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Huifei Sophia Zheng Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

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Jeffrey G Daniel Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

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Julia M Salamat Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

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Laci Mackay Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

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Chad D Foradori Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

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Robert J Kemppainen Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

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Satyanarayana R Pondugula Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

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Ya-Xiong Tao Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

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Chen-Che Jeff Huang Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama

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Glucocorticoids have short- and long-term effects on adrenal gland function and development. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to identify early transcriptomic responses to the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (Dex), in vitro and in vivo. In total, 1711 genes were differentially expressed in the adrenal glands of the 1-h Dex-treated mice. Among them, only 113 were also considered differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in murine adrenocortical Y-1 cells treated with Dex for 1 h. Gene ontology analysis showed that the upregulated DEGs in the adrenal gland of the 1-h Dex-treated mice were highly associated with the development of neuronal cells, suggesting the adrenal medulla had a rapid response to Dex. Interestingly, only 4.3% of Dex-responsive genes in the Y-1 cell line under Dex treatment for 1 h were differentially expressed under Dex treatment for 24 h. The heatmaps revealed that most early responsive DEGs in Y-1 cells during 1 h of treatment exhibited a transient response. The expression of these genes under treatment for 24 h returned to basal levels similar to that during control treatment. In summary, this research compared the rapid transcriptomic effects of Dex stimulation in vivo and in vitro. Notably, adrenocortical Y-1 cells had a transient early response to Dex treatment. Furthermore, the DEGs had a minimal overlap in the 1-h Dex-treated group in vivo and in vitro.

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Henrik Falhammar Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

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Magnus Kjellman Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

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Jan Calissendorff Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

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Background

With the increasing access to imaging more pheochromocytomas are diagnosed in the workup of adrenal incidentalomas. This may have changed the occurrence of the classic presentation with hypertension and the classic triad (headaches, sweating and palpitation).

Methods

We reviewed 94 consecutive cases of pheochromocytomas. Two cases of ectopic ACTH-syndrome were subsequently excluded.

Results

Of the 92 cases included 64% had presented as an incidentaloma, 32% as a suspected pheochromocytoma and 4% had been screened because of previously diagnosed MEN2A. Those screened were youngest while those with incidentalomas were oldest. The females were more common in the incidentaloma and the screening groups, and males in the suspected pheochromocytoma group. Measurements of noradrenaline/normetanephrine levels were highest in the suspected pheocromocytoma group and lowest in the screening group. Hypertension was present in 63% of the incidentalomas, 79% of suspected pheochromocytomas and in none of the screening group. Paroxysmal symptoms were present in almost all with suspected pheochromocytoma while only in half of the other groups. The suspected pheocromocytoma group had most symptoms and the screening group least. The classic triad was present in 14% of the incidentalomas, in 28% of the suspected and in none of the screening group, while no symptoms at all was present in 12%, 0% and 25%, respectively. Pheochromocytoma crisis occurred in 5%. There was a positive correlation between tumor size vs hormone levels, and catecholamine levels vs blood pressure.

Conclusion

Clinicians need to be aware of the modern presentation of pheochromocytomas since early identification can be life-saving.

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Sophie Howarth Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Department of Endocrinology, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

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Luca Giovanelli Department of Endocrinology, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

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Catherine Napier Department of Endocrinology, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

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Simon H Pearce Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Department of Endocrinology, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

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Autoimmune Addison’s disease (AAD) is defined as primary adrenal insufficiency due to immune-mediated destruction of the adrenal cortex. This destruction of steroid-producing cells has historically been thought of as an irreversible process, with linear progression from an ACTH-driven compensated phase to overt adrenal insufficiency requiring lifelong glucocorticoid replacement. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that this process may be more heterogeneous than previously thought, with potential for complete or partial recovery of glucocorticoid secretion. Although patients with persistent mineralocorticoid deficiency despite preserved or recovered glucocorticoid function are anecdotally mentioned, few well-documented cases have been reported to date. We present three patients in the United Kingdom who further challenge the long-standing hypothesis that AAD is a progressive, irreversible disease process. We describe one patient with a 4-year history of mineralocorticoid-only Addison’s disease, a patient with spontaneous recovery of adrenal function and one patient with clinical features of adrenal insufficiency despite significant residual cortisol function. All three patients show varying degrees of mineralocorticoid deficiency, suggesting that recovery of zona fasciculata function in the adrenal cortex may occur independently to that of the zona glomerulosa. We outline the current evidence for heterogeneity in the natural history of AAD and discuss possible mechanisms for the recovery of adrenal function.

