Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is one of the most serious substance abuse problems. It is generally accepted that nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco smoke alter endocrine function in women, induce changes in female hormonal balance and likely contributes to reported associations of smoking with adverse reproductive outcomes, including menstrual dysfunction, infertility, and earlier menopause. Studies on the effects of smoking and smoking cessation on female sex hormones ...

This work aimed at gathering own data on adrenal response to low-dose Synacthen test, CRH test and about periferal metabolism of cortisol in autoimmune type 1 diabetics with onset in adults. Seventy diabetics were investigated; age 44±10 years (mean±S.D.), age at diagnosis 28.5±10 years, disease duration 15±8 years, BMI 24.5±2.7 kg/cm2, HbA1c 7.2±1.2%. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee. Adrenal reserve was t...

Background: A high percentage of adult smokers try to quit, but most of these attempts fail. The ability to predict the success or failure of smoking cessation efforts will be useful for clinical practice. Stress response is regulated by two primary neuroendocrine systems. Salivary cortisol has been used as a marker for the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and salivary α-amylase as a marker for the sympathetic adrenomedullary system.Method...

The majority of pregnancy steroids originate in the fetal zone of the fetal adrenal (FZ). The data in the literature indicates that placental CRH directly stimulates the FZ. Despite the substantial alterations in the placental CRH production in late pregnancy, the predictivity of CRH for an estimation of term is poor. To sidetrack the expensive determination of unstable CRH, it may be expediential to use the FZ steroids. However, even these substances may not be optimal for pr...

Introduction: 7-hydroxyl DHEA derivatives are labelled as natural anti-glucocorticoid and neuroprotective substances. Their impact on the production of cytokines, their activation of apoptosis, influence on the migration of macrophages to peripheral tissue, their possible effect on angiogenesis, effect on inflammatory mediators (arachidonic acid metabolites) and their role in the mechanism of oxidative stress have been described.Methods: In our study we ...

Melatonin has a key role in circadian timing system. At present, many other functions of melatonin are known. It shows a remarkable functional versatility exhibiting antioxidant (direct free radical scavenging and indirect antioxidant activities), oncostatic, anti-aging, immunomodulatory properties and many other functions. In addition to pineal gland, gastrointestinal tract is the second biggest source of melatonin. Question remains whether changes in endogenous melatonin may...

Context: The interpretation of low-dose ACTH test during endogenous and exogenous hypercortisolemia induced by stress and glucocorticoid therapy in critically ill patients with possible relative adrenal insufficiency.Objective: The hypothesized inhibitory effects of hypercortisolemia on adrenal responsiveness in humans were tested using two model situations in low-dose ACTH testing.Subjects and methods: Nine young healthy women und...

Introduction: Melatonin plays a key role in the circadian timing system. The question remains whether changes in endogenous melatonin may be associated with food intake. Orexin and ghrelin are involved in the regulation of energetic homeostasis. Therefore, we decided to obtain more detailed data on the circadian changes of orexin, ghrelin and melatonin for identification of the changes in these hormones to food intake and day-time, together with glycemic and C-peptide levels.<...

Detailed information on adrenal function in autoimmune Type 1 diabetes with onset in adults is still lacking. This work aimed at gathering own data on adrenal response to low-dose (1 μg) ACTH in blood and saliva.Twenty-three diabetics were investigated; age 44±10 yrs (mean ± S.D.), age at diagnosis 28.5±10 yr, disease duration 15±8 yr, BMI 24.5±2.7 kg/cm2, HbA1c 7.2±1.2%....

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of balding in men. AGA is the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, glucose metabolism disorders and also the risk of benign prostethyperplasia and prostate carcinoma. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and metabolic syndrome are the risk factors of insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes mellitus. The genetic autosomal trait of PCOS initiated a hypothesis about the existence of a male equivalent of PCOS. Prem...