Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: CBG is the main transport protein for glucocorticoids in blood. CBG gene is a member of the serine protease inhibitor family, located at chromosome 14q32. Inherited CBG deficiency (MIM 611489) is a rarely recessive disorder, and the phenotype associated includes low cortisol levels, presence of normal ACTH levels, hypotension and fatigue, although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms involved remain uncertain. We identified a family with a complex phe...

Introduction: The association between vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and metabolic parameters is not confirmed in some population studies. 25(OH)D concentration in blood is influenced by seasons and this covariate may explain some discordant results. The first aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in a population of obesity children (2–18 years) living in the North of Italy (latitude, 45°27′n) with respect to the season. The...

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...

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of tumor death in Western countries. Modifications in expression and functional alterations that involve the androgen receptor (AR) have been implicated in the progression of PCa and in the development of androgen independence; however, the role of AR in these processes is still debated, as contrasting results have been reported in several studies evaluating the relation between AR expression and disease progression (Tamburrin...

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...

Tests detecting sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) could be included in the clinical management of male infertility. TUNEL/PI is an innovative version of the TUNEL assay, and it is able to distinguish between two different populations: PI brighter and PI dimmer sperm. The aims of the study were to determine the average value of SDF in recruited men of proven fertility and to verify whether SDF discriminates between fertile and subfertile men independently from semen quality. In add...

Introduction: Few randomised clinical studies have evaluated the impact of diet and physical activity on testosterone levels in obese men with conflicting results. Conversely, studies on bariatric surgery in men generally showed an increase in testosterone levels. The aim of the present study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of available trials on the effect of body weight loss on sex hormones levels.Methods: An extensive Medline searc...

Introduction: Generously supported by IPSEN)-->In children, GH secretion is considered sufficient when at least one value is >20 ng/ml at the GHRH + arginine (ARG) test. Because GH typically peaks at 45 min, we evaluated whether peak occurrence at one specific time is predictive of clinical outcomes in short stature children who are GH sufficient.Subjects and methods: Children who performed a GHRH plus ARG ...

Introduction: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder in clinical practice, and evidence to date indicates that severe hyponatremia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study was to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis that included all the published studies that compared mortality rates in subjects with or without hyponatremia of any degree.Methods: An extensive Medline, Embase, and Cochrane search was perfo...