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Natacha Driessens Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (HUB), CUB Hôpital Erasme, Department of Endocrinology, Route de Lennik, Brussels, Belgium

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Madhu Prasai Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (HUB), CUB Hôpital Erasme, Department of Endocrinology, Route de Lennik, Brussels, Belgium

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Orsalia Alexopoulou Department of Endocrinology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Brussels, Belgium

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Christophe De Block Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology-Metabolism, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen & University of Antwerp, Drie Eikenstraat, Edegem, Belgium

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Eva Van Caenegem Department of Endocrinology, Academisch Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan Brugge – Oostende AV, Ruddershove, Brugge, Belgium

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Guy T’Sjoen Department of Endocrinology, Ghent Universitary Hospital, C. Heymanslaan, Gent, Belgium

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Frank Nobels Department of Endocrinology, Onze-Lieve Vrouw Ziekenhuis, Moorselbaan, Aalst, Belgium

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Christophe Ghys Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan, Brussels, Belgium

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Laurent Vroonen Department of Endocrinology, Cliniques Universitaires de Liège, Avenue de l’hôpital, Liège, Belgium

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Corinne Jonas Department of Endocrinology, CHU UCL Namur - Godinne, Avenue Docteur Gaston Thérasse, Yvoir, Belgium

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Bernard Corvilain Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (HUB), CUB Hôpital Erasme, Department of Endocrinology, Route de Lennik, Brussels, Belgium

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Dominique Maiter Department of Endocrinology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Brussels, Belgium

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Objective

Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is a rare disease with an increasing prevalence, which may be complicated by life-threatening adrenal crisis (AC). Good quality epidemiological data remain scarce. We performed a Belgian survey to describe the aetiology, clinical characteristics, treatment regimens, comorbidities and frequency of AC in PAI.

Methods

A nationwide multicentre study involving 10 major university hospitals in Belgium collected data from adult patients with known PAI.

Results

Two hundred patients were included in this survey. The median age at diagnosis was 38 years (IQR 25–48) with a higher female prevalence (F/M sex ratio = 1.53). The median disease duration was 13 years (IQR 7–25). Autoimmune disease was the most common aetiology (62.5%) followed by bilateral adrenalectomy (23.5%) and genetic variations (8.5%). The majority (96%) of patients were treated with hydrocortisone at a mean daily dose of 24.5 ± 7.0 mg, whereas 87.5% of patients also received fludrocortisone. About one-third of patients experienced one or more AC over the follow-up period, giving an incidence of 3.2 crises per 100 patient-years. There was no association between the incidence of AC and the maintenance dose of hydrocortisone. As high as 27.5% of patients were hypertensive, 17.5% had diabetes and 17.5% had a diagnosis of osteoporosis.

Conclusion

This study provides the first information on the management of PAI in large clinical centres in Belgium, showing an increased frequency of postsurgical PAI, a nearly normal prevalence of several comorbidities and an overall good quality of care with a low incidence of adrenal crises, compared with data from other registries.

Open access
Sílvia Santos Monteiro Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal

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Tiago Silva Santos Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal

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Ana Martins Lopes Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal

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José Carlos Oliveira Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal

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Cláudia Freitas Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal

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André Couto Carvalho Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Department of Medicine, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo Professor Abel Salazar Porto, Portugal

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Purpose

The levothyroxine absorption test (LT4AT) is an important tool for distinguishing hypothyroidism due to malabsorption from ‘pseudomalabsorption’ conditions. Our aim was to review our institution’s LT4AT results and assess its role in the management of patients with refractory hypothyroidism.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of all patients evaluated for refractory hypothyroidism who underwent LT4AT in our tertiary center between 2014 and 2020. Its results and the impact on thyroid function management during follow-up were assessed.

Results

Ten female patients were included with a mean age of 40 years (min-max: 26–62). Mean weight was 72 kg (min–max: 43–88) and baseline LT4 dosage ranged from 2.5 to 5.3 µg/kg/day. The most common causes of hypothyroidism were postsurgical in 50% (n  = 5) and autoimmune in 20% (n  = 2). During LT4AT, normal LT4 absorption was found in all but one individual (mean FT4 increase of 231%, min–max: 85–668). The only patient with objective LT4 absorption impairment (maximal increase of 48% by hour 5) presented also Helicobacter pylori gastritis and prior history of ‘intestinal surgery’ during childhood. No adverse events were reported during any of the LT4ATs. During follow-up (median 11.5 months (IQR 23)), three patients obtained euthyroidism and six had improved their hypothyroidism state.

