Sonic Hedgehog mutations are not a common cause of congenital hypopituitarism in the absence of complex midline cerebral defects.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) and GLI2, an obligatory mediator of SHH signal transduction, are holoprosencephaly (HPE)-associated genes essential in pituitary formation. GLI2 variants have been found in patients with congenital hypopituitarism without complex midline cerebral defects (MCD). However, data on the occurrence of SHH mutations in these patients are limited. We screened for SHH and GLI2 mutations or copy number variations (CNV) in patients with congenital hypopituitarism without MCD or with variable degrees of MCD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Detailed data on clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging findings of 115 patients presenting with congenital hypopituitarism without MCD, septo-optic dysplasia or HPE were analysed. The SHH and GLI2 genes were directly sequenced, and the presence of gene CNV was analysed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). RESULTS: Anterior pituitary deficiency was found in 74% and 53% of patients with SOD or HPE, respectively. Diabetes insipidus was common in patients with HPE (47%) but infrequent in patients with congenital hypopituitarism or SOD (7% and 8%, respectively). A single heterozygous nonsense SHH mutation (p.Tyr175Ter) was found in a patient presenting with hypopituitarism and alobar HPE. No other SHH mutations or CNV were found. Nine GLI2 variations (8 missense and 1 frameshift) including a homozygous and a compound heterozygous variation were found in patients with congenital hypopituitarism or SOD, but not in HPE patients. No GLI2 CNV were found. CONCLUSION: SHH mutations or copy number variations are not a common cause of congenital hypopituitarism in patients without complex midline cerebral defects. GLI2 variants are found in some patients with congenital hypopituitarism without complex midline cerebral defects or septo-optic dysplasia. However, functional analyses of these variants are needed to strengthen genotype-phenotype relationship.

Altered expression of noncanonical Wnt pathway genes in paediatric and adult adrenocortical tumours.

CONTEXT: The role of planar cell polarity (Wnt/PCP) and calcium-dependent (Wnt/Ca) noncanonical Wnt pathways in adrenocortical tumours (ACTs) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the gene expression of Wnt/PCP and Wnt/Ca pathways and its association with TP53 p.R337H and CTNNB1 mutations in paediatric and adult ACTs and to correlate these findings with clinical outcome. PATIENTS: Expression of noncanonical Wnt-related genes was evaluated in 91 ACTs (66 children and 25 adults) by qPCR and the expression of beta-catenin, P53 and protein effectors of Wnt/Ca (NFAT) and Wnt/PCP (JNK) by immunohistochemistry. TP53 and CTNNB1 genes were sequenced. RESULTS: TP53 p.R337H mutation frequency was higher in children (86% vs 28%), while CTNNB1 mutation was higher in adults (32% vs 6%). Mortality was higher in adults harbouring TP53 p.R337H and in children with CTNNB1 mutations. Overexpression of WNT5A, Wnt/Ca ligand, was observed in children and adults. Overexpression of MAPK8 and underexpression of PRICKLE, Wnt/PCP mediators, were observed in paediatric but not in adult cases. Cytoplasmic/nuclear beta-catenin and P53 accumulation was observed in the majority of paediatric and adult ACTs as well as NFAT and JNK. Overexpression of MAPK8 and underexpression of PRICKLE were associated with mortality in children, while overexpression of WNT5A and underexpression of PRICKLE were associated with mortality in adults. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, TP53 p.R337H and CTNNB1 mutations correlated with poor prognosis in adults and children, respectively. We demonstrate, for the first time, the activation of Wnt/PCP and Wnt/Ca noncanonical pathway genes, and their association with poor outcome in children and adults, suggesting their putative involvement in ACTs aggressiveness.

Low expression of HLA-DRA, HLA-DPA1, and HLA-DPB1 is associated with poor prognosis in pediatric adrenocortical tumors (ACT).