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Tatiana V Novoselova Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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Peter J King Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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Leonardo Guasti Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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Louise A Metherell Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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Adrian J L Clark Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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Li F Chan Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

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The melanocortin-2-receptor (MC2R), also known as the ACTH receptor, is a critical component of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The importance of MC2R in adrenal physiology is exemplified by the condition familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD), a potentially fatal disease characterised by isolated cortisol deficiency. MC2R mutations cause ~25% of cases. The discovery of a MC2R accessory protein MRAP, mutations of which account for ~20% of FGD, has provided insight into MC2R trafficking and signalling. MRAP is a single transmembrane domain accessory protein highly expressed in the adrenal gland and essential for MC2R expression and function. Mouse models helped elucidate the action of ACTH. The Mc2r-knockout (Mc2r / ) mice was the first mouse model developed to have adrenal insufficiency with deficiencies in glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and catecholamines. We recently reported the generation of the Mrap / mice which better mimics the human FGD phenotype with isolated glucocorticoid deficiency alone. The adrenal glands of adult Mrap / mice were grossly dysmorphic with a thickened capsule, deranged zonation and deranged WNT4/beta-catenin and sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway signalling. Collectively, these mouse models of FGD highlight the importance of ACTH and MRAP in adrenal progenitor cell regulation, cortex maintenance and zonation.

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Ivar Følling Department of Endocrinology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway

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Anna B Wennerstrøm Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway

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Tor J Eide Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

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Hilde Loge Nilsen Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway

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Introduction

Phaeochromocytomas are tumours originating in the medulla of the adrenal gland. They produce catecholamines, and some tumours also produce ectopic hormones. Two types of glucose imbalances occur in phaeochromocytoma patients, hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemic attacks. Therefore, we tested whether insulin transcript (INS), insulin, and a hybrid read-through transcript between exons from insulin and insulin-like growth factor 2 (INS-IGF2) were expressed in phaeochromocytomas.

Methods

We measured the expression of insulin using immunohistochemistry. The expression of INS-IGF2 was determined by qRT-PCR in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue from 20 phaeochromocytomas. The expression of INS and INS-IGF2 transcriptswas also analysed in 182 phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas using publicly available datasets in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Database.

Results

Of 20 phaeochromocytomas, 16 stained positive for insulin. The distribution of positive cells was mostly scattered, with some focal expression indicating clonal expansion. Nineteen tumours expressed high levels of INS and INS-IGF2 transcripts. The expression of the two transcripts corresponded closely. In the TCGA dataset, phaeochromocytoma expresses higher levels of INS and INS-IGF2 transcripts compared to the normal non-tumour adrenal glands. Thus, the expression of INS and INS-IGF2 seems to be a general phenomenon in phaeochromocytoma.

Conclusion

Most phaeochromocytomas contain cells that overexpress INS and INS-IGF2 transcripts. Most tumours also display heterogeneous expression of polypeptides immunoreactive to monoclonal anti-insulin antibodies. Clinically this may relate to both hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemic attacks seen in patients with phaeochromocytoma as well as autocrine tumour growth.

