Endocrine Abstracts

Craniopharyngiomas (CP) are low-prevalent tumors characterized for their local invasiveness and poor clinical outcomes, often requiring aggressive therapeutic measures. Ki67 is a marker of proliferation with good correlation with tumor recurrence in many solid tumors but this relationship is unclear in CP. Our aim is to determine whether Ki67 could be a marker for recurrence in CP.Material and methods: Descriptive retrospective observational study. All p...

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among men population worldwide. This tumour pathology is commonly diagnosed through the determination of serum PSA levels. However, the diagnostic capability of PSA dramatically drops when considering patients with PSA levels lower than 10 ng/ml, the so-called “grey-zone”1. Therefore, additional non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers are urgently needed to substitute/complement PSA. In this se...

Background: Somatostatin (SST)/Cortistatin (CORT) system is a complex hormonal axis involved in the progression of several tumor types. However, its role has not been explored in prostate cancer (PCa), one of the most common type among men.Objectives: We aimed to investigate the presence and the pathophysiological role of SST/CORT in PCa.Methods: We analysed functional parameters in response to SST and CORT and to CORT-silencing in...

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...

Objective: Most patients with ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome have Cushing’s disease, i.e. a pituitary corticotroph adenoma, but the presence of another tumor secreting ACTH (although the prevalence of ectopic ACTH syndrome is lower) needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis. Distinguishing between these two etiologies can be difficult despite biochemical and radiological examinations. Previous research showed that inferior petrosal/cavernous sinus sampl...

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...