Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ENDOCRINOLOGY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Endocrinologic regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinsonism-dementia on Guam.

Studies of the endocrinologic control of carbohydrate metabolism were conducted in Guamanians with parkinsonism-dementia (PD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and in Guamanian control patients who had various other neuromuscular disorders. Intravenously infused arginine tended to produce a more prolonged elevation in serum glucose levels in PD and ALS patients than in control subjects. On the other hand, the serum insulin response to arginine was significantly less in both PD and ALS patients than in controls. Arginine stimulated the release of growth hormone to a similar degree in all three patient groups. These observations support and extend previous reports of endocrinologic abnormalities in parkinsonism and ALS and might suggest that a defect in pancreatic islet cell function attends these disorders.

Adult↗

Growth and endocrinological disorders up to 21 years after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate endocrinological status 10-21 years after treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with chemotherapy (C) and cranial irradiation (C + I) or only C, and to correlate the endocrine data with growth parameters. PROCEDURE: Of 30 patients (15 females and 15 males), 18 were treated with C + I and 12 were treated with C only. Height standard deviation score (HSDS) and body mass index standard deviation score (BMISDS) before treatment, at end of treatment, and at follow-up were calculated from height and weight registered from the charts. At follow-up examinations, provocative growth hormone (GH) tests (clonidine and insulin tolerance test) and an ACTH test were performed. Furthermore, blood samples for hormonal analysis, IGF-I, IGFBP-3, GHBP, and leptin were drawn. RESULTS: Eleven patients (9 treated with C + I and 2 treated with C) showed insufficient response to GH tests. Two patients had hypogonadism. HSDS and IGF-I were significantly lower and GHBP significantly higher in GH-deficient patients compared to the group with normal GH secretion at follow-up. BMISDS steadily increased from start of treatment until follow-up, independent of GH status at follow-up. BMISDS at follow-up was positively correlated with serum leptin (P < 0.001), and serum leptin was significantly higher in the cranial irradiated group as compared to the nonirradiated group. CONCLUSIONS: GH deficiency is frequently found at long-term follow-up in patients treated for childhood ALL. Other hormonal deficiencies are rare. HSDS at long-term follow-up is dependent on GH secretory status. Long-term endocrinological follow-up examinations in patients treated for childhood ALL are recommended, as hormonal replacement therapy may be indicated.

Adolescent↗

Endocrinological and biophysical responses to further reduction in oxygenation following sustained hypoxemia in fetal goats.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine fetal endocrinological and biophysical responses to the further reduction in oxygenation following prolonged nonacidemic hypoxemia in fetal goats. METHODS: Seven further hypoxic experiments were performed after prolonged (24-h) nonacidemic hypoxemia, caused by an infusion of nitrogen into the maternal trachea and by reducing uterine arterial blood flow in four chronically instrumented goat fetuses at 123-131 days' gestation. We measured arginine vasopressin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, and catecholamines as endocrinological parameters. Fetal heart rate, fetal blood pressure, and fetal breathing movement were observed as biophysical parameters. RESULTS: Fetal arterial pO2 was significantly decreased from 27.0 +/- 1.2 mmHg (control) to 18.0 +/- 0.7 mmHg and 11.3 +/- 1.3 mmHg at the end of the prolonged hypoxemia and the further hypoxia, respectively. The further hypoxia induced reductions in fetal heart rate, increases in fetal blood pressure, and a series of gasping. Arginine vasopressin and catecholamines were elevated significantly by the further hypoxia. Although adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol were increasingly elevated, they did not reach a significant level. CONCLUSIONS: Some specific fetal responses-excessive elevations of fetal catecholamines, arginine vasopressin, accompanied with fetal gasping-were observed during further severe hypoxia.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Major contributions of comparative endocrinology to the development and exploitation of the incretin concept.

