Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Inadequate glucocorticoid (GC) replacement may be associated with overexposure to GC, which can adversely influence metabolic and cardio-vascular state of hypopituitary growth hormone deficient adult patients (A-GHD). In this study we compared metabolic profile of ACTH insufficient and sufficient patients in A-GHD not treated with GH.Patients and methods: A cohort of 260 patients (age 48.6±12 years and BMI 28.7±6.6 kg/m2)...

Ghrelin is able to stimulate HPA axis in both humans and animals. Exaggerated ACTH and cortisol responses to ghrelin have been shown in patients with CD. Here we studied the role of ghrelin alone or in combination with CRH in the diagnosis of CD. In 21 CD patient (18 female, age 49.8±10.2 years, BMI 29.8±0.8 kg/m2, ten macroadenomas 11 microadenomas) we performed: i) ghrelin test (100 μg iv bolus) ii) CRH test (100 μg iv bolus) and iii) ghrelin+C...

Hypopituitarism as deficiency of one or more anterior pituitary hormones, in adults can be consequence of acquired or genetic causes. Only few published studies investigated population-based aetiology of hypopituitarism. In the last 10 years new risks for hypopituitarism have been recognised (traumatic brain injury-TBI, subarachnoid haemorrhage, cranial irradiation).Aim: To present our experiences in the aetiology of hypopituitarism based on data collect...

Background: Pituitary adenoma (PA) is an under-investigated pathology in the elderly.Objective: To review our case records of patients >70 years with PA, in order to evaluate presentation symptoms, hormonal results, and pituitary morphology.Patients: 48 patients aged 70 years or older (21 females/27 males) were identified from the group of 610 patients with PA (7.9%) diagnosed at Neuroendocrine Unit, Clinic for Endocrinology, B...

Objective: It has been difficult to identify factors that affect the risk of cancer but we know that people are at higher risk as they get older, or have a strong family history of cancer. The potential influence of environmental and behavioral factors remains poorly understood.Aim: To study associations between PA and family history of malignancy in first-degree and second-degree relatives. As separate analysis, to study associations between PA patients...

Ghrelin, the endogenous GH secretagogue, has an important role in metabolic homeostasis. It exists in two major molecular forms: acylated (AG) and des-acylated (DAG). Many studies suggest different roles for these two forms in energy balance regulation. In the present study, we compared the effects of acute intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of AG, DAG and their combination (AG+DAG) to young adult Wistar rats on food intake and central melanocortin system modulation....

Introduction: Recently, major advances have been made in genetics of familial acromegaly and isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA). Mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon interacting protein (AIP) gene have been found in 25–50% of patients with FIPA and familial acromegaly.Aim of the study: Our goal was to identify and collect data on patients who met the criteria for FIPA.Patients and methods: The patients were identified between 2008...

The pandemic increase of obesity, malnutrition and associated comorbidities encouraged intensive studies on energy balance control. Ghrelin is a brain-gut orexigenic hormone that is involved in both the short-term and long-term regulation of energy homeostasis. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of centrally applied ghrelin on the pituitary morphofunctional features and corticosterone secretion in normal-fed, food-restricted and obese 8 weeks old Wistar male ...

Background: Narcolepsy is hypersomnia of central origin whose clinical features are excessive daytime sleepiness, hypnagogic hallutinations, sleep paralysis and cataplexy which comprises sudden transient loss of muscle tone often triggered by emotions. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is assiociated with hypocretin 1/orexin-A (HCRT 1/ORX-A) deficiency in central nervous system. Because of the link between ghrelin and HCRT 1/ORX-A wake-promoting effects there might be ghrelin deficien...

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a chronic disorder characterized of profound reduction in body weight and amenorrhoea. A product of complex interactions between psychological and clinical variables are important for the presence of the disease.Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the variables which might predict full reproductive recovery of patients with anorexia nervosa.Material and methods: We studied closely mat...