Endocrine Abstracts

Promotion of angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessel from preexisting blood vessels, is the focus of intense research and therapeutic efforts. In contrast, inhibition of endothelial cell growth and survival is a strategy to target many proliferative diseases. Various studies have shown that angiogenic growth factors are produced and secreted by normal endocrine cells and are increased in pathological states, including inflammation and hyperplasia. Importantly, angiogen...

Introduction: TSH suppression therapy by thyroid hormones (TST) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) could be associated with adverse effects on bone metabolism in post-menopausal women. Recent recommendations suggest therefore to minimize time passed under TSH suppression therapy. However data in literature are controversial and few shows results on microarchitecture. This study evaluated bone microarchitecture using High-resolution peripheral quantitative com...

Background: Restrictive anorexia nervosa (AN) presents an adaptive appetite regulating profile including mainly high levels of ghrelin. Because this adaptive mechanism is not effective on food intake, other appetite regulating peptides need to be explored. 26RFa is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that stimulates appetite, gonadotropin release and bone metabolism. The aim of the current study was to evaluate circadian levels of 26RFa in AN patients compared with healthy subjects, o...

Abundant evidence indicates that the three deiodinases (D1, D2 and D3) function at the pre-receptor level to influence both extracellular and intracellular thyroid hormone levels and hence thyroid hormone action. Indirect evidence supports the concept that a major function of the D1 is to generate T3 for export to plasma whereas the D2 generates T3 primarily for local use. To obtain direct evidence concerning their individual physiological roles we have g...

An elective total thyroidectomy was performed on a previously well 45-year-old nurse for toxic multinodular goitre. The operation was uneventful and the patient was discharged. She was re-admitted two days after the operation, with paraesthesia and muscle spasms affecting the face and hands. She was found to be hypocalcaemic, corrected calcium 1.83 mmol/l. She was treated with intravenous calcium gluconate, oral calcium and 1-alpha calcidol. Parathyroid levels were undetectabl...

Background: During IVF treatment, a pharmacological dose of recombinant FSH (rFSH) is used to induce multi-follicular growth (controlled ovarian stimulation; COS). An insufficient dose of rFSH negatively impacts the number of oocytes retrieved, whereas an excessive dose risks the potentially life-threatening complication ‘ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome’. Hence, appropriate rFSH dosing is regarded as a key treatment decision affecting both the success and safety of...

Background: Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism (HH) is characterised by hypogonadism in the context of low gonadotrophin levels, frequently due to a defect in hypothalamic function e.g. Kallman’s syndrome. However, no direct test of hypothalamic function currently exists. Kisspeptin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that stimulates endogenous GnRH release. Thus, we investigated whether kisspeptin could be used to interrogate hypothalamic function in men with HH.<p class="abs...

Background: Kisspeptin-54 (KP54) stimulates hypothalamic GnRH release. The kisspeptin analogue, MVT-602, has a longer half-life (t1/2108min) than KP54 (t1/228mins). MVT-602 potently stimulates gonadotrophin release in men. We sought to determine for the first time the effect of MVT-602 on gonadotrophin release in healthy women.Methods: A two-phase dose-finding study was carried out in 9 healthy women, 18–35 yrs with regular men...

Background: Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism is characterised by hypogonadism in the context of low/inappropriately normal gonadotrophin levels. Congenital Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism (CHH) occurs due to disrupted GnRH neuronal migration, or impaired hypothalamic GnRH secretion or action. However, no direct test of hypothalamic GnRH neuronal function currently exists. Kisspeptin-54 is a neuropeptide that stimulates endogenous hypothalamic GnRH release. Thus, we investigated w...

Introduction: Opioid system activity was found disturbed in several reward circuit areas in restrictive anorexia nervosa (AN) patients but also surprisingly at the pituitary level. However, the potential role of this specific abnormality of pituitary in AN physiopathology remains unclear or unknown.Objectives: The first aim was to find the exact pituitary location (posterior and/or anterior) of this disturbed opioid activity and then to study the link be...