An incretin is a factor released by the gut in response to nutrients that facilitates uptake of glucose by peripheral tissues. The incretin concept predates the discovery of insulin but it is now clear that incretins act by stimulating secretion of this hormone. As glucagon has insulin-releasing activity, it was speculated that intestinal glucagon-like immunoreactivity (enteroglucagon) was involved in the incretin effect but it was an achievement in the field of comparative endocrinology that led to the demonstration that the preproglucagon gene encodes the most potent incretin in the human. Characterization of cloned cDNAs encoding two preproglucagons from the Brockmann body of the anglerfish Lophius americanus demonstrated that the glucagon sequence is flanked by a 34 amino-acid-residue sequence with appreciable structural similarity to glucagon that was termed glucagon-like peptide (GLP). A 36 amino-acid-residue ortholog of anglerfish GLP was subsequently identified in human preproglucagon but this peptide had only weak insulin-releasing activity. However, alignment of GLP sequences from human and teleost fish showed that the human ortholog is extended from its N-terminus by a hexapeptide. Removal of this extension by an endogenous protease generates GLP-1-(7-36)amide, the potent and effective form of the incretin. More recently, comparative endocrinology has contributed to the exploitation of incretins as antidiabetic drugs. Exendin-4, a GLP-1 receptor agonist first isolated from the venom of the Gila monster Heloderma suspectum, is a clinically valuable, long-acting incretin and the skins of several species of frogs synthesize potent insulin-releasing peptides with therapeutic potential.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Endocrinological differentiation of primary hypothalamic and pituitary disease.

The paper reviews approaches that can be applied to separating the endocrinological central nervous system (CNS) from pituitary components of neuroendocrine disorders. Major reasons which hamper the differentiation of primary hypothalamic from pituitary diseases are considered. Finally, future strategies suitable for a better accomplishment of this task are mentioned. Theoretically, the combined application of CNS-active compounds and hypothalamic regulatory hormones (RHs) should unravel the hypothalamic or pituitary etiology of the disorder. Until now, the most useful diagnostic application of RHs deals with their use in disease states due to isolated or multiple RH deficiency. Thus, the recent isolation of GRF molecules from human pancreatic tumors holds promise of a better functional characterization of GH deficiency states. The differentiation of the hypothalamic or pituitary origin of the disease in states of pituitary hyperfunction, e.g., acromegaly, or prolactinomas, is influenced by factors such as the development or expression of aberrant pituitary receptors for neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, the persistence of the responsiveness of tumorous pituitary cells to the respective RH, the disrupting effect of the excessively produced pituitary or target gland hormone on hypothalamic function. Future strategies of research in this area may include: 1. the development of sensitive and specific assays for RHs, e.g., GRF, CRF, etc. and RH determinations in biological fluids; 2. the search for non-hypophysiotropic peptides in the cerebrospinal fluid and their evaluation after appropriate stimulation; 3. better functional and clinical characterization of ectopic hormone-producing syndromes, or of psychiatric disorders mimicking neuroendocrine abnormalities from an endocrinological viewpoint (e.g., primary affective disorders v. Cushing's disease; 4. use of neuroactive compounds probing selective aspects of neurotransmitter function and, finally, 5. long-term follow-up studies after adenomectomy.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Neonatal endocrinology.

Neonatal endocrinology is a diverse topic. Several chapters could be devoted to the endocrinology of fetal transition alone. The next several pages contain a brief overview of some pertinent illnesses. It is intended not to give an absolute map in the care of these patients but to help guide the physician in tailoring an approach for each patient based on current theories and practice parameters. It could also aid in improving the physician's understanding of screening laboratories used to identify those infants at risk of preventable, treatable and potentially disastrous diseases (i.e. congenial hypothyroidism). These metabolic screens are discussed due to their efficacy in the United States. In our experience, depending on the prevalence of a specific disease a few simple procedures allow for an efficient and economic way to reach ill children in a timely fashion. Other topics included in this article were reported based on their common occurrence, the lethality of illnesses if undiagnosed or their unique treatment. In the neonate hypoglycemia, either iatrogenic or secondary to sepsis, a congenital disorder of neisidioblastosis can have severe implications on the development of the CNS if not promptly treated and prevented. Some of these disorders require an experienced endocrinologist or neonatologist to treat and supervise conscientiously (i.e. CAH). However, as most of us know, it is sometimes hard to find such an individual in a community based practice. Therefore, it becomes of paramount value that each of us pays attention to the treatment of these illnesses for the sake of the children we care for.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

The endocrinology of adrenal tuberculosis: the effects of tuberculosis on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and adrenocortical function.

