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Current Opinion in Endocrinology,... Apr 2014We highlight some of the major recent advances in characterizing human pancreas development and endocrine cell differentiation. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
We highlight some of the major recent advances in characterizing human pancreas development and endocrine cell differentiation.
RECENT FINDINGS
Extensive research efforts have helped to define crucial events in the mouse pancreas organogenesis. Information gained from these studies was used to develop human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation protocols with the goal of generating functional glucose-responsive, insulin-producing human β-cells. In spite of remarkable progress in hESC differentiation, current protocols based on mouse developmental biology can produce human β-cells only in vivo. New differentiation markers and recently generated reagents may provide an unprecedented opportunity to develop a high-density expression map of human fetal pancreas and pancreatic islets that could serve as a reference point for in vitro hESC differentiation.
SUMMARY
Integrating an increased knowledge of human pancreas development into hESC differentiation protocols has the potential to greatly advance our ability to generate functional insulin-producing cells for β-cell replacement therapy.
Topics: Animals; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Embryonic Stem Cells; Endocrine System; Glucose; Humans; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Mice; Organogenesis; Pancreas; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 24569548
DOI: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000047 -
Neuroendocrinology 2022Aging and age-related diseases represent hot topics of current research. Progressive damage in morphology and function of cells and tissue characterizes the normal... (Review)
Review
Aging and age-related diseases represent hot topics of current research. Progressive damage in morphology and function of cells and tissue characterizes the normal process of aging that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The ability of each individual to adapt to these stressors defines the type of aging and the onset of age-related diseases (i.e., metabolic syndrome, inflammatory disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases). The endocrine system plays a critical role in this process because of its complex relationships with brain, immune system, and skeletal muscle; thus, alterations in hormonal networks occur during aging to maintain homeostasis, with consequent under- or overactivity of specific hypothalamic-pituitary-peripheral hormone axes. On the other hand, the increase in life expectancy has led to increasing incidence of age-related diseases, including endocrine disorders, which may prompt assessment of endocrine function in aging individuals. In this context, there is growing awareness that natural changes of endocrine physiology and physiopathology occurring with increasing age may necessitate age-driven diagnostic cutoffs requiring validation in the elderly. This review aims to analyze the available literature on the hormone response to the most important dynamic tests currently used in the clinical practice for the screening of anterior pituitary-related diseases to underline pitfalls in interpretation during aging.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Clinical Chemistry Tests; Humans; Hypopituitarism; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
PubMed: 33454712
DOI: 10.1159/000514434 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023
Topics: Humans; Endocrine System; Sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 37455923
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1238950 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Mar 2024Hepatocrinology explores the intricate relationship between liver function and the endocrine system. Chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis can cause endocrine... (Review)
Review
Hepatocrinology explores the intricate relationship between liver function and the endocrine system. Chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis can cause endocrine disorders due to toxin accumulation and protein synthesis disruption. Despite its importance, assessing endocrine issues in cirrhotic patients is frequently neglected. This article provides a comprehensive review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of endocrine disturbances in liver cirrhosis. The review was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Scielo databases, encompassing 172 articles. Liver cirrhosis is associated with endocrine disturbances, including diabetes, hypoglycemia, sarcopenia, thyroid dysfunction, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, bone disease, adrenal insufficiency, growth hormone dysfunction, and secondary hyperaldosteronism. The optimal tools for diagnosing diabetes and detecting hypoglycemia are the oral glucose tolerance test and continuous glucose monitoring system, respectively. Sarcopenia can be assessed through imaging and functional tests, while other endocrine disorders are evaluated using hormonal assays and imaging studies. Treatment options include metformin, glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors, and insulin, which are effective and safe for diabetes control. Established standards are followed for managing hypoglycemia, and hormone replacement therapy is often necessary for other endocrine dysfunctions. Liver transplantation can address some of these problems.
