Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Permanent hypoparathyroidism can result from immune-mediated destruction of the parathyroid glands. Alternatively it may result from activating antibodies to the calcium sensing receptor that decrease parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism is a common feature of poliglandular autoimmune syndrome type I. Other causes, all very rare, include irradiation and storage of infiltrative diseases of the parathyroid glands. Neurological signs of h...

Endotoxemia induces behavioral changes, including a decrease of food intake. Several studies have demonstrated that ADX modifies central nervous system responsiveness to different paradigms. Control of energy homeostasis is regulated by interplay of peripheral signaling conveyed to the hypothalamus and brainstem that control appetite and meal size. We investigated the activity of oxytocin (OT) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and tyrosine hydrox...

The endocannabinoid system is involved in several homeostatic and neuroendocrine functions. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of type 1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptor antagonist, rimonabant (10 mg/kg, p.o.), on hormone secretion, neuronal activation and mRNA expression in the hypothalamus following isotonic (I−) or hypertonic (H−) blood volume expansion (BVE). Our results showed that the secretion of both oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) were increased ...

Introduction: Anorchia or vanishing testis syndrome is defined as the absence of testicular tissue in genetic and phenotypic males. To establish this diagnosis certain criteria must be present, namely non palpable testis during examination under anaesthesia and blind ending spermatic vessels visualized within the retroperitoneu, or the spermatic vessels and vas deferens exiting a closed internal inguinal ring. Bilateral congenital anorchia affects one in 20 000 males.<p cl...

Ketosis-prone, Jamaica (J) type diabetes is an uncommon form of diabetes described in a sub-population of mainly Afro-Caribbean patients who often present acutely with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) but during follow up demonstrate clinical, metabolic, and immunologic features of Type II diabetes. We present such a case.A 37-year old Afro-Caribbean man with a family history of Type II diabetes presented with polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss. He was over...

Introduction: All stages of diabetic nephropathy are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. Intensive intervention to achieve target glycaemic control, blood pressure and cholesterol can minimise cardiovascular risk, mainly by reducing proteinuria.Aims: To compare two cohorts of patients, group A, attending a nurse-led clinic in addition to the traditional diabetes renal clinic and group B attending the latter only...

Introduction: Thyroid hormones play an important role in bone metabolism. The potential action of prolonged levothyroxine therapy on bone mass reduction is still a matter of debate.Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of levothyroxine treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical bone turnover markers.Methods: We determined thyroid function – TSH and free T4 (FT4), r...

Objective: Evaluate the markers of oxidative stress and antioxidants status in patients with gestational diabetes (GD).Material and methods: We performed a nested case-control study within a sample of a total of 126 pregnant women between the 24 and 29 weeks. Of the 126 women studied we compared 63 with GD and 63 control pregnant women. Both groups were analyzed for demographic data, perinatal and obstetrics results and the levels of the markers oxidativ...

Objective: Evaluate the proinflammatory and anti-antinflamatory adipokines in patients with gestational diabetes (GD).Material and methods: We performed a nested case-control study within a sample of a total of 126 pregnant women between the 24 and 29 weeks. Of the 126 women studied we compared 63 with GD and 63 control pregnant women. Both groups were analyzed for demographic data, perinatal and obstetrics results and the plasma levels of the tumor necr...

The CNC is a dominantly syndrome, characterized by spotty skin pigmentation, endocrine overactivity and myxomas (Carney & Young 1992), associated with lentigines and blue naevi; the disease links to 17q22-24, and its mutations have been identified in the genes PRKAR1α. The most common endocrine manifestations affect two o more endocrine glands, including acromegaly, thyroid and testicular tumours and ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome due to primary pigmented no...