Conclusions

The LT4AT is an effective and safe way to assess refractory hypothyroidism and provides valuable information to distinguish LT4 malabsorption from ‘pseudomalabsorption’. Our data suggest that most patients with suspicious LT4 malabsorption perform normally during LT4AT. This test provides relevant information for better management of patients with refractory hypothyroidism.

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Brijesh Krishnappa Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Ravikumar Shah Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Saba Samad Memon Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Chakra Diwaker Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Anurag R Lila Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Virendra A Patil Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Nalini S Shah Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Tushar R Bandgar Department of Endocrinology, K E M Hospital and Seth G S Medical College, Mumbai, India

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Objectives

High-dose glucocorticoids are associated with improved recovery of deficits in primary autoimmune hypophysitis (PAH), but optimal dosing, route, and duration are unclear.

Design

We reviewed literature for first-line glucocorticoid treatment in PAH until December 2021 and performed an individual patient data meta-analysis to analyze clinical, hormonal, and radiological outcomes with respect to route, dose, and duration (<6.5 vs 6.5–12 vs >12 weeks) of glucocorticoid treatment according to disease severity.

Results

A total of 153 PAH patients from 83 publications were included. The median age at presentation was 41 (32.5–48) years with a female preponderance (70.3%). Visual field recovery was significantly better with i.v. (91.7%) as compared to oral (54.5%) route and high dose (100%) and very high dose (90.9%) as compared to medium dose (20%) of glucocorticoids. Corticotroph axis recovery was greater in i.v. (54.8% vs 28.1% oral, P = 0.033) route and increasing glucocorticoid dose group (0% vs 38.1% vs 57.1%), attaining statistical significance (P = 0.012) with very high-dose. A longer duration of treatment (>6.5 weeks) was associated with better corticotroph and thyrotroph recovery. The need for rescue therapy was lower with i.v. route (38% vs 17.5%, P = 0.012) and with increasing glucocorticoid doses (53.3% vs 34.3% vs 17.3%, P = 0.016). In severe disease, visual field and corticotroph axis recovery were significantly higher with i.v. route and very high-dose steroids. The adverse effects of glucocorticoids were independent of dose and duration of treatment.

Conclusions

Very high-dose glucocorticoids by i.v. route and cumulative longer duration (>6.5 weeks) lead to better outcomes and could be considered as first-line treatment of severe PAH cases.

Open access
A Rouland Endocrinology Diabetics and Metabolic Disorders Department, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France

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J-C Chauvet-Gelinier Psychiatry Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
INSERM Unit, LNC-UMR 1231, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France

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A-L Sberna Endocrinology Diabetics and Metabolic Disorders Department, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
INSERM Unit, LNC-UMR 1231, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France

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E Crevisy Endocrinology Diabetics and Metabolic Disorders Department, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France

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P Buffier Endocrinology Diabetics and Metabolic Disorders Department, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France

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T Mouillot Endocrinology Diabetics and Metabolic Disorders Department, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France

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J-M Petit Endocrinology Diabetics and Metabolic Disorders Department, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
INSERM Unit, LNC-UMR 1231, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France

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B Vergès Endocrinology Diabetics and Metabolic Disorders Department, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
INSERM Unit, LNC-UMR 1231, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France

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Objective

The Type A personality, characterized by impatience, strong career ambition and competitiveness, is associated with greater sensitivity to external stress. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an auto-immune disease, which is potentially influenced by stress, unlike type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this study was to assess whether individuals with T1D and T2D exhibited significant differences on the Type A personality scale. We also assessed personality in patients with thyroid auto-immune diseases to validate potential links between auto-immune disease and Type A personality.

Design and methods

The Bortner questionnaire was used to assess Type A personality in 188 patients with T1D, 430 patients with T2D and 85 patients with auto-immune thyroid disease (Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis).

Results

Type A Bortner scores were significantly higher in T1D patients than in T2D patients (188 ± 34 vs 177 ± 36, P < 0.0001). Patients with auto-immune thyroid diseases and T1D patients had similar Type A Bortner scores (189 ± 33 vs 188 ± 34, P = 0.860).

