Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Changes in the expression of connexins have been linked to renal damage in diabetes and both hemi-channels and gap junctions represent potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. In the current study, we utilize model epithelial cells from human renal proximal tubules (HK2), to demonstrate a role for glucose and its downstream beta1 isoform of the pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor (TGFβ1) on connexin expression and h...

Introduction: Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for micro- and macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes. Several factors are known to influence blood pressure profile in diabetic patients, such as age, sex, body weight, diabetes duration, insulin dosage, metabolic control, and microalbuminuria. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) permits the observation of blood pressure throughout day and night. ABPM is better related to end organ damage and cardiovas...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have several physiological functions, but have been also implicated in human neoplastic initiation and progression. We previously demonstrated that 30 miRNAs are differentially expressed in normal human pituitary as compared to pituitary adenomas. However, the most of miRNAs target genes remain unknown, hindering the understanding of the miRNAs contribute to pituitary tumorigenesis.The aims of this study were to: (i) validate a murine ...

Background: Type 2 diabetes is often associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Patients with NAFLD may be at greater risk for CVD than those without. The relationship between NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (MS) is very well recognized. The aim is to determine the association of NAFLD and the CVD between type 2 diabetic patients with and without MS.Materials and methods: One hundred and thirty type 2 diabetic patients (M: 71, F: 59, mean ag...

Introduction: Studies of traumatic brain injury from all causes have found evidence of chronic hypopituitarism, defined by deficient production of one or more pituitary hormones at least 1 year after injury, in 25–50% of cases. Most studies found the occurrence of posttraumatic hypopituitarism (PTHP) to be unrelated to injury severity. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and hypogonadism were reported most frequently. Hypopituitarism, and in particular adult GHD, is associate...

Introduction: Acromegaly causes hyperlipidemia and glucose metabolism disturbances what finally results in increased mortality. Correctin of those lipid and glucose disturbances during treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogues was examinated in this study.Material and methods: Eleven patients (9 women and 2 men) with active acromegaly and macroadenoma diagnosed at our Department in the years 2008–2011 underwent monitoring of lipids and gluco...

DTC carries a good prognosis when adequately treated by means of total thyroidectomy, iodine-131 (I-131) treatment and TSH-suppressive therapy, and carefully followed up (i.e. serum thyroglobulin, I-131 total). In some cases, however, false-positive scans can occur. A 42-yr-old woman with recurrent chest infections and bronchiectasis was submitted to total thyroidectomy because of a13 mm nodule in the right lobe that showed a papillary thyroid carcinoma at FNAB histological ex...

During fasting neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons in the mediobasal hypothalamus are activated to increase food intake and to conserve energy. Under conditions of food deprivation, lipid metabolism plays an important role in providing fuel for muscle. We investigated if central NPY affects VLDL-TAG secretion directly via the autonomic nervous system. We measured VLDL-TAG secretion in Wistar rats by an intravenous bolus of tyloxapol to inhibit uptake of triglycerides by peripheral ti...

Introduction: GH and its receptor (GHR) are expressed in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the eyes of chick embryos, and in mouse, rat and human eyes. Within the retina, exogenous GH has neuroprotective actions, mediated by caspase-dependent and caspase-independent mechanisms that may also be dependent upon IGF1 signaling. Conversely, the immunoneutralization of endogenous GH promotes apoptosis in the retina and in isolated RCGs. The functional relevance of retinal GH was furt...

A 53-year-old man with acromegaly was referred for neurosurgical treatment. At admission: GH 240 ME/l at all time points of glucose tolerance test, IGF1 – 415.1 ng/ml, brain MRI showed pituitary adenoma 34×32×27 mm extending suprasellar, deforming and displacing optic chiasm, parasellar to both cavernous sinuses and surrounding left internal carotid artery. Clinical blood tests revealed marked erythrocytosis – 6.1×1012, Hb – 200 g/l, HC...