Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Dexamethasone induced negative feedback on CRH, ACTH and cortisol secretion is one of the key principles in the diagnostic workup of hypercortisolism. Cortisol secretion has been studied extensively, but changes of other steroids remained apart. Our aim was to establish steroid profile changes in 1 mg dexamethasone test.Methods: The Steroid profile consisting of 103 steroids and their metabolites from the serum of 9 male and 8 healthy femal...

Background: Follicles imaturation, as the hallmark of polycystic ovarian syndrome caused by prenatal androgen exposure, is suspected to be effected through expression changes of related genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate gene expression and promoter methylation of GATA6 and Follistatin (FST), two factors involved in follicle maturation, in adult female rats prenatally exposed to androgen excess by comparing them with non-treated rats.Material a...

Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) comprise a heterogeneous group of tumours that constitute a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The most commonly used general NET circulating biomarker is Chromogranin A (CgA). CgA is elevated under other circumstances, notably by the use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and possibly via a gastrin-mediated mechanism. Chromogranin B (CgB) and Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated transcript (CART) are two less commonly used NET biomar...

Introduction: Hormone-secreting teratomas are well described. However teratomas secreting pancreatic hormones are rare, with even fewer cases producing clinically significant effects. We describe possibly the first documented case of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia due to an insulin-secreting ovarian teratoma.Case report: A 23-year-old woman presented with transient symptoms of lethargy and weakness. She had used her father’s capillary glucose meter...

Introduction: A key feature of a benign adrenal tumor is its hormonal production. It is reflected by serum steroid levels. A tumoral tissue steroid content is not commonly measured.Methods: A steroid metabolome comprising of 65 steroids was measured in four samples from each of two patients using GC-MS in serum before and after 1mg dexamethasone test, in the tumoral tissue and in the adrenal tissue of two female patients with adrenal adenomas. The first ...

Background: Adrenal incidentaloma (AI) increasingly pose a diagnostic challenge. This retrospective observational study evaluated biochemical investigations performed in patients referred to Endocrine Surgery with AI and assessed adherence to Guidelines. Biochemical, histological and radiological characteristics of AI were also reviewed.Methods: Data were collected from Hospital and Laboratory records for referrals between January 2012–April 2014.</...

Background: Corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) plays a critical role in regulating glucocorticoid bioavailability. During inflammation, plasma CBG behaves as an acute phase “negative” protein due to the down-regulation of hepatic SerpinA6 (Cbg) expression and proteolytic cleavage of CBG. CBG contains a protease-cleavage domain (RCL) that promotes the release of CBG-bound steroids at sites of inflammation. Using an established adjuvant induced art...

Introduction: DHEA is a well-known neurosteroid. Its plasmatic level is reduced with ageing in most individuals. A non-negligible portion of DHEA is hydroxylated at C7 and C16 to 7α-, 7β- and 16α- and 16β-hydroxyderivatives. A part of the antiglucocorticoid function of DHEA has been described to its 7-oxygenated metabolites, namely to 7α-hydroxy-DHEA. Due its anti-glucocoticoid action it is also considered a factor in fat deposition processes. Thus, we...

Introduction: Whereas the daily profiles of the main steroid hormones are well known, minor differences in the course of their levels related to defined and standardised food intake were studied rarely.Methods: Eight women (mean age 29.48±2.99 years, mean BMI 21.3±1.3 kg/m2) in follicular phase of menstrual cycle were examined. The levels of C-peptide, glucose, LH, FSH, SHBG, cortisol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, progesterone,...

Introduction: Elevated activity and expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) are associated with the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. This enzyme is responsible for majority of the extra-adrenal production of glucocorticoids. It regenerates active cortisol from biologically inactive cortisone. Human 11β-HSD1 also reversibly catalyzes the inter-conversion of 7α-hydroxy- and 7β-hydroxy-DHEA into 7-oxo-DHEA. In order to...