Endocrine Abstracts

The aim of the study was to obtain the basic data about adrenomedullin after 1 μg ACTH stimulation.Adrenomedullin has direct effect on adrenal cortex secretion, therefore we studied the changes of its concentrations during ACTH stimulation in diabetic patients suspected of hypocorticalism.Thirty-two diabetics type 1 (DM1) were investigated; 16 with and 16 without autoimmune thyroditis (AIT); age 44±10 years (mean±<sm...

A common polymorphism of the ERβ gene (AluI) located in 3′-UTR of exon 8 has been shown to be associated with clinical features of altered estrogen action in tissues where this gene is expressed. It has recently been shown that GnRH neurons express ERβ, indicating that this receptor may participate in the feedback regulation of gonadotrophin secretion. We therefore studied the association of gonadotrophin levels and the AluI polymorp...

The connective tissue components, collagen types I, III and IV, which surround the ovarian follicles, undergo drastic changes during ovulation. Abnormal collagen synthesis and increased volume and density of ovarian stroma characterise the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Physiologically, collagen synthesis in ovarian follicles is partly regulated by lysyl oxidase (LOX), which catalyzes the collagen and elastin cross-linking and plays indispensable role in the organization of...

Introduction: 7-hydroxyl DHEA derivatives are labelled as natural anti-glucocorticoid and neuroprotective substances. Their impact on the production of cytokines, their activation of apoptosis, influence on the migration of macrophages to peripheral tissue, their possible effect on angiogenesis, effect on inflammatory mediators (arachidonic acid metabolites) and their role in the mechanism of oxidative stress have been described.Methods: In our study we ...

Background: TSH levels within the normal range have been associated with increased blood pressure (BP). TSH itself might be involved, especially as extrathyroidal actions of TSH exist.We investigated whether elevated TSH levels after acute rhTSH administration may result in alterations in BP in euthyroid individuals.Methods: Twenty-six euthyroid female subjects thyroidectomised and on T4 suppressive dose, were evaluated ...

The aim of the study was to obtain data about peripheral metabolism of cortisol.We compared diabetics with low response (LR), and with normal response (NR) during low dose ACTH test, and a control group (C).Twelve diabetics were investigated; LR (n=6), NR (n=6), age 44±10 year (mean±S.D.), age at diagnosis of DM1 28.5±10 year, disease duration 15±8 year, BMI 24.5±2.7 kg/cm2...

Introduction-aim: It has been suggested that estrogen may play an important role in the regulation of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in both sexes. Especially in men, estradiol administration has been shown to improve endothelial function; however such reports are conflicting. The aim of our study was to examine the relation of endogenous sex hormone levels with markers of early atherosclerosis in a cohort of apparently healthy individuals.Methods:...

Objective: Thyroid function tests (TFTs) have been associated with obesity; however associations with the type of adiposity have not been examined. Ultrasound (U/S) was used to assess regional adiposity in euthyroid individuals. Associations of thyroid function with obesity parameters and presence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) were investigated.Methods: Of 302 apparently healthy slightly overweight individuals (age 42.9±8.8, BMI 19.0–43.3, med...

Melatonin has a key role in circadian timing system. At present, many other functions of melatonin are known. It shows a remarkable functional versatility exhibiting antioxidant (direct free radical scavenging and indirect antioxidant activities), oncostatic, anti-aging, immunomodulatory properties and many other functions. In addition to pineal gland, gastrointestinal tract is the second biggest source of melatonin. Question remains whether changes in endogenous melatonin may...

Introduction: There is a great interest in the association of thyroid hormones and mood. Although it appears to be important interactions between the central regulation of mood and the thyroid axis, the effects of antidepressants and especially of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) remain ambiguous. We investigated the thyroid function in perimenopausal women suffering from depression.Material and methods: We examined 102 perimenopausal wome...