Conclusion

Patients with auto-immune T1D have higher Type A scores than T2D patients. Furthermore, patients with auto-immune thyroid disease also have elevated Type A scores similar to those observed in type 1 diabetes, suggesting that an elevated Type A score in T1D is potentially related to its auto-immune origin. This suggests a possible link between Type A personality and auto-immune diseases via stress-triggering psychobiological pathways. The different personality score between T1D and T2D is an important factor, which could influence self-care coping strategies in diabetes and long-term prognosis.

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Karim Gariani Service of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Therapeutic Patient Education, Geneva University Hospitals and Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland

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François R Jornayvaz Service of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition and Therapeutic Patient Education, Geneva University Hospitals and Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland
Diabetes Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the industrialized world. NAFLD encompasses a whole spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. The latter can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, NASH is the most rapidly increasing indication for liver transplantation in western countries and therefore represents a global health issue. The pathophysiology of NASH is complex and includes multiple parallel hits. NASH is notably characterized by steatosis as well as evidence of hepatocyte injury and inflammation, with or without fibrosis. NASH is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes and conditions associated with insulin resistance. Moreover, NASH may also be found in many other endocrine diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism, male hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency or glucocorticoid excess, for example. In this review, we will discuss the pathophysiology of NASH associated with different endocrinopathies.

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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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Ruixin Hu School of pharmacy, Qing Dao University, Qingdao, China

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Yanting Yuan School of pharmacy, Qing Dao University, Qingdao, China

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Chaolong Liu School of pharmacy, Qing Dao University, Qingdao, China

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Ji Zhou School of pharmacy, Qing Dao University, Qingdao, China

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Lixia Ji School of pharmacy, Qing Dao University, Qingdao, China

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Guohui Jiang School of pharmacy, Qing Dao University, Qingdao, China

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In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the intestinal flora is out of balance and accompanied by leaky gut. The flora is characterized by an increase in mucus-degrading bacteria and a decrease in fiber-degrading bacteria. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as the major fiber-degrading bacteria fermentation, not only ameliorate the leaky gut, but also activate GPR43 to increase the mass of functional pancreatic β-cells and exert anti-inflammation effect. At present, the gut microbiota is considered as the potential target for anti-diabetes drugs, and how to reverse the imbalance of gut microbiota has become a therapeutic strategy for T2DM. This review briefly summarizes the drugs or compounds that have direct or potential therapeutic effects on T2DM by modulating the gut microbiota, including biguanides, isoquinoline alkaloids, stilbene and C7N-aminocyclic alcohols.

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Wenqi Yang Center for Scientific Research and Institute of Exercise and Health, Guangzhou Sports University, Guangzhou, China
Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Ling Liu Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Yuan Wei Center for Scientific Research and Institute of Exercise and Health, Guangzhou Sports University, Guangzhou, China
Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Chunlu Fang Center for Scientific Research and Institute of Exercise and Health, Guangzhou Sports University, Guangzhou, China
Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Fu Zhou Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Jinbao Chen Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Qinghua Han Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Meifang Huang Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Xuan Tan Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Qiuyue Liu Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Qiang Pan Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Lu Zhang Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Xiaojuan Lei Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Liangming Li Center for Scientific Research and Institute of Exercise and Health, Guangzhou Sports University, Guangzhou, China
Key Laboratory of Sports Technique, Tactics and Physical Function of General Administration of Sport of China, Scientific Research Center, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China

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Objective

The protective effects of exercise against glucose dysmetabolism have been generally reported. However, the mechanism by which exercise improves glucose homeostasis remains poorly understood. The FGF21–adiponectin axis participates in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Elevated levels of FGF21 and decreased levels of adiponectin in obesity indicate FGF21–adiponectin axis dysfunction. Hence, we investigated whether exercise could improve the FGF21–adiponectin axis impairment and ameliorate disturbed glucose metabolism in diet-induced obese mice.

Methods

Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to three groups: low-fat diet control group, high-fat diet group and high-fat diet plus exercise group. Glucose metabolic parameters, the ability of FGF21 to induce adiponectin, FGF21 receptors and co-receptor levels and adipose tissue inflammation were evaluated after 12 weeks of intervention.

Results

Exercise training led to reduced levels of fasting blood glucose and insulin, improved glucose tolerance and better insulin sensitivity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Although serum FGF21 levels were not significantly changed, both total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin concentrations were markedly enhanced by exercise. Importantly, exercise protected against high-fat diet-induced impaired ability of FGF21 to stimulate adiponectin secretion. FGF21 co-receptor, β-klotho, as well as receptors, FGFR1 and FGFR2, were upregulated by exercise. We also found that exercise inhibited adipose tissue inflammation, which may contribute to the improvement in the FGF21–adiponectin axis impairment.