BACKGROUND: Low expression of HLA class II antigens has been associated with more aggressive disease in several human malignancies including adult adrenocortical tumors (ACT), but their clinical relevance in pediatric ACT needs to be investigated. PROCEDURE: This study analyzed the expression profile of three class II histocompatibility genes (HLA-DRA, HLA-DPA1, and HLA-DPB1) in 58 consecutive pediatric ACT (13 adenomas and 45 carcinomas) by quantitative real time PCR and their association with clinical and biological features. HLA-DPA1 protein level was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A significant association (P < 0.01) was observed between lower expression levels of the three genes analyzed and poor prognostic factors such as age ≥ 4 years, tumor size ≥ 200 cm(3), tumor weight ≥ 100 g, and metastatic disease; the presence of an unfavorable event and death. Underexpression of the HLA-DRA, HLA-DPA1, and HLA-DPB1 genes were associated with lower 5-year event-free survival (EFS) (P = 0.017, P < 0.001, and P = 0.017, respectively). Cox multivariate analysis showed that HLA-DPA1 was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.029) when analyzed in association with stage IV, age and tumor size. Significantly lower EFS was also observed in patients with negative/weak immunostaining for HLA-DPA1 (P = 0.002). Similar results were observed when only patients classified as having carcinomas were analyzed. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that lower expression of HLA-DRA, HLA-DPA1, and HLA-DPB1 genes may contribute to more aggressive disease in pediatric ACT. HLA-DPA1 immunostaining may represent potential aggressiveness marker in this tumor.

Can the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) in association with insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 identify insulin resistance early in overweight children?

UNLABELLED: Association between insulin resistance (IR) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been reported. This prompted us to evaluate the power of the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) in association with IGFBP-1 to identify IR early in obese children/adolescents. OGTT was performed in 34 obese/overweight children/adolescents. Glucose, insulin and IGFBP-1 were measured in serum samples and ISI was calculated. Considering the presence of three or more risk factors for IR as a criterion for IR, ISI < 4.6 showed 87.5% sensitivity and 94.5% specificity in diagnosing IR. IGFBP-1 was lower in the group with ISI < 4.6 (p < 0.01). In this group, three patients had higher than expected IGFBP-1, suggesting hepatic IR, while three patients with ISI > 4.6 showed very low IGFBP-1 levels. CONCLUSION: ISI < 4.6 is a good indicator of early peripheral IR and, associated with IGFBP-1, can identify increased risk of hepatic IR. Low IGFBP-1 levels among non-IR children may indicate increased portal insulin levels.

Two new Brazilian patients with Gómez-López-Hernández syndrome: reviewing the expanded phenotype with molecular insights.

Gómez-López-Hernández (GLH) syndrome or cerebello-trigeminal dysplasia is a neurocutaneous syndrome whose etiology is unknown at the present time. We report two additional Brazilian patients, including the oldest one known to date (age 29). Here, we review the expanded phenotype in four patients with new clinical, psychiatric, radiological, and molecular investigations. One patient may have hypomania within the bipolar spectrum disorder with onset in childhood and adolescence. Primary growth hormone (GH) deficiency was ruled out in all patients, although one of them might have developed secondary GH deficiency due to partial hypopituitarism following severe hydrocephalus. Brain magnetic resonance angiography disclosed no azygous anterior cerebral artery (ACA) but only normal variants. Molecular analysis of the lysosomal acid phosphatase gene (ACP2) was performed, but no pathogenic mutations were identified. We present an overview of the phenotypic features of all patients described to date. There are currently 12 unrelated patients reported in the literature, 5 of whom are Brazilian. We discuss new molecular insights and speculate about the pathogenesis of GLH syndrome.

