Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The autoimmune process is currently the most common cause ofthe primary adrenal insufficiency cases in developed countries. The complexity of this process consists of genetic, immunological and environmental factors. It has been proven that vitamin D (VD) inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines and can modulate immune-regulatory mechanisms.Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of VD insufficiencyin...

Thyroid hormone has long been known as a key developmental factor in human and model species. Insufficient thyroid hormone during development can impair the growth and maturation of diverse tissue and organ systems. One of the most serious risks associated with congenital hypothyroidism is defective brain maturation and mental retardation. However, in recent years, targeted mutagenesis of the thyroid hormone receptor genes in model species has expanded our understanding of the...

Cushing’s disease is a debilitating endocrinopathy characterized by excessive cortisol levels in the blood which may be produced from tumours of the pituitary gland. The only way to achieve long term cure of Cushing’s disease is by Transphenoidal removal of the adenoma. ketoconazole, inhibit steroid (cortisol) production in the adrenal glands.The use of glucocorticids treatment before and after hypophisectomy is a classic management in the peri...

Kisspeptin-54 is a neuropeptide encoded by the Kiss-1 gene with an important role in the regulation of reproduction and puberty. Acute peripheral or intra-hypothalamic administration of kisspeptin-54 potently stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis via hypothalamic gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. However, the effects of chronic continuous kisspeptin administration are poorly characterised. Our studies investigated the effects of chronic, continu...

Aim: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease and the incidence in the population varies from %10–24. TGF- β –1 is the most important TGF- β isoform responsible for fibrosis and its effect on hepatic fibrosis was demonstrated in-vitro and in chronic viral hepatitis. Besides TGF- β is an immunsuppresive cytokine and it is known that low TGF- β activity can trigger autoimmune diseases and inflammation.<...

Introduction: Although the etiology of osteoporosis is different between men and women, the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism is similar, namely an absolute or relative increase in bone resorption, leading to progressive bone loss. Transforming growth factor (TGF) beta-1 is a growth factor in human bone, which is produced by osteoblasts and inhibits osteoclast proliferation and activity and stimulates proliferation and differentiation of preosteoblasts.<p class="abstex...

The kisspeptins are KiSS-1 gene-derived peptides which signal through the G protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), and have recently been shown to be critical regulators of reproduction. Acute intracerebroventricular (ICV) or peripheral administration of kisspeptin to rodents and primates, and peripheral administration to humans, stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis. This effect is thought to be mediated via the hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (G...

Recently, we have reported a few cases of acute liver damage in patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO), during or following high dose intravenous (iv) glucocorticoid (GC) pulse therapy. In the present study we analyzed retrospectively liver enzymes (LE) in 294 consecutive patients with GO who underwent ivGC. LE were measured before or during ivGC, and in 91 patients also within 6 months after ivGC. An asymptomatic increase in LE (AST peak: 67–88 U/L, ALT peak: 75&...

Alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is an agonist at the melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3-R) and MC4-R and stimulates corticosterone release from rat and human adrenal cells. Patients with Cushing's syndrome have elevated levels of serum alpha-MSH. Agouti related protein (AgRP) is an endogenous antagonist at the MC3-R and MC4-R and is expressed in the rat adrenal cortex. AgRP antagonises alpha-MSH-induced corticosterone release from rat and bovine adrenal cells. This ...

Objectives: To investigate whether there is a sex difference in serum leptin concentration in Chinese Type 2 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy.Methods: Early morning fasting serum leptin concentrations were measured in 34 Type 2 diabetic patients (mean age 62.1) with nephropathy (creatinine 120-450micromol/l and spot urinary albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) > 25 mg/mmol), 12 newly diagnosed diabetic subjects (mean age 62.5) with normoalbumi...