Endocrine Abstracts

Aside its growth promoting effects, growth hormone (GH) displays other actions upon carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolisms, and possibly also direct central nervous system effects. Fourteen adult pituitary dwarves (mean height of 132.3±8 cm, mean age of 30.7±9.6 y), 5 women and 9 men, never having received rGH therapy, were investigated. Body composition (BC) was assessed by bioelectrical impedance, and bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by quantitative ul...

Adipose tissue performs an important endocrine role, mediated by hormones (adipocytokines) which are specifically secreted by the adipocytes. Epidemiological data consistently show an association between weight gain and the risk of colorectal cancer in adults.This observation led to the evaluation of a possible linking role of adipocytokines with cancer pathogenesis. There are several studies that associate adipocytokines with colorectal malignancy, but few data about patients...

Introduction: High-resolution ultrasound (US) allows the location of large parathyroid adenomas. These tumours should be however differentiated from thyroid nodules. For the confirmation of the parathyroid adenoma, we propose US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of suspected nodules, with additional parathyroid hormone (PTH) analysis in the washout of the aspirate (PTH-FNA).Case report: A 51-year old woman with recently installed menopause and ...

Introduction: Graves’ disease (GD) has been related to a higher incidence of thyroid cancer. Thyroid nodules found in GD seem to have a higher risk for malignancy. The prognosis of thyroid cancer may be aggravated by the association with GD.Case report: We present the case of N.I, a 56-year-old woman diagnosed with multinodular goitre and overt hyperthyroidism for which therapy with carbimazole 40 mg/day was started. She was referred to our Endocrin...

Introduction: Idiopathic hypercalciuria is a risk factor for nephrolithiasis. Both renal stones and hypercalciuria are often associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD), but the relationship between these modifications is not completely understood. We aimed to evaluate some metabolic particularities possibly related to relapsing nephrolithiasis in young male patients.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study including a group of 30 young male pa...

Introduction: Renal transplant receivers (RTR) have a higher risk for osteoporosis, obesity and sarcopenia, which all seem to be interrelated. FGF23 and adipokine disorders, often recognized in RTR, might be involved in the fat-muscle-bone crosstalk. The current study aims to evaluate the influence of body compartiments and adipokines on bone mass in RTR.Methods: Thiscross-sectional study investigates the predictive role of body composition, adipokines (...

Body weight is positively correlated to bone mass. While gravity represents a stimulation stress for bone turnover, endocrine function of adipocytes may also influence bone.Objectives: We investigated the relative influence of weight, body composition and leptin upon lumbar bone mass in pre and postmenopausal women.Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study including six groups varying from 8 to 15 pre- / postmenopausal healthy v...

We present the case of a 75-year-old woman with a 10-year history of nephrolithiasis, for which she endured several sessions of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). She was directed to the Endocrinology unit for further investigations, due to persistent albeit minor increased values of blood calcium (10.48 mg/dl, normal 8.4–10.2 mg/dl). Here, the clinical supposition of primary hyperparathyroidism was confirmed. The tests revealed a mild hypercalcemia with hypopho...

Introduction: Body weight is positively correlated to bone mineral density. The exact mechanism is unclear but gravity may be one of the involved factors. Adipocytokines (leptin and adiponectin), secreted by the adipose tissue, are involved in bone turnover. We investigated the influence of body weight, body composition, and adipocytokines upon bone mass in pre and postmenopausal women.Design: Cross-sectional study including six groups of 8 to 16 healthy...

We describe two very rare genetic diseases characterized by particular physical features and deviation from normal growth. The first patient, CM, was admitted for delayed growth (113 cm at 8 years of age, -3 S.D.). The child had short lower arms with small hands and clinodactyly of the fifth finger. He had round widely spaced eyes with long eyelashes, a flat profile and prominent forehead, short upturned nose, misaligned teeth and gum hypertrophy. We diagnosed a...