Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Endocr Pract 2019 Apr;25(4):340-352

To describe outcomes of patients with giant prolactinoma (≥4 cm) and identify predictors of therapeutic response. In this retrospective study, complete biochemical and structural response were defined as prolactin (PRL) ≤25 ng/mL and no visible tumor at follow-up, respectively. Giant prolactinoma (median size, 4. Read More

J Endocr Soc 2019 Apr 20;3(4):838-846. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.

Cortisol and growth hormone (GH) deficiencies are causes of neonatal hypoglycemia. When they coexist, a pituitary disorder is suspected. We present an infant with hypoglycemia in whom an ACTH receptor defect was associated with transient GH deficiency. Read More

J Int Med Res 2019 Apr 8:300060519840896. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

contributed equally to this work.

This study aimed to report a unique case of primary adrenal insufficiency that was accompanied by painful gynecomastia, which was resolved by treatment with prednisone. Enlargement of the left breast with continuous weakness and generalized nausea in a male was discovered 3 months before admission. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was normal 1 month before presentation. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019 19;10:149. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center, Amiens, France.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of hypopituitarism following TBI in a cohort of children who had been hospitalized for mild TBI and to identify the predictive factors for this deficiency. A prospective study was conducted on children between 2 and 16 years of age who had been hospitalized for mild TBI according to the Glasgow Coma Scale between September 2009 and June 2013. Clinical parameters, basal pituitary hormone assessment at 0, 6, and 12 months, as well as a dynamic testing (insulin tolerance test) 12 months after TBI were performed. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 Mar 26;16(6). Epub 2019 Mar 26.

EnviroManagement Services, 11 Riverview, Doherty's Rd, Bandon, Co. Cork, P72 YF10, Ireland.

The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is the plasma membrane glycoprotein that mediates active iodide transport in the thyroid and other tissues, such as the salivary, gastric mucosa, rectal mucosa, bronchial mucosa, placenta and mammary glands. In the thyroid, NIS mediates the uptake and accumulation of iodine and its activity is crucial for the development of the central nervous system and disease prevention. Since the discovery of NIS in 1996, research has further shown that NIS functionality and iodine transport is dependent on the activity of the sodium potassium activated adenosine 5'-triphosphatase pump (Na+, K+-ATPase). Read More

Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2019 Feb 16;17(1):24. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, ACECR, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Infertile men have higher levels of semen reactive oxygen species (ROS) than fertile men. High levels of semen ROS can cause sperm dysfunction, sperm DNA damage and reduced male reproductive potential. This study investigated the effects of supplementation with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) on the sperm quality, chromatin integrity and levels of oxidative stress in infertile men. Read More

Urologiia 2018 Oct(4):88-95

Department of Urology, N.N. Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, Voronezh, Russia.

Introduction: Androgens play a key role in the male development. All the physiological processes in the body, including the production of testosterone, have their chronobiological features. Aging is accompanied by a disruption in the regulation of chronobiological processes. Read More

Pract Radiat Oncol 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address:

Purpose: Patients undergoing cranial irradiation are at high risk for development of subsequent pituitary deficiencies. Patients with meningiomas can expect to live many years after treatment and are therefore particularly vulnerable to long-term sequalae of radiation therapy (RT). The purpose of this study was to determine the rates and timing of onset of pituitary dysfunction across each hypothalamic-pituitary axis in patients with meningiomas in the sellar region. Read More

Discov Med 2018 12;26(145):243-249

Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) resulting from 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency (17-OHD) is an uncommon autosomal recessive disease. 17-OHD is caused by mutations in the cytochrome P450c17 gene (CYP17A1), and characterized by hypertension, hypokalemia, female sexual infantilism, or male pseudohermaphroditism. Here we report a case of a 19-year-old Chinese girl (46,XX) with 17-OHD, and analyze her clinical and molecular genetic characteristics. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2019 Jan 1:1-5. Epub 2019 Jan 1.

a Shiraz Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center , Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz , Iran.

Estrogen deficiency induced by hyperprolactinemia can reduce bone mineral density. Hyperprolactinemia through other mechanisms other than estrogen deficiency, with direct effect on the bone might cause bone loss in women. The present study evaluated the effect of prolactin itself and in combination with estrogen on bone mineral density of female rats. Read More

Endocr Rev 2019 04;40(2):575-601

Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois.

