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Sakina Kherra CHU Parnet Hopital, Algiers, Algeria

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Wendy Forsyth Paterson Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, UK

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Filiz Mine Cizmecioglu Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Department, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey

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Jeremy Huw Jones Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK

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Mariam Kourime Abderrahim Harouchi Hôpital, Casablanca, Morocco

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Heba Hassan Elsedfy Pediatrics Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

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Sameh Tawfik Department of Pediatrics, Maadi Hospital, Cairo, Egypt

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Andreas Kyriakou Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK

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Mohamad Guftar Shaikh Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Children Glasgow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK

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Malcolm David Cairns Donaldson Section of Child Health, Glasgow University School of Medicine, Glasgow, UK

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Background

Hypogonadism is a key feature of Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) but clear strategies for hormone replacement are lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the gonadal status and outcome in patients attending a Scottish PWS clinic from 1991 to 2019.

Methods

In 93 (35F:56M) patients, median follow-up 11.2 years, gonadal and pubertal status were assessed clinically. Pelvic ultrasound findings and basal/stimulated gonadotrophins were compared with age-matched controls.

Results

Females:of 22 patients aged > 11, 9 had reached B4–5, while 5 were still at B2–3, and 6 remained prepubertal. Eight patients experienced menarche aged 9.8–21.4 years, none with a normal cycle. Uterine length and ovarian volumes were normal but uterine configuration remained immature, with low follicular counts. Gonadotrophins were unremarkable, serum oestradiol 129 (70–520) pmol/L. Only 5 patients received oestrogen replacement. Males:fifty-four (96%) patients were cryptorchid (9 unilateral). Weekly hCG injections resulted in unilateral/bilateral descent in 2/1 of 25 patients. Of 37 boys aged > 11, 14 (9 with failed/untreated bilateral cryptorchidism) failed to progress beyond G1, 15 arrested at G2–3 (testes 3–10 mL), and 8 reached G4–5. Gonadotrophins were unremarkable except in boys at G2–5 in whom FSH was elevated: 12.3/27.3 vs 3.25/6.26 U/L in controls (P < 0.001). In males aged > 13, testosterone was 3.1 (0.5–8.4) nmol/L. Androgen therapy, given from 13.5 to 29.2 years, was stopped in 4/24 patients owing to behavioural problems.

Conclusion

Despite invariable hypogonadism, few females and only half the males with PWS in this study received hormone replacement. Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trials of sex steroids are required to address unproven behavioural concerns.

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Jose M Garcia GRECC VA Puget Sound HCS/University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

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Beverly M K Biller Massachusetts General Hospital, Neuroendocrine Unit, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

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Márta Korbonits Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Endocrinology, London, UK

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

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Anton Luger Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University, General Hospital, Vienna, Austria

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Christian J Strasburger Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Clinical Endocrinology CCM, Berlin, Germany

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Philippe Chanson Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital de Bicêtre, Service d’Endocrinologie et des Maladies de la Reproduction, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares de l’Hypophyse, and Université Paris-Saclay, Univ. Paris-Sud, Inserm, Signalisation Hormonale, Physiopathologie Endocrinienne et Métabolique, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France

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Ronald Swerdloff The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA

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Christina Wang The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA

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Rosa Rosanna Fleming Strongbridge Biopharma, Trevose, Pennsylvania, USA

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Fredric Cohen Strongbridge Biopharma, Trevose, Pennsylvania, USA

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Nicola Ammer Aeterna Zentaris GmbH, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany

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Gilbert Mueller Aeterna Zentaris GmbH, Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany

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Nicky Kelepouris Novo Nordisk Inc., Plainsboro, New Jersey, USA

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Frank Strobl Novo Nordisk Inc., Plainsboro, New Jersey, USA

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Vlady Ostrow Novo Nordisk Inc., Plainsboro, New Jersey, USA

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Kevin C J Yuen University of Arizona College of Medicine and Creighton School of Medicine, Barrow Pituitary Center, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

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Abstract

Objective

The macimorelin test is approved for the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) based on its efficacy vs the insulin tolerance test (ITT). Macimorelin has a significant advantage over ITT in avoiding hypoglycemia. Analyses were conducted to determine whether macimorelin performance is affected by age, BMI, or sex, and evaluate its performance vs ITT over a range of GH cutpoints.

