Prevalence of Malignancies in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism.

CONTEXT: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Aldosterone excess can cause DNA damage in vitro and in vivo. Single case reports have indicated a coincidence of PA with renal cell carcinoma and other tumors. However, the prevalence of benign and malignant neoplasms in patients with PA has not yet been studied. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: In the multicenter MEPHISTO study, the prevalence of benign and malignant tumors was investigated in 335 patients with confirmed PA. Matched hypertensive subjects from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania cohort served as controls. RESULTS: Of the 335 PA patients, 119 (35.5%) had been diagnosed with a tumor at any time, and 30 had two or more neoplasms. Lifetime malignancy occurrence was reported in 9.6% of PA patients compared to 6.0% of hypertensive controls (P = .08). PA patients with a history of malignancy had higher baseline aldosterone levels at diagnosis of PA (P = .009), and a strong association between aldosterone levels and the prevalence of malignancies was observed (P = .03). In total, 157 neoplasms were identified in the PA patients; they were benign in 61% and malignant in 25% of the cases (14% of unknown dignity). Renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed in five patients (13% of all malignancies) and was not reported in controls CONCLUSION: Compared to hypertensive controls, the prevalence of malignancies was positively correlated with aldosterone levels, tended to be higher in PA patients, but did not differ significantly.

Consensus statement on the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with primary adrenal insufficiency.

Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI), or Addison's disease, is a rare, potentially deadly, but treatable disease. Most cases of PAI are caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex. Consequently, patients with PAI are at higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases. The diagnosis of PAI is often delayed by many months, and most patients present with symptoms of acute adrenal insufficiency. Because PAI is rare, even medical specialists in this therapeutic area rarely manage more than a few patients. Currently, the procedures for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of this rare disease vary greatly within Europe. The common autoimmune form of PAI is characterized by the presence of 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies; other causes should be sought if no autoantibodies are detected. Acute adrenal crisis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. Standard replacement therapy consists of multiple daily doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone acetate combined with fludrocortisone. Annual follow-up by an endocrinologist is recommended with the focus on optimization of replacement therapy and detection of new autoimmune diseases. Patient education to enable self-adjustment of dosages of replacement therapy and crisis prevention is particularly important in this disease. The authors of this document have collaborated within an EU project (Euadrenal) to study the pathogenesis, describe the natural course and improve the treatment for Addison's disease. Based on a synthesis of this research, the available literature, and the views and experiences of the consortium's investigators and key experts, we now attempt to provide a European Expert Consensus Statement for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Comparison of two mitotane starting dose regimens in patients with advanced adrenocortical carcinoma.

CONTEXT: Mitotane is the only approved drug for treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma. Its pharmacokinetic properties are not fully elucidated and different dosing regimens have never been compared head to head. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between mitotane dose and plasma concentration comparing two dosing regimens. DESIGN/SETTING: This was a prospective, open-label, multicenter trial of a predefined duration of 12 weeks. PATIENTS/INTERVENTIONS: Forty mitotane-naïve patients with metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma were assigned to a predefined low- or high-dose regimen by the local investigator. Thirty-two patients could be evaluated in detail. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The difference in median mitotane plasma levels between both treatment groups was measured. RESULTS: Despite a difference in mean cumulative dose (440 ± 142 g vs 272 ± 121 g), median maximum plasma levels were not significantly different between the two groups [high dose 14.3 mg/L (range 6.3-29.7, n = 20) vs 11.3 mg/L (range 5.5-20.0, n = 12), P = .235]. Ten of 20 patients on the high-dose regimen reached plasma concentrations of 14 mg/L or greater after 46 days (range 18-81 d) compared with 4 of 12 patients on the low-dose regimen after 55 days (range 46-74 d, P = .286). All patients who reached 14 mg/L at 12 weeks displayed a level of 4.1 mg/L or greater on day 33 (100% sensitivity). There were no significant differences in frequency and severity of adverse events. Among patients not receiving concomitant chemotherapy mitotane exposure was higher in the high-dose group: 1013 ± 494 mg/L · d vs 555 ± 168 mg/L · d (P = .080). CONCLUSIONS: The high-dose starting regimen resulted in neither significantly different mitotane levels nor a different rate of adverse events, but concomitant chemotherapy influenced these results. Thus, for mitotane monotherapy the high-dose approach is favorable, whereas for combination therapy a lower dose seems reasonable.

