Assessment of Endocrine Function

Author(s):  
Sumitha S. Hathiramani ◽  
Hans K. Ghayee

This chapter describes the various methods used for quantifying concentrations of circulating hormones and thus assessing endocrine function. The paradigm of feedback regulation (for example, of the hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland axis) is central to this assessment of endocrine status. Any disruption in such an axis can cause alterations in trophic and target hormone pairs. High concentration of a target gland hormone coupled with low concentration of the corresponding trophic hormone (e.g., pituitary hormone) suggests autonomous secretion by the target endocrine organ, as is typical in primary hyperthyroidism, e.g., high thyroxine (T4), suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Elevated concentrations of both members of a hormone pair usually indicate autonomous secretion of the trophic hormone, either from the normal site or from a tumor in an “ectopic” (extraglandular) location. For example, excess cortisol production driven by a high plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level may be due to the secretion of pituitary ACTH or secretion of ACTH by lung tumors. Alternatively, the combined elevation of trophic and target endocrine gland hormones can result from resistance to the action of the target endocrine gland hormone e.g., elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone in androgen resistance. Autonomous hypersecretion of the trophic hormone typically results in clinical evidence of target gland hormone excess, whereas resistance to the target gland hormone leads to manifestations of hormone deficiency. Hormones circulating in the plasma were first detected by in vivo bioassays, in which plasma or extracts of plasma were injected into animals and biological responses were measured. Unfortunately, most in vivo bioassays lack the precision, sensitivity, and specificity required to measure the low concentrations of many hormones in plasma, and the assays are cumbersome and impractical for routine use in clinical chemistry laboratories. Great progress in measuring plasma hormone concentrations came with the development of radioimmunoassays (RIAs) in the late 1950s. An unknown concentration of hormone in plasma is estimated by allowing competition with a labeled hormone or analog for specific binding sites on an antibody.

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 875
Author(s):  
Karlijn Pellikaan ◽  
Geeske M. van Woerden ◽  
Lotte Kleinendorst ◽  
Anna G. W. Rosenberg ◽  
Bernhard Horsthemke ◽  
...  

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic condition characterized by hypotonia, intellectual disability, and hypothalamic dysfunction, causing pituitary hormone deficiencies and hyperphagia, ultimately leading to obesity. PWS is most often caused by the loss of expression of a cluster of genes on chromosome 15q11.2-13. Patients with Prader–Willi-like syndrome (PWLS) display features of the PWS phenotype without a classical PWS genetic defect. We describe a 46-year-old patient with PWLS, including hypotonia, intellectual disability, hyperphagia, and pituitary hormone deficiencies. Routine genetic tests for PWS were normal, but a homozygous missense variant NM_003097.3(SNRPN):c.193C>T, p.(Arg65Trp) was identified. Single nucleotide polymorphism array showed several large regions of homozygosity, caused by high-grade consanguinity between the parents. Our functional analysis, the ‘Pipeline for Rapid in silico, in vivo, in vitro Screening of Mutations’ (PRiSM) screen, showed that overexpression of SNRPN-p.Arg65Trp had a dominant negative effect, strongly suggesting pathogenicity. However, it could not be confirmed that the variant was responsible for the phenotype of the patient. In conclusion, we present a unique homozygous missense variant in SNURF-SNRPN in a patient with PWLS. We describe the diagnostic trajectory of this patient and the possible contributors to her phenotype in light of the current literature on the genotype–phenotype relationship in PWS.


1991 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Lyson ◽  
Samuel M. McCann

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danyel Jennen ◽  
Jan Polman ◽  
Mark Bessem ◽  
Maarten Coonen ◽  
Joost van Delft ◽  
...  