Design

Post hoc analyses of data from a previous randomized phase 3 study included participants aged 18–66 years with BMI <37 kg/m2 and high (Group A), intermediate (Group B), or low (Group C) likelihood for AGHD based on pituitary history, and matched controls (Group D).

Methods

Probability of AGHD was estimated using unadjusted, age-adjusted, BMI-adjusted, and sex-adjusted logistic models. Area under the curve (AUC) of the estimated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (range, 0–1; 1 = perfect) was compared for adjusted vs unadjusted models. Separate analyses evaluated agreement, sensitivity, and specificity for macimorelin and ITT using cutpoints of 2.8, 4.0, 5.1, and 6.5 ng/mL.

Results

For participants in Group A (n = 41) and Group D (n = 29), unadjusted, age-adjusted, BMI-adjusted, and sex-adjusted models had ROC AUCs (95% CIs) of 0.9924 (0.9807–1), 0.9924 (0.9807–1), 0.9916 (0.9786–1), and 0.9950 (0.9861–1), respectively.

Conclusions

Macimorelin performance was not meaningfully affected by age, BMI, or sex, indicating robustness for AGHD diagnosis. Of the 4 GH cutpoints evaluated, the cutpoint of 5.1 ng/mL provided maximal specificity (96%) and high sensitivity (92%) and was in good overall agreement with the ITT at the same cutpoint (87%).

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Kristin Ottarsdottir Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Anna G Nilsson Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Margareta Hellgren Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Ulf Lindblad Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

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Bledar Daka Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

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The objective of this study was to investigate whether there is a bidirectional association between testosterone concentrations and insulin resistance, in a prospective population study. A random population sample of 1400 men, aged 30–74, was examined in 2002–2005 in southwestern Sweden and followed up in 2012–2014 (N = 657). After excluding subjects without information on sex hormones and insulin resistance, 1282 men were included in the baseline study. Fasting measurements of plasma glucose, insulin and hormones were performed. Insulin resistance was defined using HOMA-Ir. Mean age at baseline was 47.3 ± 11.4 years. From the follow-up survey 546 men were included, mean age 57.7 ± 11.6 years. Low concentrations of total testosterone at baseline were significantly associated with high logHOMA-Ir at follow-up in a multivariable model including age, waist–hip ratio, physical activity, alcohol intake, smoking, LDL, CRP, hypertension, diabetes and logHOMA-Ir at baseline as covariates (β = −0.096, P = 0.006). Similar results were observed for bioavailable testosterone. Men within the lowest quartile of total testosterone at baseline had significantly higher logHOMA-Ir at follow-up than other quartiles (Q1 vs Q2 P = 0.008, Q1 vs Q3 P = 0.001, Q1 vs Q4 P = 0.052). Multivariable analysis of the impact of insulin resistance at baseline on testosterone levels at follow-up revealed no significant associations regarding testosterone concentrations (β = −0.003, P = 0.928) or bioavailable testosterone (β = −0.006, P = 0.873), when adjusting for baseline concentrations of total testosterone, age, waist–hip-ratio, LDL, CRP, physical activity, alcohol intake, smoking, hypertension and diabetes. Low testosterone concentrations at baseline predicted higher insulin resistance at follow-up, but high insulin resistance at baseline could not predict low testosterone at follow-up.

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Supitcha Patjamontri Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, University of Glasgow, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

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Alexander Spiers MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
NIHR Health Protection Research Unit on Chemical Radiation Threats and Hazards, Imperial College London, London, UK

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Rachel B Smith MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
NIHR Health Protection Research Unit on Chemical Radiation Threats and Hazards, Imperial College London, London, UK
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
Mohn Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing, Imperial College London, London, UK

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Chen Shen MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
NIHR Health Protection Research Unit on Chemical Radiation Threats and Hazards, Imperial College London, London, UK

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Jo Adaway Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

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Brian G Keevil Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

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Mireille B Toledano MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
NIHR Health Protection Research Unit on Chemical Radiation Threats and Hazards, Imperial College London, London, UK
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
Mohn Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing, Imperial College London, London, UK

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S Faisal Ahmed Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, University of Glasgow, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK

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Context

Salivary androgens represent non-invasive biomarkers of puberty that may have utility in clinical and population studies.

