ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Reliable reference values for thyroid ultrasound measurements are essential to effectively guide individual diagnostics and direct health care measures at the population level, such as iodine fortification programs. However, the latest reference values for total thyroid volume (Tvol) provided by the WHO in 2004 are only applicable to the 6 to 12-year-old age group. Moreover, these values are derived from countries with a long history of iodine su...

Background: Spatial navigation is an essential human skill that helps individuals track their changes in position and orientation by integrating self-motion cues. Meta-analyses indicate that males, on average, perform better than females on a number of spatial tasks. Sex steroids, mainly androgens, modulate the remodeling of synapses in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, a limbic brain area with critical influence on spatial and contextual memory. Androgen...

Introduction: Limited research has focused on the potential connection between thyroid function and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), particularly beyond prenatal effects. The few studies addressing children and adolescents have important methodological shortcomings, mainly when seeking to establish causality. To clarify this relationship, a combined epidemiological and genetic approach was adopted to overcome the methodological limitations of e...

Introduction: Anti-obesity drugs with increased efficacy and safety are urgently being sought. Peptide YY3–36 (PYY3–36) is an attractive drug target due to its anorectic effect and decreased circulation concentration, without drug resistance, in obese individuals. Its short half-life and required method of delivery are limiting factors in its clinical application. Transport and uptake mechanisms, including blood-brain barrier passage, of vitamin B12 (B12) is highly e...

Background: The GH-IGF system plays an important role in strength gain. Some studies suggest that Zinc, Magnesium and Pyridoxine (ZMA) supplementation could increase GH/IGF and testosterone levels in young subjects. This hypothetical increase could lead to significant changes in body composition. ZMA is a very popular supplement, easily found in specialty stores, and it is presumed to increase GH, IGF-I and testosterone levels. However, studies are divergent regarding its effi...

Background: A fair number of epidemiological studies suggest that age at menarche (AAM) is associated with depression, but the reported effect sizes are small, and there is evidence of residual confounding. Moreover, previous Mendelian randomization (MR) studies to avoid inferential problems inherent to epidemiological studies have provided mixed findings.Methods: To clarify the causal relationship between age at menarch...

Cushing’s disease (CD) is defined as hypercortisolism secondary to an adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secreting pituitary adenoma. It is rare in the pediatric age and early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent long-term complications. In the diagnostic workup, bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) of ACTH after corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation is the gold standard in the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism. We re...

Background: Maternal triglycerides, fatty acids, and their metabolites together with sugars and metabolic intermediates may play a role in newborn outcomes. Furthermore, maternal amino acids, acylcarnitines, lipids and fatty acids and their metabolites are associated with cord C-peptide independent of maternal BMI and glycemia, highlighting the potential contribution of maternal metabolites to offspring outcomes. This study examined the associations of materna...

Background: Exercise programs are related to the anabolic function of GH/IGF-I axis.Objective and hypotheses: To analyse IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and ALS serum concentrations in adolescent swimmers at different stages of training season, and compare them with physical performance and body composition.Method: Nine male athletes, aged 16–19 years, who trained regularly throughout the season, were studied. IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and ALS were recor...

Introduction: The relationship between sports intensity and growth has become a concern in teenagers. Changes in the GH/IGF1 axis have been studied as biomarkers for training intensity in adolescents; however, reports on the effects of physical effort on GH and IGF1 levels are discordant and studies on GH and IGF1 responses in combat sports are scarce.Aim: To investigate the effects of a Jiu-Jitsu training session on serum IGF1 and IGFBP3 concentrations....