ESPE Abstracts

Context: The early activation of adrenal zona reticularis, denoted by increased circulating levels of adrenal androgens before the age of eight years in girls is called premature adrenarche (PA), while the concomitant appearance of pubic hair is termed premature pubarche (PP). Girls with PA-PP display an unfavorable metabolic, hormonal and psychologic profile, compared to their normal peers and are also at an increased risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO...

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in the central regulation of energy balance and has been associated with body mass index (BMI).Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in serum BDNF concentrations in adolescents by gender and BMI, as well as possible correlations of circulating BDNF with the adolescents’ characteristics of metabolic syndrome.Methods: Study part...

Background: Spexin is a novel hormone that may potentially impact food intake, weight regulation and body adiposity. Circulating spexin has been associated with obesity and insulin resistance indices in women.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine serum spexin concentrations in adolescent females with metabolic syndrome, with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with anorexia nervosa as well as in healthy controls, and explore possible relationsh...

We report a male patient born small for gestational age (birth weight 2090 g, -2.97 SDS; birth length 43.5 cm, -3.37 SDS), with dysmorphic features (triangular face, low-set, posteriorly rotated ears, pectus excavatum, large anterior fontanel) who presented with seizures at the age of 4 weeks. The child was treated with antiepileptic drugs (Levetiracetam, Midazolam, Phenobarbital, carbamazepine) for 1 year until a severe hypocalcemia (Calcium 6.4 mg/dl, ionised calcium 0.78 mm...

Background: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) is a relatively common autoimmune disorder that involves both cellular and humoral immunity, the latter characterized by the presence of antithyroid antibodies. Nevertheless, despite the large number of relevant studies, the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms still remain unclear; evidence and indications pointing to both genetic and environmental components. Genetic studies have uncovered molecular associations tha...

Case: A South Indian boy diagnosed with ataxic telangectaisa(AT) since aged 5 years (homozygous mutations for ATM gene at C1966A>C and 1968-X.delI), presented with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) aged 15.9 years. There was a 4-week history of polyuria and polydipsia without weight loss. Investigations showed fasting glucose 11.5 mmol/l, insulin 209 pmol/l, HbA1c 103 mmol/mol, negative glutamic acid decarboxylase and islet cell antibodies, and urinary C-peptide 2.84 nmol/mo...

Background: A neonate, born at 34 weeks gestation by caesarean section for foetal distress, was severely growth retarded at birth. Deranged liver functions were noted at birth with (alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transamninase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transfererase (GGT) recorded as 102, 228 and 1078 U/l respectively. The GGT rose to a peak of 3877 U/l at 6 months of age. The clinical course of the neonate was associated with failure to thrive and intermittent hyperglyc...

Background: Weight loss interventions for obesity have shown variable short-term effects in adolescents and children, but data on longer-term benefits are sparse.Aim: To describe longer-term impact of lifestyle weight loss interventions in adolescent obesity.Method: Obese subjects previously underwent lifestyle weight loss interventions at a hospital-based clinic were invited to participate in metabolic re-assessment. Outcome measu...

Background: Secretion of Wnt-proteins by adipose cells plays an important role in the control of adipogenesis. The Wnt-antagonist, dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), is secreted by human pre-adipocytes and influences adipocyte maturation and growth. DKK-1 mRNA increases 6 h after onset of human adipogenesis followed by an increase in DKK-1 protein. Of note, DKK-1 protein has been implicated also in bone remodeling pathways.Patients and Methods: In this study we measure...

Background and aims: Fat and bone are linked by a multitude of pathways supporting a skeleton appropriate for the mass of adipose tissue of the organism. We aimed to investigate the relations of adipose tissue hormones such as leptin, adiponectin, retinol-binding-protein-4 (RBP-4) and lipocalin-2 along with the low grade inflammation marker hs-CRP with markers of bone metabolism such as osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor-activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), osteocalcin, C-term...