Search results for "Adrenal Glands"
showing 10 items of 32 documents
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 gene expression is normal in sporadic adrenocortical tumors.
2000
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder with neoplasia of the anterior pituitary, the parathyroid, the endocrine pancreas and other endocrine tissues including the adrenal cortex. The tumor-suppressor gene causing this disease was identified at the gene locus 11q13. We recently reported that adrenocortical carcinomas frequently show loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of 11q13, but do not contain point mutations within the MEN1-coding region. To investigate whether reduced gene expression (for example by mutations within the MEN1 promoter) may contribute to the tumorigenesis of sporadic adrenocortical tumors, 24 adrenocortical specimen were studied by Northern …
Pituitary-adrenal responses to corticotropin-releasing factor in late onset 21-hydroxylase deficiency
1990
Intravenous corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) were administered in patients with adult onset 21-hydroxylase deficiency to compare their diagnostic capability as well as to investigate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function in this disorder. Responses of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, which were markedly elevated compared with controls, were identical with CRF and ACTH. However, intravenous ACTH resulted in higher androstenedione levels in comparison to CRF. Adrenocorticotropin hormone also resulted in decreased cortisol responses, confirming a defect in steroidogenesis, a finding that was not evident with CRF. Plasma ACTH responses to CRF were similar in …
Real-time ultrasound of normal adrenal glands and small tumors.
1984
The adrenals were studied prospectively with real-time ultrasound in a series of 60 healthy individuals and 13 patients with small adrenal masses sized 8-20 mm in diameter. In only one of the 60 healthy subjects was a normal adrenal gland delineated as a distinct hypoechoic structure. In all other instances only the highly echogenic suprarenal fat could be displayed. Visualization of small tumors was successful in 12 of 13 patients. The suprarenal area and small lesions were best demonstrated by a lateral intercostal approach using longitudinal and transverse scanning planes. The best access was through the 9th/10th intercostal space at the junction with the anterior and middle axillary lin…
Adrenal morphology and function in acromegalic patients in relation to disease activity.
2009
Visceromegaly is a common consequence of acromegaly. However, few studies investigated the chronic effects of growth hormone on adrenal glands. Our aim was to evaluate adrenal morphology and function in a cohort of acromegalic patients in relation to disease activity. Twenty-six acromegalics (10 males and 16 females) and 21 healthy subjects were investigated. Gland morphology was evaluated by computerized axial tomography, measuring central, lateral, and medial adrenal segments. Uncontrolled acromegalics showed increased volume of all adrenal segments, higher urinary free cortisol (UFC), and lower morning adrenocorticotropic hormone in comparison with healthy subjects. However, normal corti…
Endosonography of the adrenal glands: normal size — pathological findings
2009
Transabdominal sonography of the adrenal glands frequently is non-successful. It was the aim of this project to improve the imaging of the adrenal glands using high resolution sonography in order to obtain information about even small changes in these organs. Therefore, endosonographic imaging was investigated using an endosonoscope PENTAX FG32UA. The correct identification of the adrenal glands was examined in five human cadavers. A total of 58 patients with 113 adrenal glands (in 3 cases history of unilateral adrenalectomy) were investigated. 109 adrenal glands (97%) were identified and evaluated. Healthy adrenal glands are slightly hyperechoich and regarding their echogeneity comparable …
Study of abnormal adrenal receptors in subjects with ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome and nodular adrenal hyperplasia
2020
ACTH-independent Cushing's Syndrome (AICS) accounts for 15-20% of cases of Cushing's syndrome, with1% due to abnormal receptors. Our aim is to study the presence of abnormal receptors in subjects diagnosed with AICS with nodular adrenal hyperplasia in a 14-year period (2002-2016), as well as its clinical-biological and evolutive characteristics.A multicentre descriptive study of a 15-case series of AICS with nodular adrenal hyperplasia (study period: 2002-2016). In these cases, abnormal receptor screening was performed by means of stimulation tests, with a plasma cortisol increase of ≥ 25% from baseline being considered pathologic.Of the 15 cases, 13 were female, with a mean age at diagnosi…
The ratio of androstenedione: 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione is an important marker of adrenal androgen excess in women
1992
To determine if the ratio of serum androstenedione (A):11 beta-hydroxyandrostenedione (OHA) would be helpful in differentiating adrenal from ovarian hyperandrogenism.Prospective study of outpatients being evaluated for hyperandrogenism.Normal women (n = 27), those with hyperandrogenic chronic anovulation (n = 25), and 7 with adult onset of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) because of 21-hydroxylase deficiency.Fasting serum between 8:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. Patients with hyperandrogenic chronic anovulation and CAH received dexamethasone (DEX) 2 mg for 7 days.Serum testosterone (T), unbound T, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), A, and 11 beta-OHA by radioimmunoassay.Serum 11 beta-OHA an…
Age-related accumulation of congophilic fibrillar inclusions in endocrine cells
1991
Intracellular fibrillar congophilic inclusions are well known as neurofibrillary tangles in neurons and as Biondi bodies in choroid plexus epithelial cells. Recently similar amyloid-like inclusions in adrenal cortical cells were described (Eriksson and Westermark 1990). This study on 150 adrenal glands confirms these observations. In our material the age-related accumulation of congophilic inclusions starts earlier (in the sixth decade) and reaches a higher incidence (42.7%). We found similar intracellular inclusions in other endocrine organs, for example in the anterior lobe of the pituitary, in the cells of parathyroid glands and in Sertoli cells. The age-related incidence of these fibril…
Expression analysis of neuroglobin mRNA in rodent tissues
2002
Neuroglobin is a respiratory protein which was reported to be preferentially expressed in the vertebrate brain. Here we present the first detailed analysis of the expression of neuroglobin in mouse and rat tissues. Neuroglobin mRNA was detected in all brain areas studied. Most, but not all, nerve cells were labeled, suggesting differential expression of Ngb. Neuroglobin mRNA was detected in the peripheral nervous system, explaining previous northern hybridization signals in organs other than the brain. Substantial neuroglobin expression was also found in metabolically active endocrine tissues such as the adrenal and pituitary glands. The granule localization of neuroglobin transcripts in va…
Human fetal adrenal hydroxysteroid sulphotransferase: cDNA cloning, stable expression in V79 cells and functional characterisation of the expressed e…
1995
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) is a major adrenal secretory product, particularly in the fetus where it serves as a substrate for oestrogen biosynthesis by the placenta. The enzyme in the adrenal responsible for synthesising DHEAS, hydroxysteroid sulphotransferase (HST), is therefore essential for human development. We have isolated a full-length cDNA clone, encoding human fetal adrenal HST, and constructed a stable cell line expressing it by transfection into V79 Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cells. This cDNA was essentially identical to that isolated from adult human liver, where the role of HST is less well understood. This recombinant cell line allowed determination of the su…