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Nancy Martini Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Osteopatías y Metabolismo Mineral (LIOMM-UNLP-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

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Lucas Streckwall Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Osteopatías y Metabolismo Mineral (LIOMM-UNLP-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

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Antonio Desmond McCarthy Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Osteopatías y Metabolismo Mineral (LIOMM-UNLP-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina

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In post-menopausal women, aged individuals, and patients with diabetes mellitus or chronic renal disease, bone mineral density (BMD) decreases while the vasculature accumulates arterial calcifications (ACs). AC can be found in the tunica intima and/or in the tunica media. Prospective studies have shown that patients with initially low BMD and/or the presence of fragility fractures have at follow-up a significantly increased risk for coronary and cerebrovascular events and for overall cardiovascular mortality. Similarly, patients presenting with abdominal aorta calcifications (an easily quantifiable marker of vascular pathology) show a significant decrease in the BMD (and an increase in the fragility) of bones irrigated by branches of the abdominal aorta, such as the hip and lumbar spine. AC induction is an ectopic tissue biomineralization process promoted by osteogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells as well as by local and systemic secreted factors. In many cases, the same regulatory molecules modulate bone metabolism but in reverse. Investigation of animal and in vitro models has identified several potential mechanisms for this reciprocal bone–vascular regulation, such as vitamin K and D sufficiency, advanced glycation end-products–RAGE interaction, osteoprotegerin/RANKL/RANK, Fetuin A, oestrogen deficiency and phytooestrogen supplementation, microbiota and its relation to diet, among others. Complete elucidation of these potential mechanisms, as well as their clinical validation via controlled studies, will provide a basis for pharmacological intervention that could simultaneously promote bone and vascular health.

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Marianne C Astor Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

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Kristian Løvås Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

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Anette S B Wolff Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

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Bjørn Nedrebø Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

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Eirik Bratland Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

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Jon Steen-Johnsen Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

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Eystein S Husebye Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Pediatric Department, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

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Primary hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcemia (HSH) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by neuromuscular symptoms in infancy due to extremely low levels of serum magnesium and moderate to severe hypocalcemia. Homozygous mutations in the magnesium transporter gene transient receptor potential cation channel member 6 (TRPM6) cause the disease. HSH can be misdiagnosed as primary hypoparathyroidism. The aim of this study was to describe the genetic, clinical and biochemical features of patients clinically diagnosed with HSH in a Norwegian cohort. Five patients in four families with clinical features of HSH were identified, including one during a national survey of hypoparathyroidism. The clinical history of the patients and their families were reviewed and gene analyses of TRPM6 performed. Four of five patients presented with generalized seizures in infancy and extremely low levels of serum magnesium accompanied by moderate hypocalcemia. Two of the patients had an older sibling who died in infancy. Four novel mutations and one large deletion in TRPM6 were identified. In one patient two linked homozygous mutations were located in exon 22 (p.F978L) and exon 23 (p.G1042V). Two families had an identical mutation in exon 25 (p.E1155X). The fourth patient had a missense mutation in exon 4 (p.H61N) combined with a large deletion in the C-terminal end of the gene. HSH is a potentially lethal condition that can be misdiagnosed as primary hypoparathyroidism. The diagnosis is easily made if serum magnesium is measured. When treated appropriately with high doses of oral magnesium supplementation, severe hypomagnesemia is uncommon and the long-term prognosis seems to be good.

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Keiko Ohkuwa Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Kiminori Sugino Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Ryohei Katoh Department of Pathology, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Mitsuji Nagahama Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Wataru Kitagawa Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Kenichi Matsuzu Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Akifumi Suzuki Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Chisato Tomoda Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Kiyomi Hames Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Junko Akaishi Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Chie Masaki Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Kana Yoshioka Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Koichi Ito Department of Surgery, Ito Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

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Objective

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare tumor among parathyroid tumors. Aspiration cytology and needle biopsy are generally not recommended for diagnostic purposes because they cause dissemination. Therefore, it is commonly diagnosed by postoperative histopathological examination. In this study, we investigated whether preoperative inflammatory markers can be used as predictors of cancer in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Design

This was a retrospective study.