Tuberculosis may affect many of the endocrine glands including the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and adrenals. The most commonly involved endocrine organ in tuberculosis is the adrenal gland. Adrenal glands may be directly or indirectly affected by tuberculosis. Tuberculous Addison's disease is still an important cause of primary adrenocortical insufficiency particularly in the developing countries. Recent improvements in imaging techniques and modern endocrinological tests for the investigation of adrenal function have given us greater insight into the endocrinology of adrenal tuberculosis. Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is also involved in tuberculosis and recent findings revealed that HPA axis is activated rather than underactivated in active pulmonary tuberculosis. Activated HPA axis in tuberculosis causes increased cortisol secretion which results in a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance towards Th2. T cell dysfunction due to high cortisol and low DHEAS levels may be responsible for immunologically-mediated tissue damage in tuberculosis. In this review, recent findings concerning the adrenocortical function, radiological changes in adrenal glands and HPA axis involvement in tuberculosis are discussed.

Addison Disease↗

[Hemodynamic, endocrinological and psychological investigations on subjects during helicopter flights].

PURPOSE: The emergency transport in an ambulance can be a considerable physical and psychological stress for the patient. In this article we report on a stress test with 23 volunteers transported in an emergency helicopter. METHODS: We determined the hemodynamic and endocrinological values of 23 volunteers after a standardised 15-minute transportation in a helicopter type EC 135. RESULTS: During the take-off we registered an increase of the heart rate of 18% and endocrinological parameters were elevated up to 51%. All the registered values were within the physiological tolerance level. Psychological tests showed a feeling of fear and agitation before take-off, but after the flight the volunteers reported less stress than expected. CONCLUSION: The stress situation is caused by fear of the flight, that cannot be objectively justified. The relatively low stress induction by helicopter transportation might be an indication that there should be more patient transport with modern helicopters, especially for non-trauma patients. This subject deserves further investigation.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Endocrinological profile of oligomenorrheic strenuously exercising adolescents.

The endocrinological profile of 20 strenuously exercising oligomenorrheic adolescents divided into 2 groups (groups A and B), was correlated with that of 10 athletes (group C) with normal menstrual cycles and without strenuous exercise. Group A LH serum baseline values were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of group C (P less than 0.001). FSH/LH basic values were 1.9- and 2.9-times higher in group A athletes than those of group B or C (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.001, respectively). 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and prolactin serum levels were found lower in group A and B athletes than those of group C (P less than 0.01-0.05). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and delta 4 androstenedione serum levels were found lower in group A athletes than those of group C (P less than 0.001). The low LH and E2 values indicate the anovulatory status of group A and B cases which were also confirmed by ultrasound. It is concluded that no severe endocrinological changes exist in strenuously exercising oligomenorrheic athletes in relation to menarche.

Adolescent↗

An evaluation of the copulatory, endocrinologic, and spermatotoxic effects of carbon disulfide in the rat.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the endocrinologic and spermatogenic effects of carbon disulfide (CS2) exposure in the rat. Adult, male rats were exposed to either 600 ppm CS2 or filtered air for 6 hr/day for 5 days/week for 10 weeks. One week prior to exposure and then at Weeks 1, 4, 7, and 10, males were placed with ovariectomized, hormonally primed females, and copulatory behaviors were scored. Fifteen minutes postcopulation, the female was killed and the ejaculate was recovered from the excised uterine tract along with the semen plug. Sperm counts, sperm motility, and morphology were determined. A blood sample was obtained for analyses of testosterone, follicle-stimulating (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). At the end of the 10th week, five animals in each group were challenged with either human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG, 50 IU/animal, iv) or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, 100 ng/animal, iv), and the testosterone or gonadotropin responses were monitored over time. Animals were subsequently killed with one epididymis and testis processed for histology and a sperm count determined from the other epididymis. Analysis revealed that CS2 exposure produced significant alterations in copulatory behavior and a decrease in ejaculated sperm counts by the fourth and seventh weeks of exposure, respectively. No endocrinologic alterations were observed. Moreover, caudal epididymal sperm counts were not depressed and the testes appeared histologically normal. These data suggest that CS2 does not exert a direct effect on the testes, but rather may interfere with the processes regulating sperm transport and ejaculation.

Animals↗

Can combined DES and LHRH depot therapy (ICI 118630) prevent endocrinologic and clinical flare-up in metastatic prostate cancer?