Mitotane levels predict the outcome of patients with adrenocortical carcinoma treated adjuvantly following radical resection.

CONTEXT: Mitotane plasma concentrations ≥ 14 mg/l have been shown to predict tumor response and better survival in patients with advanced adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). A correlation between mitotane concentrations and patient outcome has not been demonstrated in an adjuvant setting. OBJECTIVE: To compare recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients who reached and maintained mitotane concentrations ≥ 1 4 mg/l vs patients who did not. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis at six referral European centers. PATIENTS: Patients with ACC who were radically resected between 1995 and 2009 and were treated adjuvantly with mitotane targeting concentrations of 14-20 mg/l. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: RFS (primary) and overall survival (secondary). RESULTS: Of the 122 patients included, 63 patients (52%) reached and maintained during a median follow-up of 36 months the target mitotane concentrations (group 1) and 59 patients (48%) did not (group 2). ACC recurrence was observed in 22 patients of group 1 (35%) and 36 patients in group 2 (61%). In multivariable analysis, the maintenance of target mitotane concentrations was associated with a significantly prolonged RFS (hazard ratio (HR) of recurrence: 0.418, 0.22-0.79; P=0.007), while the risk of death was not significantly altered (HR: 0.59, 0.26-1.34; P=0.20). Grades 3-4 toxicity was observed in 11 patients (9%) and was managed with temporary mitotane discontinuation. None of the patients discontinued mitotane definitively for toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Mitotane concentrations ≥ 14 mg/l predict response to adjuvant treatment being associated with a prolonged RFS. A monitored adjuvant mitotane treatment may benefit patients after radical removal of ACC.

Survivin in adrenocortical tumors - pathophysiological implications and therapeutic potential.

Treatment options for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) are very limited. In other solid tumors, small vaccination trials targeting the anti-apoptotic molecule survivin suggested immunological and clinical benefit in selected patients. Therefore, we investigated whether survivin might be a suitable target for immunotherapy in ACC. Survivin mRNA and protein expression was assessed in adrenal tissue specimens [by real-time-PCR in 29 ACC, 24 adrenocortical adenomas (ACA) and 12 normal adrenal glands; by immunohistochemistry in 167 ACCs, 15 ACA, and 5 normal adrenal glands]. Expression was correlated with clinical outcome using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. The anti-apoptotic role of survivin was investigated in the SW13 ACC cell line using survivin siRNA. The presence of spontaneous survivin specific T-cells in peripheral blood was assessed by FACS dextramere staining in 29 ACC patients in comparison to healthy controls. Survivin mRNA in ACC was significantly overexpressed when compared with ACA or normal adrenal glands. Immunohistochemistry confirmed survivin protein expression in 97% of the ACCs. In 83% of samples, staining was moderate or high and clinical outcome in this subgroup showed a trend towards poorer prognosis [hazard ratio for death 2.28 (95% CI 0.99-5.28); p=0.053]. Survivin knockdown in SW-13 cell significantly increased the rate of apoptosis. Finally, spontaneous survivin-reactive T cells were detectable in 3 of 29 ACC patients. In conclusion, our data suggest that survivin could play an important role in the anti-apoptotic mechanisms in ACC and provide first hints that targeting survivin might be an interesting new therapeutic approach in this rare disease.

[A 47-year-old patient with paroxysmal arterial hypertension and gastric tumors]. / 47-jährige Patientin mit paroxysmaler arterieller Hypertonie und gastralen Raumforderungen.