Methods

Thirty-six cases of parathyroid carcinoma and 50 cases of parathyroid adenoma (PA) operated with the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism and confirmed histopathologically at Ito Hospital were included in this study. Preoperative clinical characteristics and inflammatory markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR)) were compared and their values in preoperative prediction were evaluated and analyzed.

Results

Preoperative intact-parathyroid hormone (P  = 0.0003), serum calcium (P  = 0.0048), and tumor diameter (P  = 0.0002) were significantly higher in parathyroid carcinoma than in PA. LMR showed a significant decrease in parathyroid carcinoma (P  = 0.0062). In multivariate analysis, LMR and tumor length diameter were independent predictors. In the receiver operating characteristics analysis, the cut-off values for LMR and tumor length diameter were 4.85 and 28.0 mm, respectively, for parathyroid cancer prediction. When the two extracted factors were stratified by the number of factors held, the predictive ability improved as the number of factors increased.

Conclusion

In the preoperative evaluation, a combination of tumor length diameter of more than 28 mm and LMR of less than 4.85 was considered to have a high probability of cancer.

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Laura J Reid Edinburgh Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

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Bala Muthukrishnan Edinburgh Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

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Dilip Patel Department of Radiology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

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Mike S Crane Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

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Murat Akyol Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

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Andrew Thomson Department of Pathology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

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Jonathan R Seckl Edinburgh Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical Research Unit, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

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Fraser W Gibb Edinburgh Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

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Objective

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common reason for referral to endocrinology but the evidence base guiding assessment is limited. We evaluated the clinical presentation, assessment and subsequent management in PHPT.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Patients

PHPT assessed between 2006 and 2014 (n = 611) in a university hospital.

Measurements

Symptoms, clinical features, biochemistry, neck radiology and surgical outcomes.

Results

Fatigue (23.8%), polyuria (15.6%) and polydipsia (14.9%) were associated with PHPT biochemistry. Bone fracture was present in 16.4% but was not associated with biochemistry. A history of nephrolithiasis (10.0%) was associated only with younger age (P = 0.006) and male gender (P = 0.037). Thiazide diuretic discontinuation was not associated with any subsequent change in calcium (P = 0.514). Urine calcium creatinine clearance ratio (CCCR) was <0.01 in 18.2% of patients with confirmed PHPT. Older age (P < 0.001) and lower PTH (P = 0.043) were associated with failure to locate an adenoma on ultrasound (44.0% of scans). When an adenoma was identified on ultrasound the lateralisation was correct in 94.5%. Non-curative surgery occurred in 8.2% and was greater in those requiring more than one neck imaging modality (OR 2.42, P = 0.035).

Conclusions

Clinical features associated with PHPT are not strongly related to biochemistry. Thiazide cessation does not appear to attenuate hypercalcaemia. PHPT remains the likeliest diagnosis in the presence of low CCCR. Ultrasound is highly discriminant when an adenoma is identified but surgical failure is more likely when more than one imaging modality is required.

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Mengting Yin Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, China

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Qianhui Liu Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, China

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Qingzhong Wang Jintang First People’s Hospital, West China Hospital Sichuan University Jingtang Hospital, Chengdu, China

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Yong He Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, China

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Haolan Song Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, China

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Xin Nie Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, China

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Guixing Li Sichuan University West China Hospital, Chengdu, China

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Background

The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) remains a challenge because of increased asymptomatic PHPT or patients with normocalcaemic PHPT (NPHPT). In addition, some primary hospitals in China have no equipment to measure parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Therefore, an additional, simple, and inexpensive laboratory biochemical marker is urgently needed. The calcium/phosphate (Ca/P) ratio and chloride/phosphate (Cl/P) ratio have been proposed as suitable tools to diagnose PHPT in Europe; however, the Ca/P ratio has never been tested in China. We aimed to conduct a confirmatory study to explore the diagnostic performance of the Ca/P ratio for PHPT in China.

Methods

From January 2015 to December 2020, a total of 155 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy (143 PHPT patients and 12 NPHPT patients) and 153 controls were enrolled in this single-center , retrospective study. Serum calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, 25-hydroxyvitamin vitamin D (25(OH) vitamin D), chloride, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and creatinine levels were recorded for all the study participants. Pairwise comparisons were made between groups, and the diagnostic performance of the Ca/P ratio was determined using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Patients with PHPT had a higher Ca/P ratio than controls (P < 0.001). A Ca/P ratio above 2.94 with a sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 98.7% can distinguish PHPT patients from healthy individuals. This index was positively correlated with the PTH level (r = 0.875, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The Ca/P ratio is an ideal and inexpensive indicator for diagnosing PHPT in China when using a cut-off value of 2.94.

