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Gabriella Oliveira Lima Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Alex Luiz Menezes da Silva Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Julianne Elba Cunha Azevedo Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Chirlene Pinheiro Nascimento Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Luana Rodrigues Vieira Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Akira Otake Hamoy Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Luan Oliveira Ferreira Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Verônica Regina Lobato Oliveira Bahia Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Animal Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Nilton Akio Muto Amazon Bioactive Compounds Valorization Center, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Dielly Catrina Favacho Lopes Laboratory of Experimental Neuropathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Moisés Hamoy Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil

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Low plasma levels of vitamin D causes bone mineral change that can precipitate osteopenia and osteoporosis and could aggravate autoimmune diseases, hypertension and diabetes. The demand for vitamin D supplementation becomes necessary; however, the consumption of vitamin D is not without risks, which its toxicity could have potentially serious consequences related to hypervitaminosis D, such as hypercalcemia and cerebral alterations. Thus, the present study describes the electroencephalographic changes caused by supraphysiological doses of vitamin D in the brain electrical dynamics and the electrocardiographic changes. After 4 days of treatment with vitamin D at a dose of 25,000 IU/kg, the serum calcium levels found were increased in comparison with the control group. The electrocorticogram analysis found a reduction in wave activity in the delta, theta, alpha and beta frequency bands. For ECG was observed changes with shortened QT follow-up, which could be related to serum calcium concentration. This study presented important evidence about the cerebral and cardiac alterations caused by high doses of vitamin D, indicating valuable parameters in the screening and decision-making process for diagnosing patients with symptoms suggestive of intoxication.

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Wang-shu Liu Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People’s Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China

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Ling-yan Hua Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People’s Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China

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Su-xiang Zhu Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People’s Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China

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Feng Xu Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People’s Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China

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Xue-qin Wang Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People’s Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China

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Chun-feng Lu Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People’s Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China

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Jian-bin Su Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People’s Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China

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Feng Qi Emergency Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People’s Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China

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Background

The aim of the study was to explore whether plasma stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) levels are associated with the EZSCAN score and its derived indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

From July 2020 to December 2020, a total of 253 patients with T2D were consecutively recruited. Serum SDF-1 levels were measured by sandwich ELISA. EZSCAN test was applied to evaluate the sudomotor function of each patient, and based on the results, EZSCAN score, cardiac autonomic neuropathy risk score (CANRS) and cardiovascular risk score (CVDRS) were calculated by particular algorithms. In addition, other relevant clinical data were also collected.

Results

With increasing tertiles of serum SDF-1 levels, the CANRS and CVDRS significantly increased (both Pfor trend <0.001), while the EZSCAN score significantly decreased (Pfor trend <0.001). Moreover, serum SDF-1 levels were significantly and positively correlated with the CANRS and CVDRS (r = 0.496 and 0.510, respectively, both P  < 0.001), and negatively correlated with the EZSCAN score (r = −0.391, P  < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate linear regression analyses were constructed, and after adjusting for other clinical covariates, serum SDF-1 levels were independently responsible for EZSCAN score (β = −0.273, t = −3.679, P  < 0.001), CANRS (β = 0.334, t = 5.110, P  < 0.001) and CVDRS (β = 0.191, t = 4.983, P  = 0.003).

Conclusions

SDF-1 levels in serum were independently associated with the EZSCAN score and its derived indicators, such as CANRS and CVDRS in patients with T2D.

Open access
Alexandra Kiess Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Heart Center Leipzig, University of Leipzig, Strümpellstraße, Leipzig, Germany
Department of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Section of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum, Jena, Germany

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Jessica Green Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Eaton Road Liverpool, Great Britain

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Anja Willenberg Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, and Molecular Diagnostics (ILM), University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse, Leipzig, Germany

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Uta Ceglarek Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry, and Molecular Diagnostics (ILM), University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse, Leipzig, Germany

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Ingo Dähnert Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Heart Center Leipzig, University of Leipzig, Strümpellstraße, Leipzig, Germany

