Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: The individual changes in insulin sensitivity in response to exercise demonstrate a large variation. The mechanisms contributing to improved insulin sensitivity by training in type 2 diabetes are not fully known but presumably involve both metabolic and structural adaptations. The present study investigates if associations exist between changes in expression of key genes and improved insulin sensitivity, VO2max and glycemic control following exercise trai...

The development of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is affected by genetic and lifestyle factors. Polymorphisms within the KIR6.2 gene seem to be associated with a higher risk for T2DM. The protein encoded by this gene represents a potassium channel, which plays an essential role in insulin and glucagon secretion by the pancreas.A hyperglycaemic clamp without insulin was performed over 2 h in 10 healthy persons with the Kir6.2 E23K wild type Glu/Glu, 10 a...

The AIRE gene (autoimmune regulator) has been identified as an important mediator of central tolerance against ectopically expressed peripheral antigens. Mutatations of AIRE are responsible for autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type I (APSI) in human characterized by a multiorgan autoimmune disease. Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is part of the clinical spectrum in humans and mice. 19% of patients with AIRE mutations develop an autoimmune hepatitis which is characterized by a...

Obesity, diabetes, and depression are associated with distinct neuroendocrine changes influencing the regulation of the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) system. Up to now it was not possible to examine the central glucocorticoid feedback in humans to verify results of animal experiments in relating disease models. With the help of a recently developed computational approach we were enabled to address this question to patients with obesity, diabetes, or depression.<p cl...

Dysfunctional prostanoid and oxytocin receptors have been implicated in the development of myometrial hyperactivity, causing dysmenorrhoea and infertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the topographical differences in functional contractile PG and oxytocin receptors in mid-cycle isolated myometrium.Longitudinal, full-thickness sections of the anterior uterus were obtained from consenting pre-menopausal donors (aged 39–48 years) un...

Both prostaglandin (PG) E2 and oxytocin are used clinically in the induction of labour. However, the functional co-expression of inhibitory PGE2 receptors (EP2) and contractile oxytocin receptors in lower segment myometrium is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to elucidate EP2 agonist effects on oxytocin-induced myogenic contractions and to identify their combined action on intracellular calcium (Ca2+)...

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 acts through its receptors (EP1–4) to influence uterine contractility during gestation and parturition. The aim of the present study was to identify functional EP receptor targets in isolated myometrium from term pregnant, non-labouring donors by use of specific and novel EP agonists.Biopsies of human myometrium were obtained at elective caesarean section from consenting term pregnant women, not in labour ...

Background, objective: Adipose tissue is known to secrete a multitude of bioactive adipokines and it seems that the majority of these adipokines is implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and associated metabolic diseases. Existing research studies mostly concentrated on one or two adipokines and therefore, comparisons of the involvement of different adipokines in these disorders are difficult. Furthermore, associations of circulating adipokine levels with different fat comp...

Introduction: IPSS (Inferior petrosal sinus sampling) is a reliable test for differentiating Cushing’s disease from ectopic ACTH secretion. In the past 30 years, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital has been the sole national referral center for IPSS in Israel, carrying out the test for all patients country-wide.Methods: In this retrospective study we reviewed the records of all patients who underwent IPSS in our institution, for whom electronic dat...

Context: Unilateral adrenalectomy is the therapy of first choice in aldosterone producing adenoma (APA). Improvement of blood pressure (BP) and hypokalemia is achieved in the majority of patients. Because of hypoaldosteronism, hyperkalemia can develop in the postoperative course. Our aim was to analyze the frequency of hyperkalemia, to determine the cause of hypoaldosteronism and to assess the influence of preoperative mineralocorticoid antagonist (MRA) therapy at our center.<...