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Anna C Simcocks Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, St Albans campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Kayte A Jenkin Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, St Albans campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia

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Lannie O’Keefe Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, St Albans campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Chrishan S Samuel Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

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Michael L Mathai Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, St Albans campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Andrew J McAinch Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, St Albans campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Deanne H Hryciw Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, St Albans campus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
School of Environment and Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia

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Atypical cannabinoid compounds O-1602 and O-1918 are ligands for the putative cannabinoid receptors G protein-coupled receptor 55 and G protein-coupled receptor 18. The role of O-1602 and O-1918 in attenuating obesity and obesity-related pathologies is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role that either compound had on body weight and body composition, renal and hepatic function in diet-induced obesity. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet (40% digestible energy from lipids) or a standard chow diet for 10 weeks. In a separate cohort, male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet for 9 weeks and then injected daily with 5 mg/kg O-1602, 1 mg/kg O-1918 or vehicle (0.9% saline/0.75% Tween 80) for a further 6 weeks. Our data demonstrated that high-fat feeding upregulates whole kidney G protein receptor 55 expression. In diet-induced obesity, we also demonstrated O-1602 reduces body weight, body fat and improves albuminuria. Despite this, treatment with O-1602 resulted in gross morphological changes in the liver and kidney. Treatment with O-1918 improved albuminuria, but did not alter body weight or fat composition. In addition, treatment with O-1918 also upregulated circulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1α, IL-2, IL-17α, IL-18 and RANTES as well as plasma AST. Thus O-1602 and O-1918 appear not to be suitable treatments for obesity and related comorbidities, due to their effects on organ morphology and pro-inflammatory signaling in obesity.

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Theodoros Karampitsakos Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ATTIKON University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Fotini Kanouta Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ALEXANDRA University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Christos Chatzakis Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IPPOKRATEIO General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristotle, University of Thessaloniki, Athens, Greece

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Vassilios Bakoulas Athens, Greece

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Alexandros Gryparis Department of Speech and Language Therapy, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Petros Drakakis Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ATTIKON University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Djuro Macut Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Diseases of Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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George Mastorakos Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Introduction

To investigate whether synthetic (s) glucocorticoids (GCs) administered between the 24th and the 34th gestational weeks in pre-term labor might precipitate labor, studies on sGCs administration were reviewed. The physiology of endogenous glucocorticoid-related increase in fetal–maternal circulation and its association with labor, followed by a scoping review of studies on exogenous sGCs administered for fetal lung maturation and the timing of labor, were included.

Materials and methods

The methodology of systematic reviews was followed. MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched until October 2023, for original studies investigating the administration of sGCs in pregnancies risking pre-term labor. Duplicates were removed, and 1867 abstracts were excluded as irrelevant. Six controlled and four non-controlled studies were included. The index group consisted of 6001 subjects and 7691 controls in the former, while in the latter, the index group consisted of 2069 subjects.

Results

In three out of the six controlled studies, gestational age at labor was significantly lower in sGC-treated women than in controls, while in three studies, gestational age at labor was lower in sGC-treated women than in controls, with a trend toward statistical significance. In one study, gestational age at labor was significantly lower in controls than in sGC-treated women. In the non-controlled studies, the majority of women delivered less than 1 week from the day of sGC administration.

Conclusions

In this scoping review, studies lack homogeneity. However, in the controlled studies, a pattern of earlier labor emerges among sGC-treated pregnant women. The use of multiple courses of antenatal sGCs appears to be associated with precipitated labor. Their use should be carefully weighed. Carefully designed trials should examine this ongoing scientific query.

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Nese Cinar Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey

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Alper Gurlek Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey

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Adipose tissue secretes a variety of active biological substances, called adipocytokines, that act in an autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine manner. They have roles in appetite control, thermogenesis, and thyroid and reproductive functions. All these molecules may lead to local and generalized inflammation, mediating obesity-associated vascular disorders including hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and insulin resistance. Thyroid dysfunction is associated with changes in body weight, thermogenesis, and energy expenditure. The connections between cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and thyroid dysfunction have been reported in several studies. The adipocytokines serve as causative or protective factors in the development of these disorders in the states of thyroid dysfunction. Abnormal levels of adipocytokines (adiponectin (ADP), leptin, resistin, vaspin, and visfatin) in hypo- and hyperthyroidism have been reported with controversial results. This review aims to update the implication of novel adipokines ADP, vaspin, and visfatin in thyroid dysfunction.