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Wieland Kiess LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse, Leipzig, Germany
Department of Women and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research (CPL), University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse, Leipzig, Germany

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Mandy Vogel LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse, Leipzig, Germany
Department of Women and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research (CPL), University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse, Leipzig, Germany

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Background and objectives

As part of the LIFE Child study, we previously described the associations between N-terminal-pro-hormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and hs-troponin T (hs-TnT) levels and an individual’s sex, age and pubertal status, as well as with body mass index (BMI) and serum lipid levels. For NT-proBNP, we found inverse associations with advancing puberty, increasing BMI and serum lipid levels. These findings led us to further question the putative influences of the developing individual’s metabolic and growth status as represented by levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF-1-binding protein-3 (IGF-BP3) as well as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and Cystatin C (CysC).

Material and methods

Serum values, medical history and anthropometric data provided by 2522 children aged 0.25–18 years were collected and analyzed as per study protocol.

Results

A strong negative association between NT-proBNP values and IGF-1, IGF-BP3 and HbA1c levels was identified. For IGF-BP3, this interaction was modulated by sex and age, for HbA1c only by age. For hs-TnT, a positive association was found with IGF-BP3, IGF-1 and CysC. The association between hs-TnT and IGF-1 was sex dependent. The association between CysC and hs-TnT was stronger in girls, but the interaction with age was only seen in boys. Between hs-TnT and HbA1c, the association was significantly negative and modulated by age.

Conclusion

Based on our large pediatric cohort, we could identify age- and sex-dependent interactions between the metabolic status represented by IGF-1, IGF-BP3, CysC and HbA1c levels and the cardiac markers NT-proBNP and hs-TnT.

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Veronica Astro Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

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Elisabetta Fiacco Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

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Kelly Johanna Cardona-Londoño Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

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Ilario De Toma Sequentia Biotech SL, Barcelona, Spain

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Hams Saeed Alzahrani Department of Genetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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Jumana Alama Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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Amal Kokandi Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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Taha Abo-Almagd Abdel-Meguid Hamoda Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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Majed Felemban Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Center of Innovation in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

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Antonio Adamo Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

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Objective

The transcriptional landscape of Klinefelter syndromeduring early embryogenesis remains elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of X chromosome overdosage in 47,XXY males induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) obtained from patients with different genomic backgrounds and ethnicities.

Design and method

We derived and characterized 15 iPSC lines from four Saudi 47,XXY KS patients and one Saudi 46,XY male. We performed a comparative transcriptional analysis using the Saudi KS-iPSCs and a cohort of European and North American KS-iPSCs.

Results

We identified a panel of X-linked and autosomal genes commonly dysregulated in Saudi and European/North American KS-iPSCs vs 46,XY controls. Our findings demonstrate that seven PAR1 and nine non-PAR escape genes are consistently dysregulated and mostly display comparable transcriptional levels in both groups. Finally, we focused on genes commonly dysregulated in both iPSC cohorts and identified several gene-ontology categories highly relevant to KS physiopathology, including aberrant cardiac muscle contractility, skeletal muscle defects, abnormal synaptic transmission, and behavioral alterations.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that a transcriptomic signature of X chromosome overdosage in KS is potentially attributable to a subset of X-linked genes sensitive to sex chromosome dosage and escaping X inactivation, regardless of the geographical area of origin, ethnicity, and genetic makeup.

Open access
Sharmin Jahan Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Jun Yang Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia

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Jinbo Hu Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Qifu Li Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China

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Peter J Fuller Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Victoria, Australia