The important role of GH in the control of mammalian longevity was first deduced from extended longevity of mice with genetic GH deficiency (GHD) or GH resistance. Mice with isolated GHD (IGHD) due to GHRH or GHRH receptor mutations, combined deficiency of GH, prolactin, and TSH, or global deletion of GH receptors live longer than do their normal siblings. They also exhibit multiple features of delayed and/or slower aging, accompanied by extension of healthspan. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2018 Dec 6;12(1):360. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, E.P.E., Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.

Background: Giant prolactinomas are very rare pituitary tumors that may exhibit an aggressive behavior and present with a life-threatening condition.

Case Presentation: A 25-year-old white woman was admitted to our hospital with a headache, psychomotor retardation, reduced vision, and loss of autonomy in daily activities. Her past medical history was significant for having oligomenorrhea and a depressive syndrome since her mother's death. Read More

Hormones (Athens) 2018 Dec 20;17(4):581-588. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Istanbul University, Çapa 34093, Istanbul, Turkey.

Central precocious puberty (CPP) or early puberty (EP) is a rare entity in combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD), the latter caused by mutations in pituitary transcription factor genes. The early onset of puberty in two patients with CPHD with POU1F1 gene mutation was evaluated. A 3-month-old boy was diagnosed with central hypothyroidism, and L-thyroxine was commenced. Read More

J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2018 Nov 13. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

1 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière , Paris, France .

Objectives: Osteoporosis is a major risk factor for fracture and treatment is mainly preventive. Patients with severe psychiatric condition and treated with antipsychotics are at risk for vitamin D deficiency and iatrogenic hyperprolactinemia, two serious risk factors of osteoporosis. We aim to determine whether all antipsychotics are similar regarding the risk of osteoporosis in young patients. Read More

J Clin Transl Endocrinol 2018 Dec 26;14:25-33. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

Department of Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, National University Hospital, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Central hypothyroidism (CH) is a rare cause of hypothyroidism. CH is frequently overlooked, as its clinical picture is subtle and includes non-specific symptoms; furthermore, if measurement of TSH alone is used to screen for thyroid function, TSH concentrations can be normal or even above the upper normal reference limit. Indeed, certain patients are at risk of developing CH, such as those with a pituitary adenoma or hypophysitis, those who have been treated for a childhood malignancy, have suffered a head trauma, sub-arachnoid hemorrhage or meningitis, and those who are on drugs capable to reduce TSH secretion. Read More

J Endocrinol Invest 2018 Nov 8. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.

Background: Prolactin may exert immunological effects. Over the years, a higher prevalence of autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATD) has been reported in patients with prolactinomas (PRLs) in areas with sufficient iodine intake.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of ATD [Graves' disease (GD) and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT)] in a retrospective cohort of Italian patients with PRLs compared to a sex-matched control group, represented by subjects with non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) or empty sella (ES). Read More

J Clin Med 2018 Oct 21;7(10). Epub 2018 Oct 21.

Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Polna 33, Poznan 60-535, Poland.

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is hypogonadism associated with amenorrhea, increased levels of gonadotropins, and hypoestrogenism. Deficiency of estrogens may contribute to higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and death. POI patients present several risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD): endothelial dysfunction, abnormal lipid profile, insulin resistance, and insulin action disturbances. Read More

Aging (Albany NY) 2018 Oct;10(10):2709-2722

Division of Geriatric Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA.

Ames dwarf () mice possess a loss-of-function mutation that results in deficiency of growth hormone, prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, as well as exceptional longevity. Work in other laboratories suggests that increased respiration and lipid utilization are important for maximizing mammalian longevity. Interestingly, these phenotypes are observed in Ames dwarf mice. Read More

Endocr Pract 2018 Dec 5;24(12):1030-1037. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Objective: To evaluate pituitary function in men with a low screening prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of ≤0.1 ng/mL and test the hypothesis that low PSA is associated with hypogonadism alone or other hormone deficiency.

Methods: This was a case-control study evaluating the rates of hypogonadism and low insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 in a cohort of men with low or normal screening PSA level. Read More

Asian J Neurosurg 2018 Jul-Sep;13(3):737-741

Department of Neurosugery, Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Aim: We have evaluated the anatomic measurements on sellar area of patients who were radiologically diagnosed with empty sella to determine the relation between the amount of pressure on the adenohypophysis and hormonal imbalances.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-one cases were diagnosed with empty sella and had hormone tests and hypophysis magnetic resonance (MR). The cases were categorized into two groups - patients with hypophyseal hormone anomaly and patients without hormone anomaly. Read More

PLoS One 2018 19;13(9):e0204438. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by a polyglutamine-encoding CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN3 gene which encodes the deubiquitinating enzyme, ATXN3. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the pathogenic role of mutant, polyQ-expanded ATXN3 in SCA3 including disease protein aggregation, impairment of ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation and transcriptional dysregulation. A better understanding of the normal functions of this protein may shed light on SCA3 disease pathogenesis. Read More

Endocrine 2019 01 6;63(1):149-156. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Research Program in Men's Health: Aging and Metabolism, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.