Zinc serum levels and their association with vitamin A deficiency in preschool children.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of zinc deficiency in a population with high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency; to verify whether zinc deficiency is associated with vitamin A deficiency in the population studied; to verify risk factors for zinc deficiency (sex, age, diarrhea and fever). METHOD: Cross-sectional study of 182 healthy children aged > or = 24 months and < 72 months. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from fasting children to determine zinc serum levels. Information about presence of diarrhea and/or fever during the 15 days preceding the study was also obtained. Vitamin A deficiency was identified by a serum 30-day dose-response test (+S30DR). RESULTS: Of the children studied, 0.5% (1/182) presented zinc serum levels < 65 microg/dL; however, 74.7% (136/182) of them had vitamin A deficiency. Zinc serum levels were not correlated with retinol serum levels. Zinc serum levels were not changed by previous diarrhea and/or fever. There was no difference in zinc levels between boys and girls. Children aged between > or = 48 and < 60 months tended to have lower zinc serum levels than children of other ages. CONCLUSION: Zinc deficiency prevalence was low and did not represent a risk factor for vitamin A deficiency. Children aged between > or = 48 and < 60 months tended to have lower zinc serum levels than children of other ages. Zinc serum levels were not changed by previous diarrhea and/or fever.

Unraveling the expression of the oncogene YAP1, a Wnt/beta-catenin target, in adrenocortical tumors and its association with poor outcome in pediatric patients.

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of the oncogene yes-associated-protein-1 (YAP1) is associated with increased cell proliferation in human cancers. YAP1 is a potential target of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, which plays an important role in adrenocortical tumors (ACT). The role of YAP1 in adrenocortical tumorigenesis has not been assessed. AIMS: To evaluate YAP1 expression in normal adrenals and pediatric ACT and its association with disease outcome. To investigate the interaction between YAP1 and the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in adrenocortical cells. RESULTS: Strong YAP1 staining was present in fetal adrenals and pediatric ACT but weak in postnatal adrenals. In pediatric ACT, YAP1 mRNA overexpression was associated with death, recurrent/metastatic disease and lower overall survival. The inhibition of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway increased YAP1 mRNA expression. siYAP1 increased CTNNB1/beta-catenin expression and nuclear staining regardless of DLV2, moreover, it decreased cell growth and impaired cell migration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed in 42 pediatric ACT samples the YAP1 protein expression by immunohistochemistry and mRNA expression by RT-qPCR and analyzed their association with outcome. As controls, we resort 32 fetal and postnatal normal adrenals for IHC and 10 normal adrenal cortices for RT-qPCR. The interaction between YAP1 and the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway was assessed in NCI-H295 adrenocortical cells by inhibiting the TCF/beta-catenin complex and by knocking down YAP1. CONCLUSION: YAP1 overexpression is a marker of poor prognosis for pediatric patients with ACT. In adrenocortical cells, there is a close crosstalk between YAP1 and Wnt/beta-catenin. These data open the possibility of future molecular therapies targeting Hippo/YAP1 signaling to treat advanced ACT.

[Prevalence of iron deficiency and its association with vitamin A deficiency in preschool children]. / Prevalência da carência de ferro e sua associação com a deficiência de vitamina A em pré-escolares.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of iron deficiency in the population studied, as well as verifying if such deprivation is associated with vitamin A deficiency. METHODS: One hundred seventy-nine children, > or = 24 months and < 72 months of age, with no diarrhea and/or fever at collection were studied. Vitamin A deficiency identification was carried out through serum 30-day dose-response test. Samples of peripheral blood from fasting children was obtained for hemoglobin counts, serum iron, and unsaturated iron binding capacity assays. Information about the presence of diarrhea and/or fever during the 15 days preceding the study was also obtained. RESULTS: 35.8% (64/179) of the children presented iron deficiency and 75.4% (135/179), vitamin A deficiency. 29.1% (52/179) of the children presented both iron and vitamin A deficiencies. Iron deficiency was not associated with vitamin A deficiency. A separate analysis for each hematimetric index also demonstrated no significant difference between children with or without vitamin A deficiency. Children aged 24 to 36 months presented significantly higher prevalence rates of iron deficiency (p = 0.0005) as did children with diarrhea and/or fever during the 15 days preceding the study (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Although iron deficiency was not associated with vitamin A deficiency, high rates of both deficiencies were exhibited in a "healthy" population with low malnutrition indices. Such situations are known as "hidden hunger". Younger children presented a higher risk of iron deficiency as did children with diarrhea and/or fever during the 15 days preceding the study.

