And It's About Time There Was Some Support For Cushing's!
Compiled From the Weekly Email Newsletters
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| Type | Subject | Date |
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Addison's Disease |
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Diagnosis–Addison’s Disease Secondary to Tuberculosis of the Adrenal Glands In 1855, Thomas Addison described autopsy findings of six patients with adrenal tuberculosis, which continues to be one of the most common causes of adrenal insufficiency in the developing world... |
Clinical Medicine & Research |
7/2/2008 |
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Jennifer is one of just six known sufferers of polyglandular Addison's disease, which causes her to become ill whenever she is surprised or shocked. The condition means she is unable to produce adrenaline in response to alarm or any sudden form of emotional or physical stress... |
Daily Mail |
2/5/2008 |
Adrenal |
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The surgically removed adrenal glands of an 83-year-old woman with ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome were studied by light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and flow-cytometric and image analyses for DNA ploidy. Light microscopy revealed marked adrenocortical hyperplasia... |
Endocrine Pathology |
6/23/2008 |
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The Burning Question – What Causes High Blood Pressure? Miscellaneous health issues such as kidney disease, adrenal problems like Cushing's disease, diabetes, aortic malformations and even sleep apnea are contributors to what causes high blood pressure. These diseases trigger reactions from the body which kick off events which contribute to high blood pressure. The human body can be an amazing thing and every function feeds off another making for a symbiotic relationship. So as you can see, it is not one particular thing that could answer what causes blood pressure but likely a combination of events... |
World Medical Guide |
6/18/2008 |
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Phaeochromocytoma combined with subclinical Cushing's syndrome & pituitary microadenoma Phaeochromocytoma (PHEO) occasionally associates with pathological lesions of the adrenal cortex. The coexistence of PHEO and pre-clinical Cushing's syndrome (PCS) of the same adrenal gland has rarely been reported. We report a case of PHEO and PCS originating from the same adrenal gland and discuss the peculiar diagnostic aspects of this entity... |
Medline |
6/18/2008 |
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Low-dose and high-dose adrenocorticotropin testing: indications and shortcomings For interpretation of an adrenocorticotropin test, only peak - and not delta - cortisol should be used. The use of 240-300 mg of hydrocortisone daily in ICU patients, including septic shock, should be considered as pharmacologic, rather than as a replacement dose. Using the low-dose test for this purpose will lead to further misdiagnosis... |
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity |
5/5/2008 |
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Adjunctive treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma A retrospective analysis showing that adjuvant mitotane may prolong recurrence-free survival in a large cohort of patients with radically resected adrenocortical carcinoma has recently been published. Debate continues as to whether mitotane may, however, be beneficial as an adjuvant treatment... |
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity |
5/5/2008 |
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Classical Forms of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency in Adults During childhood, the main aims of the medical treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) secondary to 21-hydroxylase are to prevent salt loss and virilization and to attain normal stature and normal puberty. As such, there is a narrow therapeutic window through which the intended results can be achieved. In adulthood, the clinical management has received little attention, but recent studies have shown the relevance of long-term follow-up of these patients. The aims here are to review the multiple clinical, hormonal and metabolic abnormalities that could be found in adult CAH patients as such a decrease in bone mineral density, overweight and disturbed reproductive functions. In women with classic CAH, a low fertility rate is reported, and is probably the consequence of multiple factors including neuroendocrine and hormonal factors, feminizing surgery, and psychological factors. Men with CAH may present hypogonadism either through the effect of adrenal rests or from suppression of gonadotropins resulting in infertility. Therefore a multidisciplinary team with knowledge of CAH should carefully follow up these patients, from childhood through to adulthood, to avoid these complications and to ensure treatment compliance and tight control of the adrenal androgens... |
Hormonal Research |
1/22/2008 |
