ESPE Abstracts

Background: Wolfram syndrome type 2 (WFS2) characterized by childhood GI ulcers/ bleeding, diabetes, and neurodegeneration with optic atrophy and hearing loss was recently elucidated as caused by CISD2/NAF-1 gene mutation. NAF-1 suppression in cells results in intra-mitochondrial accumulation of iron, increased ROS generation and consequently increased cellular apoptosis. So far only two mutations in four families were reported.Objective: Elucidate the c...

Background: Obesity is a persistent disorder that almost universally recurs following treatment, suggesting a disruption on central nervous system control over energy homeostasis. Recent literature suggests that hypothalamic inflammation may have an important role on obesity pathogenesis. This inflammatory reaction, which histologically appears as a reactive gliosis, may be detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and has just been shown in rodent models and adults.</p...

Background: Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), denominated as nuclear receptor subfamily five group A member 1 (NR5A1), is an orphan receptor that regulates several steps of adrenal and gonadal development. Mutations in its gene are responsible for different phenotypes of disorders of sex development (DSD).Objective and hypotheses: To study the functional impact of two novel NR5A1 mutations, the p.C247* and p.K396Rfs*34, both identified within the l...

Background: Differential diagnosis between XY partial (PGD) and mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) was initially established by histological evaluation; however, when there is a 45,X lineage there are differences not only in clinical aspects but also in prognosis.Objective and hypotheses: The aim of this work was to analyze clinical picture of patients with genital ambiguity due to testicular dysgenesis, with and without a 45,X lineage, and compare these con...

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is defined as a group of disorders including diabetes mellitus, central obesity, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension.Aim: To investigate the role of lifestyle habits in correlation with MetSyn in children.Methods: In our research, 480 students, 6–12 years old, were participated living in Sparta–Greece. During 2011–2012, a specially designed questionnaire was used and anthropometric...

Background: Recent data describe that the gonads of patients with partial gonadal dysgenesis (PGD) and mutation in the NR5A1 gene can present with a different histological pattern.Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate histological aspects of PGD caused by NR5A1 mutations.Method: Five patients with PGD, a history of gonadal biopsy or gonadectomy and confirmed mutation on NR5A1 gene were selected from a Bra...

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, one of the most frequent autosome recessive disorders, is caused by defects in steroidogenic enzymes involved in the cortisol biosynthesis. Approximately 95% of cases are caused by a deficiency of the 21-hydroxylase enzyme. Its deficiency leads to androgen excess, consequently, to virilization and rapid somatic growth with accelerated skeletal maturation. Mutations in CYP21A2 are responsible for different forms of 21-hydroxylase defi...

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) may occur from childhood, increasing the risk for hypertension in adulthood.Aim: To investigate the effect of anthropometric characteristics and lifestyle habits in children’s and adolescents’ BP.Methods: 949 children (<12 years old) from Lakonia, 178 teenagers (12–18 years old) from Athens and 372 from Kalamata, Greece, had participated during 2011–2014. A specially ...

Background: Uric acid and Triglycerides/HDL ratio are an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.Aim: To investigate how Triglycerides/HDL ratio and uric acid are correlated with children’s biochemical and anthropometric characteristics, depending on the predisposition for metabolic syndrome (MetSyn).Methods: 110 students, 6–12 years old, living in Sparta-Greece, participated in our research. Anthropometric and ...

Background: Sleep is a complex and essential biological process that is required on a daily basis for all humans, playing a vital role in the maintenance of the homeostasis in short and long term.Aims and objectives: To investigate the role of sleep hours in correlation with risk factors for metabolic disorders in a children population.Methods: The program was implemented in 949 children (5–12 years old) living in Sparta-Greec...