Use of a Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Analog to Treat Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty Is Not Associated with Changes in Bone Structure in Postmenarchal Adolescents.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate bone quantity and quality in postmenarchal adolescents treated for idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) in childhood with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) and to determine the serum concentrations of bone remodeling markers. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study included 53 postmenarchal adolescent girls who were divided into 2 groups: 27 adolescents who were treated with GnRHa in childhood for idiopathic CPP (the CPP group) and 26 women who presented with physiological development of secondary sex traits (the control group). INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight, height, body mass index, age at menarche, time since menarche, body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), bone quality, and serum insulin, glucose, osteocalcin, and carboxyl-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen concentrations were compared in the 2 groups. BMD data were analyzed by using both dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and osteosonography, and body composition was measure with the use of DXA and electrical bioimpedance. RESULTS: BMD and bone quality did not differ significantly between the CPP and control groups when analyzed by using DXA or osteosonography. Serum osteocalcin concentration was significantly lower (P = .02) in the CPP than in the control group. Insulin was higher in the CPP group, and hyperinsulinemia was an independent predictor of bone quantity and quality assessed by using osteosonography. Body mass index and percent fat were determined by using DXA, and the duration of use of GnRHa treatment and the time since GnRHa discontinuation were not independent predictors of bone quantity and quality. CONCLUSION: Postmenarchal adolescents treated with GnRHa for CPP in childhood did not show a reduction in bone quantity or quality.

Assessment of disease activity in treated acromegalic patients using a sensitive GH assay: should we achieve strict normal GH levels for a biochemical cure?

The definition of a cure for acromegaly is controversial in the absence of a well-defined clinical end-point. Therefore, cure in acromegaly may be arbitrarily defined as a normalization of biochemical parameters. The accepted normal GH levels have been modified over time with the improved sensitivity of GH assays. The objective of the present study was to investigate the suppression of GH levels in the oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) using a sensitive GH immunoassay in a large group of normal adult subjects and treated acromegalic patients. We evaluated these results in conjunction with IGF-I and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) levels. Nadir GH levels after the ingestion of 75 g of glucose, as well as baseline IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels, were evaluated in 56 normal adult subjects and 32 previously treated acromegalic patients. GH was assayed by an immunofluorometric assay. Normal controls had a mean GH nadir of 0.07 +/- 0.09 microg/liter. Their mean basal IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were 160 +/- 58 microg/liter and 1926 +/- 497 microg/liter, respectively. Acromegalic patients had mean GH nadir, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 levels higher than those of normal subjects (2.6 +/- 7.6 microg/liter, 313 +/- 246 microg/liter, and 2625 +/- 1154 microg/liter, respectively). Considering a GH cut-off value of 0.25 microg/liter, as the normalized postglucose GH upper limit (mean + 2 SD) and, therefore, the target for treated patients, only five patients (15.6%) would have been considered cured. These results suggest that the strict physiological normalization of GH levels after oGTT is not often achieved as a therapeutic endpoint in acromegaly. In addition to the refinement of GH assays, epidemiological studies have suggested that the mean basal GH levels (<2.5 microg/liter) or oGTT-derived GH levels < 2 microg/liter (RIA), or the normalization of IGF-I levels, appear to reduce morbidity and mortality in treated acromegaly. Using this epidemiologically based definition of cure for acromegaly, we reviewed our results obtained with a sensitive GH assay. Twenty-five patients (78%) had oGTT nadir GH < 2 microg/liter. Nineteen subjects had normal age-related IGF-I levels. When the GH nadir cut-off was reduced to 1 microg/liter or less, there was a cure rate of 59.4%. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were normal in 16 and 15 of these 19 patients, respectively. Furthermore, 59.4% of these 32 patients were in remission when age-normalized IGF-I levels were used as a criterion for inactive disease. All but three had GH nadir of 1 microg/liter or less. Finally, the definition of cure may be contradictory in a subgroup (9.4%) of patients with a GH nadir less than 1 microg/liter despite high-for-age IGF-I levels. In conclusion, using a sensitive GH assay it can be seen that the strictly normal postglucose GH values less than 0.25 microg/liter required for biochemical control of acromegaly are not often achieved. Furthermore, the cut-off of GH nadir 1 microg/liter or less is more closely related to normal for age serum IGF-I levels in treated acromegalic patients than 0.25 microg/liter or 2 microg/liter cut-offs. According to previous epidemiological reports, a GH level less than 2.5 microg/liter, determined by RIA, is associated with a reduction of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, our data lead us to postulate that the biochemical criterion of oGTT GH levels 1 microg/liter or less, determined by immunofluorometric assay, is a useful and accurate marker of safe GH secretion in treated acromegaly.

Serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-binding protein-3 in girls with premature thelarche.

Premature thelarche (PT) is characterised by precocious breast development without any other sign of puberty, normal height velocity (HV) and normal bone maturation, while girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) show increased HV, bone maturation and increased serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels. This prompted us to study serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations in girls with PT. Thirty-nine girls with premature breast development were studied and classified as PT or CPP according to clinical and laboratory evaluation. Normal prepubertal and pubertal girls were studied as controls. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were determined in all girls by IRMA. IGF-I levels in PT (155 +/- 61 microg/l) were lower than in CPP (337 +/- 149 microg/l) or late-pubertal controls (355 +/- 84 microg/l) and similar to those found in prepubertal (113 +/- 72 microg/l) and early-pubertal (222 +/- 81 microg/l) girls. Considering the SDS of IGF-I for chronological age (CA), the values observed in PT were in an intermediate position between CPP and prepubertal controls and statistically similar to those observed in CPP and prepubertal girls. IGFBP-3 levels in PT (2.1 +/- 0.5 mg/l) were similar to those found in CPP (2.5 +/- 0.8 mg/l), but only the latter were higher than in prepubertal girls (1.9 +/- 0.9 mg/l). IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratios in PT were in an intermediate position between CPP and prepubertal controls. In conclusion, IGF-I and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 values in PT are intermediate between those observed in prepubertal children and in CPP, suggesting that PT could be a very early stage of puberty with slight but real changes in the GH-IGF axis.

[Usefulness of subcutaneous or long-acting octreotide as a predictive test and in the treatment of acromegaly]. / A utilização da octreotida subcutânea ou LAR como teste preditivo e no tratamento da acromegalia.

We evaluated GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations in ten acromegalic patients before and after treatment with subcutaneous octreotide (OCT-sc) and long-acting octreotide (OCT-LAR). We also evaluated the acute and short-period treatment (post 21 days) with octreotide as an index to test tolerance and responsiveness to both formulations. Patients were also evaluated after 6 months of treatment with each drug. Pre-treatment fasting GH (microg/l; IFMA), GH nadir during oGTT and IGF-1 (microg/l; IRMA) levels were 13.9+/-6.3; 11.4+/-6.3; 717+/-107, respectively. Fasting GH and IGF-1 were reduced after short treatment with OCT-sc or OCT-LAR (2.9+/-1.1 and 4.4+/-1.2; 491+/-80 and 512+/-80). All parameters were also reduced after a six-month period with OCT-sc or OCT-LAR (2.8+/-0.9 and 1.9+/-0.5; 1.6+/-0.4 and 1.6+/-0.5; 583+/-107 and 515+/-83), respectively. The efficacy of the two drugs was similar. IGFBP-3 was not a good parameter during follow-up of these patients. The acute test with OCT-sc was not a valuable index to predict tolerance, however, as well as the short-period test, it could predict the long-term GH responsiveness to OCT.

[Growth or somatotrophic hormone: new perspectives in isolated GH deficiency after description of the mutation in the GHRH receptor gene in individuals of Itabaianinha County, Brazil]. / Hormônio do crescimento ou somatotrófico: novas perspectivas na deficiência isolada de GH a partir da descrição da mutação no gene do receptor do GHRH nos indivíduos da cidade de Itabaianinha, Brasil.

