Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: In pregnant women there is a twofold increase in synthesis of calcitriol, i.e. the active metabolite of vitamin D. Literature data point to adverse effects of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy both for pregnant woman and foetus. Polish data on the effects of vitamin D deficiency in this group are scarce.Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D3 concentrations in pregnant women on health ...

Introduction: Long-lived mice with targeted disruption of the GHRH gene (GHRH knockout; GHRHKO) constitute a unique animal model of altered somatotrophic signaling and are characterized by reduced body mass and size, low plasma IGF1 and enhanced insulin sensitivity. These features are also observed in long-lived GH receptor knockout (GHRKO) mice, characterized by increased visceral obesity that usually promotes insulin resistance. GHRKO mice have also increased subcutaneous fa...

Introduction: Turner syndrome (TS) is a condition caused by structural or numerical abnormalities of X chromosome. Growth deficiency is characteristic for patients with TS, and particular karyotype abnormalities of the X chromosome may be associated with different responsiveness to human GH (hGH) therapy. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of TS karyotype on growth velocity during hGH therapy in TS.Methods: 23 TS patients treated with hGH w...

Background: Copeptin, the C-terminal part of the arginine vasopressin (AVP) precursor, is a 39-amino acid peptide stoichiometrically secreted with AVP in 1:1 ratio from the posterior pituitary. In contrast to AVP, copeptin remains stable ex vivo for several days in serum or plasma. Here, we investigated the use of the copeptin assay in the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected anterior pituitary dysfunction.Patients and methods: We measur...

Introduction: Copeptin can be used as a tool to directly assess serum antidiuretic hormone (ADH) level. A certain pool of ADH are synthesized in hypothalamus, together with corticoliberin (CRH). Then they are released into the pituitary portal circulation, where through the V1bR receptor ADH stimulates adrenocorticotropic cells and ACTH secretion, followed by cortisol and catecholamines production. The stimulus for ADH secretion is, among others, stress. In turn, presynaptic s...

Sclerostin, a product of a SOST gene, is a protein expressed by osteocytes that inhibits osteoblastic bone formation. Several hormones including PTH and glucocorticosteroids and have been suggested as possible regulators of sclerostin production. The influence of thyroid hormones on sclerostin synthesis has not been investigated so far. The aim of the study was to evaluate sclerostin concentrations in patients before and after treatment of thyrotoxicosis.<p class="abstext"...

Goiter prevalence (GP) and median UIC in population studies are both considered markers of iodine nutrition. Controversy exists which of them is more reliable.Aim: To assess correlation between UIC and thyroid volume in Polish schoolchildren.Material and methods: 9402 Polish schoolchildren (51.3% girls, 48.7% boys) aged 6–12 years were examined in 1999–2011 (‘Thyromobil’ action). 40.9% of children were born at l...

Vertebral morphometric X-ray absorptiometry (MXA) is a new tool developed to evaluate the presence of vertebral fractures – main symptoms of osteoporosis. The study aimed at comparing selected morphometric parameters of vertebrae in men and women in various age groups. 965 healthy persons have been involved in the study: 616 female and 349 male, their age ranging from 18 to 79 years. Lateral densitometric scans of the thoracic-lumbar spine were made using Expert-XL densit...

Diagnosis of PCOS may be sometimes difficult, e.g. due to limited sensitivity of androgen assays and discrepancies in interpretation of ovarian ultrasound imaging. As GnRH stimulation test can reveal a relative LH excess, then we have endeavoured to assess whether this test might be useful in the diagnosis of PCOS.Patients and methods: The study involved 154 subjects: PCOS group, n=120, age (mean±S.D.) 24.8±5.4 years, BMI ...

GH receptor knockout (GHRKO) mice were produced by a targeted disruption of the GH receptor (Ghr) gene. These long-lived mice, which are GH resistant, are characterized by a greatly reduced plasma levels of IGF1 and insulin and have enhanced insulin sensitivity (these effects resemble the characteristics of animals subjected to caloric restriction (CR), which is well known experimental model to delay aging and increase lifespan).Apoptosis, or programmed ...