Arterial hypertension caused by a paraganglioma is rare and approximately one third of all cases of paraganglioma occur as part of a hereditary syndrome. Among these the Carney-Stratakis syndrome is characterized by the occurrence of paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors caused by germline mutations of the succinate dehydrogenase subunit genes (B-D). We report the case of a 47-year-old female patient suffering from Carney-Stratakis syndrome with an endocrine active thoracic paraganglioma which was successfully resected with the assistance of a heart-lung machine and the gastric stromal tumors were removed in a second surgical intervention.

[German adrenocortical carcinoma registry. Surgical therapy results and follow-up treatment]. / Deutsches Nebennierenrindenkarzinom-Register. Chirurgische Therapieergebnisse und Nachbehandlung.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a highly aggressive endocrine disease with an incidence of 1-2 cases per million population per year. Due to the low incidence of ACC knowledge concerning the surgical management is mainly based on retrospective studies or recommendations of isolated experts. Cancer databases, such as the German ACC registry are prerequisite to collect and evaluate clinical data from a large number of patients. For non-metastatic tumor stages, complete tumor resection is the only treatment with curative intent. Open surgery remains the recommended approach for ACC. However, in small tumors with uncertain malignancy a laparoscopic resection by an expert surgeon can be considered. A loco-regional lymphadenectomy should be part of the primary surgical treatment of ACC. Tumor recurrence is common even after an apparently complete primary resection. Therefore, based on the individual risk (tumor size, resection status, proliferation index) adjuvant mitotane treatment is recommended in most patients. Patients with low-risk should be included in the ADIUVO trial. In case of tumor relapse indications for a reoperation should be strongly considered, especially when the time interval since the primary surgery is long (> 12 months) and a complete resection of the recurrent disease seems to be feasible.

AME position statement on adrenal incidentaloma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess currently available evidence on adrenal incidentaloma and provide recommendations for clinical practice. DESIGN: A panel of experts (appointed by the Italian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AME)) appraised the methodological quality of the relevant studies, summarized their results, and discussed the evidence reports to find consensus. RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: Unenhanced computed tomography (CT) is recommended as the initial test with the use of an attenuation value of ≤10 Hounsfield units (HU) to differentiate between adenomas and non-adenomas. For tumors with a higher baseline attenuation value, we suggest considering delayed contrast-enhanced CT studies. Positron emission tomography (PET) or PET/CT should be considered when CT is inconclusive, whereas fine needle aspiration biopsy may be used only in selected cases suspicious of metastases (after biochemical exclusion of pheochromocytoma). HORMONAL ASSESSMENT: Pheochromocytoma and excessive overt cortisol should be ruled out in all patients, whereas primary aldosteronism has to be considered in hypertensive and/or hypokalemic patients. The 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test is the test recommended for screening of subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) with a threshold at 138 nmol/l for considering this condition. A value of 50 nmol/l virtually excludes SCS with an area of uncertainty between 50 and 138 nmol/l. MANAGEMENT: Surgery is recommended for masses with suspicious radiological aspects and masses causing overt catecholamine or steroid excess. Data are insufficient to make firm recommendations for or against surgery in patients with SCS. However, adrenalectomy may be considered when an adequate medical therapy does not reach the treatment goals of associated diseases potentially linked to hypercortisolism.