Purpose: Precise evaluation of serum testosterone levels is important in making an accurate diagnosis of androgen deficiency. Recent practice guidelines on male androgen deficiency recommend that testosterone be measured in the morning while fasting. Although there is ample evidence regarding morning measurement of testosterone, studies that evaluated the effect of glucose load or meals were limited by inclusion of hypogonadal or diabetic men, and measurement of testosterone was not performed using mass spectrometry. Read More

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2019 Jan 27;127(1):23-28. Epub 2018 Aug 27.

Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.

Background: Both vitamin D preparations and high-dose statin therapy were found to reduce thyroid antibody titers.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess whether vitamin D status determines the effect of statin therapy on thyroid autoimmunity.

Methods: The study population consisted of 39 euthyroid women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and moderate or moderately high cardiovascular risk divided into two groups: women with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (group A; n=19) and women with normal vitamin D status (group B, n=20). Read More

Ann Endocrinol (Paris) 2018 Oct 25;79(5):562-568. Epub 2018 Jul 25.

Service d'Endocrinologie, CHRU de Lille, Hopital Huriez, 59037 Lille cedex, France.

Hypophysitis is a frequent toxic endocrine side-effect of immunotherapy. Prevalence is higher with anti-CTLA-4 antibodies (4-20%) or in association with PD-1 inhibitors (8%). Diagnosis is presumptive, based on poorly specific clinical symptoms (usually, headache and asthenia) and/or hyponatremia and/or at least one pituitary deficit and/or abnormal imaging. Read More

J Endocrinol 2018 Aug 8. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

Y Zheng, Transgenic Research Center, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China

Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) is a G-protein coupled receptor and known for regulation of maternal and social behaviors. Null mutation (Oxtr-/-) leads to defects in lactation due to impaired milk ejection and maternal nurturing. Overexpression of OXTR has never been studied. Read More

Aging Cell 2018 Oct 10;17(5):e12816. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Snell dwarf mice (Pit1 ) exhibit deficiencies in growth hormone, prolactin, and thyroid stimulating hormone. Besides being an experimental model of hypopituitarism, these mice are long-lived (>40% lifespan extension) and utilized as a model of slowed/delayed aging. Whether this longevity is accompanied by a compromised quality of life in terms of muscular performance has not yet been characterized. Read More

Laeknabladid 2018 Juli;104(7):347-349

Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland.

A 77-year-old woman with a history of anal squamous cell carcinoma was admitted because of malaise, diarrhea and nausea, in addition to back pain related to a verte- bral compression fracture. During the course of treatment, opioid therapy was initiated, following which the patient became progressively hypotensive and hyponatraemic and respiratory drive progressively decreased. Serum levels of cortisol, TSH and LH were decreased and prolactin slightly elevated, but a Synacthen test and brain MRI turned out normal, suggesting a diagnosis of opioid-induced pituitary dysfunction. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018 6;9:312. Epub 2018 Jun 6.

Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal.

Introduction: The diagnosis of pituitary carcinoma is very rare, requires the evidence of metastatic disease, and has a poor overall survival. Malignant prolactinoma frequently requires dopamine agonist therapy, pituitary surgery, radiotherapy, and even chemotherapy.

Case Description: A 19-year-old female presented with galactorrhea, primary amenorrhea, and left hemianopsia. Read More

Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 2017 Mar;23(3):212-216

Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang College, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China.

Objective: To evaluate the role of the serum testosterone level as an independent predictor of bone metastasis of prostate cancer.

Methods: This study included 165 male patients with prostate cancer confirmed by biopsy. The patients were aged 58－78 (66. Read More

Arch Iran Med 2018 02 1;21(2):56-60. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Beta thalassemia major (BTM) and its treatment by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may have deleterious effects on the endocrine systems. We assessed endocrine complications of HSCT in pediatric patients for 3 months.