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Ailsa Maria Main Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Maria Rossing Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Line Borgwardt Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Birgitte Grønkær Toft Department of Pathology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Åse Krogh Rasmussen Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, and Faculty of Health, Institute of Clinical and Scientific Research, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are tumours of the adrenal medulla and extra-adrenal sympathetic nervous system which often secrete catecholamines. Variants of the SDHX (SDHA, -AF2, -B, -C, -D) genes are a frequent cause of familial PPGLs. In this study from a single tertiary centre, we aimed to characterise the genotype–phenotype associations in patients diagnosed with germline variants in SDHX genes. We also assessed whether systematic screening of family members resulted in earlier detection of tumours. The study cohort comprised all individuals (n = 59) diagnosed with a rare variant in SDHX during a 13-year period. Patient- and pathology records were checked for clinical characteristics and histopathological findings. We found distinct differences in the clinical and histopathological characteristics between genetic variants in SDHB. We identified two SDHB variants with distinct phenotypical patterns. Family screening for SDHB variants resulted in earlier detection of tumours in two families. Patients with SDHA, SDHC and SDHD variants also had malignant phenotypes, underlining the necessity for a broad genetic screening of the proband. Our study corroborates previous findings of poor prognostic markers and found that the genetic variants and clinical phenotype are linked and, therefore, useful in the decision of clinical follow-up. Regular tumour screening of carriers of pathogenic variants may lead to an earlier diagnosis and expected better prognosis. The development of a combined algorithm with clinical, genetic, morphological, and biochemical factors may be the future for improved clinical risk stratification, forming a basis for larger multi-centre follow up studies.

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Janko Sattler Adrenal Steroid Group, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-University Medicine, Berlin, Germany

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Jinwen Tu Adrenal Steroid Group, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Bone Research Program, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

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Shihani Stoner Bone Research Program, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

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Jingbao Li Bone Research Program, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shaanxi, China

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Frank Buttgereit Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-University Medicine, Berlin, Germany

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Markus J Seibel Bone Research Program, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia

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Hong Zhou Bone Research Program, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

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Mark S Cooper Adrenal Steroid Group, ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Concord Hospital, Sydney, Australia

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Patients with chronic immune-mediated arthritis exhibit abnormal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. The basis for this abnormality is not known. Immune-mediated arthritis is associated with increased extra-adrenal synthesis of active glucocorticoids by the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) enzyme. 11β-HSD1 is expressed in the central nervous system, including regions involved in HPA axis regulation. We examined whether altered 11β-HSD1 expression within these regions contributes to HPA axis dysregulation during arthritis. The expression of 11β-HSD1, and other components of glucocorticoid signaling, were examined in various brain regions and the pituitary gland of mice with experimentally induced arthritis. Two arthritis protocols were employed: The K/BxN spontaneous arthritis model for chronic arthritis and the K/BxN serum transfer arthritis model for acute arthritis. 11β-HSD1 mRNA (Hsd11b1) was expressed in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, cortex, cerebellum and pituitary gland. Hypothalamic Hsd11b1 expression did not change in response to arthritis in either model. Pituitary Hsd11b1 expression was however significantly increased in both chronic and acute arthritis models. Hippocampal Hsd11b1 was decreased in acute but not chronic arthritis. Chronic, but not acute, arthritis was associated with a reduction in hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin expression. In both models, serum adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone levels were no different from non-inflammatory controls. These findings demonstrate inflammation-dependent regulation of Hsd11b1 expression in the pituitary gland and hippocampus. The upregulation of 11β-HSD1 expression in the pituitary during both chronic and acute arthritis, and thus, an increase in glucocorticoid negative feedback, could contribute to the abnormalities in HPA axis activity seen in immune-mediated arthritis.

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Yiqiang Huang Department of Urology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

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Lin-ang Wang Department of Urology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

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Qiubo Xie Department of Urology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

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Jian Pang Department of Urology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

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Luofu Wang Department of Urology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

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Yuting Yi Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

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Jun Zhang Department of Urology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

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Yao Zhang Department of Urology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

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Rongrong Chen Geneplus-Beijing Institute, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

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Weihua Lan Department of Urology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

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Dianzheng Zhang Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

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Jun Jiang Department of Urology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

