Stress-induced Aldosterone Hyper-Secretion in a Substantial Subset of Patients With Essential Hypertension.

Context: Aldosterone (ALD) secretion is regulated mainly by angiotensin II, K(+), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have effectively been used for the treatment of patients with hypertension who do not have primary aldosteronism (PA).

Objective: We tested whether chronic stress-related ACTH-mediated ALD hypersecretion and/or zona glomerulosa hypersensitivity could be implicated in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension (ESHT).

L-glutamine and whole protein restore first-phase insulin response and increase glucagon-like peptide-1 in type 2 diabetes patients.

L-glutamine triggers glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release from L cells in vitro and when ingested pre-meal, decreases postprandial glycaemia and increases circulating insulin and GLP-1 in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of oral L-glutamine, compared with whole protein low in glutamine, on insulin response in well-controlled T2D patients. In a randomized study with a crossover design, T2D patients (n = 10, 6 men) aged 65.

Glycemic effects and safety of L-Glutamine supplementation with or without sitagliptin in type 2 diabetes patients-a randomized study.

Background And Aims: L-glutamine is an efficacious glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 secretagogue in vitro. When administered with a meal, glutamine increases GLP-1 and insulin excursions and reduces postprandial glycaemia in type 2 diabetes patients. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of daily glutamine supplementation with or without the dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor sitagliptin in well-controlled type 2 diabetes patients.

Reversal of impaired counterregulatory cortisol response following diazoxide treatment in a patient with non insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome: Case report and overview of pathogenetic mechanisms.

Objective: Non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome (NIPHS) is one of the rare causes of endogenous hyperinsulinism. Its diagnosis is challenging and may require selective intraarterial calcium stimulation and concomitant hepatic vein sampling (SACVS). Impaired counterregulatory hormones' production in response to hypoglycemia has been previously described in patients with diabetes, insulinoma and infancy hypoglycemia.

MR quantification of total liver fat in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and healthy subjects.

Objective: To explore the correlations between liver fat content and clinical index in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and healthy subjects.

Materials And Methods: 56 subjects were enrolled and each of them underwent upper-abdominal MRI examination that involved a T1 VIBE Dixon sequence. 14 was clinically diagnosed with IGT (collectively as IGT group ) while 42 showed normal glucose tolerance,(collectively as NGT group).

Transmembrane protease serine 4 promotes thyroid cancer proliferation via CREB phosphorylation.

Background: Transmembrane protease serine 4 (TMPRSS4), one of the type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs), is elevated in various cancers and is associated with multiple malignant phenotypes. However, the expression pattern and biologic significance of TMPRSS4 in thyroid cancer are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression of TMPRSS4 in thyroid cancer and assessed the pro-proliferative role of TMPRSS4 in thyroid cancer.

SphK1 confers resistance to apoptosis in gastric cancer cells by downregulating Bim via stimulating Akt/FoxO3a signaling.

We previously reported that sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), an enzyme that catalyzes the production of sphingosine-1-phosphate (SIP), is upregulated in human gastric cancer and predicts poor clinical outcome. In the present study, we used known differential effects of UV irradiation on human MGC-803 gastric cancer cells to determine their effect on SphK1 activity. Ectopic expression of SphK1 in MGC-803 gastric cancer cells markedly enhanced their resistance to UV irradiation, whereas silencing endogenous SphK1 with shRNAs weakened this ability.

DEPDC1B enhances migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer cells via activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a highly challenging and deadly malignancy with limited improvements in prognosis over years. Further understanding the molecular events involved in NSCLC oncogenesis and progression will help develop new and effective therapeutic strategies. In this study, we identified a ubiquitous up-regulation of DEPDC1B in NSCLC cell lines and clinical specimens, as well as its inverse correlation with patient survival.

Down-regulation of miR-144 promotes thyroid cancer cell invasion by targeting ZEB1 and ZEB2.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, and its incidence has increased rapidly worldwide. The molecular mechanisms underlying thyroid cancer tumorigenesis still need to be further investigated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short RNA molecules of approximately 22 nucleotides in length, play crucial roles in tumorigenesis.

Primary aldosteronism in hypertensive patients: clinical implications and target therapy.

Background: The prevalence of primary aldosteronism (PA) in hypertensive patients varies according to diagnostic testing and ascertained normal cut-offs. The aim of this case-control study was to confirm the high prevalence of PA in a large hypertensive population and evaluate the antihypertensive effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) treatment.

Material And Methods: We investigated 327 hypertensive and 90 matched normotensive subjects with normal adrenal imaging.

Downregulation of Bcl-2 expression by miR-34a mediates palmitate-induced Min6 cells apoptosis.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the expression of miR-34a is significantly upregulated and associated with cell apoptosis in pancreatic β -cell treated with palmitate. Nevertheless, the underlying detailed mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we showed that miR-34a was significantly induced in Min6 pancreatic β -cell upon palmitate treatment.

Brain and optic chiasmal herniation following cabergoline treatment for a giant prolactinoma: wait or intervene?

Objective: Dopamine agonists (DA) are the treatment of choice in patients with macroprolactinomas. Brain and optic chiasm herniation are unusual complications following treatment with DA.