In addition to stimulating body growth, growth or somatotrophic hormone plays an important role in metabolism, body composition, lipid profile, cardiovascular status and longevity. Its control is multiregulated by hormones, metabolites and hypothalamic peptides. Obtained data of the isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) after the description of the IVS1+1G-->A GHRH receptor gene mutation in individuals of Itabaianinha County are reviewed. New perspectives about the growth hormone resistance model, the importance of GHRH in the control of GH secretion, the frequency of GHRH-R gene mutations, the diagnostic relevance of IGF-I and the metabolic, cardiovascular and quality of life findings are approached.

Sonic hedgehog signaling is active in human adrenal cortex development and deregulated in adrenocortical tumors.

BACKGROUND: The sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway plays a key role in rodent adrenal cortex development and is involved in tumorigenesis in several human tissues, but data in human adrenal glands are limited. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to analyze the involvement of the SHH pathway in human adrenal development and tumorigenesis and the effects of SHH inhibition on an adrenocortical tumor (ACT) cell line. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression of SHH pathway components was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 51 normal adrenals (33 fetal) and 34 ACTs (23 pediatric) and by quantitative PCR in 81 ACTs (61 pediatric) and 19 controls (10 pediatric). The effects of SHH pathway inhibition on gene expression and cell viability in the NCI-H295A adrenocortical tumor cell line after cyclopamine treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: SHH pathway proteins were present in fetal and postnatal normal adrenals and showed distinct patterns of spatiotemporal expression throughout development. Adult adrenocortical carcinomas presented with higher expression of PTCH1, SMO, GLI3, and SUFU compared with normal adult adrenal cortices. Conversely, pediatric ACTs showed lower mRNA expression of SHH, PTCH1, SMO, GLI1, and GLI3 compared with normal pediatric adrenal cortices. In vitro treatment with cyclopamine resulted in decreased GLI3, SFRP1, and CTNNB1 mRNA expression and ß-catenin staining as well as decreased cell viability. CONCLUSIONS: The SHH pathway is active in human fetal and postnatal adrenals, up-regulated in adult adrenocortical carcinomas, and down-regulated in pediatric ACTs. SHH pathway antagonism impaired cell viability. The SHH pathway is deregulated in ACTs and might provide a new target therapy to be explored.

Bone mineral density and body composition in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty before and after treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist.

OBJECTIVES: Idiopathic central precocious puberty and its postponement with a (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) GnRH agonist are complex conditions, the final effects of which on bone mass are difficult to define. We evaluated bone mass, body composition, and bone remodeling in two groups of girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty, namely one group that was assessed at diagnosis and a second group that was assessed three years after GnRH agonist treatment. METHODS: The precocious puberty diagnosis and precocious puberty treatment groups consisted of 12 girls matched for age and weight to corresponding control groups of 12 (CD) and 14 (CT) girls, respectively. Bone mineral density and body composition were assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Lumbar spine bone mineral density was estimated after correction for bone age and the mathematical calculation of volumetric bone mineral density. CONEP: CAAE-0311.0.004.000-06. RESULTS: Lumbar spine bone mineral density was slightly increased in individuals diagnosed with precocious puberty compared with controls; however, after correction for bone age, this tendency disappeared (CD = -0.74 + 0.9 vs. precocious puberty diagnosis = -1.73 + 1.2). The bone mineral density values of girls in the precocious puberty treatment group did not differ from those observed in the CT group. CONCLUSION: There is an increase in bone mineral density in girls diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty. Our data indicate that the increase in bone mineral density in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty is insufficient to compensate for the marked advancement in bone age observed at diagnosis. GnRH agonist treatment seems to have no detrimental effect on bone mineral density.

Obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) deficiency is associated with increased linear growth and final height, fasting hyperinsulinemia, and incompletely suppressed growth hormone secretion.

