a series of side effects. On the basis of this evidence, more selective and tumour cell-targeted therapeutic approaches are warranted....