Endocrine Abstracts

Endocrine disruptors represent exogenous substances that alter hormonal, reproductive, immune and homeostatic systems. Bisphenol-A (BPA) in the form of polymer is a part of polycarbonates used in plastics, food packing and medical devices. Incomplete BPA polymerization and cleavage of weak chemical bonds result in monomer release/leakage to the foods and beverages. Many studies have associated exposure to BPA with higher incidence of hormone-dependent mammary and prostate carc...

Estrogens, in particular 17β-estradiol (E2), orchestrate cellular mechanisms involved in the development and differentiation of various neuron populations, modulation of synaptic plasticity, induction of neuronal survival, and neurogenesis. Beneficial effects of E2 have been widely reported against a variety of insults, including H2O2 injury, serum deprivation, and glutamate excitotoxicity. Recently, we identified E2 ...

Introduction: Generously supported by IPSEN)-->Dopamine agonists (DA) effectively normalize prolactin secretion and reduce tumour size in most patients with macroprolactinomas. However, some patients are considered partially/totally resistant. Some authors propose that patients treated for 2 years, with normal prolactin secretion with low dose AD and maximal tumour diameter reduction >50%, could suspend treatment, but relapse rat...

Introduction: Generously supported by IPSEN)-->Impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance are frequently associated with acromegaly. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of octreotide-LAR treatment on glucose homeostasis in acromegalic patients.Patients and methods: In this prospective study 16 naïve acromegalic patients were studied before and after 3-month therapy of octreotide-LAR (20 m...

Generously supported by IPSEN)-->Insulin and somatotropin (GH) have opposite effects in glucose metabolism. GH increases the production of glucose through lypolisis and inhibits hepatic and peripheric neoglucogenesis induced by insulin. When insulin secretion is insufficient to overcome insulin resistance, intolerance to glucose or diabetes appears. Drugs used in the treatment of acromegaly also influence glucose metabolism: SSA decr...

Objective: Osteopontin (OPN) is a proinflamatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Adiponectin (ADP), an adipocyte-derived vasoactive and insulin-sensitizing peptide, exerts anti-inflamatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects on endotheliocytes. We aimed at determining in type 2 diabetes patients the relationship between serum OPN, serum ADP and either lower-limb atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or mediacalcinos...

Objectives: The bone-related peptide osteoprotegerin (OPG) was recently found in high concentration inside vascular tissues in diabetic patients. OPG is produced by vascular smooth muscle cells and endotheliocytes, and inhibits progression of advanced plaque by delaying size progression as well as plaque calcification. We aimed at determining in type 2 diabetes patients the relationship between serum OPG and circulating level of angiotensin II (AngII), but also the relationshi...

CAH results from an enzymatic defect in the synthesis of cortisol from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex. It is a monogenic disorder transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. More than 90% of the cases are caused by a deficiency of 21-hydroxylase (21OHD). Patients with 21OHD are categorized into 2 main forms: classical (salt wasting and simple virilizing) and nonclassical (NC).The frequency of the NC form varies in the different populations and the me...

Ordinary complication of pregnancy is shift of hepatic excretory activity leading to cholestasis. Gallstone disease is also predominated in women. Both high prolactin (Prl) concentration and high level of liver prolactin receptors (PrlR) in normal and pregnant women were assumed to participate in obstructive cholestasis development.Using female rat model of hyperprolactinemia combined with obstructive cholestasis we aimed to investigate Prl influence on ...

Background: Acromegaly is characterized by disabling symptoms and relevant comorbidities. Insulin resistance, leading to glucose intolerance is one of the most important contributory factor to the cardiovascular mortality in acromegaly.Aim: To assess the impairments of glucose homeostasis in acromegalic patients and find association between activity of the disease and the severity of glucose intolerance.Patients and methods: In thi...