Genome-wide copy number variation analysis in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: association with neuropeptide Y gene dosage in an extended pedigree.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, highly heritable neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by hyperactivity, inattention and increased impulsivity. To detect micro-deletions and micro-duplications that may have a role in the pathogenesis of ADHD, we carried out a genome-wide screen for copy number variations (CNVs) in a cohort of 99 children and adolescents with severe ADHD. Using high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), a total of 17 potentially syndrome-associated CNVs were identified. The aberrations comprise 4 deletions and 13 duplications with approximate sizes ranging from 110 kb to 3 Mb. Two CNVs occurred de novo and nine were inherited from a parent with ADHD, whereas five are transmitted by an unaffected parent. Candidates include genes expressing acetylcholine-metabolizing butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE), contained in a de novo chromosome 3q26.1 deletion, and a brain-specific pleckstrin homology domain-containing protein (PLEKHB1), with an established function in primary sensory neurons, in two siblings carrying a 11q13.4 duplication inherited from their affected mother. Other genes potentially influencing ADHD-related psychopathology and involved in aberrations inherited from affected parents are the genes for the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 α subcomplex assembly factor 2 (NDUFAF2), the brain-specific phosphodiesterase 4D isoform 6 (PDE4D6) and the neuronal glucose transporter 3 (SLC2A3). The gene encoding neuropeptide Y (NPY) was included in a ∼3 Mb duplication on chromosome 7p15.2-15.3, and investigation of additional family members showed a nominally significant association of this 7p15 duplication with increased NPY plasma concentrations (empirical family-based association test, P=0.023). Lower activation of the left ventral striatum and left posterior insula during anticipation of large rewards or losses elicited by functional magnetic resonance imaging links gene dose-dependent increases in NPY to reward and emotion processing in duplication carriers. These findings implicate CNVs of behaviour-related genes in the pathogenesis of ADHD and are consistent with the notion that both frequent and rare variants influence the development of this common multifactorial syndrome.

[Current TNM classification systems for adrenocortical carcinoma]. / Aktuelle TNM-Klassifikationssysteme für das Nebennierenkarzinom.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy and often difficult to diagnose. It was only in 2003 that the UICC proposed the first TNM classification for ACC. However, an analysis based on data from the German ACC Registry revealed several shortcomings of this classification; in particular, the outcome of patients with UICC stage II and III was not significantly different. Therefore, the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENSAT) developed a revised staging system, the superiority of which was recently confirmed in an independent American cohort. In the ENSAT classification, stage I (tumors ≤ 5 cm) and II (tumors < 5 cm) are non-infiltrating tumors without positive lymph nodes and distant metastases. Stage III is defined by the presence of positive lymph nodes, infiltration of surrounding tissue, or venous tumor thrombus. Stage IV is restricted to patients with distant metastasis. Since the ENSAT classification better reflects patient prognosis than the UICC classification, its use for future clinical and research purposes is recommended. Furthermore, exact documentation of the resection status is essential for optimal decisions on treatment.

Prevention of hypertensive crises in rats induced by acute and chronic norepinephrine excess.

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs), competitive α-adrenoceptor blockers, and phenoxybenzamine (POB) are used for preoperative treatment of pheochromocytomas. We analyzed the protection from hypertensive crisis provided by these drugs during acute and chronic norepinephrine excess. To ensure adaptive changes during chronic norepinephrine (NE) excess, we continuously exposed male Wistar rats to NE for 3 weeks (osmotic pumps). Afterwards, blood pressure (BP) was continuously measured while NE boli (0-1000 µg/kg, i. v.) were administered before and after antihypertensive treatment in anesthetized and catheterized rats. A single dose of urapidil (10 mg/kg), nitrendipine (600 µg/kg) and POB (10 mg/kg) lowered BP from 212 ± 12 mmHg by 52 ± 7%, 31 ± 9%, and 50 ± 6%, respectively. With NE boli a maximum BP of 235 ± 29, 240 ± 30 and 138 ± 3 mmHg was measured in urapidil, nitrendipine, and POB treated animals (p<0.05). The number of hypertensive episodes (delta BP >30 mmHg) was 3 (3), 1.5 (0-3), and 0 (0-1) (p<0.05). Because of inferiority, urapidil was excluded from further testing. Chronically NE exposed rats were treated with POB (10 mg/kg/d), nifedipine (10 mg/kg/d), or vehicle for 7 days. Marked BP elevations were observed at baseline (167 ± 7, 210 ± 7 , and 217 ± 7 mmHg, p<0.01) and maximum blood pressure was 220 ± 32, 282 ± 26, and 268 ± 40 mmHg (p<0.001) with NE boli. Further stabilization was achieved combining POB pretreatment with a continuous nifedipine infusion, which effectively prevented BP elevations during NE excess. POB was the most effective drug used in monotherapy, but BP stabilization was superior using a combination of POB pretreatment with a continuous nifedipine infusion in this model.