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Eeva M Ryhänen
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Ilkka Heiskanen
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Harri Sintonen Endocrinology, Department of Public Health, Group Administration, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Abdominal Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Post Box 340, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland

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Matti J Välimäki
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Risto P Roine Endocrinology, Department of Public Health, Group Administration, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Abdominal Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Post Box 340, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland
Endocrinology, Department of Public Health, Group Administration, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Abdominal Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Post Box 340, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland
Endocrinology, Department of Public Health, Group Administration, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Abdominal Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Post Box 340, FI-00290 Helsinki, Finland

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Camilla Schalin-Jäntti
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Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is frequently impaired in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) but it is unclear if surgery is beneficial. The objective was to prospectively assess HRQoL in PHPT (n=124) with the 15D instrument before and after surgery, to compare it with that of a comparable sample of the general population (n=4295), and search for predictors of HRQoL and its change. HRQoL, and clinical and laboratory parameters were measured before and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Regression techniques were used to search for predictors of HRQoL and gains from treatment. Before surgery, PHPT patients had significantly lower mean 15D score compared to controls (0.813 vs 0.904, P<0.001). Excretion, mental function, discomfort and symptoms, distress, depression, vitality, and sexual activity were most impaired (all P<0.001). Number of medications (P=0.001) and subjective symptoms (P<0.05) but not calcium or parathyroid hormone (PTH) predicted impaired HRQoL. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) was of borderline significance (P=0.051). Compared to baseline, mean 15D score improved significantly 6 months after surgery (0.813 vs 0.865, P<0.001) and the effect sustained at 1 year (0.878, P<0.001). The improvement was clinically important in 77.4% of patients (P<0.001). Educational level independently predicted improvement (P<0.005). HRQoL is severely impaired in PHPT but improves significantly after surgery. The 15D is a sensitive tool for assessing HRQoL and recognizing patients likely to benefit from surgery.

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Sara Lomelino Pinheiro Serviço de Endocrinologia, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisboa, Portugal

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Ana Saramago Unidade de Investigação em Patobiologia Molecular, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisboa, Portugal

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Branca Maria Cavaco Unidade de Investigação em Patobiologia Molecular, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisboa, Portugal

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Carmo Martins Unidade de Investigação em Patobiologia Molecular, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisboa, Portugal

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Valeriano Leite Serviço de Endocrinologia e Unidade de Investigação em Patobiologia Molecular, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisboa, Portugal

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Tiago Nunes da Silva Serviço de Endocrinologia e Unidade de Investigação em Patobiologia Molecular, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisboa, Portugal

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Nineteen cases of parathyroid carcinoma in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 have been reported in the literature, of which 11 carry an inactivating germline mutation in the MEN1 gene. Somatic genetic abnormalities in these parathyroid carcinomas have never been detected. In this paper, we aimed to describe the clinical and molecular characterization of a parathyroid carcinoma identified in a patient with MEN1. A 60-year-old man was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism during the postoperative period of lung carcinoid surgery. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were 15.0 mg/dL (8.4–10.2) and 472 pg/mL (12–65), respectively. The patient underwent parathyroid surgery, and histological findings were consistent with parathyroid carcinoma. Analysis of the MEN1 gene by next-generation sequencing (NGS) identified a novel germline heterozygous nonsense pathogenic variant (c.978C>A; p.(Tyr326*)), predicted to encode a truncated protein. Genetic analysis of the parathyroid carcinoma revealed a c.307del, p.(Leu103Cysfs*16) frameshift truncating somatic MEN1 variant in the MEN1 gene, which is consistent with MEN1 tumor-suppressor role, confirming its involvement in parathyroid carcinoma etiology. Genetic analysis of CDC73, GCM2, TP53, RB1, AKT1, MTOR, PIK3CA and CCND1 genes in the parathyroid carcinoma DNA did not detect any somatic mutations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a PC case presenting both germline (first-hit) and somatic (second-hit) inactivation of the MEN1 gene.

