An association between liraglutide treatment and reduction in excessive daytime sleepiness in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate whether treatment with long-acting human glucagon-like peptide-1 liraglutide was associated with an improvement of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in obese subjects with type-2 diabetes. METHODS: This single-centre retrospective study included 158 obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) adult subjects with type-2 diabetes who were initiated with liraglutide treatment at least 3 months before study inclusion. Data of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), anthropometric parameters, glucose-control and metabolic parameters were collected at liraglutide initiation (baseline) and at months 1 and 3 after liraglutide initiation. RESULTS: Significant reductions in ESS score were achieved at months 1 (-1.3 ± 2.8, p < 0.001) and 3 (-1.5 ± 3.0, p < 0.001) after liraglutide introduction. After 3 months of treatment with liraglutide, significant changes in body weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), waist (p < 0.001) and neck circumferences (p < 0.005), HbA1c (p < 0.001), mean blood glucose (p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.01) and total cholesterol (p < 0.001) were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: After 3 months of treatment with liraglutide a significant reduction in EDS was observed in obese subjects with type-2 diabetes. Besides this, significant changes in body weight and metabolic parameters of diabetes control were also accomplished. Further investigation is required to determine whether liraglutide could improve other abnormal sleep patterns and obstructive sleep apnoea.

Cannabinoid CB1 receptors are expressed by parietal cells of the human gastric mucosa.

Experimental data suggest that the endogenous cannabinoid system is involved in gastric function in different animal species. In most of them, CB(1) receptors have been localized on vagal terminals innervating the external wall of the stomach. We aimed at studying the putative presence and distribution of these receptors in the human gastric mucosa. To this end, we first performed Western blotting, RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical analysis of CB(1) protein distribution in biopsy samples of healthy individuals. To determine the precise cell populations expressing CB(1) receptors, we performed double immunofluorescence plus confocal microscopy analysis of the same samples. Our results show that CB(1) receptors are present in the gastric epithelium of the mucosa. Specifically, they are expressed by a subpopulation of mucosal cells, the acid-secreting parietal cells, as shown by double immunohistochemical staining and by their differential abundance in subregions of the gastric mucosa. These results reinforce the notion of a prominent role for the endocannabinoid system in the gastric function in humans and postulate the use of cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in parietal cells as new therapeutic targets for the regulation of gastric acid production.

Coincidental diagnosis of an occult hilar steroid cell tumor of the ovary and a cortisol-secreting adrenal adenoma in a 49-year-old woman with severe hyperandrogenism.

OBJECTIVE: To report an exceptional association between an occult ovarian steroid cell tumor and a cortisol-secreting adrenal adenoma. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Endocrinology and nutrition unit at a general hospital in Spain. PATIENT(S): A 49-year-old woman who presented with persistence of severe hyperandrogenism after removal of a left adrenal adenoma. INTERVENTION(S): An endocrine study evaluating serum androgens, adrenal function, and tumor markers was ordered. Transvaginal sonography was done to rule out an ovarian tumor. Finally, a selective catheterization of ovarian veins allowed the correct diagnosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical and endocrine description of the patient and preoperative localization of the source of T secretion. RESULT(S): After adrenal surgery, urinary free cortisol levels decreased to normal values, but serum T remained within the tumoral range (3.04 ng/mL). Selective catheterization of ovarian veins revealed a gradient of T concentration in the right ovary. After bilateral annexectomy, a microscopic steroid cell tumor of hilar type was found in the right ovary. Serum T fell within the normal range, and hirsutism progressively improved. CONCLUSION(S): This unusual association between an occult-virilizing ovarian steroid cell tumor and a cortisol-secreting adrenal adenoma illustrates the value of an accurate preoperative workup in women with severe hyperandrogenism.

Gonadal agenesis 46,XX associated with the atypical form of Rokitansky syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a patient with bilateral ovarian agenesis associated with the atypical form of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Unit of Endocrinology, Fundación Hospital Alcorcón. Madrid (Spain). PATIENT: A 17-year-old woman who presented with primary amenorrhea and lack of mammary development. INTERVENTION(S): An endocrine study including pituitary, ovarian, adrenal, and thyroid evaluation was performed. Genetic study was done by karyotype and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to detect the presence of Y chromosome material. Bone study, intravenous urography, pelvic ultrasound, and laparoscopic study were ordered to evaluate the associated genitourinary and skeletal anomalies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Anatomic, endocrine, and genetic description of the patient. RESULT(S): The gynecologic examination showed a normal vagina ending in a blind pouch. The endocrine evaluation disclosed gonadotropin levels in the menopausal range and nonautoimmune subclinical primary hypothyroidism. The laparoscopic study revealed a single pelvic kidney and an absence of gonads, fallopian tubes, and uterus. The karyotype was 46,XX; no Y chromosome was found in FISH analysis. CONCLUSION(S): To our knowledge, this is the first report of gonadal agenesis 46,XX associated with the atypical form of MRKH syndrome. The primary hypothyroidism may be coincidental.