1993 ◽  
Vol 129 (6) ◽  
pp. 489-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Kjær

Secretion of the anterior pituitary hormones adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), β-endorphin and prolactin (PRL) is complex and involves a variety of factors. This review focuses on the involvement of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) in neuroendocrine regulation of these anterior pituitary hormones with special reference to receptor involvement, mode of action and origin of AVP. Arginine-vasopressin may act via at least two types of receptors: V1− and V2−receptors, where the pituitary V1−receptor is designated V1b. The mode of action of AVP may be mediating, i.e. anterior pituitary hormone secretion is transmitted via release of AVP, or the mode of action may be permissive, i.e. the presence of AVP at a low and constant level is required for anterior pituitary hormones to be stimulated. Under in vivo conditions, the AVP-induced release of ACTH and β-endorphin is mainly mediated via activation of hypothalamic V1− receptors, which subsequently leads to the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone. Under in vitro conditions, the AVP-stimulated release of ACTH and β-endorphin is mediated via pituitary V1b− receptors. The mode of action of AVP in the ACTH and β-endorphin response to stress and to histamine, which is involved in stress-induced secretion of anterior pituitary hormones, is mediating (utilizing V1− receptors) as well as permissive (utilizing mainly V1− but also V2−receptors). The AVP-induced release of PRL under in vivo conditions is conveyed mainly via activation of V1−receptors but V2−receptors and probably additional receptor(s) may also play a role. In stress- and histamine induced PRL secretion the role of AVP is both mediating (utilizing V1 −receptors) and permissive (utilizing both V1− and V2− receptors). Arginine-vasopressin may be a candidate for the PRL-releasing factor recently identified in the posterior pituitary gland. Arginine-vasopressin of both magno- and parvocellular origin may be involved in the regulation of anterior pituitary hormone secretion and may reach the corticotrophs and the lactotrophs via three main routes: the peripheral circulation, the long pituitary portal vessels or the short pituitary portal vessels.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Chih Tsai ◽  
Sew-Fen Leu ◽  
Quan-Rong Huang ◽  
Lan-Chun Chou ◽  
Chun-Chih Huang

Three lactic acid bacterial strains,Lactobacillus plantarum, HK006, and HK109, andPediococcus pentosaceusPP31 exhibit probiotic potential as antiallergy agents, both in vitro and in vivo. However, the safety of these new strains requires evaluation when isolated from infant faeces or pickled cabbage. Multiple strains (HK006, HK109, and PP31) were subject to a bacterial reverse mutation assay and a short-term oral toxicity study. The powder product exhibited mutagenic potential inSalmonellaTyphimurium strains TA98 and TA1535 (with or without metabolic activation). In the short-term oral toxicity study, rats received a normal dosage of 390 mg/kg/d (approximately9×109 CFU/kg/d) or a high dosage of 1950 mg/kg/d (approximately4.5×1010 CFU/kg/d) for 28 d. No adverse effects were observed regarding the general condition, behaviour, growth, feed and water consumption, haematology, clinical chemistry indices, organ weights, or histopathologic analysis of the rats. These studies have demonstrated that the consumption of multiple bacterial strains is not associated with any signs of mutagenicity ofS.Typhimurium or toxicity in Wistar rats, even after consuming large quantities of bacteria.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-142
Author(s):  
Oscar R. Gómez

