Hormones : International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism

INTRODUCTION: P450 oxidoreductase (POR) deficiency is a rare form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In both genders, it can lead to ambiguous genitalia, impaired steroidogenesis, and skeletal findings similar to those of Antley-Bixler syndrome. CASES: We describe two cases of POR deficiency. The first case was an 8.5-year-old girl who was admitted to our clinic due to ambiguous genitalia. Karyotype was 46, XX. There were mild dysmorphic facial findings and mild metacarpophalangeal joint deformity...

PURPOSE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of low-ratio n-6/n-3 PUFA on blood lipid levels. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials of n-6/n-3 PUFA interventions up to March 2019. The change values were calculated as weighted mean differences (WMDs) by using a random-effect model. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 30 randomized controlled trials with 1368 participants were identified...

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of adoption of and adherence to the Hellenic Diabetes Association (HDA) guidelines for the management of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by Greek physicians. METHODS: We used a constructed questionnaire distributed to physicians in Greece. The questionnaire assessed the adoption of and adherence to the general and treatment guidelines of the HDA, as well as factors affecting physicians' prescribing habits and demographic characteristics of the participating healthcare professionals...

PURPOSE: Infectious diseases are more frequent and can be associated with worse outcomes in patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of the available observational studies reporting the effect of diabetes on mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: The Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and medRxiv databases were reviewed for identification of eligible studies. A random effects model meta-analysis was used, and I2 was utilized to assess the heterogeneity...

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic multisystem disease. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of its significant microvascular complications, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this article is to review the literature regarding the latest advances in the management of type 2 DM (T2DM) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We initially refer to the screening guidelines, the diagnostic tests used, the need for novel biomarkers in DN, the recent advances in high-risk patient identification, the recommended glycemic targets, and concerns regarding the accuracy of HbA1c in these patients...

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disease of pregnancy and is associated with several perinatal complications. GDM is defined as diabetes diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy that was not clearly overt diabetes prior to gestation. In Europe, in 2016, the prevalence of GDM was estimated to be 5.4% (3.8-7.8). It varied depending on maternal age, year of data collection, country, area of Europe, week of gestation at testing, and diagnostic criteria. The Hellenic Endocrine Society and the Hellenic Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine commissioned an expert group to construct national guidelines on "Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy: Gestational diabetes mellitus...

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), considered a lifelong condition, manifests mainly as a cluster of hyperandrogenic symptoms during the early reproductive years, with the affected woman gradually developing an adverse cardiometabolic profile over the years. However, some data point to the possibility of differences in the evolution of PCOS according to a woman's weight. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the metabolic and hormonal profiles of women with PCOS over time...

A number of studies have investigated primary and secondary prevention strategies for type 1 diabetes (T1D), since early interventions might improve long-term outcomes through the amelioration of immune processes and the preservation of beta-cell mass. Primary prevention trials focus on genetically at-risk individuals prior to the appearance of autoimmunity, whereas secondary prevention trials aim to halt the progression of complete beta-cell destruction in subjects with established islet autoimmunity (IA)...

Women with type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) diagnosed prior to pregnancy are classified as having pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM). The prevalence of hyperglycemia in pregnancy has been estimated at 17% globally and 5.4% in Europe, differences existing among racial and ethnic groups, following the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Only a minority (approximately 15%) of the cases of diabetes during pregnancy represent women with pre-existing diabetes. Because of the rising prevalence of obesity and limited screening for diabetes in young women, there has been, globally, an increase in the diagnosis of previously unknown overt diabetes early in pregnancy; these women should be treated as women with pre-existing diabetes, as they may already have unrecognized complications (e...

The Bone Section of the Hellenic Endocrine Society has issued the recommendations herein presented with the aim of providing guidance on optimal management of patients with parathyroid disorders in everyday clinical practice within the Greek health care setting. Although the methodology followed to formulate these recommendations was not strictly based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) principles, they were drawn up after an extensive review of the literature and of the currently available guidelines for the management of parathyroid disorders worldwide...