The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone: diagnostic and therapeutic advances.

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder and its presence predicts poor prognosis. The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is among the most frequent causes of hyponatremia and is caused by a variety of disorders and pathomechanisms, mostly related to malignancy, pulmonary, or neurologic disorders. The introduction of small molecule vasopressin receptor-2 (VR2) antagonists, so called vaptans, into clinical medicine for the treatment of SIADH makes a reliable diagnosis of SIADH mandatory. This requires structured assessment of essential and supplemental criteria of SIADH, an approach that is currently frequently neglected in clinical routine. Hypertonic saline remains the gold standard in the initial treatment of symptomatic SIADH with severe neurological deficits. However, correction of hyponatremia needs to be slow (<10-12 mmol/l within the first 24 h, and <18 mmol/l within the first 48 h, respectively) to avoid osmotic myelinolysis. Fluid restriction and demeclocyclin have been the most widely used treatments for chronic hyponatremia in SIADH. However, fluid restriction suffers from poor long-term acceptance and demeclocyclin lacks broad availability and has been associated with safety concerns. In controlled clinical trials vaptans have been shown to be efficacious both during short-term and long-term administration (up to 12 months) for mild to moderate SIADH with an acceptable safety profile. However, clinical experience with vaptans in SIADH outside of carefully monitored clinical trials remains still rather limited. Thus, careful postmarketing surveillance will be crucial to fully appreciate the risks and benefits of this new class of drugs in SIADH.

Etomidate unmasks intraadrenal regulation of steroidogenesis and proliferation in adrenal cortical cell lines.

To characterize intraadrenal adaptations for inhibition of cortisol synthesis, we analyzed the effects of etomidate (ETO) on steroid hormone secretion and expression of key regulators of steroidogenesis and proliferation in human NCI-h295 adrenocortical cancer cells. Etomidate potently blocked 11beta-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), and side chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1). This inhibition of steroidogenesis was associated with increased expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and CYP11A1 and 17alpha-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase (CYP17A1) protein levels, but not of the respective mRNA levels. Promoter activity of CYP11A1 and melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) was not increased by etomidate in treated cells compared to controls. The increase in protein levels was partially reversed by cycloheximide suggesting post-transcriptional mechanisms but also protein stabilization as underlying cause. Furthermore, ETO exhibited antiproliferative activity paralleled by a decrease in phosphorylation of MEK and ERK1, 2. In summary, ETO exhibits pleiotropic effects on adrenal function in vitro. Inhibition of steroidogenesis is followed by increased levels of steroidogenic key proteins and reduced proliferation. These changes reflect adaptations to maintain steroidogenesis at the cost of adrenal proliferation.

Low circulating androgens and mortality risk in heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: Deficiency of anabolic sex steroids is common in heart failure (HF). The pathophysiological implications of this phenomenon, however, have not been fully elucidated. This clinical study investigated the significance of low serum androgen levels in HF. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. Patients and Methods In 191 consecutively recruited men with HF (mean age 64 years; New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I-IV 24%/35%/35%/6%) and reduced (ejection fraction (EF) 40%, n=95) left ventricular function total and free serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. The median observation period was 859 days. RESULTS: During follow-up 53 patients (28%) died. Whereas total serum testosterone was normal in most patients (91%), free testosterone and DHEAS were reduced in 79% and 23%, respectively. DHEAS and free testosterone, but not total testosterone, were inversely associated with NYHA class (both p<0.01). Lower free testosterone and DHEAS and higher SHBG predicted all-cause mortality risk (hazard ratio (HR) 0.89, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.96 per 1 ng/dl free testosterone, p=0.004; HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.00 per 10 microg/dl DHEAS, p=0.058; and HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.33 per 10 nmol/l SHBG, p=0.006, respectively; adjusted for age and NYHA class). However, further adjustment for carefully selected confounding factors abolished these associations. CONCLUSION: In male HF patients, low serum levels of androgens are associated with adverse prognosis, but this relation is confounded by indicators of a poor health state. The results suggest that low serum androgens develop as a sequel of this progressive multifaceted systemic disorder.

