Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Despite the widespread use of the 250-μg Cosyntropin test (ACTH test) for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency (AI), the effect of timing of the test on 30- vs. 60-min serum cortisol values remains unclear. Also, there is limited evidence comparing the value of performing both 30- and 60-min cortisol levels.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all ACTH tests conducted at the Halifax Neuropituitary Program, Nova Scotia,...

Mutations in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) are the most common cause of monogenic obesity. The majority of MC4R mutations are predicted to cause the receptor to aberrantly fold. Misfolded MC4R fails to traffic to the plasma membrane (PM) and is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Recent studies with other G-protein coupled receptors have shown that stabilisation of misfolded receptor, by pharmacological chaperones, promotes trafficking to the cell surface where th...

Children, who are born with low birth weight (less 2500 g) are known to have an increased risk of developing lipid disturbances and atherosclerosis in later live.PPAR alpha activity could play a regulatory role in the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia and a modulatory role in the control of inflammatory response.The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of polymorphism in gene of peroxisome proliferators-activated re...

It is well known that hypophyseotrophic dopamine (DA) exhibits a tonic inhibitory effect on pituitary lactotrops in vivo. We have previously observed that prolactin (PRL) cells obtained from lactating rats become partially resistant to DA following a brief suckling period compared to non-suckled control female rats. This, so-called “desensitization” (and a parallel appearance of “tolerance”) to DA is mediated through by a selective change of protein phospha...

Propionate upregulates leptin synthesis through the G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41) in mice. In contrast to monogastric mammals, ruminants almost entirely depend on short chain fatty acids as energy source, but the reports about the physiological relevance of propionate for leptin secretion in these species are controversial and the importance of the GPR41 for its regulation is not yet clarified. Here we characterise the effects of intravenously infused propionate on the...

The D2 dopamine receptor (D2R) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) known to have key roles in neurotransmission, hypothalamic-pituitary hormone release and glucose homeostasis. Thus, this receptor is a therapeutic target in schizophrenia, neurodegenerative disorders, endocrine tumours and even diabetes. As for many GPCRs, D2R can associate with itself as homodimers or heterodimers with distinct receptors. The balance between monomers, homodimers and heterodimers of D2R has ...

Introduction: The number of thyroid cancer diagnosis has increased worldwide. However, its diagnosis, particularly in a case of follicular cancer (FTC), may be challenging. New markers of malignancy are intensively searched for.Case description: A 29-year-old female was referred for subtotal thyroidectomy in 2006 due to a nodule in the right lobe. The histopathological examination revealed follicular adenoma (FA). During endocrinological follow-up, in 20...

IntroductionProgressive and radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer has poor outcomes and limited therapeutic options (i.e tyrosine kinase inhibitors) due to the transient efficacy of treatment and toxic effects. Therefore, combinatorial treatment with new therapeutic approaches are needed. Many studies link G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) to cancer. The aim of this study is to present the first specific atlas of GPCRs expression in progressive and ref...

Autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia (ADH) is a disorder that needs to be distinguished from hypoparathyroidism, as ADH patients are at risk of nephrocalcinosis and renal failure when treated with activated vitamin D preparations. ADH types 1 and 2 are due to gain-of-function mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and G-protein α 11 (Gα11), respectively. CaSR targeted drugs, known as calcilytics, rectify the gain-of-function associated with ADH1-causing mutatio...

Introduction: Adrenal insufficiency is a common problem in our country due to steroid abuse in various forms. In many occasions the patients even do not know about its side effects and consequences of non-prescribed usage. Many of them presents with sudden withdrawal and adrenal crisis. Many of them admits in Gastroenterology unit due to vomiting, some of them in Medical unit with unexplained fever, weakness, anaemia, etc. Many of them having subtle features of Iatrogenic Cush...