Objective

To understand normal age-related variation in salivary sex steroids and demonstrate their correlation to pubertal development in young adolescents.

Design, setting and participants

School-based cohort study of 1495 adolescents at two time points for collecting saliva samples approximately 2 years apart.

Outcome measures

The saliva samples were analyzed for five androgens (testosterone, androstenedione (A4), 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-ketotestosterone and 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; in addition, salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and oestradiol (OE2) were analysed by ELISA. The pubertal staging was self-reported using the Pubertal Development Scale (PDS).

Results

In 1236 saliva samples from 903 boys aged between 11 and 16 years, salivary androgens except DHEA exhibited an increasing trend with an advancing age (ANOVA, P < 0.001), with salivary testosterone and A4 concentration showing the strongest correlation (r = 0.55, P < 0.001 and r = 0.48, P < 0.001, respectively). In a subgroup analysis of 155 and 63 saliva samples in boys and girls, respectively, morning salivary testosterone concentrations showed the highest correlation with composite PDS scores and voice-breaking category from PDS self-report in boys (r = 0.75, r = 0.67, respectively). In girls, salivary DHEA and OE2 had negligible correlations with age or composite PDS scores.

Conclusion

In boys aged 11–16 years, an increase in salivary testosterone and A4 is associated with self-reported pubertal progress and represents valid non-invasive biomarkers of puberty in boys.

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Charlotte Höybye Department of Endocrinology and Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

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Beverly M K Biller Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

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Jean-Marc Ferran Qualiance ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark

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Murray B Gordon Allegheny Neuroendocrinology Center, Division of Endocrinology, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

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Nicky Kelepouris US Medical Affairs-Rare Endocrine Disorders, Novo Nordisk, Inc, Plainsboro, New Jersey, USA

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Navid Nedjatian Global Medical Affairs – Rare Endocrine Disorders, Novo Nordisk Health Care AG, Zurich, Switzerland

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Anne H Olsen Epidemiology, Novo Nordisk A/S, Soborg, Denmark

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Matthias M Weber Unit of Endocrinology, 1, Medical Department, University Hospital, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany

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Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Long-term growth hormone (GH) treatment could improve CV outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate CV disease risk in patients with AGHD who received GH replacement therapy for up to 10 years as part of NordiNet® IOS (NCT00960128) and the ANSWER Program (NCT01009905). The studies were observational, non-interventional and multicentre, monitoring long-term effectiveness and safety of GH treatment. NordiNet® IOS involved 23 countries (469 sites) across Europe and the Middle East. The ANSWER Program was conducted in the USA (207 sites). This analysis included patients aged 18–75 years who were GH naïve at study entry, who had ≤10 years of GH treatment data and who could be assessed for CV risk for at least 1 follow-up year. The main outcome measure was risk of CV disease by age 75 years, as calculated with the Multinational Cardiovascular Risk Consortium model (Brunner score) using non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol adjusted for age, sex and CV risk factors. The results of this analysis showed that CV risk decreased gradually over the 10-year period for GH-treated patients. The risk was lower for patients treated for 2 and 7 years vs age- and sex-matched control groups (not yet started treatment) (14.51% vs 16.15%; P = 0.0105 and 13.53% vs 16.81%; P = 0.0001, respectively). This suggests that GH treatment in people with AGHD may reduce the risk of CV disease by age 75 years compared with matched controls.

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Nekoo Panahi Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

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Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Kiel, Germany

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Noushin Fahimfar Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran

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Negar Rezaei Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

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Mahnaz Sanjari Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

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Mohammad-Mahdi Rashidi Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

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Parnian Shobeiri Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

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Bagher Larijani Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

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Afshin Ostovar Osteoporosis Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

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Background

We aimed to document the current state of exposure to low bone mineral density (BMD) and trends in attributable burdens between 2000 and 2019 globally and in different World Health Organization (WHO) regions using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019.

Methods

We reviewed the sex-region-specific summary exposure value (SEV) of low BMD and the all-ages numbers and age-standardized rates of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and deaths attributed to low BMD. We compared different WHO regions (Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Europe, Region of the Americas, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific), age categories, and sexes according to the estimates of the GBD 2019 report.