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Amir H Zamanipoor Najafabadi Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Centre for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
Department of Neurosurgery, University Neurosurgical Centre Holland (UNCH), Leiden University Medical Centre, Haaglanden Medical Centre and Haga Teaching Hospitals, Leiden and The Hague, The Netherlands

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Merel van der Meulen Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Centre for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

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Ana Luisa Priego Zurita Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Centre for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

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S Faisal Ahmed Chair of Work Package of E-Health & ICT of Endo-ERN, Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow and Office for Rare Conditions, Royal Hospital for Children & Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK

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Wouter R van Furth Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

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Evangelia Charmandari Pediatric Chair Main Thematic Group 6 Pituitary of Endo-ERN, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, ‘Aghia Sophia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece

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Olaf Hiort Pediatric Chair and Deputy Coordinator of Endo-ERN, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany

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Alberto M Pereira Adult Chair and Coordinator of Endo-ERN, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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Mehul Dattani London Centre for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital and University College London Hospitals, London, UK

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Diana Vitali SOD ITALIA (Italian Organization for Septo Optic Dysplasia and other Neuroendocrine Disorders), European Patient Advocacy Group, Rome, Italy

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Johan P de Graaf Dutch Pituitary Foundation, European Patient Advocacy Group, Nijkerk, The Netherlands

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Nienke R Biermasz Adult Chair Main Thematic Group 6 Pituitary of Endo-ERN, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Centre for Endocrine Tumors, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

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Objective

The European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo-ERN) aims to organize high-quality healthcare throughout Europe, including care for pituitary adenoma patients. As surgery is the mainstay of treatment, we aimed to describe the current surgical practice and published surgical outcomes of pituitary adenoma within Endo-ERN.

Design and Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting surgical outcomes of pituitary adenoma patients within Endo-ERN MTG6 pituitary reference centers between 2010 and 2019. A survey was completed by reference centers on their current surgical practice.

Results

A total of 18 out of 43 (42%) reference centers located in 7 of the 20 (35%) MTG6-represented countries published 48 articles. Remission rates were 50% (95% CI: 42–59) for patients with acromegaly, 68% (95% CI: 60–75) for Cushing’s disease, and 53% (95% CI: 39–66%) for prolactinoma. Gross total resection was achieved in 49% (95% CI: 37–61%) of patients and visual improvement in 78% (95% CI: 68–87). Mortality, hemorrhage, and carotid injury occurred in less than 1% of patients. New-onset hypopituitarism occurred in 16% (95% CI: 11–23), transient diabetes insipidus in 12% (95% CI: 6–21), permanent diabetes insipidus in 4% (95% CI: 3–6), syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) in 9% (95% CI: 5–14), severe epistaxis in 2% (95% CI: 0–4), and cerebrospinal fluid leak in 4% (95% CI: 2–6). Thirty-five (81%) centers completed the survey: 54% were operated endoscopically and 57% were together with an ENT surgeon.

Conclusion

The results of this study could be used as a first benchmark for the outcomes of pituitary adenoma surgery within Endo-ERN. However, the heterogeneity between studies in the reporting of outcomes hampers comparability and warrants outcome collection through registries.

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Yusaku Mori Division of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

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Hiroyuki Shimizu Division of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
Maebashi Hirosegawa Clinic, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan

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Hideki Kushima Division of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

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Tomomi Saito Division of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

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Munenori Hiromura Division of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

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Michishige Terasaki Division of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

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Masakazu Koshibu Division of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

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Hirokazu Ohtaki Department of Anatomy, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

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Tsutomu Hirano Division of Diabetes, Metabolism, and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

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Nesfatin-1 is a novel anorexic peptide hormone that also exerts cardiovascular protective effects in rodent models. However, nesfatin-1 treatment at high doses also exerts vasopressor effects, which potentially limits its therapeutic application. Here, we evaluated the vasoprotective and vasopressor effects of nesfatin-1 at different doses in mouse models. Wild-type mice and those with the transgene nucleobindin-2, a precursor of nesfatin-1, were employed. Wild-type mice were randomly assigned to treatment with vehicle or nesfatin-1 at 0.2, 2.0 or 10 μg/kg/day (Nes-0.2, Nes-2, Nes-10, respectively). Subsequently, mice underwent femoral artery wire injury to induce arterial remodeling. After 4 weeks, injured arteries were collected for morphometric analysis. Compared with vehicle, nesfatin-1 treatments at 2.0 and 10 μg/kg/day decreased body weights and elevated plasma nesfatin-1 levels with no changes in systolic blood pressure. Furthermore, these treatments reduced neointimal hyperplasia without inducing undesirable remodeling in injured arteries. However, nesfatin-1 treatment at 0.2 μg/kg/day was insufficient to elevate plasma nesfatin-1 levels and showed no vascular effects. In nucleobindin-2-transgenic mice, blood pressure was slightly higher but neointimal area was lower than those observed in littermate controls. In cultured human vascular endothelial cells, nesfatin-1 concentration-dependently increased nitric oxide production. Additionally, nesfatin-1 increased AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, which was abolished by inhibiting liver kinase B1. We thus demonstrated that nesfatin-1 treatment at appropriate doses suppressed arterial remodeling without affecting blood pressure. Our findings indicate that nesfatin-1 can be a therapeutic target for improved treatment of peripheral artery disease.