Improved metabolic control after 12-week dietary intervention with low glycaemic isomalt in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The polyol isomalt (Palatinit) is a very low glycaemic sugar replacer. The effect of food supplemented with isomalt instead of higher glycaemic ingredients like sucrose and/or starch hydrolysates on metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes was examined in this open study. Thirty-three patients with type 2 diabetes received a diet with foods containing 30 g/d isomalt instead of higher-glycaemic carbohydrates for 12 weeks. Metformin and/or thiazolidindiones were the only concomitant oral antidiabetics allowed during the study. Otherwise, the participants maintained their usual diet during the test phase, but were instructed to refrain from additional sweetened foods. Before start, after 6 weeks and 12 weeks (completion of the study), blood samples were taken and analysed for clinical routine parameters, metabolic, and risk markers. Thirty-one patients completed the study. The test diet was well accepted and tolerated. After 12 weeks, significant reductions were observed for: glycosylated haemoglobin, fructosamine, fasting blood glucose, insulin, proinsulin, C-peptide, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and oxidised LDL (an atherosclerosis risk factor). In addition, significant lower nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were found in female participants. Routine blood measurements and blood lipids remained unchanged. The substitution of glycaemic ingredients by isomalt and the consequent on reduction of the glycaemic load within otherwise unchanged diet was accompanied by significant improvement in the metabolic control of diabetes. The present study is in agreement with findings of previous reported studies in human subjects demonstrating beneficial effects of low glycaemic diets on glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

Merits and pitfalls of mifepristone in Cushing's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Mifepristone is the only available glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Only few adult patients with hypercortisolism were treated to date by this drug. Our objective was to determine effectiveness and tolerability of mifepristone in Cushing's syndrome (CS). DESIGN: Retrospective study of patients treated in seven European centers. METHODS: Twenty patients with malignant (n=15, 12 with adrenocortical carcinoma, three with ectopic ACTH secretion) or benign (n=5, four with Cushing's disease, one with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia) CS were treated with mifepristone. Mifepristone was initiated with a median starting dose of 400 mg/day (200-1000). Median treatment duration was 2 months (0.25-21) for malignant CS, and 6 months (0.5-24) for benign CS. Clinical (signs of hypercortisolism, blood pressure, signs of adrenal insufficiency), and biochemical parameters (serum potassium and glucose) were evaluated. RESULTS: Treatment was stopped in one patient after 1 week due to severe uncontrolled hypokalemia. Improvement of clinical signs was observed in 11/15 patients with malignant CS (73%), and 4/5 patients with benign CS (80%). Psychiatric symptoms improved in 4/5 patients within the first week. Blood glucose levels improved in 4/7 patients. Signs of adrenal insufficiency were observed in 3/20 patients. Moderate to severe hypokalemia was observed in 11/20 patients and increased blood pressure levels in 3/20 patients. CONCLUSION: Mifepristone is a rapidly effective treatment of hypercortisolism, but requires close monitoring of potentially severe hypokalemia, hypertension, and clinical signs of adrenal insufficiency. Mifepristone provides a valuable treatment option in patients with severe CS when surgery is unsuccessful or impossible.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular comorbidities of hypokalemic and normokalemic primary aldosteronism: results of the German Conn's Registry.