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Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension and is often underdiagnosed. This condition is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in comparison to age and blood pressure matched individuals with essential hypertension (EH). The diagnostic pathway for PA consists of three phases: screening, confirmatory testing, and subtyping. The lack of specificity in the screening step, which relies on the aldosterone to renin ratio, necessitates confirmatory testing. The Endocrine Society’s clinical practice guideline suggests four confirmatory tests, including the fludrocortisone suppression test (FST), saline suppression test (SST), captopril challenge test (CCT), and oral sodium loading test (SLT). There is no universally accepted choice of confirmatory test, with practices varying among centers. The SST and FST are commonly used, but they can be resource-intensive, carry risks such as volume overload or hypokalemia, and are contraindicated in severe/uncontrolled HTN as well as in cardiac and renal impairment. In contrast, CCT is a safe and inexpensive alternative that can be performed in an outpatient setting and can be applied when other tests are contraindicated. Despite its simplicity and convenience, the variability in captopril dose, testing posture, and diagnostic threshold limit its widespread use. This narrative review evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of the CCT across different populations, addresses controversies in its usage, and proposes recommendations for its use in the diagnosis of PA. Furthermore, suggestions for future research aimed at promoting the wider utilization of the CCT as a simpler, safer, and more cost-effective diagnostic test are discussed.

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Arno Téblick Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

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Ilse Vanhorebeek Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

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Inge Derese Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

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An Jacobs Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

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Renata Haghedooren Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

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Sofie Maebe Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

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Gerdien A Zeilmaker-Roest Department of Neonatal & Pediatric Intensive Care, Division of Pediatric Intensive Care, Erasmus MC – Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Enno D Wildschut Department of Neonatal & Pediatric Intensive Care, Division of Pediatric Intensive Care, Erasmus MC – Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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Lies Langouche Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

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Greet Van den Berghe Clinical Division and Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

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In critically ill adults, high plasma cortisol in the face of low ACTH coincides with high pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) levels. Glucocorticoids further lower ACTH without affecting POMC. We hypothesized that in pediatric cardiac surgery-induced critical illness, plasma POMC is elevated, plasma ACTH transiently rises intraoperatively but becomes suppressed post-operatively, and glucocorticoid administration amplifies this phenotype. From 53 patients (0–36 months), plasma was obtained pre-operatively, intraoperatively, and on post-operative days 1 and 2. Plasma was also collected from 24 healthy children. In patients, POMC was supra-normal pre-operatively (P < 0.0001) but no longer thereafter (P > 0.05). ACTH was never high in patients. While in glucocorticoid-naive patients ACTH became suppressed by post-operative day 1 (P < 0.0001), glucocorticoid-treated patients had already suppressed ACTH intraoperatively (P ≤ 0.0001). Pre-operatively high POMC, not accompanied by increased plasma ACTH, suggests a centrally activated HPA axis with reduced pituitary processing of POMC into ACTH. Increasing systemic glucocorticoid availability with glucocorticoid treatment accelerated the suppression of plasma ACTH.

Significance statement

Glucocorticoids are often administered during pediatric cardiac surgery. In critically ill children, endogenous systemic glucocorticoid availability is elevated already upon ICU admission while ACTH levels are normal. This hormonal constellation suggests the presence of active feedback inhibition of ACTH. In this study, we have documented that intraoperative administration of glucocorticoids accelerates the suppression of ACTH, resulting in low plasma ACTH already upon ICU admission. Pre-operative plasma POMC, the ACTH precursor, but not ACTH, was increased. This is compatible with a centrally activated HPA axis prior to surgery in young children but reduced processing of POMC into ACTH within the pituitary. These findings suggest that glucocorticoid treatment in the context of pediatric cardiac surgery may amplify pre-existing impaired pituitary processing of the prohormone POMC.

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Ursula M M Costa Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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Carla R P Oliveira Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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Roberto Salvatori Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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José A S Barreto-Filho Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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Viviane C Campos Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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Francielle T Oliveira Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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Ivina E S Rocha Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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Joselina L M Oliveira Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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Wersley A Silva Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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Manuel H Aguiar-Oliveira Division of Cardiology, Division of Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, SE 49060-100, Brazil

