Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: We compared effectiveness of partial withdrawal of levothyroxine (L-T4) to the use of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) in preparation for Tg testing. We also evaluated clinical aspects and quality-of-life (QOL) during both regimens.Materials and methods: Ten consecutive patients, previously treated with total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation for DTC, underwent rhTSH protocol and, after 15 days, reduced their L-T4 dose by 50% for 5 weeks. At the f...

Objective: To evaluate the association between testosterone (T) values and clinical outcome of COVID-19.Methods: This is a retrospective single-center study performed on 221 male patients (median age 70.5 years, range 26-93) with COVID-19 and hospitalized in our Institution between November 1st 2020 and January 31st 2021. Patients’ height, weight, BMI, medical history and comorbidities were recorded; at admission, patients underwent sampling for com...

Background: Testosterone (T) is essential for bone health during all ages, helping to achieve a proper peak bone mass and, later, to maintain bone density and strength. Guidelines on management of male osteoporosis recommend testosterone replacement in young-adult hypogonadal to prevent bone loss and anti-resorbitive drugs in case of high fracture risk, but the role of T replacement therapy (TRT) alone in subjects with late onset hypogonadism is still the object of an intense ...

The insecticide DDT has been shown to inhibit both the basal and the TSH stimulated accumulation of cAMP in CHO stably transfected with the TSHr (CHO-TSHr). Aim of this study was to evaluate whether the DDT has a similar effect on cells transfected with TSHr mutants displaying a high level of constitutive activity. In addition we investigate the effect of DDT on cells transfected with wtFSHr and wtLHr which share a high degree of amino-acid homology sequence with wtTSHr. In co...

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Since our first report on successful treatment of one patient with moderate-severe GO in 2006, several non-controlled studies have suggested that RTX can be more effective in active GO than intravenous methylprednisolone (ivMP). One randomised controlled trial comparing RTX to placebo and one comparing RTX to steroids in moderate-severe GO were recently published.We have randomised 32 patients with active moderate-severe GO to be treated with RTX or ivMP...

There is preliminary evidence that B cell depletion with rituximab (RTX), a chimeric mouse-human monoclonal antibody directed against the CD 20 antigen on B lymphocytes, may be effective for the treatment of moderate-severe Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). While mostly non-controlled studies have shown that this modality of immunosuppression has potential in the therapy of moderate–severe GO, in particular for the control of the active, inflammatory phase of the disease. Th...

The role of B-cell in human autoimmune disease have recently been emphasized due to the therapeutic benefit of B-cell depleting therapies. B cells are involved in the production of autoantibodies, CD4+T-cell activation and control of T-cell function and inflammation, through cytokine production. Although autoantibodies alone may not initiate autoimmune disease, their relationship with the disease course suggests that they are a key factor contributing to the mechanisms of dise...

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a multidimensional disorder characterized by the inability to have successful intercourse with negative consequences in personal self-esteem and in couple relationship. Organic, relational and intrapsychic problems always concur in determining the erectile problem, although in different combination according to the patient characteristics, including age. Fifteen years ago, we have developed and validated a structured interview to identify and quant...

IntroductionMedical immunosuppressive treatment of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is advised for patents with moderate-severe disease. Steroids represent the mainstay of therapy, as they possess anti-inflammatory activity, but about 20 – 30% of patients are unresponsive and up to 20% of patients may relapse. Immunosuppressive therapeutics alternative to corticosteroids are those targeting the different antigens involved in the pathogenic reactions of...