Endocrine Abstracts

Cortisol and cortisone are interconverted by type 1 and type 2 11ßhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11ßHSD) isoenzymes. The type 1 isoenzyme is a widely expressed reductase that converts cortisone to cortisol regulating glucocorticoid tissue exposure. Its activity is inhibited by GH and IGF-I, being increased in GH deficiency (GHD) and decreased in acromegaly. In our experience rhGH therapy unmasked a central hypoadrenal state in adults with organic GHD, likely by normal...

Introduction: Lipodystrophies are a group of genetic or acquired diseases characterized by abnormal adipose tissue deposition, frequently associated with insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and hepatic steatosis. Congenital generalized lipodystrophy (LCG) is a well-defined syndrome with autosomal recessive heredity, prevalence <1:10million, with about 400 cases being described. Extreme shortage of subcutaneous adipose tissue, muscle hypertrop...

Background: Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is characterized by inappropriate cortisol secretion and its diagnosis is still challenging for endocrinologist. Nevertheless, CS is a rare condition, making difficult to collect data and establish tests’ diagnostic performances.Objectives: Assessing diagnostic performances of Urinary Free Cortisol (UFC) evaluated by liquid chromatography method coupled with tandem mass (LC-MS/MS) and Late Night Salivary Cort...

Background: Hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) is characterized by low calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH), often secondary to thyroid surgery. Treatment consists in activated vitamin D and calcium supplementation. Such treatment may be difficult in patients with malabsorption as calcium usually requires an acid environmental to dissolve, while calcitriol needs an intact intestine for a full absorption.Case report: A 36-year old woman had a history of sleeve ...

The role of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) in brain function has been suggested. Recent behavior studies by our group clearly demonstrate a powerful anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of a novel growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonist of MIAMI class, MIA-690, probably related to modulatory effects on the inflammatory and oxidative status [1]. Our investigation in this work was focused on the potential beneficial effects of MIA-602, another recently ...

Background: Literature data indicate that up to 36.8% of patients with chronic endocrinopathies, occurring in children, abandon follow-up visits in adulthood, with the risk of major long-term consequences for their health. For this reason, it is essential that their transfer to an adult physician takes place through a well-structured transition process in order to ensure continuity of care. With this goal, the Transition Clinic of pediatric endocrine pathologies of AOUI Verona...

Introduction: Adipose tissue is recognized as an important endocrine organ, secreting many endocrine factors. Adiponectin is the most abundant peptide released into circulation, encoded by ADIPOQ gene localized in chromosome 3q27.3. Adiponectin decreases intracellular ceramide, implicated in insulin resistance, inflammation and atherosclerosis. It stimulates fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle and inhibits glucose production in the liver. Hypo-adiponectinemia plays a centr...

Finasteride is a 5alpha-reductase (5α-R) inhibitor used in clinics to treat androgen-dependent conditions, such as benign prostate hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Its use has been associated with several adverse effects, including sexual complaints. However, to date, no hypothesis to explain such adverse effects has been proposed. This is a consequence of the still incomplete knowledge of the intricate network of motivational, psychological, and molecular inp...

COVID-19 pandemic obliged physicians to find out alternative options to classical pathways, to lower viral spread and related dangers as well as to cope with redeployment of personnel and resources. We describe here two cases in whom surgery for adrenal Cushing’s syndrome (CS) and pheochromocytoma (PHEO) was deferred due to the unavailability of surgical facilities.Case no 1: A 69-yo woman was evaluated for CS. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was diagnosed...

Objective: Intestinal barrier (IB) is one of the wider human body surface, whose integrity allows the uptake of nutrients also preserving from the entrance of harmful compounds. An increased permeability of IB, known as “leaky gut”, has been demonstrated in patients with intestinal inflammatory and/or autoimmune disorders as well as in patients with autoimmune diseases involving organs far from the intestine, as in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). The...