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Abstract

GH and its principal mediator IGF1 have important effects on metabolic and cardiovascular (CV) status. While acquired GH deficiency (GHD) is often associated with increased CV risk, the consequences of congenital GHD are not known. We have described a large group of patients with isolated GHD (IGHD) due to a homozygous mutation (c.57+1G>A) in the GH releasing hormone receptor gene, and shown that adult GH-naïve individuals have no evidence of clinically evident premature atherosclerosis. To test whether subclinical atherosclerosis is anticipated in untreated IGHD, we performed a cross-sectional study of 25 IGHD and 27 adult controls matched for age and gender. A comprehensive clinical and biochemical panel and coronary artery calcium scores were evaluated by multi-detector tomography. Height, weight, IGF1, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, creatinine and creatininekinase were lower in the IGHD group. Median and interquartile range of calcium scores distribution was similar in the two groups: IGHD 0(0) and control 0(4.9). The vast majority of the calcium scores (20 of 25 IGHD (80%) and 18 of 27 controls (66.6%)) were equal to zero (difference not significant). There was no difference in the calcium scores classification. None of IGHD subjects had minimal calcification, which were present in four controls. Three IGHD and four controls had mild calcification. There were two IGHD individuals with moderate calcification and one control with severe calcification. Our study provides evidence that subjects with congenital isolated lifetime and untreated severe IGHD do not have accelerated subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

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Marko Stojanovic Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Zida Wu Department of Medicine for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutritional Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany

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Craig E Stiles Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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Dragana Miljic Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Ivan Soldatovic University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia
Insitute of Medical Statistics and Informatics, Belgrade, Serbia

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Sandra Pekic Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Mirjana Doknic Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Milan Petakov Neuroendocrinology Department, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Vera Popovic University of Belgrade, Medical Faculty, Belgrade, Serbia

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Christian Strasburger Department of Medicine for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutritional Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany

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Márta Korbonits Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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Background

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) is evolutionarily conserved and expressed widely throughout the organism. Loss-of-function AIP mutations predispose to young-onset pituitary adenomas. AIP co-localizes with growth hormone in normal and tumorous somatotroph secretory vesicles. AIP protein is detectable in circulation. We aimed to investigate possible AIP and GH co-secretion, by studying serum AIP and GH levels at baseline and after GH stimulation or suppression, in GH deficiency (GHD) and in acromegaly patients.

Subjects and methods

Insulin tolerance test (ITT) was performed in GHD patients (n = 13) and age-BMI-matched normal GH axis control patients (n = 31). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in active acromegaly patients (n = 26) and age-BMI-matched normal GH axis control patients (n = 18). In-house immunometric assay was developed for measuring circulating AIP.

Results

Serum AIP levels were in the 0.1 ng/mL range independently of gender, age or BMI. Baseline AIP did not differ between GHD and non-GHD or between acromegaly and patients with no acromegaly. There was no change in peak, trough or area under the curve during OGTT or ITT. Serum AIP did not correlate with GH during ITT or OGTT.

Conclusions

Human circulating serum AIP in vivo was assessed by a novel immunometric assay. AIP levels were independent of age, sex or BMI and unaffected by hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. Despite co-localization in secretory vesicles, AIP and GH did not correlate at baseline or during GH stimulation or suppression tests. A platform of reliable serum AIP measurement is established for further research of its circulatory source, role and impact.

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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 T Karampitsakos, General University Hospital Attikon, Athens, Greece

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Fotini Kanouta F Kanouta, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Christos Chatzakis C Chatzakis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Faculty of Health Sciences, Thessaloniki, Greece

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Vassilios Bakoulas V Bakoulas, Athens, Greece

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Alexandros Gryparis A Gryparis, athens, Greece

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Petros Drakakis P Drakakis, Athens, Greece

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Djuro Macut D Macut, Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia

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George Mastorakos G Mastorakos, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece

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

Material and methods: Methodology of systematic reviews was followed. MEDLINE, Cochrane library and Google Scholar databases were searched till October 2023, for original studies investigating 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 sGCs-treated women than in controls, while in three studies gestational age at labor was lower in sGCs-treated women than in controls with a trend of statistical significance . In one study, gestational age at labor was significantly lower in controls than in sGCs-treated women. In the non-controlled studies, the majority of women delivered less than one week from the day of sGCs administration.

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

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