Endocrine Abstracts

Constitutive activation of the cAMP pathway by activating TSHR mutation stimulates both thyrocyte proliferation and function. Thus they lead to formation of toxic thyroid nodules (TTNs) and ultimately hyperthyroidism. The in vitro activity of the various TSH-receptor mutation varies from 2–7 fold cAMP increase over the wild type TSH receptor. One previous study invrestigated a possible genotype to phenotype relation in TTNs with somatic TSHR mutation with a negativ...

Objective: Neurotensin is an anorexigenic peptide produced mainly in the N-cells of the ileum; levels are decreased in obese subjects and increase after bariatric surgery. This study is the first to compare the baseline and postoperative levels of neurotensin in patients after gastric bypass, gastric banding, and non-operated controls, respectively, during long-term follow-up.Patients and Methods: Overnight fasting plasma neurotensin levels were measured...

PAPS (3′-phospho-adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate) synthases provide the cofactor PAPS for all human sulfation pathways. The cytoplasmic sulfotransferase SULT2A1 uses PAPS mainly to sulfate the androgen precursor DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Apparent SULT2A1 deficiency is caused by mutations in the gene coding for PAPSS2; suggesting some form of PAPS synthase-sulfotransferase pairing. Knockdown studies within human adrenocortical NCI-295R ce...

PAPS (3′-phospho-adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate) synthases provide the cofactor PAPS for all human sulfation pathways. The cytoplasmic sulfotransferase SULT2A1 uses PAPS mainly to sulfate the androgen precursor DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). Apparent SULT2A1 deficiency is caused by mutations in the gene coding for PAPSS2; suggesting some form of PAPS synthase-sulfotransferase pairing. Knockdown studies within human adrenocortical NCI-295R ce...

Background: It is controversial whether the attenuated increase of circulating cortisol to ACTH stimulation predicts treatment response to corticosteroids in patients with critical illness. We investigated whether ACTH testing predicts treatment response to corticosteroids in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).Methods: We performed a low dose (1 μg) ACTH test on admission in a prospective randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled mu...

Background: Glucocorticoids are frequently prescribed in inflammatory diseases. We investigated the influence of prednisone on classical and novel inflammatory markers in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).Methods: We evaluated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, leukocyte and neutrophil count in a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial which compared prednisone 50 mg for 7 days to placebo in patients ho...

Introduction: The correct differential diagnosis of the disorders related to polyuria–polydipsia syndrome (PPS) is mandatory since inadequate treatment may lead to serious complications. The diagnostic gold standard is the water deprivation test (WDT) with direct or indirect measurement of plasma vasopressin (AVP). But test interpretation is problematic, and direct measurement of AVP is hampered by methodological difficulties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dia...

Introduction: Postoperative diabetes insipidus (DI) remains a common complication after pituitary surgery. AVP measurement might contribute to a straightforward diagnosis, though, its measurement is cumbersome. Copeptin, the stable C-terminal glycopeptide of the AVP prohormone, is a reliable surrogate of AVP.We aimed to elucidate whether copeptin is a helpful marker in the diagnostic approach of postoperative DI.Methods/design: Pro...

Mutations in the gene for 3′-phospho-adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate synthase 2 (PAPSS2) are linked to bone and cartilage mal-formation. More recently, we could identify PAPSS2-mutations as mono-genetic cause for androgen excess in women due to apparent SULT2A1 deficiency, the enzyme responsible for sulfation of the testosterone precursor DHEA that relies on PAPS provision by PAPS synthases. The only human orthologue, PAPSS1, is expressed in the affected tissu...

T3-action is regulated by three iodothyronine deiodinases, which contain selenium in the active site. It is proposed that Se availability regulates thyroid function. OPUS is a European population-based prospective cohort study of post-menopausal women in which we showed thyroid function within the upper normal range is associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and increased non-vertebral fracture risk. Using strict exclusion criteria we defined reference ranges for th...