Results

The global age-standardized SEV of low BMD is estimated to be 20.7% in women and 11.3% in men in 2019. Among the WHO regions, Africa had the highest age-standardized SEV of low BMD in women (28.8% (95% uncertainty interval 22.0–36.3)) and men (16.8% (11.5–23.8)). The lowest SEV was observed in Europe in both women (14.7% (9.9–21.0)) and men (8.0% (4.3–13.4)). An improving trend in the global rate of DALY, death, and YLL was observed during 2000–2019 (−5.7%, −4.7%, and −11.9% change, respectively); however, the absolute numbers increased with the highest increase observed in global YLD (70.9%) and death numbers (67.6%). Southeast Asia Region had the highest age-standardized rates of DALY (303.4 (249.2–357.2)), death (10.6 (8.5–12.3)), YLD (133.5 (96.9–177.3)), and YLL (170.0 (139–197.7)).

Conclusions

Overall, the highest-burden attributed to low BMD was observed in the Southeast Asia Region. Knowledge of the SEV of low BMD and the attributed burden can increase the awareness of healthcare decision-makers to adopt appropriate strategies for early screening, and also strategies to prevent falls and fragility fractures and their consequent morbidity and mortality.

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Renea A Taylor Department of Physiology, Cancer Program and Obesity and Metabolic Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Victoria 3800, Australia

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Jennifer Lo Department of Physiology, Cancer Program and Obesity and Metabolic Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Victoria 3800, Australia

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Natasha Ascui Department of Physiology, Cancer Program and Obesity and Metabolic Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Victoria 3800, Australia

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Matthew J Watt Department of Physiology, Cancer Program and Obesity and Metabolic Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Victoria 3800, Australia

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The global epidemic of obesity is closely linked to the development of serious co-morbidities, including many forms of cancer. Epidemiological evidence consistently shows that obesity is associated with a similar or mildly increased incidence of prostate cancer but, more prominently, an increased risk for aggressive prostate cancer and prostate cancer-specific mortality. Studies in mice demonstrate that obesity induced by high-fat feeding increases prostate cancer progression; however, the mechanisms underpinning this relationship remain incompletely understood. Adipose tissue expansion in obesity leads to local tissue dysfunction and is associated with low-grade inflammation, alterations in endocrine function and changes in lipolysis that result in increased delivery of fatty acids to tissues of the body. The human prostate gland is covered anteriorly by the prominent peri-prostatic adipose tissue and laterally by smaller adipose tissue depots that lie directly adjacent to the prostatic surface. We discuss how the close association between dysfunctional adipose tissue and prostate epithelial cells might result in bi-directional communication to cause increased prostate cancer aggressiveness and progression. However, the literature indicates that several ‘mainstream’ hypotheses regarding obesity-related drivers of prostate cancer progression are not yet supported by a solid evidence base and, in particular, are not supported by experiments using human tissue. Understanding the links between obesity and prostate cancer will have major implications for the health policy for men with prostate cancer and the development of new therapeutic or preventative strategies.

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Elizabeth Yan Zhang Department of Pharmacology, Department of Biology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Room 4061 of KLSIC Building, 2146 West 39th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA

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Bao-Ting Zhu Department of Pharmacology, Department of Biology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Room 4061 of KLSIC Building, 2146 West 39th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
Department of Pharmacology, Department of Biology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Room 4061 of KLSIC Building, 2146 West 39th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA

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The endogenous estrogens are important modulators of the immune system and its functions. However, their effects are rather complex and many aspects have not been studied. In this study, we used the 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced contact dermatitis as a disease model and investigated the effect of estriol (E3), along with two other estrogens, 17β-estradiol and estrone, on the pathogenesis of contact hypersensitivity. A series of parameters, such as ear swelling, skin inflammation, antigen-specific immunoglobulins, and lymphocyte compositions in peripheral lymphoid organs, were evaluated in mice following development of contact dermatitis. We found that administration of all three estrogens elicited strong inhibition of DNCB-induced dermatitis, while E3 exerted the strongest suppressive effect. Administration of E3 alleviated dermatitis, and this effect was accompanied by decreases in serum DNCB-specific immunoglobulins, such as IgA, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b. Besides, treatment with E3 reduced B cell population, especially IgG-producing cells in the peripheral lymphoid organs following the induction of dermatitis. These observations consistently suggest that the antibody (Ab)-mediated humoral immune reactions play a critical role in the pathogenesis of DNCB-induced contact dermatitis. The results from this study demonstrate, for the first time, that estrogen administration has a strong suppressive effect on the pathogenesis of contact dermatitis. These findings offer important insights concerning the pathogenic role of antigen-specific Abs in contact dermatitis and the treatment of chemical-induced, Ab-mediated skin hypersensitivity reactions in humans.