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Rachel D C A Diniz
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Renata M Souza
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Roberto Salvatori Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Hepatology, Division of Radiology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil

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Alex Franca Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Hepatology, Division of Radiology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil

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Elenilde Gomes-Santos
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Thiago O Ferrão Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Hepatology, Division of Radiology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Brazil

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Carla R P Oliveira
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João A M Santana
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Francisco A Pereira
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Rita A A Barbosa
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Anita H O Souza
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Rossana M C Pereira
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Alécia A Oliveira-Santos
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Allysson M P Silva
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Francisco J Santana-Júnior
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Eugênia H O Valença
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Viviane C Campos
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Manuel H Aguiar-Oliveira
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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known to be associated with insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and low serum IGF1 levels. We have described a large cohort of patients with isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) due to the c.57+1G→A mutation in the GHRH receptor gene. These subjects have increased insulin sensitivity (IS), delayed atherosclerosis, and normal longevity. We hypothesized that, despite visceral obesity, NAFLD would be absent or mild due to the increased IS. To assess the prevalence and severity of NAFLD in adult subjects with lifetime, congenital, untreated IGHD, we studied 22 IGHD adults and 25 controls (COs) matched for age and sex. NAFLD was assessed by a comprehensive liver function panel, and ultrasonographic pattern (hyperechogenic pattern, HP) coded as follows: 0, absent; 1, mild; 2, moderate; and 3, severe. Compared with COs, IGHD individual had lower serum IGF1 (P<0.0001), higher total cholesterol (P=0.027), lower prothrombin time (P=0.017), and similar activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen values. Alanine transaminase (ALT) values were similar in the two groups, but aspartate transaminase was higher in IGHD (P=0.013). However, more IGHD subjects (7/22) than COs (3/23) had ALT above the upper limit of normal (P=0.044). The prevalence of NAFLD was higher in IGHD than COs (61 vs 29%, P=0.032), and the HP score was higher in IGHD than COs (P=0.041), but severe NAFLD was not observed in any IGHD (or CO) individual. Liver HP score is increased in lifetime, untreated, congenital IGHD, but the increase in transaminases is mild, suggesting a lack of advanced forms of NAFLD.

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Michaela Keuper Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

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The crosstalk between macrophages (MΦ) and adipocytes within white adipose tissue (WAT) influences obesity-associated insulin resistance and other associated metabolic disorders, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. MΦ infiltration is increased in WAT during obesity, which is linked to decreased mitochondrial content and activity. The mechanistic interplay between MΦ and mitochondrial function of adipocytes is under intense investigation, as MΦ and inflammatory pathways exhibit a pivotal role in the reprogramming of WAT metabolism in physiological responses during cold, fasting and exercise. Thus, the underlying immunometabolic pathways may offer therapeutic targets to correct obesity and metabolic disease. Here, I review the current knowledge on the quantity and the quality of human adipose tissue macrophages (ATMΦ) and their impact on the bioenergetics of human adipocytes. The effects of ATMΦ and their secreted factors on mitochondrial function of white adipocytes are discussed, including recent research on MΦ as part of an immune signaling cascade involved in the ‘browning’ of WAT, which is defined as the conversion from white, energy-storing adipocytes into brown, energy-dissipating adipocytes.

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Angelo Maria Patti Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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Kalliopi Pafili Diabetes Centre, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece

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Nikolaos Papanas Diabetes Centre, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece

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Manfredi Rizzo Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

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Hormonal changes during pregnancy can trigger gestational diabetes (GDM), which is constantly increasing. Its main characteristic is pronounced insulin resistance, but it appears to be a multifactorial process involving several metabolic factors; taken together, the latter leads to silent or clinically evident cardiovascular (CV) events. Insulin resistance and central adiposity are of crucial importance in the development of metabolic syndrome, and they appear to correlate with CV risk factors, including hypertension and atherogenic dyslipidaemia. Hypertensive disease of pregnancy (HDP) is more likely to be an accompanying co-morbidity in pregnancies complicated with GDM. There is still inconsistent evidence as to whether or not co-existent GDM and HDP have a synergistic effects on postpartum risk of cardiometabolic disease; however, this synergism is becoming more accepted since both these conditions may promote endothelial inflammation and early atherosclerosis. Regardless of the presence or absence of the synergism between GDM and HDP, these conditions need to be dealt early enough, in order to reduce CV morbidity and to improve health outcomes for both women and their offspring.