BACKGROUND: Reassignment of a female-to-male (FtM) person requires gender-affirming, androgenic hormonal treatment that is planned to induce appropriate structural changes. This therapy must be prolonged long term, even after the sex reassignment surgery (SRS). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of hormone therapy with testosterone in FtM subjects during a 24-month follow-up in order to highlight the occasional need for early decompensation and to make adequate hormone therapy modulations...

Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY) has a prevalence of approximately 1 in 500 males. It is a condition characterized by an extra X chromosome and is an underdiagnosed clinical entity. Inactivation of genes enables their escape from regulatory mechanisms, which can result in such classic physical manifestations as hypogonadism, gynecomastia, infertility, and various hormonal and physical abnormalities. While the endocrine manifestations of 47,XXY are well-known, the oncologic manifestations have received less attention...

PURPOSE: The potential benefits of treating subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) are unclear and still controversial. Thus, we surgically induced SCH in rats and evaluated the effects of thyroxine (T4 ) replacement on the gene expression levels of deiodinases and thyroid hormone (TH) transporters in different tissues. METHODS: SCH was induced by hemithyroid electrocauterization. The control animals underwent the same surgical procedure but were not subjected to electrocauterization (sham)...

The clinical role of the placebo effect is a topic of increasing interest for the scientific community. Focus is shifting from the inert role of placebos in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to potential effects in clinical applications, since the phenomenon is thought to be inherent in routine clinical practice, affecting therapy success rates. Mediation of the mind-brain-body relationship involves both psychosocial and neurobiological factors, the interaction of which comprises the placebo mechanisms. Psychosocial factors include environmentally induced expectations, reward expectations, and even conditioned responses to certain stimuli...

BACKGROUND: Differentiating the etiology of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (CS) has remained challenging due to the limited accuracy of noninvasive assays. Nowadays, bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is the gold standard method in the diagnostic work-up of complex CS. However, this method is as yet far from being widespread. The limited utility of this method could be due to many factors such as limited availability of an experienced interventionist, limited availability of CRH, and cost of the procedure...

The concept of metamorphosis (change of form, structure, or substance) is very frequently encountered in Ancient Greek and Roman literature. One of the most striking types of metamorphosis described in many myths is gender transformation, where a man becomes a woman or vice versa. Herein, we present a case of pubertal gender inversion, the marvelous story of the Cretan Leucippus, which not only inspired many ancient writers but also led to the development of a distinct, local, religious cult. A medical interpretation of the myth, whereby we attempt to establish a diagnosis for this case of heterosexual puberty, is also provided...

PURPOSE: Estrogens have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, promoting vasodilation, endothelial cells growth, relaxation, and regulation of blood pressure. Some of these effects could be associated with the purinergic system known for the control of vasodilation, inflammation, and platelet function. The aim of our study was the evaluation of ATP, AMP, and adenosine extracellular catabolism, catalyzed by ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (CD39), ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73), and ecto-adenosine deaminase (eADA) in mouse aortas...

As type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) reaches epidemic proportions in the developed world and the age at diagnosis decreases, more women of reproductive age are being affected. In this article, we provide a synoptic view on potential mechanisms and relevant factors underlying menstrual cycle disorders and fertility issues in women with T2DM. The article discusses the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, the central role of the hypothalamus in the homeostasis of this system, the central modulators of the axis, and the peripheral metabolic signals involved in neuroendocrine control of reproduction...

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally. Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that results from impairment of the ability of the ventricle to fill with or eject blood. Over the past two decades, accumulated evidence has revealed the contribution of thyroid hormones to cardiovascular (CV) events, exerting their action through genomic and non-genomic pathways within the cardiomyocytes. The pivotal role of thyroid hormones in maintaining cardiac homeostasis has been observed in previous investigations which suggest that the CV system is adversely impacted by fluctuations in thyroid hormone levels, such as those that occur in hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and low triiodothyronine syndrome (LT3 S)...

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder characterized by clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism and ovulary dysfunction. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) adversely affects quality of life and interpersonal relationships. We aimed to compare the prevalence of FSD in women with and without PCOS. METHODS: We pooled data from 28 observational studies involving 6256 women. Apart from the total prevalence of FSD, subgroup analyses based on different PCOS diagnostic criteria and obesity status (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m2 ) were performed...