Report: We present a case of a giant prolactinoma complicated by visual deterioration following cabergoline treatment.

miR-101 inhibits cell proliferation by targeting Rac1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Accumulating evidence suggests that some microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) progression. However, it remains necessary to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. In the present study, we investigated the role of microRNA-101 (miR-101) in PTC via targeting of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1).

Effects of nateglinide and acarbose on glycemic excursions in standardized carbohydrate and mixed-meal tests in drug-naïve type 2 diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of nateglinide and acarbose on glycemic excursions and postprandial glucose profiles with different types of meals (standardized carbohydrate and mixed meals) in drug-naïve type 2 diabetic patients. A randomized, parallel-group prospective design clinical trial was conducted and a total of 39 drug-naïve patients (16 males and 23 females, aged 56.7±10.

Glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and β-cell function in type A insulin resistance syndrome around puberty: a 9-year follow-up.

Diabetes mellitus is thought to be progressive. Insufficient insulin secretion in compensation for insulin resistance leads to glucose intolerance. A previously reported proband with type A insulin resistance syndrome and her younger twin brothers with and without the R1174W missense mutation in the insulin receptor gene were followed for 9 years to study the progression of glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and β-cell function around puberty.

Short-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion combined with insulin sensitizers rosiglitazone, metformin, or antioxidant α-lipoic acid in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Short-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes has been proved effective in improving metabolic control and β-cell function, thus inducing long-term drug-free remission. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether CSII in combination with rosiglitazone, metformin, or α-lipoic acid separately brings about extra benefits.

Patients And Methods: One hundred sixty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were randomized to one of four treatment groups: CSII alone, CSII in combination with rosiglitazone or metformin for 3 months, or CSII with α-lipoic acid intravenous infusion for 2 weeks.

Down-regulation of miR-218-2 and its host gene SLIT3 cooperate to promote invasion and progression of thyroid cancer.

Context: The functional relationships between intronic microRNAs (miRNAs) and their host genes in thyroid cancer remain unclear. miR-218, a miRNA down-regulated in several kinds of cancers and associated with multiple cancer phenotypes, is transcribed from 2 loci located on chromosomes 4p15.31 (miR-218-1) and 5q35.

Evidence of primary aldosteronism in a predominantly female cohort of normotensive individuals: a very high odds ratio for progression into arterial hypertension.

Context: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an established cause of hypertension, whereas high-normal serum aldosterone levels have been linked to an increased risk for hypertension.

Objective: We aimed to define the post-fludrocortisone-dexamethasone suppression test (FDST) normal cutoff values of aldosterone and the aldosterone to renin ratio and evaluate the presence of PA in normotensive individuals.

Design: This study was designed as a case-control study.

Case report: Primary pituitary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma developed following surgery and radiation of a pituitary macroadenoma.

Objective: Primary central nervous system (CNS) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a rarely encountered clinical entity. Here we present a case of a primary CNS diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma developed on a previously operated and irradiated pituitary macroadenoma. DESIGN-RESULTS: A 60-year-old woman presented with muscle weakness and eye lid ptosis.

Fufang Xue Shuan Tong capsules inhibit renal oxidative stress markers and indices of nephropathy in diabetic rats.

Fufang Xue Shuan Tong (FXST) capsules, a traditional Chinese medicine, have been used to treat diabetic nephropathy for many years. FXST has been shown to attenuate elevated levels of oxidative stress in the retina of diabetic rats. However, whether FXST protects kidneys through the same mechanism(s) remains unclear.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in subjects with adrenal incidentaloma.

Background: Adrenal incidentalomas (AI) are associated with several parameters of the metabolic syndrome (MS). Although nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a cardiometabolic risk factor, no data exist on its prevalence and clinical relevance in AI. The aim was to investigate the presence of MS and NAFLD in AI subjects.

Pattern of adrenal hormonal secretion in patients with adrenal adenomas: the relevance of aldosterone in arterial hypertension.

Context: Approximately 10% of hypertensives are considered to exhibit autonomous aldosterone secretion (AAS). Although adrenal incidentalomas (AI) can be found in up to 19% of hypertensive individuals, data on the incidence of AAS in hypertensive patients with AI remain scarce.

Objective: The aim was to study adrenal aldosterone (ALD) secretory pattern in patients with adrenal adenomas with and without arterial hypertension.

Attitudes toward diabetes affect maintenance of drug-free remission in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes after short-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion treatment.

Objective: Short-term intensive insulin treatment in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes can improve β-cell function and insulin sensitivity, which results in long-term remission without need for further antidiabetes medication. Patient attitudes toward their disease were assessed using the Diabetes Care Profile (DCP) tool to evaluate the potential impact on maintaining long-term remission.

Research Design And Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited and treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) for 2-3 weeks.

Early intensive insulin therapy attenuates the p38 pathway in the renal cortex and indices of nephropathy in diabetic rats.

In this rodent study, we compared the effects of early versus late intensive insulin therapy on diabetic nephropathy and potential causal mechanisms. Diabetes was induced in rats by high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin. Intensive insulin therapy was initiated in the early intensive insulin therapy groups as soon as diabetes was confirmed and lasted for 8 (8wEI group) and 16 weeks (16wEI group).