Varios estudios clínicos muestran cómo las prácticas tántricas y los ejercicios de las tradiciones védicas -como el yoga- o budistas theravada o mahayana tienen un impacto psicobiológico significativo. Este estudio compara el correlato neurofisiológico de las prácticas llamadas meditaciones tántricas y no-tántricas mediante una revisión sistemática cualitativa de los datos recolectados. Se evidenció que las prácticas tántricas producen aumento en la actividad simpática, del estado de «alerta fásica» y en el rendimiento en tareas cognitivo visuales. Promueven una mayor vigilia y menor propensión al sueño, generan un incremento en la actividad cognitiva y modificaciones metabólicas contrarias a las que se verifican de las no-tántricas como consecuencia del relax inducido por esas prácticas. En oposición,  las no-tántricas crean una mejor respuesta de relajación con actividad parasimpática incrementada e inhibición del sistema simpático, que induce un estado hipometabólico de descanso profundo donde el practicante permanece despierto y su atención en «alerta tónica» con los síntomas correspondientes a ese estado hipometabólico -hipotonía, disminución del consumo de oxígeno, de la tasa cardíaca y de la concentración de lactato en sangre-, modificación del normal funcionamiento endócrino, aumentos en la concentración de fenilalanina en los meditadores avanzados, en los niveles de prolactina plasmática, un incremento de cinco veces en los niveles plasmáticos de arginina vasopresina, mientras que la hormona estimulante de la tiroides disminuye de forma crónica y aguda. Esta diferencia neurofisiológica se corresponde con las diferencias encontradas en los textos investigados que señalan que las tántricas apuntan a incrementar el estado de alerta o una cualidad despierta de la mente y advierten contra la calma excesiva y, por el contrario, las escrituras y las instrucciones de meditación de la tradición védica -yoga, theravada o mahayana- apuntan a lograr quietud y calma. Indicamos futuras investigaciones clínicas desde un enfoque más interdisciplinario e incorporamos el marco teórico/filosófico de los diferentes tipos de meditación. AbstractSeveral clinical studies show how tantric practices and exercises of Vedic traditions - such as yoga- or Theravada or Mahayana Buddhists - have a significant psychobiological impact. This study compares the neurophysiological correlates of the practices called tantric and non-tantric meditations by a qualitative systematic review of the data collected. It was evidenced that the tantric practices produce increase in the sympathetic activity, the state of "phasic alertness" and in the performance in visual cognitive tasks. They promote greater alertness and lower propensity to sleep, generate an increase in cognitive activity and metabolic modifications contrary to those that are verified of non-tantric as a result of the relaxation induced by these practices. In contrast, non-tantric creams create a better relaxation response with increased parasympathetic activity and inhibition of the sympathetic system, inducing a deep rest hypometabolic state where the practitioner remains awake and his attention on "tonic alertness" with corresponding symptoms to that hypometabolic state -hypotonia, decreased oxygen consumption, heart rate and blood lactate concentration- change in normal endocrine function, increased phenylalanine concentration in advanced meditators, increased plasma prolactin levels, a five-fold increase in arginine vasopressin plasma levels, while thyroid stimulating hormone decreases chronically and acutely. This neurophysiological difference corresponds to the differences found in the investigated texts which point out that: the tantric ones aim to increase alertness or an awakened quality of the mind and warn against excessive calm and on the contrary, the writings and instructions of meditation of the Vedic tradition, yoga, Theravada or Mahayana aim to achieve stillness and calmness. We indicate future clinical research from a more interdisciplinary approach and incorporating the theoretical / philosophical framework of the different types of meditation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-84
Author(s):  
Oscar R. Gómez

