Sperm disturbances in metabolic syndrome: what we actually know.

Evaluation of: Lotti F, Corona G, Degli Innocenti S et al. Seminal, ultrasound and psychobiological parameters correlate with metabolic syndrome in male members of infertile couples. Andrology 1(2), 229-239 (2013).

Androgen receptor (CAG)n polymorphism and androgen levels in women with systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy controls.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that affects mainly females. Therefore, interrelations between the reproductive and immune system have been assumed. Considering the complex influence of hormones and receptors, we aimed to investigate the influence of androgens and androgen receptor (AR) polymorphism in women with SLE.

Acne vulgaris is associated with intensive pubertal development and altitude of residence--a cross-sectional population-based study on 6,200 boys.

Unlabelled: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease with a complex pathogenesis that affects predominantly adolescents. The aim of the study was to investigate the interrelations between the presence of acne and several variables associated with somatic growth, pubertal maturation, and environmental conditions (altitude and regions of residence). A population sample of 6,200 clinically healthy boys (0-19 years) was examined and the presence of acne was determined.

Anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin B levels reflect altered Sertoli cell function in men with metabolic syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the Sertoli cell markers inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in men with metabolic syndrome (MS). Twenty patients with MS according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation and 20 non obese age-matched men were investigated. The levels of testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), gonadotropins, inhibin B and AMH were measured in all of them.

Familial pituitary tumor syndromes.

Objective: To summarize current knowledge on the clinical and genetic characteristics of familial pituitary tumor syndromes.

Methods: This review is based on a comprehensive search through the English-language literature with use of the following terms: "familial," "pituitary," "adenomas," and "tumors."

Results: Familial pituitary tumors are rare and constitute approximately 5% of all pituitary adenomas.

Growth and development of male external genitalia: a cross-sectional study of 6200 males aged 0 to 19 years.

Objective: To provide estimates of normal variations in penile measurements and testicular volumes, and to establish reference ranges for clinical use.

Design: Cross-sectional, population-based study.

Setting: Schools, kindergartens, and child care centers in different parts of Bulgaria.

Melatonin secretion and non-specific immune responses are differentially expressed in corticotropin-dependent and corticotropin-independent Cushing's syndrome.

Background: This study was done to clarify the relation between melatonin secretion and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Material/methods: In this clinical study using a follow-up approach, we investigated the circadian melatonin secretion and immune parameters of patients with corticotropin-dependent (Cushing's disease) and corticotropin-independent Cushing's syndrome. Plasma hormone concentrations, interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta) and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) were determined before surgical treatment and during remission of the syndrome 1 year later.

Diurnal blood pressure pattern in patients with primary aldosteronism.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate diurnal blood pressure (BP) profiles in patients with primary aldosteronism and to compare them to those in subjects with essential hypertension. The effects of specific therapy on the circadian BP profiles have been studied.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-four patients with primary aldosteronism were included in the study.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and active renin in hypertension of adrenal origin.

There are limited data regarding the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in arterial hypertension. The aim of the present study was to determine some markers of vascular function, including VEGF, active renin and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in patients with endocrine hypertension. The study comprised: 30 patients with primary aldosteronism; 32 patients with active Cushing's syndrome; 19 patients with pheochromocytoma; 22 patients with essential hypertension and 24 healthy volunteers.

Effect of transdermal estrogen therapy on some vasoactive humoral factors and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in normotensive postmenopausal women.

Background: Mechanisms of the vasoprotective effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are not completely understood, and they may involve direct actions on blood vessels through modulation of endogenous vasoconstrictors and vasodilators. Most studies have focused on estrogen action on prostacyclin and nitric oxide, while insufficient data exist concerning the effect of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and prostaglandin E(2).

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of transdermal estrogen therapy on VEGF, prostaglandin E(2) and active renin in normotensive postmenopausal women.

Losartan in Cushing's syndrome.

Eleven patients with Cushing's syndrome were included in the study. They maintained their usual sodium intake and received a single oral dose of 50 mg of the angiotensin II antagonist receptor losartan for 3 days. Losartan treatment resulted in stimulation of active renin and decrease of plasma and urinary kallikrein activity.

Aldosterone response to metoclopramide in patients with prolactinoma: effect of short-term bromocriptine treatment.

The acute effect of 10 mg metoclopramide i.v. on prolactin and aldosterone levels was studied in 8 women with prolactinoma and 8 normal women.

Effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone on ACTH, cortisol and 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin E2 in patients with diabetes insipidus before and after captopril treatment.

A corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) test was performed on 7 patients with central diabetes insipidus (DI) and on 7 healthy subjects. The test was repeated on the patients with DI after 3 days of oral treatment with captopril at a dose of 100 mg daily. No significant difference in the responses of plasma ACTH and cortisol to CRH between the patients and the controls was found.

Effects of perindopril treatment on plasma and urine of kallikrein activity and the stable metabolite of prostaglandin E2 in patients with essential hypertension.

Eleven male patients with essential hypertension were included in the study. They followed an unrestricted diet and received a single oral daily dose of 4 mg perindopril (ACE inhibitor) for 6 weeks. Plasma renin activity increased significantly and plasma aldosterone decreased significantly after perindopril treatment, suggesting that an effective blockade of angiotensin II formation was accomplished.

Effect of growth hormone releasing hormone on growth hormone, prostaglandin E2 and insulin in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

In a previous paper we demonstrated a link between growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in their action on growth hormone (GH) in normal subjects. However, in diabetes mellitus various disturbances of GH and PGE2 secretion have been reported. In the present study the response of GH, PGE2 and insulin to GHRH (1 microgram/kg b.

Effects of short-term treatment with the thromboxane synthesis blocker indobufen on pressor and depressor humoral factors in healthy humans.

Twelve healthy subjects were studied after single dose (200 mg p.o.) and 3 days (2 x 200 mg daily p.

Lack of a specific effect of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on plasma levels of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E2 in normal subjects.

The responses of plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (corticotrophin, ACTH), cortisol and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E2 (PGE2-M), a stable metabolite of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to i.v. injection of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) were studied in eight healthy subjects before and after a dexamethasone suppression test.