ESPE Abstracts

Background: Type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) is the product of a single-copy gene located on chromosome 15 and is ubiquitously expressed in humans. Increased hepatic IGF-1R gene expression is found in hepatocellular carcinoma and in chronic hepatitis C, making parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells more susceptible to the mitogenic effects of IGF-1.Objective and hypotheses: As we have previously demonstrated that IGF-1 and IGF-2 circula...

Background: Acquisition and maintenance of fertility in mammals rely on the function of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) neurons. During the juvenile period, GnRH neurons undergo morphological maturation, which involves changes in synaptic inputs and neuropeptide activation from afferent neurons. The functional importance of this maturation could be a pre-requisite for puberty onset. However, the mechanisms behind these dynamic changes have yet to be identified.<p cla...

Background: McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS; OMIM#174800) is a rare disorder hallmarked by the triad fibrous osseous dysplasia, cafè-au-lait skin spots and endocrine hyperfunctions, usually peripheral precocious puberty. It is caused by post-zygotic activating mutations at R201 codon of the GNAS gene, which lead to a somatic mosaic state; the clinical manifestations of MAS are highly heterogeneous due to variability of mutation abundance among affected tissues.<p class=...

Background: The TRH receptor (TRHR) is a G-protein coupled receptor activated by hypothalamic TRH. In thyrotropes, TRH-TRHR signalling controls synthesis, secretion and bioactivity of TSH. Human TRHR defects are extremely rare, and only three cases are known with central hypothyroidism and short stature as variable presenting feature.Objective and hypotheses: Phenotypical characterization of a family with suspected central hypothyroidism and inv...

Background: Organic lesions in males with central precocious puberty (CPP) have been reported in 40% of cases. This high prevalence decreases (20–29%) when patients with previously diagnosed alterations of central nervous system (CNS) are excluded. Reported predictors of organic lesions are age at puberty onset, bone age, BMI, LH peak response and testosterone levels.Objective and hypotheses: To determine the prevalence and type of intracranial lesi...

Background: Data on anthropometric outcomes in patients with non-classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (NCCAH) are sparse.Objective: To investigate long-term effects of NCCAH on height and weight.Method: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of 105 girls with NCCAH aged 8.4±4.1 years (0.4–18), mean follow-up 11.4±7.5 years. Outcome measures were height, weight and BMI, expressed as standard deviation score (SDS), at d...

Background: Pheochromocytoma is an uncommon tumor, producer of Catecholamines and causing hypertension in childhood. It is associated to genetic alterations, generally related with RET gene disorders.Method: We present the case of a unilateral familial isolated pheochromocytoma, present in father and son, carriers of a heterozygous mutation in the VHL gene (c.235C > G; p.R79G).Case: Male, 9 years-old with history of fever, prof...

Background: Isolated hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism due to aldosterone synthase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder linked to aldosterone biosynthesis defect (involving CYP11B2 gene). Its clinical presentation varies with age: during the first weeks of life it usually presents with salt-wasting syndrome (with severe hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, vomiting, signs of dehydration) while in children it is usually characterized by failure to thrive,...

Background: Carnitine deficiency (CD) has been reported in children at time of type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis. By impairing free fatty acid ß-oxidation in liver, muscle mass and pancreatic ß cells, CD might impair glucose homeostasis and residual insulin secretion. We postulate that reversed of these FAO defects may help regenerate a healthier ß cell mass and increased the diabetes honeymoon duration.Objective: Evaluate the effects of car...

Background: Oligo-ovulatory androgen excess in women (polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by NIH definition) is a major cause of subfertility and relates to hepatic steatosis, independently of obesity.Objective: To test whether early treatment of PCOS affects subsequent ovulation rate.Method: Adolescent girls with hyperinsulinemic androgen excess – a subgroup of PCOS – (mean age 16 year; BMI 23.7 kg/m2) randomly r...