Socioeconomic conditions across life related to multiple measures of the endocrine system in older adults: Longitudinal findings from a British birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about how socioeconomic position (SEP) across life impacts on different axes of the endocrine system which are thought to underlie the ageing process and its adverse consequences. We examined how indicators of SEP across life related to multiple markers of the endocrine system in late midlife, and hypothesized that lower SEP across life would be associated with an adverse hormone profile across multiple axes. METHODS: Data were from a British cohort study of 875 men and 905 women followed since their birth in March 1946 with circulating free testosterone and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) measured at both 53 and 60-64 years, and evening cortisol at 60-64 years. Indicators of SEP were ascertained prospectively across life-paternal occupational class at 4, highest educational attainment at 26, household occupational class at 53, and household income at 60-64 years. Associations between SEP and hormones were investigated using multiple regression and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Lower SEP was associated with lower free testosterone among men, higher free testosterone among women, and lower IGF-I and higher evening cortisol in both sexes. For example, the mean standardised difference in IGF-I comparing the lowest with the highest educational attainment at 26 years (slope index of inequality) was -0.4 in men (95% CI -0.7 to -0.2) and -0.4 in women (-0.6 to -0.2). Associations with each hormone differed by SEP indicator used and sex, and were particularly pronounced when using a composite adverse hormone score. For example, the odds of having 1 additional adverse hormone concentration in the lowest compared with highest education level were 3.7 (95% CI: 2.1, 6.3) among men, and 1.6 (1.0, 2.7) among women (P (sex interaction) = 0.02). We found no evidence that SEP was related to apparent age-related declines in free testosterone or IGF-I. CONCLUSIONS: Lower SEP was associated with an adverse hormone profile across multiple endocrine axes. SEP differences in endocrine function may partly underlie inequalities in health and function in later life, and may reflect variations in biological rates of ageing. Further studies are required to assess the likely functional relevance of these associations.

Toxicological assessment of drugs that affect the endocrine system in puberty-related disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Toxicologists must ensure that clinical risk-to-benefit analysis should be made both for genders and age groups, with any treatment. Puberty concerns physiological changes leading to organism's maturation. Pubertal growth disorders are increasing in last decades: besides causing physical and psychological distress, they may signal underlying endocrine-metabolic abnormalities with serious health consequences later on. Therapeutic approaches for some health conditions in childhood and adolescence are considered. AREAS COVERED: The authors discuss how some diseases and treatments can impact pubertal growth. The authors look at particular immunological disorders such as asthma and how both the disease and treatment affects pubertal growth. They also discuss how the provision of available data can help to assess the dose-response of the drug, in these cases, and minimize the chance of side effects. The authors also discuss pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and how both the disease and treatment can mitigate the growth delay. Last, but not least, the authors discuss how the effects of the drugs used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders may accentuate endocrine issues in juvenile patients. Hyperprolactinemia induction by some antipsychotics is highlighted as an example. EXPERT OPINION: Appropriate risk-benefit analysis of drugs prescribed during childhood and adolescence and intended to be used in the long term is required. Furthermore, future treatment strategies and safer compounds development should be supported by the knowledge of mechanisms underlying adverse side effects in pubertal growth and development.

Measuring animal welfare within a reintroduction: an assessment of different indices of stress in water voles Arvicola amphibius.

Reintroductions are an increasingly common conservation restoration tool; however, little attention has hitherto been given to different methods for monitoring the stress encountered by reintroduced individuals. We compared ten potential measures of stress within four different categories (neuroendocrine, cell function, body condition and immune system function) as proxies for animal welfare in water voles being reintroduced to the Upper Thames region, Oxfordshire, UK. Captive-bred voles were assessed pre-release, and each month post-release for up to five months. Wild-born voles were captured in the field and assessed from two months post-release. Plasma corticosteroid, hydration and body condition of captive-bred voles differed between their pre-release measures and both their first ("short-term") recapture, and their final recapture ("long-term" release), however only body condition and immunocompetence measured using the Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) test were significantly different post-release between the first and last recaptures. Captive-bred animals had lower fat reserves, higher weight/length ratios and better immunocompetence (NBT) than did wild-born voles. Captive-bred males had higher ectoparasite burdens compared to wild-born males and, as reintroduction site quality decreased, became less hydrated. These observations indicate that some methods can identify changes in the stress response in individuals, highlighting areas of risk in a reintroduction programme. In addition, a single measure may not provide a full picture of the stress experienced; instead, a combination of measures of different physiological systems may give a more complete indication of stress during the reintroduction process. We highlight the need to monitor stress in reintroductions using measures from different physiological systems to inform on possible animal welfare improvements and thus the overall success rate of reintroductions.

[Assessment of the modification of the clinical, endocrinal and metabolical profile of patients with PCOS syndrome treated with myo-inositol]. / Valutazione delle modificazioni del profilo clinico, endocrino e metabolico di pazienti con sindrome dell'ovaio policistico in trattamento con mio-inositolo.

AIM: Aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of 24 weeks administration of myo-inositol plus folic acid (Inofert ®) on clinical, endocrine and metabolic parameters of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. METHODS: Seventy women, 18 to 35 years, were enrolled; 35 patients were enrolled as study group and treated with Inofert ® (200 µg folic acid plus myo-inositol 2 g per day) for 24 weeks. The other 35 patients, similar at baseline to patients in the study group, were enrolled as control group and received no treatment. In all patients the restoration of ovulation and variations of the endocrine and metabolic profile after treatment were assessed. RESULTS: After 24 weeks, only five of 35 patients treated with Inofert® and 14 of 35 patients in the control group remained anovulatory and this difference was statistically significant. Body mass index decreased significantly in the study group, while a non-significant increasing was recorded in the control group. Moreover, non-significant reduction in circulating levels of LDL, and a statistically significant increase in the levels of HDL in the study group were observed. CONCLUSION: Treatment with Inofert® allows to restore rapidly spontaneous ovulation in amenorrheic patients with PCOS and shows a significant advantage in terms of reduction in BMI and a positive trend in terms of changes in serum lipid profile.

