Endocrine Abstracts

Acromegaly is a disease due, almost in all cases, to a pituitary adenoma (PA) characterized by GH hypersecretion. Its prevalence seems widely variable among different geographic areas, ranging 36–151 cases ×106 of inhabitants (c.p.m.). Apart from the possible underestimation due to misdiagnosis, reliable epidemiological studies showed that the prevalence of acromegaly could be 4–5 times higher in some geographic areas than in other ones, independently by presuma...

Pasireotide (SOM230) is a multireceptor ligand somatostatin analogue with high binding affinity to somatostatin receptor subtype 5, which is predominantly expressed in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas. It is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) for whom pituitary surgery is not an option or has not been curative. Our study evaluated the effects of pasireotide, administered for 12 months at a dose of 600–900 μg/daily, in five...

Introduction: CyberKnife (CK), an innovative LINAC-based robotic device for frameless stereotactic surgery, is an emerging approach in the management of tumours of the sellar region.Patients and methods: In total, 14 patients (six men, mean age 52.7 years) with sellar tumours (three craniopharyngiomas and 11 pituitary adenomas) were evaluated. Pituitary adenomas (PA) were non-functioning (7), GH-secreting (2), one GH/TSH-secreting (1) or PRL-secreting (1...

Background: Increased rates of autoimmune diseases (ADs) have been reported in association with Hashimoto′s thyroiditis (HT); however, the risk factors for coexisting ADs in HT patients have been poorly investigated.Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with AD comorbidities in patients with HT.Materials and Methods: We recruited 687 patients (626 F and 61 M, mean age at diagnosis 39 ± 14.06 yr, F:...

Objective: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that that have been reported to cause a variety of toxic effects, including inflammation and cancer, through binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). In turn, AhR promotes xenobiotic detoxification and antioxidant defense, by up-regulating specific responsive genes, the so-called “AhR gene battery”. AhR is also involved in modulation of immune response, by regulating programmed cell ...

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF), a monogenic disease from mutations in the CFTR gene on chromosome 7, causes pancreatic insufficiency and impaired nutrients absorption. Unlike other malabsorption disorders, no data are available in literature on L-T4 absorption in CF. This study analyzed L-T4 absorption and requirement in hypothyroid CF patients.Methods: Ten CF patients (7 F, 3 M; mean age 37 yr), with autoimmune (n=6) or post-thyroidectomy (<e...

Background: Pituitary tumours (PT) are generally benign, but they can rarely show an aggressive behaviour, invade surrounding structures and/or grow/recur despite multimodal treatment, making their management extremely challenging. According to the latest guidelines, temozolomide (TMZ) can be an option after failure of standard therapies in aggressive PT, while little data are available on alternative approaches such as peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Herein we r...

Introduction: The classical replacement therapy for hypoadrenalism may expose patients to non-physiologic glucocorticoids levels with negative metabolic consequences. Up to now, one study demonstrated that, as compared to the classical treatment, a modified-release hydrocortisone (MRH), improves weight, blood pressure, glycaemic control and QoL in a 3-month follow-up period. Few data are available on the long-term persistence of these benefits.Design/met...

Introduction: Cytokines have been suggested to be involved in modulating anti-tumor responses and promoting tumor growth. Some studies have indicated that cytokines could also be involved in the pathogenesis of pituitary tumors. Th17 cells, characterized by expression of several cytokines as interleukin 22 (IL 22), might have a role in tumor immune-surveillance. IL-22 is a cytokine involved in the modulation of tissue responses during inflammation and, through activation of St...

Mortality risk is increased in acromegalics, due to cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. These events are namely related to atherosclerotic vascular alterations, both at coronary and peripheral level. Systemic comorbidities increase the risk of atherosclerosis, but the role of GH and IGF-1 excess is still debated. To evaluate the relationship between GH/IGF-1 excess, systemic atherogenic complications and vascular alterations we investigated stiffness index (β), pul...