Endocrine Abstracts

The androgen receptor (AR) is a steroid-hormone receptor that plays a crucial role in the normal development of male reproductive tissues. Its high expression and/or relaxation of its regulation are strongly implicated in prostate cancer (PCa). Androgen binding induces conformational changes of AR that influence its subcellular localization, interactions with other proteins, DNA binding and transcriptional activity. Androgen dependent is also AR(S81) phosphorylation. Phosphory...

Introduction: CLOCK system is a highly conserved, ubiquitous molecular ‘clock’ which creates internal circadian rhythmicity under the influence of light/dark information. CLOCK system is regulated by the coordinated activation/inactivation of several transcription factors, including the CLOCK, the BMAL1 and other essential regulators, such as the Pers, Crys and RORs. The present study aimed to evaluate the circadian rhythm of clock-related genes expressed in patients...

Background: Adequate vitamin D supply is necessary for bone metabolism and also for the general maintenance of health. 25OHD is transported primarily bound to vitamin-D binding protein (DBP), but also to albumin. Lower concentration of plasma proteins may cause difficulties in immunoanalytics. Our aim was to investigate the protein dependence of the two most often used 25OHD immuno- (CLIA) and protein binding- (ECLPBA) assays.Methods: levels were measure...

Introduction: The incidence of glucose metabolism alterations during the follow-up of surgically treated insulinomas is largely unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence, and the clinical characteristics, of diabetes and prediabetes in this population.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the cases diagnosed as insulinomas in a Central Hospital in Portugal in the period between January 1980 and December 2015.Results: We identif...

Introduction: Although the protective effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the early stages of atheromatosis process have been investigated, data on its influence on factors implicated in plaque vulnerability are limited. During these stages metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-9, their inhibitors TIMP-1,TIMP-2, the RANKL-RANK-OPG system and MCP-1 play a critical role. We aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D on the expression of the above factors on endothelial cel...

Introduction: Treatment of patients with acromegaly is complex, including surgery, pharmacotherapy and radiotherapy. The objective was to describe comorbidities and treatment patterns among patients with acromegaly in Sweden.Methods: Population-based study including all patients with a first diagnosis of acromegaly due to a pituitary adenoma in Sweden between 1 Jul 2005 and 31 Dec 2013. Data was obtained via linkage of the National Patient Register, Swed...

Introduction: The demand of cortisol rises during stress and to avoid acute cortisol deficiency, patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery at Skåne University Hospital (Sweden) receive peri- and postoperative substitution with hydrocortisone (HC), even at normal ACTH function. Some anesthetics are known to affect cortisol levels.This study aimed to assess the perioperative cortisol plasma levels during transsphenoidal surgery in ACTH sufficient an...

Introduction: Insulinomas are pancreatic endocrine tumors originating in the beta cells, characterized by hypoglycemia resulting from insulin hypersecretion.Objectives: To characterize the demography, the clinical features, imagiological findings and pathological evaluation of the cases of insulinomas identified in the previous 35 years at São João Hospital.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the cases diagnosed as insul...

Introduction: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. However, patients are often resistant to the GC effects. Response to GCs is triggered through glucocorticoid receptor (GR). An important regulator of GR activity is the FKBP5. FKBP5 binds to co-chaperones promoting a conformation with lower cortisol affinity. The number of GRs is another determinant of GC sensitivity; GR expression is regulated by the nuclear ...

Introduction: In the presence of atherogenic plaque, estrogens may be potentially harmful. Among the key vessel wall components in the later stages of atherogenic process are endothelial cells (ECs). During the stages of plaque instability/rupture, metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9), their inhibitors (TIMP2 and TIMP1), RANK, RANKL, OPG, MCP1, lysyl oxidase (LOX), PDGF, and ADAMTS4 play critical role. We aimed to investigate i) the effect of oestrogens on the expression of the ...