Methods: In 20 (6 female) pediatric major thalassemic patients (mean age of 10. Read More

Urologiia 2018 Mar(1):92-95

I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Aim: To investigate the impact of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) on the severity of androgen deficiency in young and middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials And Methods: The study comprised 100 men with type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular multi-morbidity, obesity and androgen deficiency (study group) and 20 healthy men aged 35-50 years. The study group was further divided into two subgroups. Read More

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2018 28;2018. Epub 2018 Mar 28.

Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Co-existence of craniopharyngioma and acromegaly has been very rarely reported. A 65-year-old man presented with visual deterioration, fatigue and frontal headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a suprasellar heterogeneous, mainly cystic, 1. Read More

J Endocr Soc 2018 Mar 6;2(3):220-231. Epub 2018 Feb 6.

Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, the Netherlands.

Immunoglobulin superfamily, member 1 (IGSF1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein highly expressed in the mammalian pituitary gland. Shortly after its discovery in 1998, the protein was proposed to function as a coreceptor for inhibins (and was even temporarily renamed inhibin binding protein). However, subsequent investigations, both and , failed to support a role for IGSF1 in inhibin action. Read More

Vet Parasitol 2018 Mar 8;252:173-179. Epub 2018 Feb 8.

Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 70228, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico. Electronic address:

Toxocara canis is the helminth causing Toxocariasis, a parasitic disease with medical and veterinary implications. Their final host are members of the family Canidae and as paratenic hosts, most of the mammals are sensitive (man, rat, mouse, among others). It has been reported that a pituitary hormone, prolactin, it is responsible for reactivation and migration of larvae to the uterus and mammary gland during the last third of gestation in bitches. Read More

Immunol Res 2018 04;66(2):245-254

Department of Pathology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

The prolactin-inducible protein (PIP) is considered a valuable biomarker that is associated with both benign and malignant pathological conditions of the mammary gland. The function of PIP in breast tumorigenesis remains unknown; however, evidence from our laboratory and others suggest that it regulates host immunity. Studies with PIP-deficient (PIP) mice demonstrated significantly lower numbers of CD4 T cells in their secondary lymphoid organs, impaired Th1 response, and impaired nitric oxide (NO) production. Read More

Horm Res Paediatr 2018 16;89(3):157-165. Epub 2018 Feb 16.

Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

Background: Paediatric prolactinomas are rare. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and outcome of paediatric patients with prolactinomas.

Methods: In this single-centre retrospective analysis, clinical, biochemical, and radiological features of all paediatric patients with pituitary adenomas diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 were evaluated. Read More

Growth Horm IGF Res 2018 Aug 6;41:42-47. Epub 2018 Feb 6.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Madero Col. Mitras Centro S/N, Monterrey, NL 64460, Mexico; TecSalud del Tecnológico de Monterrey, Centro Médico Zambrano-Hellion, Batallón San Patricio 112, Real de San Agustín, 66278 San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, Mexico; Vitagénesis, SA de CV. Blvd, Puerta del Sol #1005, Colinas de San Jerónimo, Monterrey, NL 64630, Mexico. Electronic address:

Importance: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common of all diabetic complications. The number of people with DR in the United States is expected to increase to 16 million by 2050. DR is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in many different countries, including the United States. Read More

Biol Reprod 2018 06;98(6):821-833

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related disorder that occurs after 20 weeks of gestation and affects 3-5% of all human pregnancies worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of PE still remains poorly understood. A deficiency in decidualization is considered a contributing factor to the development of PE. Read More

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2017 Dec;42(23):4445-4450

China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.

Kidney deficiency and blood stasis is the main cause of ovulatory dysfunctional infertility. Kidney deficiency is the main pathological mechanism. Blood stasis is the main pathological manifestation, and it is an important factor throughout. Read More

BMC Res Notes 2018 Jan 15;11(1):24. Epub 2018 Jan 15.

Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Background: Recent rapid advances in assisted reproductive health technologies enables couples with subfertility to conceive through various intervention. Majority of treatment modalities target the female partner. However it is important to identify and treat male factor subfertility right at the outset. Read More

Georgian Med News 2017 Dec(273):16-22

SI "Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology NAMS of Ukraine", Endocrine Gynecology Department, Kyiv, Ukraine.

