ESPE Abstracts

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a life-threatening disease and manifests in the majority of cases in the first days after birth. Based on the distribution of affected cells, focal CHI forms are distinguished from diffuse CHI forms. Focal forms occur in most cases due to a paternally inherited heterozygous mutation in a subunit of an ATP sensitive potassium channel (ABCC8, KCNJ11). Within the diagnostic setting, focal forms can be visualized by 18F DOPA PET scan, as a marke...

Background: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays a key role in reproduction. The G-protein coupled FSH receptor (FSHR), is expressed primarily in gonads, and specifically binds FSH. FSHR is also expressed in vascular endothelium, osteoclasts, adipose tissue, monocytes and rodent pancreatic islets. Elevated FSH levels are associated with development of obesity, insulin resistance, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. In a recent study, we showed that h...

Introduction: When used to treat obesity, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) improve both BMI and metabolic health. Liraglutide is approved by both the EMA and FDA for the treatment of pediatric obesity, from 12 years and older. However, 26 weeks after discontinuation of liraglutide, the weight lost during treatment is regained. Prolonged exogenous stimulation of hormone-specific receptors may influence endogenous hormonal regulation. ...

Background: Low birth-weight and unfavourable intrauterine conditions are associated with a subsequent impact on the endocrine system. Many studies reported hyperandrogenaemia and precocious adrenarche in children born small for gestational age (SGA). However, little information is available on steroid profiles in these subjects.Objective and Hypotheses: We followed genetically identical twins with intra-twin birth-weigh...

Responsiveness to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment in Turner syndrome (TS) is highly variable. Previous research has characterised genetic variants associated with rhGH response but these only have a minor impact. The relationship of these genetic variants to the blood transcriptome is unknown. The aim of this analysis was to relate unsupervised baseline blood transcriptome and genetic data from TS patients to their phenotype, karyotype and responsiveness to r...

Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is a chondrodysplasia characterised by delayed epiphyseal endochondral ossification, resulting in disproportionate short stature and early onset osteoarthritis. MED can be caused by heterozygous mutations in COMP, MATN3, COL9A1, COL9A2 and COL9A3, or bi-allelic mutations in SLC26A2. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are reprogrammed somatic cells which can differentiate to form all body tissues and have excellent potential for ti...

Background: Mirror movements (MM) are frequently associated to Kallmann syndrome (KS). They are mainly observed in patients with ANOS1 (KAL1) mutations. MM have never been reported in ANOS1 mutated females. A defect in the contralateral inhibition of the pyramidal tract has been proposed as the mechanism of MM in KS but never demonstrated.Objective and hypotheses: To investigate the molecular mechanism of a familial case of gonadotropic deficiency in whi...

Background: POMC deficiency is an extremely rare monogenetic obesity syndrome generally characterized by early onset hyperphagia, red hair and adrenal insufficiency. So far treatment of obesity and hyperphagia with MSH substitution failed, either due to ineffectiveness or side effects of available MC4R agonists.Objective and hypotheses: We hypothesized that the new MC-4R agonist setmelanotide might be a treatment option in POMC deficient patients.<p ...

Background: Actual surgical procedures for the treatment of patients with VSD (Variation of Sex Development), in particular severe hypospadias, are associated with frequent post-operative complications.Objective and hypotheses: Tissue engineered collagen tubes are a promising alternative.Method: We elaborated a new, two layered, collagen based tube that can be sutured. Mechanical testing proved a better resistance of those tubes co...

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that repress target gene expression via post-transcriptional mechanisms.Objective and hypotheses: To study the expression of miRNA-25, miRNA-216, miRNA-21, miRNA-93, miRNA-377 in a sample of 100 type 1 diabetic patients with and without microalbuminuria to probe their role in development of diabetic nephropathy.Methods: Hundred type 1 diabetic patients, 50 with microalbuminur...