Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Asparaginase is a component of chemotherapy regimens used to treat paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). One of its well-known side effects is hyperglycaemia which is probably related to hypoinsulinemia. Its incidence rises significantly when associated with corticotherapy. We present two cases of diabetes related to asparaginase and corticoid administration.Case 1: Eleven-year-old girl diagnosed with an ALL. Before treatment she ...

Introduction: Chromosome Xq26.3 microduplications have recently been identified, and explained this 11-year-old girl’s marked tall stature. Her severe phenotype illustrates X-linked acrogigantism (X-LAG) and demonstrates therapeutic benefit from growth hormone receptor blockade.Case: A 5.6-year-old girl presented with growth acceleration from 3 years and appearance of secondary dentition, greasy skin and blackheads from age 4. Past medical and famil...

Endocan has been reported as specific of endothelial tumor cells and was shown to be expressed by tip cells during angiogenesis process.The principal aims of the study are the assessment of immunohistochemical VEGF and Endocan expression in functioning and non functioning pNETs and the comparison of these markers with clinical features, Ki67 and TNM staging.We collected a total number of 79 pNETs surgical specimens for immunohistoc...

Background: There is a great controversy on whether subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in children should be treated for TSH values between 4.5 and 10 mU/l. In adults SH has been associated with abnormalities in lipid profile and increased risk of atherosclerosis. Data in untreated SH children are scanty.Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional controlled study was to evaluate in children the effects of long term untreated SH on lipid profile and endothel...

Background: Patients with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) require life-long therapy with glucocorticoids in order to suppress the androgen production through the inhibition of CRH and consequently ACTH. The therapy must be balanced to avoid either iatrogen hypercortisolism or hyperandrogenism both potentially associated with adverse cardiovascular risk profile.Objective: Aim of this cross-sectional controlled study was to investigate the m...

Growth hormone (GH) is an important factor involved in the regulation of multiple biological functions. Although the influence of GH is widespread throughout several organs and tissues, the effects of GH on brain functions, such as those related to reproductive functions, are still elusive. GH deficiency or resistance can be related to late puberty onset, lack of sexual maturation and infertility. In contrast, GH therapy can accelerate puberty onset or be used to increase preg...

Growth hormone (GH) responsive cells are extensively distributed in central nervous system, including in neurons of the arcuate (ARH) and ventromedial nucleus (VMH) of hypothalamus, areas that control food intake, energy expenditure and blood glucose. During metabolic stresses, such as food restriction and hypoglycemia, GH secretion is stimulated and may be important to maintain survival. In the present study, we first verified that an acute GH injection stimulates food intake...

It is well established that the kisspeptins are the main activators of GnRH neurons and therefore essential for the onset of puberty and reproduction. Previous studies have suggested that kisspeptin neurons are possibly major targets of pro-inflammatory cytokines to regulate reproduction. SOCS (suppressor of cytokine signaling) are proteins that regulate, as it says, cytokines. They inhibit the transduction of intracellular effects caused by those molecules, once that cytokine...

Objectives: The interaction between genetic predisposing factors and environmental triggers is crucial for the development of HT. In last decades, the steady rise in frequency of HT in developed countries pointed to a strong influence of changing environmental factors, including increased pollution. Air pollutants, like dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). This ligand-activated transcription factor, involved in pollu...

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, 2019, 64(1): 13–27 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1530/JME-19-0158)...