CONTEXT: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with vascular end-organ damage. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate differences regarding comorbidities between the hypokalemic and normokalemic form of PA. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study collected from six German centers (German Conn's registry) between 1990 and 2007. PATIENTS: Of 640 registered patients with PA, 553 patients were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comorbidities depending on hypokalemia or normokalemia were examined. RESULTS: Of the 553 patients (61 +/- 13 yr, range 13-96), 56.1% had hypokalemic PA. The systolic (164 +/- 29 vs. 155 +/- 27 mm Hg; P < 0.01) and diastolic (96 +/- 18 vs. 93 +/- 15 mm Hg; P < 0.05) blood pressures were significantly higher in hypokalemic patients than in those with the normokalemic variant. The prevalence of cardiovascular events (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, chronic cardiac insufficiency, coronary angioplasty) was 16.3%. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 7.1% and other atrial or ventricular arrhythmia in 5.2% of the patients. Angina pectoris and chronic cardiac insufficiency were significantly more prevalent in hypokalemic PA (9.0 vs. 2.1%, P < 0.001; 5.5 vs. 2.1%, P < 0.01). Overall, cerebrovascular comorbidities were not different between hypokalemic and normokalemic patients, however, stroke tended to be more prevalent in normokalemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate a high prevalence of comorbidities in patients with PA. The hypokalemic variant is defined by a higher morbidity than the normokalemic variant regarding some cardiovascular but not cerebrovascular events. Thus, PA should be sought not only in hypokalemic but also in normokalemic hypertensives because high-excess morbidity occurs in both subgroups.

Sex-specific regulation of ENaC and androgen receptor in female rat kidney.

With the beginning of puberty blood pressure increases and is persistently higher in men than in premenopausal women. Sex steroids are known to have complex effects on the renal and cardiovascular system and are involved in blood pressure regulation. The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) modulates sodium reabsorption in the kidney, but little is known about sex-specific regulation of ENaC subunit expression. Regulation of the androgen receptor (AR) is known to be tissue-specific and age-dependent, but not well studied in the kidney. We investigated the effects of sex steroids on ENaC subunits and renal AR expression in an in vivo rat model. Ovariectomized female Wistar rats were treated with placebo, testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or 17 beta-estradiol (E2) for 14 days, and quantitative PCR and Western immunoblots were performed. DHT significantly decreased expression of all ENaC subunits in female rats, whereas testosterone showed only a trend to lower ENaC expression. These results are in contrast to previous studies where stimulating effects of androgens on the alpha-subunit of ENaC were seen. AR mRNA expression showed a trend to lower levels in females after testosterone treatment in this study. However, estrogen treatment significantly downregulated AR mRNA expression. In male control animals we were able to show a significantly increased expression of AR mRNA upon testosterone treatment. Our data demonstrate that AR and ENaC are regulated by sex steroids. That way sex steroids might modulate renal sodium reabsorption and therefore provide a possible explanation for sex differences in blood pressure.

[Replacement therapy with adrenal steroids]. / Substitution mit Nebennierensteroiden.

Replacement with adrenal steroids comprises treatment with glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and adrenal androgen precursors, mainly in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Attention has also been directed to replacement treatment with glucocorticoids in critically ill patients or with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in elderly people with an age related decline of DHEA/DHEAS levels. Despite the use of current replacement concepts well-being is often not fully restored in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Innovations comprise the development of new delayed release glucocorticoid preparations that allow to better mimic the circadian cortisol secretion and may have the potential to improve the treatment of patients with adrenal insufficiency. Recent results from the CORTICUS study have not confirmed previous beneficial results and have led to restrictions in the use of hydrocortisone substitution therapy in patients with septic shock. Treatment with the androgen precursor DHEA in patients with adrenal insufficiency may improve quality of life. However, in patients with an age related decline of DHEA levels, the available evidence does not support the use of DHEA replacement as an anti aging treatment.