The aim of the study was to study the relationship between the morphofunctional characteristics of the endometrium, hormonal homeostasis and microbiocenosis of the reproductive system in patients with endometrial polyps. The study involved 130 patients aged 18-35 years: 34 patients with endometrial polyps, 30 patients with micropolyps, 36 patients with endometrial polyps and micropolyps, 30 healthy women of the control group. Hysteroscopy was performed for women who had been suspected for endometrial polyps and who had infertility or repeated recurrent miscarriages. Read More

J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2018 Apr 11;102(2):e964-e971. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

Dietary threonine imbalance is known to impair reproductive performances of gestating sows, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, effects of deficiency and surplus dietary threonine during gestation on reproductive performance, serum metabolites and hormones concentration, and colostral nutrient and immunoglobulin contents of primiparous sows were investigated. Ninety primiparous pregnant gilts were assigned to one of the three dietary treatments with different standardized ileal digestible threonine/lysine ratios at 0. Read More

J Endocr Soc 2017 Nov 16;1(11):1362-1371. Epub 2017 Oct 16.

Reproductive Endocrinology Department, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, F-94275, France.

Context: Hyperprolactinemia-induced hypogonadotropic amenorrhea (hPRL-HA) is a major cause of hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency in women. In hyperprolactinemic mice, we previously demonstrated that hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kp) expression was diminished and that Kp administration restored hypothalamic GnRH release, gonadotropin secretion, and ovarian cyclicity, suggesting that Kp neurons could also play a role in hPRL-HA.

Objective: To study the effect of Kp-10 on the gonadotropic-ovarian axis in women with hPRL-HA. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017 12 20;114(49):13042-13047. Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Department of Integrative Physiology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma 371-8511, Japan;

Although maternal nurturing behavior is extremely important for the preservation of a species, our knowledge of the biological underpinnings of these behaviors is insufficient. Here we show that the degree of a mother's nurturing behavior is regulated by factors present during her own fetal development. We found that Cin85-deficient () mother mice had reduced pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) secretion as a result of excessive dopamine signaling in the brain. Read More

Cell Cycle 2018 30;17(5):580-588. Epub 2018 Jan 30.

a CNR - Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology - c/o Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies , University of Naples "Federico II" , Naples , Italy.

We have previously reported a critical role of HMGA proteins in pituitary tumorigenesis since either the Hmga1 or Hmga2 gene overexpression/activation induces the development of mixed growth hormone/prolactin cell pituitary adenomas by activating the E2F transcription factor 1, and then enhancing the G1/S transition of the cell cycle. Consistently, amplification and overexpression of the HMGA2 gene was found in human pituitary prolactinomas. Since impairment of the cell cycle control represents a feature of experimental and human pituitary adenomas, we have investigated the possible synergism between the alterations of other cell cycle regulators, such as p27 deficiency or Cdk4 mutation, with Hmga2 overexpression in pituitary tumorigenesis. Read More

J BUON 2017 Sep-Oct;22(5):1240-1245

University of Thessaly, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Larissa, Greece.

Purpose: Hypothalamic-pituitary axis is susceptible to radiotherapy, causing endocrine disorders to childhood cancer survivors. We conducted a systematic review in order to assess the radiation-induced toxicity that leads to hormone secretion abnormalities and their severity in children with brain tumors.

Methods: The data were collected by relevant studies on PubMed and EMBASE. Read More

J Biol Chem 2017 12 7;292(52):21598-21613. Epub 2017 Nov 7.

From the Departments of Cellular and Molecular Physiology,

An important feature of the mammary gland is its ability to undergo profound morphological, physiological, and intracellular changes to establish and maintain secretory function. During this process, key polarity proteins and receptors are recruited to the surface of mammary epithelial cells (MECs), and the vesicle transport system develops and matures. However, the intracellular mechanisms responsible for the development of secretory function in these cells are unclear. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2017 Nov 3;18(11). Epub 2017 Nov 3.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.

This review summarized different studies reporting the presence of autoantibodies reacting against cells of the pituitary (APAs) and/or hypothalamus (AHAs). Both APAs and AHAs have been revealed through immunofluorescence using different kinds of substrates. Autoantibodies against gonadotropic cells were mainly found in patients affected by cryptorchidism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism while those against prolactin cells were found in different kinds of patients, the majority without pituitary abnormalities. Read More

Biol Reprod 2017 Sep;97(3):400-412

Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.

The differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into decidual cells, termed decidualization, is an integral step in the establishment of pregnancy. The mitogen-activated protein kinase homolog, WNK lysine deficient protein kinase 1 (WNK1), is activated downstream of epidermal growth factor receptor during decidualization. Primary human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were subjected to small interfering RNA knockdown of WNK1 followed by in vitro decidualization. Read More