Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Although underlying mechanisms are largely unknown, bone metabolism is regulated by specific microRNAs and changes in their expression are associated with metabolic bone disorders. Exercise is a determinant of bone metabolism; however, different training protocols differently affect bone. Little is known about the effects of exercise on bone-specific miRNA expression.We studied the effect of a 8-week high-intensity training protocol on circ...

Background: Luteinizing hormone (LH) and choriogonadotropin (hCG) are glycoprotein hormones regulating ovarian function and pregnancy. They were routinely used in assisted reproduction techniques (ART) assuming they are equivalent, due to their binding to a common receptor (LHCGR). However, differences between LH and hCG were demonstrated at molecular and physiological level.Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate how follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)...

Introduction: Although in females of infertile couples abnormal PRL has a definitive role in the medical flow-chart, its role in males is less clear. Animal models suggest that PRL does not play a major role in male reproduction, although its trophic action on male accessory glands was often observed. Studies in humans are scanty. We systematically evaluated possible clinical and ultrasound correlates of PRL in males of infertile couples.Methods: Out of ...

Introduction: ‘Prostatitis-like symptoms’ (PLS) are a cluster of bothersome conditions defined as ‘perineal and/or ejaculatory pain or discomfort and National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) pain subdomain score ≥4’ (Nickel’s criteria). PLS may originate from the prostate or from other portions of the male genital tract. Although PLS could be associated with ‘prostatitis’, they should not be confused. T...

Background: HIV-infection is associated to an increased prevalence of age-related comorbidities, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and testosterone (T)-deficiency.Aim: Definition of ED and T-deficiency in HIV-infected men using validated sexual questionnaires and the gold standard assay for T measurement: isotopic dilution–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (ID–LC–MS/MS)Methodology: Prospective, cros...

Introduction: The role of testosterone supplementation (TS) as a possible treatment for male sexual dysfunction remains questionable. The aim of the present study is to meta-analyse data evaluating the effects of TS on male sexual function and its therapeutic synergism with the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5i).Methods: An extensive Medline Embase and Cochrane search was performed including the following words: ‘testosterone’, ‘erect...

Introduction: New onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is a recognized metabolic complication of kidney transplantation: its rates at 12 months after transplantation is between 20 and 50% for kidney recipients and it is associated with increased risks of graft rejection, infection, cardiovascular disease and death. Transplant-specific risk factors for NODAT,such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors, play a dominant role in its pathogenesis. Furthermore polymor...

The rate of diagnosis of pituitary adenomas in the elderly is increasing, as a consequence of the improved life expectancy. The management of elderly patients affected by pituitary adenomas are still a subject of debate in literature. In particular, data on the safety of endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal surgery (TNS) are still controversial. The primary endpoint of the present study is to assess the surgical outcome of a cohort of patients who underwent TNS for non-functi...

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a diagnostic category which identifies subjects at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, erectile dysfunction (ED) and male hypogonadism. However, MetS impact on male infertility has been poorly studied. We systematically evaluated possible associations between MetS and clinical characteristics in men with couple infertility.Methods: Out of 367 consecutive subjects, 351 men without genetic abnormal...

The role of psychological symptoms in recognizing late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is still controversial. The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between LOH and specific psychological symptoms and to verify whether investigating intra-psychic domain improves the accuracy of a validated case-history tool (ANDROTEST) in detecting LOH. A consecutive series of 1009 subjects (mean age 49.23±13.34) consulting for sexual dysfunction was studied. Intra-psychic symptoms...