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Paal Methlie Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway
Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway

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Steinar Hustad Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway

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Ralf Kellman Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway

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Bjørg Almås Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway

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Martina M Erichsen Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway

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Eystein S Husebye Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway
Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway

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Kristian Løvås Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway
Department of Clinical Science, Department of Medicine, University of Bergen, N-5021 Bergen, Norway

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Objective

Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) offers superior analytical specificity compared with immunoassays, but it is not available in many regions and hospitals due to expensive instrumentation and tedious sample preparation. Thus, we developed an automated, high-throughput LC–MS/MS assay for simultaneous quantification of ten endogenous and synthetic steroids targeting diseases of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and gonads.

Methods

Deuterated internal standards were added to 85 μl serum and processed by liquid–liquid extraction. Cortisol, cortisone, prednisolone, prednisone, 11-deoxycortisol, dexamethasone, testosterone, androstenedione and progesterone were resolved by ultra-high-pressure chromatography on a reversed-phase column in 6.1 min and detected by triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. The method was used to assess steroid profiles in women with Addison's disease (AD, n=156) and blood donors (BDs, n=102).

Results

Precisions ranged from 4.5 to 10.1% relative standard deviations (RSD), accuracies from 95 to 108% and extraction recoveries from 60 to 84%. The method was practically free of matrix effects and robust to individual differences in serum composition. Most postmenopausal AD women had extremely low androstenedione concentrations, below 0.14 nmol/l, and median testosterone concentrations of 0.15 nmol/l (interquartile range 0.00–0.41), considerably lower than those of postmenopausal BDs (1.28 nmol/l (0.96–1.64) and 0.65 nmol/l (0.56–1.10) respectively). AD women in fertile years had androstenedione concentrations of 1.18 nmol/l (0.71–1.76) and testosterone concentrations of 0.44 nmol/l (0.22–0.63), approximately half of those found in BDs of corresponding age.

Conclusion

This LC–MS/MS assay provides highly sensitive and specific assessments of glucocorticoids and androgens with low sample volumes and is suitable for endocrine laboratories and research. Its utility has been demonstrated in a large cohort of women with AD, and the data suggest that women with AD are particularly androgen deficient after menopause.

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Emanuelle Nunes-Souza Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Água Verde, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Rebouças, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Centro de Genética Molecular e Pesquisa do Câncer em Crianças (CEGEMPAC) at Universidade Federal do Paraná, Agostinho Leão Jr., Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Mônica Evelise Silveira Laboratório Central de Análises Clínicas, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Centro, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

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Monalisa Castilho Mendes Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Água Verde, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Rebouças, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Centro de Genética Molecular e Pesquisa do Câncer em Crianças (CEGEMPAC) at Universidade Federal do Paraná, Agostinho Leão Jr., Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Seigo Nagashima Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, General Carneiro, Alto da Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Departamento de Medicina, PUC-PR, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Caroline Busatta Vaz de Paula Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, General Carneiro, Alto da Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Departamento de Medicina, PUC-PR, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Guilherme Guilherme Vieira Cavalcante da Silva Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, General Carneiro, Alto da Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Departamento de Medicina, PUC-PR, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Giovanna Silva Barbosa Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, General Carneiro, Alto da Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Departamento de Medicina, PUC-PR, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Julia Belgrowicz Martins Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Água Verde, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Rebouças, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Lúcia de Noronha Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, General Carneiro, Alto da Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Departamento de Medicina, PUC-PR, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Luana Lenzi Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

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José Renato Sales Barbosa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Água Verde, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Centro de Genética Molecular e Pesquisa do Câncer em Crianças (CEGEMPAC) at Universidade Federal do Paraná, Agostinho Leão Jr., Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Rayssa Danilow Fachin Donin Centro de Genética Molecular e Pesquisa do Câncer em Crianças (CEGEMPAC) at Universidade Federal do Paraná, Agostinho Leão Jr., Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Juliana Ferreira de Moura Pós Graduação em Microbiologia, Parasitologia e Patologia, Departamento de Patologia Básica – UFPR, Curitiba, Brazil

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Gislaine Custódio Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Rebouças, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Laboratório Central de Análises Clínicas, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Centro, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