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“Subclinical Cushing’s syndrome” is not subclinical: improvement after adrenalectomy in 9 patients Overall, 24 patients underwent adrenalectomy for adrenal cortisol hypersecretion, of which 9 were found to have subclinical Cushing's Syndrome. Median serum cortisol was 2.0 ?g/dL (range, 1.1–6.1) after 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression testing. Suspicious clinical findings on preoperative examination included skin bruising, unexplained weight gain, proximal muscle weakness, abnormal fat pads, skin thinning, fatigue, and facial plethora. During a median follow-up period of 5 months (range, 1–30 months), all 8 patients with easy bruising noted resolution postoperatively. Fatigue improved in 4 of 5 patients, muscle weakness in 6 of 8 patients, and weight in 7 of 9 patients, with a median body mass index change of –2.0 kg/m2 (range, –7.1 to +0.5 kg/m2)... |
American Association of Endocrine Surgeons |
1/9/2008 |
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Laparoscopic surgery is safe for large adrenal lesions The purpose of this paper was to assess the safety of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in large adrenal tumours. Because of its many advantages over conventional open surgery, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the preferred approach for removal of benign adrenal tumours... |
European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO) |
1/2/2008 |
Adrenal Crisis |
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Health Alert: Adrenal Crisis Causes Death in Some People Who Were Treated With hGH Treatment with hGH does not cause adrenal crisis, but because a number of people lacking growth hormone also lack ACTH, adrenal crisis has occurred in some people who were treated with hGH. In earlier updates we have talked about how adrenal crisis can be prevented, but people continue to die from adrenal crisis, which is brought on by lack of cortisol. These deaths can be prevented. Please talk to your doctor about whether you are at risk for adrenal crisis... |
National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service |
1/1/2008 |
Cortisol |
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Cortisol and ACTH responses to the Dex/CRH Test: Influence of temperament The results indicate that temperament traits linked to sensitivity to negative stimuli are associated with greater cortisol reactivity during the Dex/CRH test. Increased adrenocortical reactivity, which previously has been linked to major depression and anxiety disorders, may contribute to the association between temperament/personality traits and these disorders... |
Doctor's Guide Publishing Limited |
5/6/2008 |
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Neither a normal UFC nor a normal NSC excludes mild Cushing's Syndrome. Multiple samples (urine/saliva) and DST are needed to make the diagnosis of mild CS... |
European Journal of Endocrinology |
2/25/2008 |
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Cortisol production is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA), a hormone-producing system involving the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain and the adrenal gland located near the kidney. People with poorly controlled diabetes often have an overactive HPA axis and excessive cortisol produced by the adrenal gland... |
Science Centric |
2/23/2008 |
Cushing, Harvey |
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Surgical Treatment of Orthopedic Trauma Derived from Harvey Cushing's remarkable personal collection in the Brain Tumor Registry, “The Legacy of Harvey Cushing: Profiles of Patient Care,” by Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol, MD and Dennis D. Spencer, MD, is a stunning historical account of Cushing's surgical cases and research from 1905 to 1930. The book showcases the extraordinary contribution that Cushing made to the advancement of neurological surgery in the twentieth century. The perfectly preserved material, that was housed at the Yale University Library for over 60 years, is the oldest catalog of neurological and neuropathological disease. In particular, the book features extraordinary photographs of patients which were painstakingly digitized from glass slides... |
Newswire |
2/22/2008 |
Cushing's |
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Somatostatin and dopamine receptors as targets for medical treatment of Cushing’s Syndrome Somatostatin (SS) and dopamine (DA) receptors are widely expressed in neuroendocrine tumours that cause Cushing's Syndrome (CS)...Although selected cases of adrenal CS may benefit from sst or DA-targeted treatment, its total contribution to the treatment of these patients is likely to be low as surgery is effective in most cases... |
Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disease |
7/22/2008 |
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A 60-year-old man presented with an acute confusional state 2 months after parotidectomy for dedifferentiated adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland with nodal metastasis. Investigation indicated ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production from metastatic parotid carcinoma resulting in Cushing syndrome... |
The Endocrinologist |
7/18/2008 |
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The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic overview of the literature on adrenal suppression and Cushing's syndrome secondary to an interaction between inhaled/intranasal fluticasone and ritonavir. The clinical presentation, diagnosis and management will be discussed... |
HIV Medicine |
7/14/2008 |
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Work-up and management of paediatric Cushing's syndrome Early diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's syndrome is vital for long-term outcome. The overall prognosis for Cushing's syndrome is good but challenges remain to ensure normal postcure growth and body composition... |