Varios estudios clínicos muestran cómo los ejercicios de las tradiciones védicas, como el yoga, o budistas theravada o mahayana así como las prácticas tántricas tienen un impacto psicobiológico significativo. Este estudio busca el correlato neurofisiológico de las prácticas llamadas meditaciones tántricas y no-tántricas mediante una revisión sistemática cualitativa de los datos recolectados. Primero se verificaron los resultados de las no-tántricas, luego se recolectaron los datos de las tántricas, se las comparó y presentamos el resultado dividido en tres partes. En esta primera parte se encontró que las no-tántricas crean una mejor respuesta de relajación con actividad parasimpática incrementada e inhibición del sistema simpático, que induce un estado hipometabólico de descanso profundo donde el practicante permanece despierto y su atención, en «alerta tónica» con los síntomas correspondientes a ese estado hipometabólico -hipotonía, disminución del consumo de oxígeno, de la tasa cardíaca y de la concentración de lactato en sangre-, modificación del normal funcionamiento endócrino, aumentos en la concentración de fenilalanina en los meditadores avanzados, en los niveles de prolactina plasmática, un incremento de cinco veces en los niveles plasmáticos de arginina vasopresina, mientras que la hormona estimulante de la tiroides disminuye de forma crónica y aguda. Esta investigación abre el camino para desarrollar estudios clínicos longitudinales, para confirmar los efectos benéficos a largo plazo de las prácticas y establecer mecanismos para contrarrestar los secundarios indeseados mostrados aquí. AbstractSeveral clinical studies show how exercises in Vedic traditions, such as Yoga, or Theravada or Mahayana Buddhisms as well as tantric practices have a significant psychobiological impact. This study seeks the neurophysiological correlate of the practices called tantric and non-tantric meditations through a qualitative systematic review of the data collected. First the non-tantric meditations results were checked, then the tantric meditations data was collected, finally both were compared and we hereby report the results arranged in three sections. In this first section, it was found that non-tantric meditations create a better relaxation response with increased parasympathetic activity and inhibition of the sympathetic system, which induces a deep rest hypometabolic state where the practitioner remains awake and their attention, in "tonic alertness" with the symptoms corresponding to such hypometabolic state -hypotonia, decreased oxygen consumption, heart rate and blood lactate concentration- change in normal endocrine function, increased phenylalanine concentration in advanced meditators, increased plasma prolactin levels, a five-fold increase in arginine vasopressin plasma levels, while thyroid stimulating hormone decreases chronically and acutely.  This research opens the door to conduct longitudinal clinical studies, to confirm the long-term beneficial effects of practices and establish mechanisms to counteract the unwanted side-effects herein presented.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Carlomagno ◽  
Carlotta Pozza ◽  
Marta Tenuta ◽  
Riccardo Pofi ◽  
Luigi Tarani ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTContextExperimental studies on Klinefelter syndrome (KS) reported increased intratesticular testosterone (T) levels coexisting with reduced circulating levels. Abnormalities in testicular microcirculation have been claimed; however, no studies investigated in vivo testicular blood flow dynamics in humans with KS.ObjectiveTo analyze the testicular microcirculation in KS by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) and correlate vascular parameters with endocrine function.Design and SettingProspective study. University Settings.Patients51 testicular scans, 17 testes from 10 T-naïve subjects with KS and 34 testes from age-matched eugonadal men (CNT) who underwent CEUS for incidental nonpalpable testicular lesions.Main OutcomesCEUS kinetic parameters.ResultsCEUS revealed slower testicular perfusion kinetics in subjects with KS than in age-matched CNT. Specifically, the wash-in time (Tin, p = 0.008), mean transit time (MTT, p = 0.008), time to peak (TTP, p < 0.001), and washout time (Tout 50%, p = 0.008) were all prolonged. Faster testicular blood flow was associated with higher total T levels. Principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analyses confirmed the findings, and supported a role for reduced venous blood flow as independent predictor of total T levels.ConclusionsTesticular venous blood flow is altered in KS and independently predicts T peripheral release.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088532822110461
Author(s):  
Tijana Lužajić Božinovski ◽  
Vera Todorović ◽  
Ivan Milošević ◽  
Bogomir Bolka Prokić ◽  
Vladimir Gajdov ◽  
...  

Biocompatibility of materials is one of the most important conditions for their successful application in tissue regeneration and repair. Cell-surface interactions stimulate adhesion and activation of macrophages whose acquaintance can assist in designing novel biomaterials that promote favorable macrophage–biomaterial surface interactions for clinical application. This study is designed to determine the distribution and number of macrophages as a means of biocompatibility evaluation of two newly synthesized materials [silver/poly(vinyl alcohol) (Ag/PVA) and silver/poly(vinyl alcohol)/graphene (Ag/PVA/Gr) nanocomposite hydrogels] in vivo, with approval of the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade. Macrophages and giant cells were analyzed in tissue sections stained by routine H&E and immunohistochemical methods (CD68+). Statistical relevance was determined in the statistical software package SPSS 20 (IBM corp). The results of the study in terms of the number of giant cells localized around the implant showed that their number was highest on the seventh postoperative day (p.o.d.) in the group implanted with Ag/PVA hydrogels, and on the 30th p.o.d. in the group implanted with Ag/PVA/Gr. Interestingly, the number of macrophages measured in the capsular and pericapsular space was highest in the group implanted with the commercial Suprasorb© material. The increased macrophage number, registered around the Ag/PVA/Gr implant on 60th p.o.d. indicates that the addition of graphene can, in a specific way, modulate different biological responses of tissues in the process of wound healing, regeneration, and integration.


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