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Endocrine Practice : Official Journal... Apr 2024This study aims to explore the significant impact of environmental chemicals on disease development, focusing on their role in developing metabolic and endocrine... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to explore the significant impact of environmental chemicals on disease development, focusing on their role in developing metabolic and endocrine diseases. The objective is to understand how these chemicals contribute to the increasing prevalence of precocious puberty, considering various factors, including epigenetic changes, lifestyle, and emotional disturbances.
METHODS
The study employs a comprehensive review of descriptive observational studies in both human and animal models to identify a degree of causality between exposure to environmental chemicals and disease development, specifically focusing on endocrine disruption. Due to ethical constraints, direct causation studies in human subjects are not feasible; therefore, the research relies on accumulated observational data.
RESULTS
Puberty is a crucial life period with marked physiological and psychological changes. The age at which sexual characteristics develop is changing in many regions. The findings indicate a correlation between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and the early onset of puberty. These chemicals have been shown to interfere with normal hormonal processes, particularly during critical developmental stages such as adolescence. The research also highlights the interaction of these chemical exposures with other factors, including nutritional history, social and lifestyle changes, and emotional stress, which together contribute to the prevalence of precocious puberty.
CONCLUSION
Environmental chemicals significantly contribute to the development of certain metabolic and endocrine diseases, particularly in the rising incidence of precocious puberty. Although the evidence is mainly observational, it adequately justifies regulatory actions to reduce exposure risks. Furthermore, these findings highlight the urgent need for more research on the epigenetic effects of these chemicals and their wider impact on human health, especially during vital developmental periods.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Humans; Endocrine Disruptors; Endocrine System; Endocrine System Diseases; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 38185329
DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.01.006 -
Indian Pediatrics May 2024To evaluate the role of basal and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated inhibin B to differentiate premature thelarche from gonadotropin-dependent precocious...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of basal and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated inhibin B to differentiate premature thelarche from gonadotropin-dependent precocious puberty (GDPP).
METHOD
This was a prospective interventional study. Basal and FSH-stimulated inhibin B levels were estimated in girls presenting with thelarche < 8 years age (n = 10), healthy girls with normal pubertal development (pubertal control) (n = 8) and healthy prepubertal girls (prepubertal control) (n = 7). Girls with early puberty were classified as premature thelarche or GDPP based on GnRH agonist stimulation test.
RESULTS
Median (IQR) basal inhibin B in premature thelarche was 5.42 (2.91, 30.58) pg/mL and FSH-stimulated inhibin B was 236.72 (111.53, 4431.73) pg/mL (P = 0.043). Median (IQR) basal inhibin B in GDPP was 64.11 (24.96, 792.45) pg/mL and FSH-stimulated inhibin B was 833.66 (500.11-1266.18) pg/mL (P = 0.043). Basal inhibin B was discriminatory between GDPP and premature thelarche (P = 0.032). Median (IQR) basal inhibin B in prepubertal and prepubertal controls was 20.36 (9.61, 29.12) and 75.48 (58.55, 165.55) pg/mL, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Basal inhibin B is useful in differentiation of premature thelarche from GDPP while the role of FSH-stimulated inhibin B needs to be further explored in large sample size.
PubMed: 38803096
DOI: No ID Found -
Hormone Research in Paediatrics May 2024GnRHas are used for treatment of precocious puberty. Over the last decade, several new formulations have been approved.
INTRODUCTION
GnRHas are used for treatment of precocious puberty. Over the last decade, several new formulations have been approved.
METHODS
The Drugs & Therapeutics subcommittee of the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) undertook a review to ascertain the current treatment options, prescribing behaviors, and practices of GnRHas among pediatric endocrinologists practicing within the United States. The survey consisted of four main subsections: 1. Description of clinical practice; 2. Self-assessment of knowledge base of pediatric and adult GnRHa formulations; 3. Current practice for treating CPP; and 4. Utilization of healthcare resources.
