ESPE Abstracts

Background: Hypothalamic obesity (HyOb) is a rare form of treatment-resistant morbid obesity associated with congenital or acquired hypothalamic damage. Its pathophysiology has been attributed to hyperphagia and hyperinsulinaemia. The wider roles of oxytocin (OXT) in regulating appetite and weight have recently emerged in animal and human studies, but there is no human evidence that hypo-oxytocinaemia contributes to weight gain.Hypothesis: Hypo-oxytocina...

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is one of the FGF superfamily, which regulates energy expenditure, glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism. FGF21 elevates of glucose uptake in peripheral tissues, and regulates body temperature in brown adipose tissue.Objective and hypotheses: This study is to reveal which endocrine diseases in children has elevation of FGF21.Method: We collected blood from 253 endocrine diseases in ...

Background: There is a need for a convenient and affordable alternative to daily s.c. injections for a growing incidence and prevalence of childhood- and adult-onset human GH (hGH) deficiency.Objective and Hypotheses: We sought to develop a convenient, non-invasive and affordable transdermal patch formulation capable of achieving passive delivery of large molecule drugs such as hGH and insulin for multiple days.Method: Prescription...

Background: CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 3 (CRTC3) is found in adipocytes where it may promote obesity through disruption of catecholamine signaling. CRTC3 knockout mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity.Objective and Hypotheses: The goals of the present study were i) to assess whether CRTC3 is a soluble protein secreted by adipose tissue ii) to explore whether CRTC3 is detectable and quantifiable in the circulation, and iii) to ...

Background: Delta-Like Homologue 1 (DLK1) is a gene encoding a transmembrane protein, which may also be secreted into the circulation. DLK1 levels are known to rise in maternal serum during late gestation and our genetic studies in the mouse have shown that this DLK1 arises from the conceptus. However, the cell population that secretes DLK1 into the maternal circulation has not been identified. Since DLK1 has been shown to be differentially expressed in intrauterine growth res...

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition with high rates of morbidity and mortality in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Calcium-binding protein S100B is a cell damage marker glycopeptide that is mainly produced by astrocytes. Oxidative stress might be defined as an imbalance between anti-oxidative defense of the body and free radical production responsible for peroxidation of lipid layer of cell walls.Objective and hypotheses: In p...

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a key event in the development of atherosclerosis. Demonstration of increased endoglin expression in atherosclerotic plaques suggested participation of endoglin in atherogenesis. Endoglin expression was also related to nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelium.Objective and hypotheses: Aim of the study was to evaluate the subclinical atherosclerosis in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)...

Introduction: Obesity as a chronic inflammatory disease is associated with impaired prothrombotic state leading to atherothrombosis. A variety of prothrombotic factors have been implicated in the pathophysiology of this phenomenon, especially the von Willebrand factor (vWF) produced in endothelium, megakaryocytes and subendothelial connective tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate any possible association between the new inflammatory marker chitinase 3-like protein 1...

Background: The innate immune system is one of the first lines of host defense against invading pathogens. Pro-inflammatory α-defensins (mainly DEFA1–3) and anti-inflammatory bacterial/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) are antimicrobial peptides predominantly produced by neutrophils which have been recently related to obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk.Objective and hypotheses: The aim of our study was to test whether α-d...

Background: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is largely produced by adipose tissue and is an important regulator of physiological and pathological angiogenesis in adults with obesity.Objective and hypotheses: To determine the nature of VEGF production and its connection to the formation of vascular complications in patients with childhood obesity.Method: In 87 children (42 boys and 45 girls) 9–17 years old with obesit...