Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Pubertal sex steroids are indispensable for peak bone mass acquisition as well as skeletal sexual dimorphism. In males, both androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) are required for optimal periosteal cortical bone expansion, while estrogens limit bone size in females. In early puberty, estrogens directly stimulate longitudinal growth via ERα in cartilage, but also indirectly via growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF...

The existence of the principle of hypothalamic hypophysiotropic factors, predicted so prophetically by G W Harris in the 1940’s, has been confirmed by irrefutable evidence. This principle is central to the survival of complex organisms as both individuals and species. Life exists through maintenance of a complex dynamic equilibrium, or homeostasis, that is constantly challenged by intrinsic or extrinsic adverse forces, or stressors. Thus, stress is defined as a state of t...

Introduction: The long-term mountain cycling effects on cognitive development for better performance, are still not fully elucidated. Notwithstanding, this type of exercise may induce a link with energy metabolism and sympathetic nervous system. We previously observed that a mountain cycling ultramarathon, induced a comodulatory influence of genetic- and exercise-associated factors on inflammatory and haemoglobin catabolic marker haptoglobin. We hypothesised that inflammatory ...

Protein stimulates insulin release and improves post-prandial glycaemic excursions. The underlying mechanism has previously been attributed to gastric emptying, incretin release and direct pancreatic stimulation. However, our studies suggest the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) in the vagus nerve plays an important role. The CaSR has a well characterised role in calcium homeostasis, but also acts as a protein metabolite sensor. In response to the amino acid products of protein ...

Introduction: Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a group of monogenic, autosomal, dominant diseases characterized by a single genetic mutation that results in beta-cells disfunction with consequent hyperglycemia. It Accounts for 1-5% of all cases of diabetes. At the moment, optimal treatment has not been established and it relies on the individual response. A mutation of NEUROD1 gene, a transcription factor expressed by pancreatic and nervous tissues, has been foun...

We present a case of a 73 year old female with recurrent non-functioning adenoma and co-existent mantle cell lymphoma within the pituitary fossa. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is rare comprising around 6% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnoses. It infrequently involves the central nervous system, with only one published case of involvement of the pituitary gland. Our patient initially presented in April 2003 with marked visual loss due to a large non-functioning cystic pituitary macro...

Although ‘simple’ nutritional obesity is increasingly prevalent in the population some other types, such as those secondary to underlying medical conditions, remain relatively rare. These childhood disorders associated with obesity (such as hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, hypothalamic obesity, leptin deficiency, Prader-Willi Syndrome and melanocortin-4 receptor mutations) will be reviewed and consideration given to which patients should be investigated for t...

My research focuses on the long-term consequences of pituitary diseases, and on the effects of stress hormones on the central nervous system (CNS) in specific. This has elucidated long-term effects of hormone excess on the CNS, as well as on other organs that affect stress-resilience, and consequently, general well-being and quality of life. This profoundly affects our understanding of the biological effects of stress hormone excess on the CNS, and on the care for patients wit...

Introduction: Low-grade pituitary gliomas are extremely rare neoplasms, originating from the pituicytes of the posterior pituitary or infundibulum. The incidence of these tumors increases with age and peaks in the seventh decade of life. Gliomas are primary brain tumors of the supporting glial cells of the central nervous system, which derive from neuroglial stem cells or progenitor cells. They are responsible for nearly 30% of all primary brain tumors and 80% of all malignant...

Background: Many questions concerning Turner Syndrome (TS) remain unresolved, such as the long-term complications and, therefore, the optimal care setting for adults. Most controversials regard tumors. Very few data are available on thyroid carcinoma and no specific screening protocol of monitoring is advised in the current official guidelines. This long-term cohort study was primarily aimed at estimating the incidence and time to comorbid conditions along the life course, inc...