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and obesity. |
7/2/2008 |
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A Swift Kick in the ASP (pituitary Cushing's) Another example is Cushing's disease, which is a small tumor on the pituitary. The net effect of Cushing's disease is that it causes the body to have high levels of the hormone cortisol. I had a friend with Cushing's disease. He ran five miles every day, and by any measure ate a healthy diet, yet continued to gain weight. Why? Increased cortisol (from the sympathetic endocrine system) can cause compensatory secretion of insulin (from the opposing parasympathetic endocrine system). Chronically high insulin will make you fat no matter how much you exercise or how little you eat. Keep insulin high, and you can literally starve to death while remaining obese... |
Blog |
6/13/2008 |
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'Friendly' Rochester aids patient's recovery Getting a diagnosis took a long time. But she finally learned she had Cushing's syndrome, an illness caused by excessive cortisol hormone in the blood, according to cushings-help.com... |
Post-Bulletin.com |
5/17/2008 |
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Patients treated with potent topical corticoids should be informed about the possibility of developing Cushing syndrome. Adrenal reserve should be monitored in those patients treated with glucocorticoids for long periods, regardless of the administration route... |
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc |
5/15/2008 |
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Cushing’s disease: radiation therapy The usual first treatment for Cushing’s disease is surgical removal of the pituitary adenoma. In patients in whom surgery is unsuccessful or who decline an operation, radiation to the pituitary offers the possibility of remission. No form of radiation delivery results in immediate control of cortisol production. Thus, until radiation treatment becomes effective, medical therapy to lower cortisol production is indicated... |
Pituitary |
5/9/2008 |
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Patient Guide to the Diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome Several factors influence the choice of the best initial test. For pregnant women, the Guidelines recommend for the use of the UFC and against the use of the DST. For patients receiving medications used for seizure disorders, (such as phenytoin, phenobarbitone, and carbamezepine), the Guidelines recommend against the use of dexamethasone, which might give false positive results. Instead, they recommend measurements of UFC or late-night blood or salivary cortisol. For patients with kidney failure, the Guidelines suggest using the 1-mg overnight DST rather than UFC. In patients suspected of having mild CS due to an adrenal mass, the Guidelines suggest use of the 1-mg DST or late-night salivary cortisol test rather than UFC... |
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
5/9/2008 |
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New Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome Cushing’s syndrome is an endocrine disorder caused by an abnormally high circulating level of cortisol, a corticosteroid hormone produced in the adrenal gland. The vast majority of cases of Cushing’s syndrome are caused by steroid medications, such as those used to treat asthma or rheumatoid arthritis. This type of Cushing’s, referred to as exogenous (since the causes come from outside the body), is temporary and goes away after the patient ceases taking the medication..." |
Endocrine Society |
4/29/2008 |
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Treatment of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome: a consensus statement Conclusions: ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder requiring a multidisciplinary and individualized approach to patient management. Generally, the treatment of choice for ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome is curative surgery with selective pituitary or ectopic corticotroph tumor resection. Second-line treatments include more radical surgery, radiation therapy (for Cushing's disease), medical therapy and bilateral adrenalectomy. Because of the significant morbidity of Cushing's syndrome, early diagnosis and prompt therapy is warranted... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
4/18/2008 |
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Cyclical Cushing's Syndrome Due to Bronchial Carcinoid: Early Diagnosis and Prompt Treatment. (PDF) We hereby describe a patient with cyclical Cushing's syndrome due to ectopic production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by a bronchial carcinoid tumor, accurately diagnosed and treated within a short period of time. In addition we describe for the first time careful assessment of cortisol levels in the postoperative period without hormone replacement demonstrating limited need for steroid replacement... |
The Endocrinologist |
3/24/2008 |
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40% of patients with CD will have a normal MRI Forty percent of patients with CD will have a normal pituitary magnetic resonance image, whereas conversely there is a 10% prevalence of pituitary incidentalomas in the age range in which CD typically presents (1). It is, therefore, clear that magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary cannot be relied on and weight should be given to the biochemical evaluation of a given patient... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