Conclusions

Our data indicate exercise protects against high-fat diet-induced FGF21–adiponectin axis impairment, and may thereby exert beneficial effects on glucose metabolism.

Open access
Clara Odilia Sailer Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

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Sophia Julia Wiedemann Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

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Konrad Strauss Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

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Ingeborg Schnyder Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

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Wiebke Kristin Fenske Leipzig University Medical Center, Integrated Center for Research and Treatment Adiposity Diseases, Leipzig, Germany
Medical Department III, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

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Mirjam Christ-Crain Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

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Osmotic stimulus or stress results in vasopressin release. Animal and human in vitro studies have shown that inflammatory parameters, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), increase in parallel in the central nervous system and bronchial, corneal or intestinal epithelial cell lines in response to osmotic stimulus. Whether osmotic stimulus directly causes a systemic inflammatory response in humans is unknown. We therefore investigated the influence of osmotic stimulus on circulatory markers of systemic inflammation in healthy volunteers. In this prospective cohort study, 44 healthy volunteers underwent a standardized test protocol with an osmotic stimulus leading into the hyperosmotic/hypernatremic range (serum sodium ≥150 mmol/L) by hypertonic saline infusion. Copeptin – a marker indicating vasopressin activity – serum sodium and osmolality, plasma IL-8 and TNF-α were measured at baseline and directly after osmotic stimulus. Median (range) serum sodium increased from 141 mmol/L (136, 147) to 151 mmol/L (145, 154) (P < 0.01), serum osmolality increased from 295 mmol/L (281, 306) to 315 mmol/L (304, 325) (P < 0.01). Median (range) copeptin increased from 4.3 pg/L (1.1, 21.4) to 28.8 pg/L (19.9, 43.4) (P < 0.01). Median (range) IL-8 levels showed a trend to decrease from 0.79 pg/mL (0.37, 1.6) to 0.7 pg/mL (0.4, 1.9) (P < 0.09) and TNF-α levels decreased from 0.53 pg/mL (0.11, 1.1) to 0.45 pg/mL (0.12, 0.97) (P < 0.036). Contrary to data obtained in vitro, circulating proinflammatory cytokines tend to or decrease in human plasma after osmotic stimulus. In this study, osmotic stimulus does not increase circulating markers of systemic inflammation.

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Simon Schimmack European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

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Yongchao Yang European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China

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Klaus Felix European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

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Markus Herbst European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

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Yixiong Li Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China

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Miriam Schenk European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

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Frank Bergmann Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany

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Thilo Hackert European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

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Oliver Strobel European Pancreas Center, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

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Objective

Elevated pre-operative C-reactive protein (CRP) serum values have been reported to be associated with poor overall survival for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNEN). The aim of this study was to identify mechanisms linking CRP to poor prognosis in pNEN.

Methods

The malignant properties of pNENs were investigated using the human pNEN cell-lines BON1 and QGP1 exposed to CRP or IL-6. Analyses were performed by ELISA, Western blot, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry as well as invasion and proliferation assays. To compare cytokine profiles and CRP levels, 76 serum samples of pNEN patients were analyzed using Luminex technology. In parallel, the expression of CRP and growth signaling pathway proteins was assessed on cell lines and paraffin-embedded primary pNEN.

Results

In BON1 and QGP1 cells, inflammation (exposure to IL-6) significantly upregulated CRP expression and secretion as well as migratory properties. CRP stimulation of BON1 cells increased IL-6 secretion and invasion. This was accompanied by activation/phosphorylation of the ERK, AKT and/or STAT3 pathways. Although known CRP receptors – CD16, CD32 and CD64 – were not detected on BON1 cells, CRP uptake of pNEN cells was shown after CRP exposure. In patients, increased pre-operative CRP levels (≥5 mg/L) were associated with significantly higher serum levels of IL-6 and G-CSF, as well as with an increased CRP expression and ERK/AKT/STAT3 phosphorylation in pNEN tissue.

Conclusion

The malignant properties of pNEN cells can be stimulated by CRP and IL-6 promoting ERK/AKT/STAT pathways activation as well as invasion, thus linking systemic inflammation and poor prognosis.

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