Endocrine Abstracts

RET proto-oncogene is activated in the development of PTC via RET/PTC rearrangements. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene are associated with PTC in some studies. We investigated possible association of SNPs with RET/PTC in Czech patients. We analyzed 234 patients with PTC (101 fresh frozen thyroid samples, 133 paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed samples) and 172 controls. RNA from frozen samples was reversely transcribed to cDNA. RET/PTC</i...

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with features of the insulin resistance syndrome and altered glucose homeostasis. Factors that play an important role in these processes are still emerging. Pro-inflammatory cytokines may be involved in development of insulin resistance in PCOS. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), hepatocyte growth fa...

Insulin hypersecretion during oral or intravenous glucose tolerance test (OGTT, ivGTT) was described previously in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Little attention was given to the regulation of insulin secretion in these subjects. We aimed to study the secretion of incretins (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, GIP, glucagon-like peptide 1, GLP-1), during OGTT in normoglucose-tolerant PCOS women.After signing written informed cons...

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a potent inhibitor of osteoclastic bone resorption. Besides osteoblasts, OPG is expressed by both endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Moreover, elevated serum OPG has been found in conditions associated with insulin resistance such as obesity, diabetes and/or Cushing syndrome.The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between serum OPG and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome ...

Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), multiple endocrine neoplasia types 2A and 2B (MEN2A, 2B) and Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) are inherited neurocristopathies linked to germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. Activating germline RET mutations are presented in patients with FMTC, MEN2A and MEN2B, on the other hand, inactivating germline mutations in patients with HSCR. Nevertheless, there is an overlay in specific mutations in the exon 10 of the RET proto-oncogene....

BRAF point mutations are found in 29-69% of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). BRAF is a serine-threonine kinase involved in the phoshorylation of MAPK signaling pathway. The mutation is located in the exon 15 of BRAF, resulting in the substitution of valine to glutamate at codon 600 (V600E). Mutation generates unregulated B-Raf activity that leads to increased cellular proliferation. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of BRAF mutation in the Czech population...

Aim: To examine the secretion of insulin and glucagon in PCOS in the context of insulin sensitivity.Patients and methods: 13 healthy women (BMI 21.8(2.2) kg/m2), 21 PCOS without family history of DM2 (FH-); BMI 24.3 (4.4) kg/m2 and 16 PCOS with the 1st degree relative affected by DM2 (FH+); BMI 26.7 (4.2) kg/m2. Euglyceamic hyperinsulinaemic clamp (1mIU kg−1.min−1; with the determination ...

Aim and background: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP 4) is an adipocyte-secreted molecule causing insulin resistance in transgenic animals. RBP was increased in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes type 2. The levels of RBP-4 in PCOS were not investigated till now.Subjects and methods16 lean PCOS (BMI 21.4 (1.75) kg/m2, age 24.1 (4.1) years), 25 obese PCOS (BMI 30.3 (4.8) kg/m2, age 26.3 (5.0) years) and 13 healthy wo...

Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease, characterized by germ-line mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, mainly in exons 10 and 11, but also in exons 13, 14 and 15. Recently, there were described also mutations in exon 8 and 16 associated with FMTC. In our laboratory the screening of six risk exons of the RET proto-oncogene in 141 families with MTC was performed. 10 families were classified as clinically FMTC. In 4 of them mutatio...

One microgram ACTH (adrenocorticotropin) test is considered to have higher sensitivity for early diagnosis of subclinical hypoadrenalism. In the test, the response of total serum cortisol concentration after ACTH application is evaluated. The concentration of total cortisol in serum is influenced by various diseases and drugs (containing oestrogens) that affect the concentration of cortisol binding proteins and subsequently measured cortisol levels. By routine laboratory metho...