Topics: Humans; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; Sarcopenia; Blood Glucose; Liver Cirrhosis; Endocrine System; Diabetes Mellitus; Insulin; Hypoglycemia
PubMed: 38577191
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i9.1073 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Perinatal asphyxia is one of the three most important causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia represents the standard treatment for infants... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Perinatal asphyxia is one of the three most important causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia represents the standard treatment for infants with moderate-severe perinatal asphyxia, resulting in reduction in the mortality and major neurodevelopmental disability. So far, data in the literature focusing on the endocrine aspects of both asphyxia and hypothermia treatment at birth are scanty, and many aspects are still debated. Aim of this narrative review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the short- and long-term effects of perinatal asphyxia and of hypothermia treatment on the endocrine system, thus providing suggestions for improving the management of asphyxiated children.
RESULTS
Involvement of the endocrine system (especially glucose and electrolyte disturbances, adrenal hemorrhage, non-thyroidal illness syndrome) can occur in a variable percentage of subjects with perinatal asphyxia, potentially affecting mortality as well as neurological outcome. Hypothermia may also affect endocrine homeostasis, leading to a decreased incidence of hypocalcemia and an increased risk of dilutional hyponatremia and hypercalcemia.
CONCLUSIONS
Metabolic abnormalities in the context of perinatal asphyxia are important modifiable factors that may be associated with a worse outcome. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of endocrine complication, in order to establish appropriate screening protocols and allow timely treatment.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Infant; Pregnancy; Female; Child; Humans; Asphyxia; Hypothermia; Parturition; Asphyxia Neonatorum; Endocrine System
PubMed: 37929024
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1249700 -
Cephalalgia : An International Journal... Nov 2019The clinical picture, but also neuroimaging findings, suggested the brainstem and midbrain structures as possible driving or generating structures in migraine. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The clinical picture, but also neuroimaging findings, suggested the brainstem and midbrain structures as possible driving or generating structures in migraine.
FINDINGS
This has been intensely discussed in the last decades and the advent of modern imaging studies refined the involvement of rostral parts of the pons in acute migraine attacks, but more importantly suggested a predominant role of the hypothalamus and alterations in hypothalamic functional connectivity shortly before the beginning of migraine headaches. This was shown in the NO-triggered and also in the preictal stage of native human migraine attacks. Another headache type that is clinically even more suggestive of hypothalamic involvement is cluster headache, and indeed a structure in close proximity to the hypothalamus has been identified to play a crucial role in attack generation.
CONCLUSION
It is very likely that spontaneous oscillations of complex networks involving the hypothalamus, brainstem, and dopaminergic networks lead to changes in susceptibility thresholds that ultimately start but also terminate headache attacks. We will review clinical and neuroscience evidence that puts the hypothalamus in the center of scientific attention when attack generation is discussed.
Topics: Autonomic Nervous System; Brain Stem; Craving; Dopamine; Emotions; Endocrine System; Headache; Humans; Hypothalamus; Migraine Disorders; Nitric Oxide; Nociception; Pain Perception; Photophobia; Prodromal Symptoms
PubMed: 31466456
DOI: 10.1177/0333102419867280 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022Mathematical modeling has provided quantitative information consistent with experimental data, greatly improving our understanding of the progression of type 1 and type... (Review)
Review
Mathematical modeling has provided quantitative information consistent with experimental data, greatly improving our understanding of the progression of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, diabetes is a complex metabolic disease and has been found to be involved in crosstalk interactions with diverse endocrine diseases. Mathematical models have also been developed to investigate the quantitative impact of various hormonal disorders on glucose imbalance, advancing the precision treatment for secondary diabetes. Here we review the models established for the study of dysglycemia induced by hormonal disorders, such as excessive glucocorticoids, epinephrine, and growth hormone. To investigate the influence of hyperthyroidism on the glucose regulatory system, we also propose a hyperthyroid-diabetes progression model. Model simulations indicate that timely thyroid treatment can halt the progression of hyperglycemia and prevent beta-cell failure. This highlights the diagnosis of hormonal disorders, together withblood sugar tests, as significant measures for the early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. The work recapitulates updated biological research on the interactions between the glucose regulatory system and other endocrine axes. Further mathematical modeling of secondary diabetes is desired to promote the quantitative study of the disease and the development of individualized diabetic therapies.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Hyperglycemia; Endocrine System Diseases; Endocrine System; Glucose; Hyperthyroidism