RESULTS
There were 223 survey respondents. Pediatric endocrine practitioners were most familiar with the pediatric one-monthly preparation, the three-month preparation, and the histrelin implant (SupprelinĀ®) (61.9%, 71.7%, and 34.5%, respectively), with lower familiarity for 24-week triptorelin intramuscular (TriptodurĀ®) and 22.9% and six-month subcutaneous leuprolide (FensolviĀ®). Only 23% of the respondents reported being extremely familiar with the availability of adult formulations, and 25% reported being completely unaware of cost differences between pediatric and adult GnRHa preparations. The implant was the most preferred therapy (44.4%), but in practice, respondents reported a higher percentage of patients were treated with 3-month preparation. While family preference/ease of treatment (87%) was the key determinant for using a particular GnRHa preparation, insurance coverage also played a significant role in the decision (65.5%). Responses regarding assessment for efficacy of treatment were inconsistent, as were practices and criteria for obtaining an MRI.
CONCLUSIONS
The survey indicated there is more familiarity with older, shorter-acting GnRHas, which are prescribed in greater numbers than newer, longer-acting formulations. There is lack of consensus on the need for CNS imaging in girls presenting with CPP between 6-8 years of age and use of laboratory testing to monitor response to treatment. Insurance requirements regarding CNS imaging and laboratory monitoring are highly variable. Despite having similar constituents and bioavailability there are substantial cost differences between the pediatric and adult formulations and lack of evidence for safe use of these formulations in children. The survey-based analysis highlights the challenges faced by prescribers, while reflecting on areas where further research is needed to provide evidence-based practice guidelines for pediatric endocrinologists.
PubMed: 38718766
DOI: 10.1159/000539011 -
Microorganisms Feb 2024The gut microbiota has been implicated in the context of sexual maturation during puberty, with discernible differences in its composition before and after this critical... (Review)
Review
The gut microbiota has been implicated in the context of sexual maturation during puberty, with discernible differences in its composition before and after this critical developmental stage. Notably, there has been a global rise in the prevalence of precocious puberty in recent years, particularly among girls, where approximately 90% of central precocious puberty cases lack a clearly identifiable cause. While a link between precocious puberty and the gut microbiota has been observed, the precise causality and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This narrative review aims to systematically elucidate the potential mechanisms that underlie the intricate relationship between the gut microbiota and precocious puberty. Potential avenues of exploration include investigating the impact of the gut microbiota on endocrine function, particularly in the regulation of hormones, such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Additionally, this review will delve into the intricate interplay between the gut microbiome, metabolism, and obesity, considering the known association between obesity and precocious puberty. This review will also explore how the microbiome's involvement in nutrient metabolism could impact precocious puberty. Finally, attention is given to the microbiota's ability to produce neurotransmitters and neuroactive compounds, potentially influencing the central nervous system components involved in regulating puberty. By exploring these mechanisms, this narrative review seeks to identify unexplored targets and emerging directions in understanding the role of the gut microbiome in relation to precocious puberty. The ultimate goal is to provide valuable insights for the development of non-invasive diagnostic methods and innovative therapeutic strategies for precocious puberty in the future, such as specific probiotic therapy.
PubMed: 38399733
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020323 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Some studies have investigated the association between vitamin D levels and precocious puberty (PP) but with limited sample sizes and inconsistent conclusions across... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Some studies have investigated the association between vitamin D levels and precocious puberty (PP) but with limited sample sizes and inconsistent conclusions across studies.
METHODS
Until July 2022, a comprehensive electronic search of works of literature was conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure). A systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 case-control studies with 2145 cases and 2063 controls was conducted to explore the relationship between vitamin D and PP. Stratified analyses by year of publication, country, diagnosis category of PP, child's sex, and methods of 25(OH)D test were conducted.
RESULTS
There was a negative correlation between 25(OH)D concentrations and PP in all study populations (SMD = -1.046, 95%CI = -1.366, -0.726). The pooled SMD remained significant in Chinese studies (SMD = -1.113, 95%CI = -0.486, -0.741), studies published before or after 2018 (SMD = -0.9832 and -1.185, 95%CI = -2.044, -1.133 and -1.755, -0.726), studies with female children (SMD = -1.114, 95%CI = -1.446, -0.781), and studies using electrochemiluminescence to detect 25(OH)D (SMD = -0.999, 95%CI = -1.467, -0.531). Vitamin D deficiency also increased the risk of PP (OR = 1.531, 95%CI = 1.098, 2.134). Unfortunately, heterogeneity was high in all analyses, and there was some publication bias.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated an association between vitamin D and precocious puberty. We recommend more high-quality studies, especially prospective cohort studies with big sample sizes or some randomized controlled intervention trials, to validate the reliability of the results.