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Pheochromocytoma and paragangliomas (PCC/PGL) are neuroendocrine tumors that arise from chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and sympathetic/parasympathetic ganglia, respectively. Of clinical relevance regarding diagnosis is the highly variable presentation of symptoms in PCC/PGL patients. To date, the clear-cut correlations between the genotypes and phenotypes of PCC/PGL have not been entirely established. In this study, we reviewed the medical records of PCC/PGL patients with pertinent clinical, laboratory and genetic information. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) performed on patient samples revealed specific germline mutations in the SDHB (succinate dehydrogenase complex iron-sulfur subunit B) and SDHD (succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D) genes and these mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing. Of the 119 patients, two were identified with SDHB mutation and one with SDHD mutation. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to analyze the expression of these mutated genes. The germline mutations identified in the SDH genes were c343C>T and c.541-542A>G in the SDHB gene and c.334-337delACTG in the SDHD gene. IHC staining of tumors from the c.343C>T and c.541-2A>G carriers showed positive expression of SDHB. Tumors from the c.334-337delACTG carrier showed no expression of SDHD and a weak diffused staining pattern for SDHB. We strongly recommend genetic testing for suspected PCC/PGL patients with a positive family history, early onset of age, erratic hypertension, recurrence or multiple tumor sites and loss of SDHB and/or SDHD expression. Tailored personal management should be conducted once a patient is confirmed as an SDHB and/or SDHD mutation carrier or diagnosed with PCC/PGL.

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Annelies van’t Westeinde Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and Division of Pediatrics, Unit for Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

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Leif Karlsson Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and Division of Pediatrics, Unit for Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

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Valeria Messina Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and Division of Pediatrics, Unit for Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

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Lena Wallensteen Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and Division of Pediatrics, Unit for Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

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Manuela Brösamle European Patient Advocacy Group for Adrenal Diseases, European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions (Endo ERN), Endo ERN Coordinating Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

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Giorgio Dal Maso ArfSAG (Associazione Refionale Famiglie Sindrome Adreno Genitale) c/o Unita Operativa di Pediatria, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S Orsala-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy

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Alessandro Lazzerini Spanish Association of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Spain

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Jette Kristensen ePAG & Chair of Danish Addison Patient Association, Aarhus, Denmark

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Diana Kwast Dutch Adrenal Society NVACP, Nijkerk, The Netherlands

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Lea Tschaidse Department of Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany

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Matthias K Auer Department of Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany

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Hanna F Nowotny Department of Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany

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Luca Persani Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy

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Nicole Reisch Department of Endocrinology, Medizinische Klinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany

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Svetlana Lajic Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet and Division of Pediatrics, Unit for Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

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First-trimester prenatal treatment with glucocorticoid (GC) dexamethasone (DEX) in pregnancies at risk for classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is associated with ethical dilemmas. Though effective in reducing virilisation in girls with CAH, it entails exposure to high doses of GC in fetuses that do not benefit from the treatment. The current paper provides an update on the literature on outcomes of prenatal DEX treatment in CAH cases and unaffected subjects. Long-term follow-up research is still needed to determine treatment safety. In addition, advances in early prenatal diagnostics for CAH and sex-typing as well as studies assessing dosing effects of DEX may avoid unnecessary treatment and improve treatment safety.

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Peter Ergang Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic

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Anna Mikulecká Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic

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Martin Vodicˇka Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

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Karla Vagnerová Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic

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Ivan Mikšík Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic

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Jirˇí Pácha Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

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Stress is an important risk factors for human diseases. It activates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and increases plasma glucocorticoids, which are powerful regulators of immune system. The response of the target cells to glucocorticoids depends not only on the plasma concentrations of cortisol and corticosterone but also on their local metabolism. This metabolism is catalyzed by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases type 1 and 2, which interconvert glucocorticoid hormones cortisol and corticosterone and their 11-oxo metabolites cortisone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone. The goal of this study was to determine whether stress modulates glucocorticoid metabolism within lymphoid organs – the structures where immune cells undergo development and activation. Using the resident-intruder paradigm, we studied the effect of social stress on glucocorticoid metabolism in primary and secondary lymphoid organs of Fisher 344 (F344) and Lewis (LEW) rats, which exhibit marked differences in their HPA axis response to social stressors and inflammation. We show that repeated social defeat increased the regeneration of corticosterone from 11-dehydrocorticosterone in the thymus, spleen and mesenteric lymphatic nodes (MLN). Compared with the F344 strain, LEW rats showed higher corticosterone regeneration in splenocytes of unstressed rats and in thymic and MLN mobile cells after stress but corticosterone regeneration in the stroma of all lymphoid organs was similar in both strains. Inactivation of corticosterone to 11-dehydrocorticosterone was found only in the stroma of lymphoid organs but not in mobile lymphoid cells and was not upregulated by stress. Together, our findings demonstrate the tissue- and strain-dependent regeneration of glucocorticoids following social stress.

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