Endocrine Abstracts

Aims: Prolyl-4 hydroxylase domain protein 3 (PHD3) is an alpha ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase involved in the oxygen-dependent regulation of cell phenotype. While PHD3 has been reported to suppress insulin sensitivity in the liver, little is known about effects of the enzyme in insulin-secreting β-cells.Methods: βPHD3−/− mice were generated by crossing the Ins1Cre driver line with animals bearing a floxed Egln3</...

Bile acids (BA) are cholesterol-derived molecules that are mostly known for their involvement in lipid digestion and absorption. Recent evidence recognizes them as metabolic integrators able to reduce body weight (BW), increase energy expenditure (EE) and improve glycemic control by activating their specific receptor, the Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) in peripheral organs. These outcomes have increased importance in the context of diet-induced obesity and associat...

Introduction: The adrenal morphology in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is poorly described in the literature, so that adrenal radiological evaluation is not recommended in patients with CAH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adrenal morphology in a large cohort of adult patients with CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency and its correlation with the subtype of CAH (non-classical-NCAH, simple virilizing-SV, or salt wasting-SW), the hormonal status and the treatment...

Objective: The aim of this study was to define which hormonal cut-off values can discriminate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) from non classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-NCAH).Patients and methods: We included 70 women in reproductive age who attended our Unit from 2003 to 2018 for a diagnosis of PCOS with a basal 17hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) level in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle ≥200 ng/d...

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a wide range of chronic diseases, including childhood obesity. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in obese children and adolescents ranges from 6.5% to 57% depending on the population and criteria.Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional clinical study included 92 obese patients with BMI z score <2 and 39 healthy normal-weight subjects in the control group who were matched with the study gro...

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is manifested by progressive loss of cognitive function. Neuroactive steroids and their metabolites have an important regulatory role in the nervous system, affect neuronal plasticity, response to stress, learning and memory and have a neuroprotective effect. One of the not fully elucidated risk factors for AD is impaired glucose tolerance/type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is well known that lower androgen...

Introduction: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are rare, with an incidence of 1/100,000/year. Chromogranin A (CgA) is the most valuable marker in the diagnosis and monitoring of PNET. One of the disadvantages is its low specificity and the existence of a number of processes leading to an increase in its concentration, which often results in confusion and diagnostic difficulties.Case report: We present a 44-years-old female patient...

Context: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) hypertonicity contributes to obesity development and maintenance. Excess circulating levels of ECS mediator 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2AG) were reported in obese humans, however, unstandardized experimental settings (i.e. analytical conditions, sample size, concurrent diseases/medications, statistics, gender, body mass index (BMI) and age), clouded its role in dysmetabolism and its usefulness as biomarker. The study aimed at describing 2...

Context: Ageing and obesity are similarly characterized by metabolic impairment in terms of visceral fat, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance and hypertension. Obesity is featured by endocannabinoid system (ECS) hyperactivation. Increased levels of endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2AG) found in obesity were variously associated to dysmetabolic features, however, it is not clear whether such associations exist in normal weight conditions. Moreover, ageing contribute in mod...

Background: Prolactinoma is the most frequent pituitary tumour. However, peculiar aspects may induce difficulties in their evolution and management. Malignant prolactinoma is exceptionally rare and it cannot be diagnosed on histological grounds alone. We report the case of a recurrent, possibly malignant macroprolactinoma.Case report: 46 years old female, addressed for bitemporal hemianopia, without other clinical signs. MRI confirmed a pituitary macroad...