Topics: Child; Humans; Female; Vitamin D; Puberty, Precocious; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Vitamins
PubMed: 38116317
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1298374 -
Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Puberty, Precocious; Puberty; Female; Puberty, Delayed
PubMed: 38677874
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2024.03.002 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023Pubertal development represents the process of physical maturation where an adolescent reaches sexual maturity and attains reproductive function. The effects of vitamin... (Review)
Review
Pubertal development represents the process of physical maturation where an adolescent reaches sexual maturity and attains reproductive function. The effects of vitamin D are mainly mediated by the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is expressed in almost all body cells, including the ovary and human pituitary gland and animal hypothalamus. Thus, vitamin D has gained great interest as pathogenic factor of pubertal disorders and fertility. This narrative review aimed to provide a broad overview of the available literature regarding the association between vitamin D levels, puberty timing, and age at menarche. A review of the data on the involvement of micronutrient deficiency, as a modifiable cause of pubertal disorders, is important for the prediction and prevention of deficiencies as well as for fertility protection and should be considered a public health priority. Reported data support that vitamin D is a regulator of neuroendocrine and ovarian physiology and, more in detail, a deficiency of vitamin D is involved in altered pubertal timing. Considering the long-term consequences of early pubertal development and early menarche, the detection of modifiable causes is crucial in preventive strategies. Future studies in humans and with an increased scale are needed to elucidate the vitamin D role in sexual maturation and puberty development.
PubMed: 37508740
DOI: 10.3390/children10071243 -
Nutrients Oct 2023The prevalence of central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls has increased worldwide and is often associated with obesity in childhood as well as high fat/high glycemic... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls has increased worldwide and is often associated with obesity in childhood as well as high fat/high glycemic index diets. Evidence suggests that subjects with obesity present with alterations in appetite-regulating hormones. The arcuate and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus are the centers of action of appetite hormones, as well as the location of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, the activation of which results in the onset of puberty. This anatomical proximity raises the question of possible alterations in appetite-regulating hormones in patients with CPP. Furthermore, diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation constitutes a probable mechanism of the pathophysiology of CPP, as well as alterations in appetite-regulating hormones in young children. In this article, we summarize the evidence investigating whether girls with CPP present with alterations in appetite-regulating hormones. We present evidence that leptin concentrations are elevated in girls with CPP, ghrelin concentrations are lower in girls with CPP, nesfatin-1 and orexin-A concentrations are elevated among girls with premature thelarche, and insulin concentrations are increased in girls with early menarche.
Topics: Female; Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Puberty, Precocious; Luteinizing Hormone; Appetite; Pediatric Obesity; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Follicle Stimulating Hormone
PubMed: 37836591
DOI: 10.3390/nu15194306 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Puberty identifies the transition from childhood to adulthood. Precocious puberty is the onset of signs of pubertal development before age eight in girls and before age... (Review)
Review
Puberty identifies the transition from childhood to adulthood. Precocious puberty is the onset of signs of pubertal development before age eight in girls and before age nine in boys, it has an incidence of 1/5000-1/10,000 with an F:M ratio ranging from 3:1 to 20:1. Precocious puberty can be divided into central, also known as gonadotropin-dependent precocious puberty or true precocious puberty, and peripheral, also recognized as gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty or precocious pseudopuberty. Thus, the main aim of this narrative report is to describe the standard clinical management and therapy of precocious puberty according to the experience and expertise of pediatricians and pediatric endocrinologists at Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. In the suspicion of early sexual maturation, it is important to collect information regarding the age of onset, the speed of maturation of secondary sexual features, exposure to exogenous sex steroids and the presence of neurological symptoms. The objective examination, in addition to the evaluation of secondary sexual characteristics, must also include the evaluation of auxological parameters. Initial laboratory investigations should include serum gonadotropin levels (LH and FSH) and serum levels of the sex steroids. Brain MRI should be performed as indicated by the 2009 Consensus Statement in all boys regardless of chronological age and in all girls with onset of pubertal signs before 6 years of age. The gold standard in the treatment of central precocious puberty is represented by GnRH analogs, whereas, as far as peripheral forms are concerned, the triggering cause must be identified and treated. At the moment there are no reliable data establishing the criteria for discontinuation of GnRH analog therapy. However, numerous pieces of evidence suggest that the therapy should be suspended at the physiological age at which puberty occurs.
PubMed: 37892335
DOI: 10.3390/children10101672