CONTEXT: Melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) deficiency is characterized by increased linear growth greater than expected for the degree of obesity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the investigation was to study the somatotroph axis in obese MC4R-deficient patients and equally obese controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We obtained anthropometric measurements and insulin concentrations in 153 MC4R-deficient subjects and 1392 controls matched for age and severity of obesity. We measured fasting IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-3, and acid-labile subunit levels in a subset of 33 MC4R-deficient patients and 36 control subjects. We examined pulsatile GH secretion in six adult MC4R-deficient subjects and six obese controls. RESULTS: Height sd score was significantly greater in MC4R-deficient children under 5 yr of age compared with controls (mean ± SEM: 2.3 ± 0.06 vs. 1.8 ± 0.04, P < 0.001), an effect that persisted throughout childhood. Final height (cm) was greater in MC4R-deficient men (mean ± SEM 173 ± 2.5 vs. 168 ± 2.1, P < 0.001) and women (mean 165 ± 2.1 vs. 158 ± 1.9, P < 0.001). Fasting IGF-I, IGF-II, acid-labile subunit, and IGFBP-3 concentrations were similar in the two groups. GH levels were markedly suppressed in obese controls, but pulsatile GH secretion was retained in MC4R deficiency. The mean maximal GH secretion rate per burst (P < 0.05) and mass per burst (P < 0.05) were increased in MC4R deficiency, consistent with increased pulsatile and total GH secretion. Fasting insulin levels were markedly elevated in MC4R-deficient children. CONCLUSIONS: In MC4R deficiency, increased linear growth in childhood leads to increased adult final height, greater than predicted by obesity alone. GH pulsatility is maintained in MC4R deficiency, a finding consistent with animal studies, suggesting a role for MC4R in controlling hypothalamic somatostatinergic tone. Fasting insulin levels are significantly higher in children carrying MC4R mutations. Both of these factors may contribute to the accelerated growth phenotype characteristic of MC4R deficiency.

Wnt/beta-catenin pathway deregulation in childhood adrenocortical tumors.

CONTEXT: CTNNB1/ß-catenin mutations and activation of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway are frequent in adult adrenocortical tumors (ACT), but data on childhood ACT are lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway abnormalities in childhood ACT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinicopathological findings and outcome of 62 childhood ACT patients were analyzed regarding CTNNB1 mutations and the expression of Wnt-related genes (CTNNB1; WNT4, a Wnt ligand; SFRP1, DKK3, and AXIN1, Wnt inhibitors; TCF7, a transcription factor; and MYC and WISP2, target genes) by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: CTNNB1-activating mutations were found in only four of 62 ACT (6%), all of them harboring TP53 mutation. There was association between the presence of CTNNB1 mutations and death (P = 0.02). Diffuse ß-catenin accumulation was found in 71% of ACT, even in ACT without CTNNB1 mutations. Compared to normal adrenals, ACT presented increased expression of CTNNB1 (P = 0.008) and underexpression of Wnt inhibitor genes: DKK3 (P < 0.0001), SFRP1 (P = 0.05), and AXIN1 (P = 0.04). With regard to Wnt/ß-catenin target genes, ACT presented increased expression of WISP2 but lower expression of MYC. Higher overall survival was associated with underexpression of SFRP1 (P = 0.01), WNT4 (P = 0.004), and TCF7 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CTNNB1 mutations are not common in childhood ACT but appear to associate with poor prognosis. Nevertheless, most ACT exhibit increased expression of ß-catenin and WISP2 and reduced expression of Wnt inhibitor genes (DKK3, SFRP1, and AXIN1). Thus, in addition to CTNNB1 mutations, other genetic events affecting the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway may be involved in childhood adrenocortical tumorigenesis.

Correlation between plasma and salivary cortisol levels in preterm infants.

We sought to determine correlations between plasma and salivary cortisol levels in preterm infants in the basal state and after adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation during the first week of life. Infants (n = 48) were given ACTH or saline solution; each injection was separated by 24 hours. Salivary and plasma cortisol levels correlated at baseline (r = 0.67, P <.0001) and 1 hour after ACTH stimulation (r = 0.40, P =.0047). ACTH increased cortisol levels in plasma from 12.3 +/- 6.4 to 30.3 +/- 13.2 microg/dL (P <.0001) and in saliva from 1.0 +/- 0.8 to 2.6 +/- 1.0 microg/dL (P <.0001). The adrenal response to ACTH can be detected in the saliva of premature newborns during the first week of life.