Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Bone turnover is increased in active acromegaly. Despite normalization of bone turnover after treatment, the risk for vertebral fractures remains increased. Gonadal status, but not bone mineral density (BMD) is correlated to vertebral fracture incidence. Trabecular and cortical bone are differentially affected by GH and IGF-1. The trabecular bone score (TBS) is related to bone microarchitecture and provides further information not captured by BMD measurement.<p...

Background: Growth hormone (GH) is known to have stimulatory effects on bone tissue through a complex interaction of GH, IGF-1 and IGFBPs. The gonadal status is also thought to influence bone metabolism. Bone mass in patients with acromegaly reflects the long-time effects of GH excess on bone. However, data on bone status in acromegaly have been conflicting.Objective: The object of the study was to examine the impact of chronic GH excess on bone mass and...

Context: Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) is a protein involved in lipolysis, that is regulated by non-esterified free fatty acids (FFA). GH promotes lipolysis and increases circulating FFA. Hypothesis: GH increases circulating Angptl4 levels by modulating its expression and secretion from fat and muscle. Angptl4 might be of metabolic relevance for the insulin resistance associated with GH/IGF1 excess or deficiency.Objective: To evaluate Angptl4 in ...

Context: Adipose tissue distribution is closely related to metabolic disease risk. GH reduces visceral and total body adipose tissue mass, while inducing whole body insulin resistance.Objective: To assess the role of visceral adipose tissue and derived adipokines for the systemic insulin resistance and lipid metabolism, before and after treatment in acromegaly.Patients: Sixty-six adult patients with active acromegaly diagnosed betw...

Background: Long standing growth hormone (GH) excess causes the skeletal clinical signs of acromegaly with typical changes in bone geometry including increased cortical bone thickness (CBT). However, a high prevalence and incidence of vertebral fractures has been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the course of cortical bone dimensions in the hip by comparing patients with acromegaly and clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) at baseline and one year a...

Many patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) take extra doses of glucocorticoids before or during stressful events, but benefit has not been demonstrated. We aimed to test the effect of an extra dose of glucocorticoids on cardiorespiratory, hormonal and metabolic parameters in response to physical activity in a randomised placebo-controlled, 2-weeks cross-over, clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov NTC01847690). Ten women with Addison’s disease a...