ESPE Abstracts

Background: Rokineticin receptors (PROKR1 and PROKR2) belong to the family of G protein-coupled receptors. Bi-or mono allelic mutations in PROKR2 gene have been identified in Kallmann syndrome which is characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia/hyposmia. Recently, PROKR2 mutations were reported in patients with multiple pituitary hormone (MPHD) and growth hormone deficiencies (GHD), suggesting a potential role for the PROK2 p...

Objective: Allostatic load (AL) refers to the physiological response that occurs in chronic stress burden, Excessive weight gain is an important source of physiological stress promoting chronic low-inflammation state detrimental for health. We estimated AL score among a pediatric population, in order to define a correlation between cumulative biological dysregulation and excess weight.Methods: We enrolled 164 children an...

Background & Aims: Hypoglycaemia is a constant threat for all patients with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) and, left untreated, can lead to neurological damage and impaired development. To improve glycaemic monitoring, self-monitoring-blood-glucose (SMBG) is increasingly being replaced by Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) with potential to identify illness patterns and treatment responses although with unproven benefit for patients and families. Explor...

Encouraged by unimolecular dual incretin co-agonists (GLP1/GIP) to enhance glycemic efficacy (Finan et al. 2013, Sci Transl Med) and GLP1/glucagon co-agonists to enhance weight loss efficacy (Day et al. 2009, Nat Chem Biol) and to restore diet-induced leptin sensitivity (Clemmensen et al. 2014, Diabetes), we recently developed the first tri-agonist (GLP1/GIP/glucagon) for the treatment of metabolic disorders (Finan et al. 2014, Nat Med). Importantly, this concerted triple agon...

Background: Emerging data suggest that ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring for 24 h may be efficient in the diagnosis of hypertension in adults, children and adolescents. Additionally, in adults, it may predict the existence of some early BP abnormalities related to cardiovascular risk: (a) elevated BP load (>25%) and (b) non-dipping (BP decrease in night-time <10%).Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the presence of early BP abnormalitie...

Introduction: Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the commonest cause of severe hypoglycaemia in early childhood but glycaemic characterisation remains scarce. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) offers a deep understanding of glycaemic control to understand disease burden, individualise patient care and inform therapeutic trials in CHI. Preliminary studies suggest inadequate accuracy and no efficacy of standalone CGM to reduce hypoglycaemia. Provision is hist...

Sex-steroid hormones such as testosterone and estradiol play a key role in sexual differentiation during gestation but exert also strong effects on the body and the brain during puberty or even in adulthood. In addition, influences on cognition and emotional processing are frequently reported. The investigations of transgender people undergoing cross-sex hormone therapy provide a unique model for studying those effects on gray and white matter brain structure in vivo by using ...

BMP4, a member of the bone morphogenetic protein family which is part of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, is involved in the embryonic development of various organ and tissues including the cranio-facial structures, olfactory placode, pituitary, eyes, heart, and kidneys. Mutations in this gene are associated with orofacial cleft and microphthalmia in human patients. BMP4 plays an important role in the embryonic development of the GnRH neurons ...

Introduction and Aims: Metabolic syndrome (METs) has different complications such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes type 2. There is no uniform definition for METs. In this study, we aimed to define METs from different viewpoints to determine the most appropriate method that could be used for early METs diagnosis in general population and treat them immediately.Materials and Methods: This study was an analytic cros...

Obesity—defined as excess fat mass which impacts on physical health—is a complex and multifactorial disease where numerous environmental factors (overeating and/or reduced physical activity) act in concert with genetic factors. Understanding molecular mechanisms of obesity has rapidly improved in recent years due to the development of faster, more specific genetic screening tools (1). Rare genetic obesities are distinguished from more-common polygenic obesities where...