ESPE Abstracts

Background: Mesoderm-specific transcript (MEST) is an epoxide α/β-hydrolase protein with catalytic activity that is determinant for the development of adipocytes. The MEST gene is an imprinted gene transcribed only from the paternal allele. Although the mechanism by which MEST overexpression augments fat accumulation and storage in adipocytes has not been fully elucidated, frequent subcellular contacts between MEST-positive endoplasmic reticulum, mi...

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in childhood is a highly prevalent disease, with incidence oscillating around 17.6/100000. However, incidence is higher in some communities (25.5/100,000), as it is in the case that concerns us. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complication usually recorded in 25–40% of cases but has been as high as 55% in studies of children under 5 years old. (T1DM) is an associated autoimmune disease to other precursor autoimmune pathologies.<p class="abstext...

Background: Growth hormone plays a primary role in stimulating postnatal growth by way of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) which is produced in the liver in response to GH. A deficiency of GH arrests maturation during childhood, and the stature of such subjects is generally much shorter than the average stature. However, some cases of GH deficiency attain normal stature as adults.Case presentation: A 20 years old man was referred for a further evaluat...

Introduction: Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1), encoded by the NR5A1 gene, regulates several genes involved in male sexual determination, such as SOX9 and AMH, cholesterol mobilization and synthesis of a number of steroidogenic enzymes, like 3βHSD, and androgen biosynthesis, like INSL3. Mutations in NR5A1 have been associated to a broad phenotypic spectrum in 46, XY subjects, including pure gonadal dysgenesis, infertility, anorchia...

Background: RARβ cooperates with Nur77 to in-vitro regulate HSD3B2 transcription. NUR77 expression parallels HSD3B2 expression with a much lower level in androgen-producing adrenocortical tissues (childhood virilizing adrenocortical tumours (VAT), fetal zone (FeZ) and zona reticularis, ZR). RARβ is down-regulated in starved, hyperandrogenic H295R cells. However, the mechanisms regulating this expression pattern and the relevance of RARβ to huma...

Background: Animal models of insulin-dependent diabetes show hyperactivity of hypothalamus–pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, independently of hypoglycaemia. Few data exists regarding type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children.Objective: To describe HPA axis activity according to the anxiety levels in prepubertal T1D children.Method: Prepubertal T1D children and siblings of T1D children (controls) were included. State-Trait Anxiety Inventor...

Background: The pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is multifactorial, caused by interaction of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors that lead to the production of antibodies early on life and a gradual loss of insulin secretory capacity of the pancreas. The genetics and immunological characteristics of our T1D population have not been precisely identified.Objective and hypotheses: To compare biochemical, genetic and immunological features of ...

Background: Glucocorticoids play an important role in the developing fetus; the most important of which is lung maturation by increasing surfactant production and release. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) functioning changes throughout the fetal period, especially during the transition to extrauterine life. Given the importance of glucocorticoids in lung development and functioning, studying glucocorticoid sensitivity (GS) in this population would be helpful, especially in the pre...

Background: Children with more than one AID (pediatric polyautoimmunity) may have a stronger genetic component than children with a single AID. PTPN22 C1858T SNP has been associated with multiple different AIDs in adults and children.Objective and hypotheses: Evaluate the association of PTPN22 C1858T gene polymorphism with pediatric polyautoimmunity.Method: A cross-sectional study was performed in subjects with an AID of p...

Background: Childhood obesity is often associated with insulin resistance (IR), which is a key risk factor for the development of comorbidities. The etiologic relation between insulin resistance and obesity is still not completely understood.Objective: In this study a multiplatform metabolomics approach was applied for the first time to elucidate the metabolic alterations in obese children with or without IR. Metabolomics is the revolutionary strategy of...