Medical castration obtained with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues in patients with prostate cancer is now well established. To block the initial stimulation of testosterone production and prevent the risk of the so-called flare-up with this medication, we investigated short-term combination therapy with 1 mg of diethylstilbestrol (DES). Fourteen previously untreated patients with histologically proved metastatic prostatic carcinoma were treated with 1 mg DES po daily one week prior to the initiation of therapy with LHRH analogues depot injection of Zoladex (ICI 116630) and continued during four weeks after the first depot injection. LHRH depot form was maintained as long as patients experienced clinical benefit. Endocrinologic results show that in spite of 1 mg of DES a significant increase of testosterone is still observed in the first week after injection of the LHRH depot form. Hence, this combination is not useful to prevent endocrinologic and clinical flare-up in patients with prostate cancer treated with LHRH analogues.

Aged↗

Changes in follicular endocrinology during final maturation of porcine oocytes.

Thirty-one gilts were ovariectomized between 21 and 34 hr after the onset of estrus to compare changes in follicular endocrinology with stages of oocyte maturation. Oocytes were recovered from 6 to 8 mm follicles and classified by stage of meiosis. Remaining follicular fluid was assayed for steroids and dermatan sulfate. Amounts of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and E2 (PGE2) were measured in intramural tissues. Coincident with germinal vesicle breakdown, the follicular content of all steroids except testosterone decreased (P less than .05). As oocytes approached metaphase II, the amount of progesterone within follicles increased (P less than .05), and estradiol continued to decrease (P less than .05). The pattern of dermatan sulfate content was biphasic and peaked at germinal vesicle breakdown and anaphase stages. Amounts of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 within intramural tissues increased (P less than .05) throughout oocyte maturation. Follicular atresia was evident during estrus; however, more (P less than .05) atretic follicles were recovered at germinal vesicle than metaphase II stages (20 vs 3%, respectively). Follicular development, within a gilt, was skewed (P less than .05) and classification of follicles by hormone content demonstrated that a majority were more mature than a minority of less mature follicles. These data suggest that follicular maturation and oocyte development are highly correlated in swine. Furthermore, partitioning the follicular variability by hour and stage of oocyte maturation allowed for more precise assessment of follicular endocrinology than previously reported.

Androstenedione↗

Preliminary prospective study of the endocrinology of conception cycles and early pregnancy in women with antiphospholipid syndrome treated with low molecular weight heparin.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there were any differences in the endocrinological profiles during conception cycle and early pregnancy between a control group and women with a history of recurrent miscarriage that was caused by antiphospholipid syndrome and that was treated with aspirin and low molecular weight heparin. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a tertiary care centre. PATIENT(S): Five women with recurrent pregnancy loss were recruited as cases, whereas another five women having natural cycle donor insemination were used as control. INTERVENTION(S): Serial measurement of serum beta-hCG, activin A, and inhibin A was performed from postovulatory day 12 until 11 weeks of gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Comparison of levels of beta-hCG, activin A, and inhibin A at the time of conception onwards till 11 weeks in the two groups. RESULT(S): There were no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION(S): There does not appear to be any obvious endocrinological alteration in the conception cycle of women with antiphospholipid syndrome compared with a control group. Furthermore, the initiation of heparin does not produce a significant change in activin A and inhibin A levels.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Roles of metabolic and endocrinological alterations in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in renal failure: another form of metabolic syndrome.

Patients with end-stage renal disease have markedly increased risk for death from cardiovascular disease. Renal failure is associated with multiple metabolic and endocrinologic abnormalities, and these alterations are involved in advanced atherosclerosis and high cardiovascular risk. Increased insulin resistance index by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), a simple index of insulin resistance, was an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in nondiabetic patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Renal failure impairs lipoprotein metabolism leading to the atherogenic lipoprotein profile characterized by increased triglyceride-rich remnant lipoproteins such as intermediate-density lipoprotein, an independent factor of increased aortic stiffness. Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the sum of cholesterol of intermediate-density lipoprotein and other apoB-containing lipoproteins, is an independent factor associated with increased arterial thickness and a predictor of cardiovascular death in hemodialysis patients. The risk for cardiovascular death in hemodialysis patients is associated closely with hypertension and malnutrition, but not with obesity. The constellation of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and malnutrition in renal failure suggests the presence of another type of metabolic syndrome promoting cardiovascular disease. In addition, vitamin D deficiency and abnormalities in calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone levels increase the death risk from cardiovascular disease in renal failure. It is expected that treatment of these metabolic and endocrinologic alterations would improve the survival of patients with renal failure.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Current research in amphibians: studies integrating endocrinology, behavior, and neurobiology.

