Endocrine Abstracts

The past decade, epidemiological studies have associated disturbances of the biological clock, as occurs in shift work, with low bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. As a large part of the working population participates in shift work (e.g. almost 30% of workers in the U.S.), this demonstrates the need for further research on the risk of skeletal disorders associated with circadian disturbances. In this study, we aimed to investigate to what extent rhythmicity exi...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the hepatic manifestation of the global epidemic of metabolic disease. Steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids and sex steroids, regulate metabolic phenotype, and in addition, bile acids have recently been identified as potent metabolic regulators. 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) is predominantly expressed in the liver and is a crucial regulator of steroid hormone clearance as well as bile acid synthesis. Its role in pathogenesis of metaboli...

Introduction: Mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interaction protein (AIP) gene predisposes to growth hormone or prolactin secretin adenomas, usually, manifesting before the age of 30 years old. There are 834 variants of the AIP reported in the GnomAD database and over 100 variants have been described in patients with pituitary adenomas. While the pathogenic role of variants resulting in truncated protein is beyond doubt, determination of the clinical...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the hepatic manifestation of the global epidemic of metabolic disease. It is tightly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, yet the precise mechanisms that drive its aetiology are not fully defined. Steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids and sex steroids, regulate metabolic phenotype, and in addition, bile acids have recently been identified as potent metabolic regulators. AKR1D1 (5β-reductase), is predominantly expressed in...

Aims: Low circulating testosterone levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and there is evidence that androgens inhibit arterial lesion formation. This investigation addressed the hypothesis that androgens directly inhibit neointimal lesion formation by stimulation of vascular androgen receptor.Methods and results: Mice were generated with selective deletion of androgen receptor from vascular (endothelial or smooth muscle) cells. Castrat...

Background: Osteoporosis is common in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). It is also an indication for parathyroidectomy in PHPT. Bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) increases after successful surgery. Alendronate significantly increases BMD in PHPT patients not undergoing surgery. It is not known whether surgery alone or in combination with postoperative zoledronic acid more efficiently improves bone health in PHPT.<p class="abste...

Background: Depressive mood consequent to hypothyroidism can be reversed with levothyroxine (LT4) replacement therapy. However, it is unclear whether increasing LT4 dose confers additional mood benefits.Methods: This was a single-blind before-and-after study of 26 patients with hypothyroidism who were aged 65 years or older and undergoing LT4 replacement therapy. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-K) and Hyperthyroid Symptom Scale (HSS-K) were assessed at b...

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were until very recently perceived to be safe, effective and inexpensive. As a result they are widely prescribed empirically, beyond their core indications. However dose-dependent adverse reactions increasingly reported include diarrhoea, resistant hypomagnesaemia/hypocalcaemia and interstitial nephritis. Moreover, they are associated with increased rates of vertebral and wrist fractures, and increased C. difficile carriage rate....

Graves’ ophthalmopathy is an autoimmune disorder with orbital tissue inflammation. Decompression surgery is considered when conservative treatment fails. Indications for this operation are optic neuropathy, severe inflammation with pain and proptosis.The aim of the present study is to describe the long-term results of decompression surgery in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO. This study includes retrospective analysis and clinica...

Background: Cortisol and growth hormone elevations are critical counterregulatory responses to severe hypoglycemia. However, the proportion and clinical characteristics of type 2 diabetic patients who fail to show appropriate cortisol and/or growth hormone secretion in response to severe hypoglycemia have not been investigated.Methods: We measured the plasma cortisol and growth hormone levels in type 2 diabetes with severe hypoglycemia (defined as blood ...