PubMed: 36619543
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1070979 -
Cells Jul 2021Proper functioning of the body depends on hormonal homeostasis. White adipose tissue is now known as an endocrine organ due to the secretion of multiple molecules called... (Review)
Review
Proper functioning of the body depends on hormonal homeostasis. White adipose tissue is now known as an endocrine organ due to the secretion of multiple molecules called adipokines. These proteins exert direct effects on whole body functions, including lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, inflammation, and reproduction, whereas changes in their level are linked with pathological events, such as infertility, diabetes, and increased food intake. Vaspin-visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor, or SERPINA12 according to serpin nomenclature, is an adipokine discovered in 2005 that is connected to the development of insulin resistance, obesity, and inflammation. A significantly higher amount of vaspin was observed in obese patients. The objective of this review was to summarize the latest findings about vaspin expression and action in endocrine tissues, such as the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adipose tissue, thyroid, ovary, placenta, and testis, as well as discuss the link between vaspin and pathologies connected with hormonal imbalance.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Diabetes Mellitus; Endocrine Cells; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Gonads; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Infertility; Insulin Resistance; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Obesity; Reproduction; Serpins; Thyroid Gland
PubMed: 34359881
DOI: 10.3390/cells10071710 -
Pharmacological Research Apr 2020Patients with uncontrolled hypertension are at risk for cardiovascular complications. The majority of them suffers from unidentified forms of hypertension and a fraction... (Review)
Review
Patients with uncontrolled hypertension are at risk for cardiovascular complications. The majority of them suffers from unidentified forms of hypertension and a fraction has so-called secondary hypertension with an identifiable cause. The patient's medications, its use of certain herbal supplements and over-the-counter agents represent potential causal factors for secondary hypertension that are often overlooked. The current review focuses on drugs that are likely to elevate blood pressure by affecting the human endocrine system at the level of steroid synthesis or metabolism, mineralocorticoid receptor activity, or by affecting the catecholaminergic system. Drugs with known adverse effects but where benefits outweigh their risks, drug candidates and market withdrawals are reviewed. Finally, potential therapeutic strategies are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Blood Pressure; Catecholamines; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Endocrine System; Humans; Hypertension; Mineralocorticoids
PubMed: 31212012
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104311 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Mar 2015Endocrine problems are common in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA). About 80% of children and adults with FA have at least one endocrine abnormality, including short... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Endocrine problems are common in patients with Fanconi anemia (FA). About 80% of children and adults with FA have at least one endocrine abnormality, including short stature, GH deficiency, abnormal glucose or insulin metabolism, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, pubertal delay, hypogonadism, or impaired fertility. The goal of this report is to provide an overview of endocrine abnormalities and guidelines for routine screening and treatment to allow early diagnosis and timely intervention.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
This work is based on a comprehensive literature review, including relevant articles published between 1971 and 2014, and proceedings of a Consensus Conference held by the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund in 2013.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
The panel of experts collected published evidence and discussed its relevance to reflect current information about the endocrine care of children and adults with FA before the Consensus Conference and through subsequent deliberations that led to the consensus.
CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with FA should be routinely screened for endocrine abnormalities, including evaluation of growth; glucose, insulin, and lipid metabolism; thyroid function; puberty; gonadal function; and bone mineral metabolism. Inclusion of an endocrinologist as part of the multidisciplinary patient care team is key to providing comprehensive care for patients with FA.
Topics: Adult; Child; Endocrine System Diseases; Fanconi Anemia; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Growth Disorders; Human Growth Hormone; Humans; Malnutrition; Mass Screening; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Thinness
PubMed: 25575015
DOI: 10.1210/jc.2014-4357