Endocrine Abstracts

The nuclear Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and the G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (TGR5) are bile acids receptors that play a key role in energy metabolism. In an animal model of non-genomic metabolic syndrome (MetS), obtained with a high fat diet (HFD), treatment with the dual FXR/TGR5 agonist INT767 reduced visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In liver, INT767 reduced the high macrop...

Background: The concept of testosterone (T) supplementation (TS) as a new anti-obesity medication in men with testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is emerging.Aim: To systematically review and meta-analyze available observational and register studies reporting data on body composition in studies on TS in TDS.Methods: An extensive Medline Embase and Cochrane search was performed including the following words: ‘testosterone&#1...

Background: The role of testosterone (T) in regulating body composition is conflicting.Aim: To meta-analyze the effects of T supplementation (TS) on body composition and metabolic outcomes.Methods: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effect of TS on different endpoints were considered.Results: Overall, 59 trials were included in the study enrolling 3029 and 2049 patients in TS and control gr...

It has been generally assumed that partner’s erectile dysfunction (ED), premature (PE) and delayed ejaculation (DE) play a significant role in determining Female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The present study aimed to evaluate the role of perceived male partner’s sexual function and of the referred quality of relationship in determining FSD. A consecutive series of 156 heterosexual women consulting our outpatient clinic for FSD between January and December 2014 was retr...

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) dysfunction is closely associated with the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Two distinct types of adipose tissue, white (WAT) and brown (BAT), are present in mammals. Development of ‘brown-like’ adipocytes within white adipose tissue has potential antiobesity and insulin-sensitizing effects. Genetic manipulation of cGMP formation suggests a new role for this pathway in preadipocytes commitme...

Introduction: Conventional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors identify only half of subjects with incident major adverse CV events (MACE). Hence new markers are needed in high CV risk subjects, as those with erectile dysfunction (ED). A role for dynamic peak systolic velocity (D-PSV) at penile color Doppler ultrasound (PCDU) has been suggested, but it is operator-dependent and time-consuming. Flaccid penile acceleration (FPA) is a PCDU parameter that reflects PSV, the systolic r...

Introduction: Digito-rectal examination (DRE) of the prostate is provides useful information on the state of prostate growth and on the presence of suspected peripheral nodules. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and biochemical correlates of finding an enlarged prostate size at DRE in subjects with sexual dysfunction (SD).Methods: A consecutive series of 2379 patients was retrospectively studied. The analysis was focused on a subset of su...

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a diagnostic category which identifies subjects at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, erectile dysfunction (ED) and male hypogonadism. However, MetS impact on male infertility has been poorly studied. We systematically evaluated possible associations between MetS and clinical characteristics in men with couple infertility.Methods: Out of 367 consecutive subjects, 351 men (36.0±8.0 years) wi...

Introduction: In subjects with erectile dysfunction (ED) responding poorly to sildenafil, metformin was reported to improve erections.Aims: To investigate metformin’s mechanism of action on erectile function, particularly focusing on adenosine (ADO), and NO signalling in an animal model of high fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS).Methods: In vitro contractility studies of penile strips. Penile expression ...

Introduction: Smoking habit has always been considered to exert a detrimental effect on male reproductive health. However, several studies do not clearly demonstrate a negative effect of smoke on semen parameters. In addition, the effect of smoke on male genital tract has been poorly studied by ultrasound (US). We evaluated the correlations of smoking with seminal and US characteristics in males of infertile couples. Methods. A consecutive series of 426 men was systematically ...