Amphibian behavioral endocrinology has focused on reproductive social behavior and communication in frogs and newts. Androgens and estrogens are critical for the expression of male and female behavior, respectively, and their effects are relatively clear. Corticosteroids have significant modulatory effects on the behavior of both sexes, as does the peptide neuromodulator arginine vasotocin in males, but their effects and interactions with gonadal steroids are often complex and difficult to understand. Recent work has shown that the gonadal hormones and social behavior are mutually reinforcing: engaging in social interactions increases hormone levels just as increasing hormone levels change behavior. The reciprocal interactions of hormones and behavior, as well as the complex interactions among gonadal steroids, adrenal steroids, and peptide hormones have implications for the maintenance and evolution of natural social behavior, and suggest that a deeper understanding of both endocrine mechanisms and social behavior would arise from field studies or other approaches that combine behavioral endocrinology with behavioral ecology.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Endocrinological applications in nuclear medicine.

Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases have played a major role in Central European Nuclear Medicine. Since 1950, endocrinological nuclear medicine has been one of the strengths of this medical discipline. Not only diagnosis but also conservative treatment with thyroid depressants or hormones is performed by the nuclear medicine specialists. Nuclear medicine also takes part in the diagnosis of other endocrine diseases. The respective procedures include imaging of the adrenal gland (cortex and medulla) as well as of the parathyroid glands. Especially in the latter diseases, imaging was improved through Tc-99m sestamibi scintigraphy. Beyond that, the measurement of bone mineral content contributes to the full spectrum of endocrinological nuclear medicine. The development of In-111 octreotide now plays a limited role in the diagnosis of diseases of the pituitary gland.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

Endocrinology in aging.

Aging is a time of reduced adaptability to metabolic perturbation. This is particularly true in endocrinology which, after all, is the science of chemically regulated biologic systems. There is no evidence that equilibrium concentrations of the principal hormones are altered with age. However, the systems utilized to reach those equilibria become progressively taxed, and new equilibria may be achieved reflecting that regulatory problem. Thus, with advancing age there are significant alterations in hormone production, metabolism, and action. Some of these changes may play a role in the pathophysiology of senescence, although the evidence for that is limited. The magnitude of age-related alterations is highly variable and sex dependent. Whereas only subtle changes occur in pituitary dynamics, adrenal gland physiology, and thyroid function, the changes in glucose homeostasis, reproductive function, and calcium metabolism are more apparent. In the elderly, the interpretation of endocrine tests should reflect the nutritional status of the patient and the presence of coexisting illnesses. In this review, we describe the principles of endocrinology in the geriatric population and elaborate on the changes in specific glandular functions with aging. We also define strategies of evaluation and management protocols appropriate for the elderly with suspected endocrine dysfunction.

Aged↗

Studies on the cytogenetic and endocrinologic background of spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether chronic menstrual irregularity with elevated LH levels has a role in spontaneous abortion. DESIGN: In 41 consecutively examined women with spontaneous abortions occurring within 11 complete gestational weeks, fetal chromosomal analyses were performed. The differences of endocrinologic background in relation to the result of fetal chromosomal analyses were investigated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endocrinologic profiles, including menstrual history, basal hormone levels (LH, FSH, and PRL), ovarian morphology on ultrasound, and fetal chromosomal karyotypes. RESULTS: The women with normal fetal karyotypes compared with those with abnormal fetal karyotypes showed higher frequency of menstrual irregularity (47.1% versus 8.3%), elevated basal LH levels (7.42 +/- 5.12 versus 4.41 +/- 1.39 mIU/mL; conversion factor to SI unit, 1.00), and higher frequency of polycystic ovary (41.2% versus 8.3%). CONCLUSION: Elevated LH-polycystic ovary may be involved in the genesis of spontaneous abortions that are not explainable by fetal chromosomal abnormality.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