Integrative assessment of enantioselectivity in endocrine disruption and immunotoxicity of synthetic pyrethroids.

The increasing release of chiral chemicals into the environment dictates attention to a better understanding of enantioselectivity in their human and ecotoxicological effects. Although enantioselectivity has been considered in many recent studies, there is little effort for discerning the connection between different processes, and as such, our current knowledge about chiral contaminants is rather scattered and incoherent. In this study, we simultaneously evaluated enantioselectivity of two chiral pesticides, lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) and (Z)-cis-bifenthrin (cis-BF), in immunotoxicity to macrophage cells (RAW264.7), and endocrine disruption activity in human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7. Analysis of cell proliferation, cell viability, apoptosis, and receptor gene expression showed significant differences between the enantiomers of LCT or cis-BF in estrogenic potential and immunocytotoxicity. The selectivity in these effects consistently followed the same direction, with (-)-LCT or 1S-cis-BF displaying a greater activity than its counterpart. The consistency was attributed to interplaying mechanisms in the closely interacting immune and endocrine systems. The underlying interplays suggest that other chiral xenobiotics may also show a directional enantioselectivity in immunotoxicity and endocrine toxicity. Given that many biological processes are inter-related, enantioselectivity may follow specific patterns that can be revealed via integrative assessments as demonstrated in this study.

Endocrine symptom assessment in women with breast cancer: what a simple "yes" means.

GOALS OF WORK: To investigate the self-reported symptoms related to endocrine therapy in women with early or advanced breast cancer and the impact of these symptoms on quality of life (QL) indicators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Symptom occurrence was assessed by the Checklist for Patients on Endocrine Therapy (C-PET) and symptom intensity was assessed by linear analogue self-assessment (LASA) indicators. Patients also responded to global LASA indicators for physical well-being, mood, coping effort and treatment burden. Associations between symptoms and these indicators were analysed by linear regression models. MAIN RESULTS: Among 373 women, the distribution of symptom intensity showed considerable variation in patients reporting a symptom as present. Even though patients recorded a symptom as absent, some patients reported having experienced that symptom when responding to symptom intensity, as seen for decreased sex drive, tiredness and vaginal dryness. Six of 13 symptoms and lower age had a detrimental impact on the global indicators, particularly tiredness and irritability. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' experience of endocrine symptoms needs to be considered both in patient care and research, when interpreting the association between symptoms and QL.

Endocrine assessment, molecular characterization and treatment of growth hormone insensitivity disorders.

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of growth hormone insensitivity disorders have occurred in the past 15 years. We discuss the current status of endocrine and molecular evaluation, focusing on the pediatric age range. All the identified mutations of the growth hormone receptor are included. Treatment with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor (rhIGF) 1 in classical cases is summarized and new targets for treatment are discussed, together with therapy using the complex formed between rhIGF1 and rhIGF-binding protein 3.

Assessment of adrenal endocrine function in Asian thalassemics.

Adrenal endocrine function was assessed in a cohort of 20 patients, between 10 and 20 years of age, with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia. Cortisol levels were assayed before and after ACTH stimulation with 1 micrograms and 250 micrograms. Adrenal dysfunction was defined as a basal cortisol of greater than 400 nmol/L and/or peak cortisol levels of greater than 500 nmol/L. Overall, 9 patients (45 %) had in vitro evidence of adrenal dysfunction. A statistical significant correlation (r=0.4308; P < 0.05), between wasting and the basal cortisol level, was observed. Similarly, there was correlation between the number of transfusions received and growth failure (r=0.4774;P < 0.05). In comparison to the involvement of other endocrine axes in polytransfused thalassemics, the adrenal endocrine function abnormalities are minor and clinically of little consequence. The observations, albeit, in a small cohort of thalassemics, stress the need for an annual estimation of basal cortisol level, especially in patients with wasting.

Assessment of endocrine functions in children following severe head trauma.

The goal of the present study was to assess endocrine functions in children following severe head trauma. Subjects included 21 children between the ages of 3 years and 18 years 6 months, referred to the Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit at Sheba Medical Center, Israel, between 1984 and 1995. Each was examined 4 months to 11 years following the first admission, undergoing a complete physical examination, including neurologic assessment, biochemical and baseline endocrine profiles, and bone age determination. A GnRH stimulation test was performed in prepubescent children who had advanced bone age. Sixteen children had experienced the head trauma before, or at onset of puberty, according to their chronologic ages. Two children had completed puberty before the head trauma. A 12-year-old male who sustained head trauma at 10 years 6 months of age was found to have Tanner grade 3 pubertal stage and advanced bone age. In addition, 3 prepubescent children also had advanced bone age with no other signs of precocious puberty and a normal GnRH test. For all children studied, the biochemical and hormonal laboratory measurements were in the normal range. Endocrine abnormalities were not found in children examined 4 months or more following severe head trauma. We conclude that clinical monitoring of endocrine status after severe head trauma is sufficient; specific hormonal measurements are not required unless warranted by abnormal physical signs.