Endocrine Abstracts

Agouti-related protein (AGRP) plays a key role in energy homeostasis with the carboxy-terminal domain acting as an endogenous antagonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4-R). It has been suggested that the amino-terminal domain of AGRP binds to syndecan-3, allowing it to regulate local concentrations of AGRP at the MC4-R. This model assumes that AGRP is secreted as a full-length peptide. However, AGRP contains several consensus prohormone convertase cleavage sites: Lys52-Lys...

Background: The gut hormone PYY3-36 (PYY) is released into the circulation after eating and physiologically inhibits food intake. Obese and lean subjects are equally sensitive to this effect, however fasting levels of PYY are reduced in obese subjects.Methods: We investigated the postprandial PYY response and satiety response using a visual analogue scale (VAS) to 6 test meals of increasing calorie content in 20 lean and 20 obese subjects. We also infuse...

Most tests of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) use total cortisol measurements, although only free cortisol is biologically active. Total cortisol is 90% bound to cortisol binding globulin (CBG). CBG varies between individuals, is elevated by oestrogens and reduced by acute illness or surgery. Low CBG levels may result in individuals apparently failing such tests, and receiving inappropriate steroid replacement. We hypothesised that correcting total cortisol for CB...

Importance: Few studies have compared mid-term results of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and none have focussed on lipid profile.Objectives: The main objective of this study was to compare laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with respect to 5-year remission rate of the different lipid disturbances. Secondary outcomes included relapse, late remission and incidence rates...

Background and aims: Patients with T1D present some predisposing factors to fractures. The aim of the present study is to analyse the bone tissue quality in T1DM women and healthy controls by bone microindentation, as well as their relationship with bone mineral density (BMD).Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study including 45 women with T1D at least with one year of duration and 21 healthy controls adjusted by age and BMI. Women with osteoporosis ...

Objective: The aims of this study are to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RFA in the treatment of benign thyroid nodule(s) and to find independent factors related to the volume reduction rate of the nodule(s).Materials and methods: This short-term prospective study from a single medical center was conducted on 93 benign thyroid nodules in 93 patients treated with RFA. Two basic techniques were used: the trans-isthmic approach, moving-shot technique. C...

Objective: Time-restricted eating (TRE) represents a novel intervention that may improve insulinaemia and reduce weight, but is untested in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In a randomised interventional study (NCT05126199), we investigated the feasibility of TRE in PCOS. Secondary objectives included effects on insulin and metabolic indices.Methods: Participants were randomised to 12-week TRE (18h fast/6h eating wind...

Background: Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI NETs) are subdivided into grades (G) G1-G3 based on Ki-67 proliferation index (%) (G1<3%, G2 3-20%, and G3 >20%) or mitotic rate, with tumor grade informing prognosis and treatment. Grade progression (GP) over time in GI and pancreatic NETs has recently been identified, with low(G1/2)-to-high(G3) grade progression (L-to-H) the most clinically relevant form. L-to-H is associated with worse survival, yet the timefram...

Background: Grade 3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (G3-PanNET) and neuroendocrine carcinoma (PanNEC) are both defined by Ki67>20% and/or mitoses >20 per 2mm2. PanNET and PanNEC are thought to be molecularly distinct entities and progression from PanNET to PanNEC is considered rare. MEN1, ATRX, DAXX, and TSC1/2 mutations are common in PanNET, while TP53, RB1, KRAS, and SMAD4 mutations are typical of PanNEC. Immunostains for ATRX/DAXX/p53/Rb aid in the classification of...

Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (panNETs) are heterogeneous, with grade (G) defined by Ki67 proliferation index (<3% G1, 3-20% G2, and >20% G3) or mitotic rate. Previous studies suggest that baseline Ki67 index may be confounded by biopsy site (primary or metastasis), biopsy technique and primary tumor size. Ki67 differences leading to grade discordance in PanNETs at baseline is relatively understudied. Our study aims to evaluate grade discordance in synch...