ESPE Abstracts

Intact steroid hormone biosynthesis is essential for growth and development of the human fetus and embryo. In the present study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to characterize the steroidal milieu in amniotic fluid (n=65; male: female = 35: 30) of mid-gestation (median: 18.8th week, range: 16.0th – 24.6th week) by a comprehensive targeted steroid hormone metabolomics approach. The levels of 52 steroids i...

The amniotic fluid (AF) milieu is complex and essential to fetal well-being. Here we present a new LC-MS/MS method for the targeted metabolomics analysis of 20 unconjugated and conjugated steroids in 65 AF samples during mid-gestation. Sample preparation included protein precipitation, centrifugation, solid phase extraction and derivatization. We measured progesterone (Prog), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHProg), testosterone (T), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3),...

Introduction: Deficiency of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (17β-HSD3) enzyme encoded by HSD17B3 is a rare cause of disorders of sex development (DSD). The phenotype associated with 17β-HSD3 deficiency in 46, XY individuals is variable, ranging from predominantly male external genitalia with micropenis and hypospadias to completely female external genitalia. The diagnosis and management of this enzymatic defect is very challenging.<p class="abste...

Background: Fetal growth is the fastest of all periods of growth in human life, mainly due to cellular hypertrophy and proliferation. It was recently discovered that the metabolic and mitogenic effects of Insulin are mediated by two Insulin Receptors (IR) isoforms, IR-A and IR-B. High expression of IR-A indicates proliferation and differentiation whereas IR-B indicates metabolic dominance.Objective and hypotheses: The aim of the study was to examin the e...

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease seen in children. The systemic features of JIA are mediated by cytokine products of an activated immune system. Recent studies showed that the median level of urine cortisol in active JIA patients is significantly lower than remission period and control groups.Objective and hypotheses: One of the najor drugs in JIA is TNFα blocker (Enbrel). The aim of the study was ...

Background: Wolfram syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder accompanied by diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and deafness. Mutations in the WFS1 gene are determined in 90% of cases. We present the clinical features of three cases of Wolfram syndrome.Objective and hypotheses: Case 1: A 14-year-old girl presented with loss of vision. At the age of 3 years she had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus with a bl...

Background and Objectives: In recent years, a growing number of studies investigated the profile of serum metabolomics in health and disease. These studies have led to the discovery of novel biological biomarkers and causative agents for a variety of medical conditions. Here, we focused on profiling serum metabolites of children diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).Methods: We conducted a prospective study and ...

Introduction: Primary ovarian Insufficiency (POI) occurring in youth is a devastating condition. POI is characterized by at least 4 months of disordered menses in association with menopausal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. The most common causes of POI in adolescence are iatrogenic and chromosomal abnormalities. Data are scarce regarding the incidence of POI in adolescents.Objectives: We aimed to estimate the incidence and the distribution of ...