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Cleber Machado-Souza Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Água Verde, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Rebouças, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Centro de Genética Molecular e Pesquisa do Câncer em Crianças (CEGEMPAC) at Universidade Federal do Paraná, Agostinho Leão Jr., Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil

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Enzo Lalli Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, France

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Bonald Cavalcante de Figueiredo Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Água Verde, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Rebouças, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Centro de Genética Molecular e Pesquisa do Câncer em Crianças (CEGEMPAC) at Universidade Federal do Paraná, Agostinho Leão Jr., Glória, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Departamento de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

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Objective

Adaptive changes in DHEA and sulfated-DHEA (DHEAS) production from adrenal zona reticularis (ZR) have been observed in normal and pathological conditions. Here we used three different cohorts to assess timing differences in DHEAS blood level changes and characterize the relationship between early blood DHEAS reduction and cell number changes in women ZR.

Materials and methods

DHEAS plasma samples (n = 463) were analyzed in 166 healthy prepubertal girls before pubarche (<9 years) and 324 serum samples from 268 adult females (31.9–83.8 years) without conditions affecting steroidogenesis. Guided by DHEAS blood levels reduction rate, we selected the age range for ZR cell counting using DHEA/DHEAS and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), tumor suppressor and cell stress marker, immunostaining, and hematoxylin stained nuclei of 14 post-mortem adrenal glands.

Results

We confirmed that overweight girls exhibited higher and earlier DHEAS levels and no difference was found compared with the average European and South American girls with a similar body mass index (BMI). Adrenopause onset threshold (AOT) defined as DHEAS blood levels <2040 nmol/L was identified in >35% of the females >40 years old and associated with significantly reduced ZR cell number (based on PTEN and hematoxylin signals). ZR cell loss may in part account for lower DHEA/DHEAS expression, but most cells remain alive with lower DHEA/DHEAS biosynthesis.

Conclusion

The timely relation between significant reduction of blood DHEAS levels and decreased ZR cell number at the beginning of the 40s suggests that adrenopause is an additional burden for a significant number of middle-aged women, and may become an emergent problem associated with further sex steroids reduction during the menopausal transition.

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Enrique Pedernera Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Ciudad de México, México

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Flavia Morales-Vásquez Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, México

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María J Gómora Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Ciudad de México, México

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Miguel A Almaraz Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Ciudad de México, México

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Esteban Mena Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Secretaría General, Ciudad de México, México
Universidad La Salle, Posgrado de la Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Ciudad de México, México

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Delia Pérez-Montiel Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, México

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Elizabeth Rendon Hospital Militar de Especialidades de la Mujer y Neonatología. Ciudad de México, México

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Horacio López-Basave Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Ciudad de México, México

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Juan Maldonado-Cubas Universidad La Salle, Posgrado de la Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Ciudad de México, México

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Carmen Méndez Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Ciudad de México, México

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The incidence of ovarian cancer has been epidemiologically related to female reproductive events and hormone replacement therapy after menopause. This highlights the importance of evaluating the role of sexual steroid hormones in ovarian cancer by the expression of enzymes related to steroid hormone biosynthesis in the tumor cells. This study was aimed to evaluate the presence of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1), aromatase and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in the tumor cells and their association with the overall survival in 111 patients diagnosed with primary ovarian tumors. Positive immunoreactivity for 17β-HSD1 was observed in 74% of the tumors. In the same samples, aromatase and ERα revealed 66% and 47% positivity, respectively. No association was observed of 17β-HSD1 expression with the histological subtypes and clinical stages of the tumor. The overall survival of patients was improved in 17β-HSD1-positive group in Kaplan–Meier analysis (P = 0.028), and 17β-HSD1 expression had a protective effect from multivariate proportional regression evaluation (HR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.24–0.9; P = 0.040). The improved survival was observed in serous epithelial tumors but not in nonserous ovarian tumors. The expression of 17β-HSD1 in the cells of the serous epithelial ovarian tumors was associated with an improved overall survival, whereas aromatase and ERα were not related to a better survival. The evaluation of hazard risk factors demonstrated that age and clinical stage showed worse prognosis, and 17β-HSD1 expression displayed a protective effect with a better survival outcome in patients of epithelial ovarian tumors.

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