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Henrik H Thomsen Medical Research Laboratories, Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

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Holger J Møller Medical Research Laboratories, Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

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Christian Trolle Medical Research Laboratories, Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

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Kristian A Groth Medical Research Laboratories, Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

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Anne Skakkebæk Medical Research Laboratories, Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

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Anders Bojesen Medical Research Laboratories, Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

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Christian Høst Medical Research Laboratories, Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

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Claus H Gravholt Medical Research Laboratories, Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Medical Research Laboratories, Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Genetics, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

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Soluble CD163 (sCD163) is a novel marker linked to states of low-grade inflammation such as diabetes, obesity, liver disease, and atherosclerosis, all prevalent in subjects with Turner syndrome (TS) and Klinefelter syndrome (KS). We aimed to assess the levels of sCD163 and the regulation of sCD163 in regards to treatment with sex hormone therapy in males with and without KS and females with and without TS. Males with KS (n=70) and age-matched controls (n=71) participating in a cross-sectional study and 12 healthy males from an experimental hypogonadism study. Females with TS (n=8) and healthy age-matched controls (n=8) participating in a randomized crossover trial. The intervention comprised of treatment with sex steroids. Males with KS had higher levels of sCD163 compared with controls (1.75 (0.47–6.90) and 1.36 (0.77–3.11) respectively, P<0.001) and the levels correlated to plasma testosterone (r=−0.31, P<0.01), BMI (r=0.42, P<0.001), and homeostasis model of assessment insulin resistance (r=0.46, P<0.001). Treatment with testosterone did not significantly lower sCD163. Females with TS not receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) had higher levels of sCD163 than those of their age-matched healthy controls (1.38±0.44 vs 0.91±0.40, P=0.04). HRT and oral contraceptive therapy decreased sCD163 in TS by 22% (1.07±0.30) and in controls by 39% (0.55±0.36), with significance in both groups (P=0.01 and P=0.04). We conclude that levels of sCD163 correlate with endogenous testosterone in KS and are higher in KS subjects compared with controls, but treatment did not significantly lower levels. Both endogenous and exogenous estradiol in TS was associated with lower levels of sCD163.

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Yee-Ming M Cheung Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Northwell, Great Neck, New York, USA

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Rudolf Hoermann Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Karen Van Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Damian Wu Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Jenny Healy Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Bella Halim Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Manjri Raval Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Maria McGill Department of Radiology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Ali Al-Fiadh Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
Department of Cardiology, Austin Health, Melbourne Australia

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Michael Chao Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research and Wellness Centre, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Shane White Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research and Wellness Centre, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Belinda Yeo Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research and Wellness Centre, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Jeffrey D Zajac Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Mathis Grossmann Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia

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Purpose

We previously demonstrated that 12 months of aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment was not associated with a difference in body composition or other markers of cardiometabolic health when compared to controls. Here we report on the pre-planned extension of the study. The pre-specified primary hypothesis was that AI therapy for 24 months would lead to increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area when compared to controls.

Methods

We completed a 12-month extension to our prospective 12-month cohort study of 52 women commencing AI treatment (median age 64.5 years) and 52 women with breast pathology not requiring endocrine therapy (63.5 years). Our primary outcome of interest was VAT area. Secondary and exploratory outcomes included other measures of body composition, hepatic steatosis, measures of atherosclerosis and vascular reactivity. Using mixed models and the addition of a fourth time point, we increased the number of study observations by 79 and were able to rigorously determine the treatment effect.

Results

Among study completers (AI = 39, controls = 40), VAT area was comparable between groups over 24 months, the mean-adjusted difference was −1.54 cm2 (95% CI: −14.9; 11.9, P = 0.79). Both groups demonstrated parallel and continuous increases in VAT area over the observation period that did not diverge or change between groups. No statistically significant difference in our secondary and exploratory outcomes was observed between groups.

Conclusions

While these findings provide reassurance that short-to-medium-term exposure to AI therapy is not associated with metabolically adverse changes when compared to controls, risk evolution should be less focussed on the AI-associated effect and more on the general development of cardiovascular risk over time.

Open access