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Karim Gariani Service of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Intensive Care, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Diabetes, Hypertension and Nutrition

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Geneviève Drifte Service of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Intensive Care, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Diabetes, Hypertension and Nutrition
Service of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Intensive Care, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Diabetes, Hypertension and Nutrition

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Irène Dunn-Siegrist Service of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Intensive Care, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Diabetes, Hypertension and Nutrition
Service of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Intensive Care, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Diabetes, Hypertension and Nutrition

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Jérôme Pugin Service of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Intensive Care, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Diabetes, Hypertension and Nutrition
Service of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Intensive Care, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Diabetes, Hypertension and Nutrition

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François R Jornayvaz Service of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Intensive Care, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Diabetes, Hypertension and Nutrition

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Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a key regulator in glucose and lipid metabolism and its plasma levels have been shown to be increased not only in humans in different situations such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease but also in animal models of sepsis and pancreatitis. FGF21 is considered as a pharmacological candidate in conditions associated with insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to compare FGF21 plasma levels in patients with sepsis, in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and in healthy controls. We measured FGF21 plasma concentrations in 22 patients with established sepsis, in 11 with SIRS, and in 12 healthy volunteers. Here, we show that FGF21 levels were significantly higher in plasma obtained from patients with sepsis and SIRS in comparison with healthy controls. Also, FGF21 levels were significantly higher in patients with sepsis than in those with noninfectious SIRS. FGF21 plasma levels measured at study entry correlated positively with the APACHE II score, but not with procalcitonin levels, nor with C-reactive protein, classical markers of sepsis. Plasma concentrations of FGF21 peaked near the onset of shock and rapidly decreased with clinical improvement. Taken together, these results indicate that circulating levels of FGF21 are increased in patients presenting with sepsis and SIRS, and suggest a role for FGF21 in inflammation. Further studies are needed to explore the potential role of FGF21 in sepsis as a potential therapeutic target.

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Tatsuya Kondo Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Nobukazu Miyakawa Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Sayaka Kitano Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Takuro Watanabe Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Rieko Goto Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Mary Ann Suico Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Miki Sato Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Yuki Takaki Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Masaji Sakaguchi Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Motoyuki Igata Department of Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Kumamoto University Hospital, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Junji Kawashima Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Hiroyuki Motoshima Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Takeshi Matsumura Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Hirofumi Kai Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Eiichi Araki Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-Ward, Kumamoto, Japan

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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often accompanied by metabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Heat shock response (HSR) is one of the most important homeostatic abilities but is deteriorated by chronic metabolic insults. Heat shock (HS) with an appropriate mild electrical stimulation (MES) activates HSR and improves metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and inflammation in metabolic disorders. To analyze the effects of HS + MES treatment on NAFLD biomarkers, three cohorts including healthy men (two times/week, n = 10), patients with metabolic syndrome (four times/week, n = 40), and patients with T2DM (n = 100; four times/week (n = 40) and two, four, seven times/week (n = 20 each)) treated with HS + MES were retrospectively analyzed. The healthy subjects showed no significant alterations in NAFLD biomarkers after the treatment. In patients with metabolic syndrome, many of the NAFLD steatosis markers, including fatty liver index, NAFLD-liver fat score, liver/spleen ratio and hepatic steatosis index and NAFLD fibrosis marker, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio, were improved upon the treatment. In patients with T2DM, all investigated NAFLD steatosis markers were improved and NAFLD fibrosis markers such as the AST/ALT ratio, fibrosis-4 index and NAFLD-fibrosis score were improved upon the treatment. Thus, HS + MES, a physical intervention, may become a novel treatment strategy for NAFLD as well as metabolic disorders.

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