Endocrine Abstracts

Prokineticin 1 (Prok1), the product of EGVEGF/PROK 1 gene, acts through two G-coupled receptors (PKR1 and PKR2) and is involved in a wide spectrum of actions, including tumorigenesis. Increased Prok1 expression has been found in prostate hyperplasia and cancer, suggesting a role in prostate cancer and BPH. Aim of this study was to elucidate the role of Prok1 on prostate cell function and growth. We evaluated the effects of Prok1 on epithelial prostate cell (PC) migration and p...

Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is produced by Leydig cells. In boys, the levels of INSL3 rise at pubertal stage P2 and further increase throughout puberty in close correlation with T and LH concentrations. In men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) INSL3 levels have been found very low and increased after short-term hCG treatment. Whether FSH plays a role in regulating INSL3 secretion is questioned. Aim of this study was to evaluate serum INSL3 levels during long-term hCG a...

Reversible Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a rare variant of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) reported in men, in which gonadotropin, testosterone (T) and fertility recover spontaneously following treatment with gonadotropins or T. In a few cases mutations of FGFR1 and KAL1 genes have been found. In this report we describe a subject with a KS carrying a new homozygous mutation of PROK-R2 gene and displaying an apparent reversal of his reproductive condition. The proband, born from...

Prokineticins (PK1 and PK2) are peptides regulating multiple biological processes through two G-protein coupled receptors, PK-R1 and PK-R2. PK2/PKR2 signalling is critical for neurogenesis of olfactory bulb and GnRH migration. Mutant mice lacking PKR2 have abnormal development of olfactory bulb and reproductive system atrophy, suggesting that these genes may be novel candidate for Kallmann syndrome (KS) in humans. Recently, mutations in PK2 and PKR2 genes have been found in ne...

Background: The 2022 WHO Classification of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors has introduced, as other neuroendocrine neoplasms, new pathological features to classify medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in low/high grade. However, whether it can be reliable in clinical practice should be confirm by further studies.Aim: To verify the predictive value of the 2022 WHO grading system in patients with MTC.Materials and Methods: Tumor tis...

Context: Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a rare endocrine disease, due to cortisol hypersecretion. CS patients have several comorbidities, often still present after biochemical cure. There are no specific nursing healthcare programs to address this disease and achieve improved health related quality of life (HRQoL). Thus, an educational nursing intervention in these patients, through the development and promotion of specific educational tools, appears to be justified.<p cl...

Myxoedema coma is a rare endocrine emergency with reported high mortality. Exact incidence is hampered by no clear consensus on its definition and the huge variability in its presentation. Most patients are not comatose, and have a form of severe, decompensated hypothyroidism. The common clinical features, including poor mentation, hypothermia, haemodynamic instability and lethargy, correlate poorly to degree of biochemical hypothyroidism. Early detection and identifying commo...

Myxoedema coma is a rare endocrine emergency with reported high mortality. Exact incidence is hampered by no clear consensus on its definition and the huge variability in its presentation. Most patients are not comatose, and have a form of severe, decompensated hypothyroidism. The common clinical features, including poor mentation, hypothermia, haemodynamic instability and lethargy, correlate poorly to degree of biochemical hypothyroidism. Early detection and identifying commo...

Shared, informed decision making is a key component to high quality care in the NHS. This can occasionally be challenging through lack of time, lack of high-quality trial evidence to support treatment choices and financial limitations to treatment. Informed decision making includes open discussion of the risks and potential adverser consequences of treatment and alternatives. People with endocrine disorders often have symptoms that encompass both their psychological and physic...

Society for Endocrinology peer review is in its 16th year. In 2018 the format has been updated and single centre reviews are now being carried out. The catchment area of hospitals reviewed has varied from 280 000 to 2.5 million. A review helps to highlight a centre’s strengths and help focus on areas for development. It is a qualitative deep dive into a service which includes benchmarking against other similar services. The review is conducted by a team of clinical endocr...