Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (HCL) is a rare granulomatous disease, unknown etiology, with a wide clinical spectrum. The pituitary is affected in 25% of cases, with diabetes insipidus being the earliest and most frequent feature. Although it is more common in pediatric age, it can also be developed by adults.Clinical case: A 39-year-old, caucasian, woman presents with polydipsia with 5L/day of water and an appetite for cold drinks, polyuri...

Introduction: The Quervain’s disease is an infrequent subacute thyroiditis (ST) that results in granulomatous infiltration of the gland’s parenchyma. Is usually diagnosed clinically based on cervical pain, systemic symptoms, altered thyroid function tests (TFTs) and history of upper respiratory tract infection. It is a benign self-limited condition that may share US features with malignancy which may result in improper therapy, including lobectomy.<p class="abs...

Background: Up to 50% of children treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have biochemical evidence of adrenal insufficiency (AI). Episodes of adrenal crisis (AC) are extremely rare.To address the discordance between the prevalence of biochemical AI and AC, we re-examined the biochemical definition of AI during ICS therapy. We then investigated the utility of early morning salivary cortisol (EMSC) and cortisone (EMSCn) for the identification of patien...

Lipocalin-2 (LCN-2) is known to act as an antiinflammatory or a proinflammatory mediator. Recently, LCN-2 has been recognized to play a role in obesity and insulin resistance. However, there is no knowledge about the expression and the role of LCN-2 in pancreatic islet β-cells. Therefore, we examined molecular mechanisms by which proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL1β) and interferon γ (IFNγ) induce LCN-2 expression in RINm5F β-cells. IL1&...

Introduction: Ischaemic heart disease occurs seven times more frequently in women with Turner syndrome (TS) than the normal population. Adult TS subjects have raised serum cholesterol (Ch). In our service we measure Ch, apolipoprotein A1 (APA) and B (APB) annually in TS patients aged >5 years as APB:APA in childhood is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk in adult life. Little is known about lipid profiles or the effects of GH or oestrogen (E2) in childhood...

Introduction: Pituitary adenomas are uncommon in childhood and adolescence and knowledge of long-term outcomes is sparse. We describe a large cohort of patients, now attending our adult clinic.Patients and methods: Retrospective review of patients aged ≤18 years at diagnosis of a pituitary adenoma.Results: There were 24 patients (18 female), mean age at diagnosis 15.6 (range 11–18) years, current age 25.5 (14–47). O...

A 40-year-old woman, who had developed oligomenorrhoea after discontinuing the contraceptive pill at age 30, presented with a 6-month history of intermittent vomiting associated with abdominal discomfort and distension. Ultrasound, followed by laparotomy, revealed multiple bilateral ovarian luteal cysts consistent with hyperoestrogenism and ovarian-hyperfunctioning.Only 9 months post-operatively her bilateral theca ovarian cysts had recurred. Over 4 mont...

Introduction: Iodine is the key element for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and its intake modulates the physiology and physiopathology of thyroid gland. In Portugal, endemic goiter has disappeared, but some data make us consider that iodine intake, as in other European areas, is far from being sufficient. Taking into account the potential harmful effects of moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy, when needs are increased, and the absence of recent data on iodine intake...

Objective: High dose growth hormone (rhGH) regimens (2 to 4 mg/day) have been shown to increase circulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I to supra-physiological levels in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on combined antiretroviral therapy (CART). This setting may improve immunologic output. However, a high plasma IGF-I concentration has detrimental effects on glucose metabolism, which hampers the use of high dose rhGH regimens.Me...

Abstract: Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) constitute first-line treatment for patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) are the most common therapeutic, radiotherapeutic, and imaging targets of SSAs. Some G-protein-coupled receptors, including SSTRs, regulate their responsiveness to continuous drug exposure with different degrees of receptor internalization. Thus, SSTR internalization seems to play an important role in predicting the response to SSAs in p...