3/20/2008 |
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Advances in the Management of Paediatric Cushing's Disease Cushing's disease (CD) is rare in the paediatric age range, but may present a difficult therapeutic challenge. Most paediatric endocrinologists have limited experience managing children or adolescents with CD and thus benefit from close consultation with adult colleagues. Prior to definitive treatment, a diagnostic protocol for investigation is required which broadly follows the model for adult patients. Treatment strategies for CD are described and critically appraised. The management of paediatric CD patients after cure also presents challenges for optimizing growth, bone health, reproduction and body composition from childhood into and during adult life... |
Departments of Endocrinology, Neurosurgery and Radiotherapy, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK |
3/18/2008 |
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The Diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline After excluding exogenous glucocorticoid use, we recommend testing for Cushing's syndrome in (a) patients with multiple and progressive features compatible with the syndrome, particularly those with a high discriminatory value, and (b) patients with adrenal incidentaloma. We recommend initial use of one test with high diagnostic accuracy (urine cortisol, late night salivary cortisol, 1-mg overnight or 2-mg 48-hour dexamethasone suppression test). We recommend that patients with an abnormal result see an endocrinologist and undergo a second test, either one of the above or, in some cases, a serum midnight cortisol or dexamethasone-CRH test. Patients with concordant abnormal results should undergo testing for the cause of Cushing's syndrome. Patients with concordant normal results should not undergo further evaluation. We recommend additional testing in patients with (a) discordant results, (b) normal responses suspected of cyclic hypercortisolism, or (c) initially normal responses who accumulate additional features over time... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
3/13/2008 |
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Warning over illegal skin bleach, illegal skin bleach caused Cushing's Doctors diagnosed her with Cushing's syndrome, which is caused by high levels of steroid hormones such as cortisol in the blood. It is usually caused by a problem with the adrenal glands, which make the hormones, or with the pituitary gland sending too high a signal to the adrenal glands. But blood tests on the patient showed very low levels of cortisol and of corticotropin, the signalling hormone in the pituitary gland... |
BBC |
2/15/2008 |
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Cortisol secretion in ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH) causing Cushing's syndrome can be controlled by illegitimate receptors. The aim of the present study was to characterize the molecular, immunohistochemical, and pharmacological profiles of vasopressin receptors in cells derived from three patients with AIMAH (H1–H3), in order to evaluate the role of ectopic vasopressin receptors in the physiopathology of hypercortisolism. |
Journal of Endocrinology |
1/9/2008 |
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C-Reactive Protein and Cushing's Alicia writes: "I came across this article about c-reactive protein. I was interested in it because I have elevated c-reactive protein, and that has thrown the doctors off because they think that that means I have some underlying autoimmune thing going on. Well this article is really interesting. They actually looked at the molecular shape of c-reactive protein in six disease states, Cushing's being one of them, and found that c-reactive protein actually changes "shape" (and if you know a little bit about molecular chemistry and proteins then you know that shape is very important to how proteins are able to function) in certain disease states. So, in Cushing's disease they found that two carbohydrate groups are actually missing off the protein. Now c-reactive protein is active in our bodeis in the acute inflammation process and is a necessary part of the immune system. They didn't go into this specifically, but they talked about the protein's decreased ability to bind to its targets due to these missing pieces, and I was thinking this may be a huge piece of why people with Cushing's have "weakened immune systems." They didn't really delve into those aspects specifically though as their research was really cutting edge, the first time anyone had ever looked at the molecular shape and hypothesized that it might be different in diseased states. This article was in 2008, and not in the US, so I am really hoping that there has been more research since then. And ultimately, wouldn't it be great if a "test" for Cushing's could come out of this research, just by isolating someone's CRP and looking for these very specific changes. I will put the link to the article in the post, but I am warning you it is a very dense article and even I skimmed over most of their methodology, but I would recommend reading the introduction and the conclusion, they are both moderately easy to follow along." |
Journal of Biochemistry (Great Britian) |
1/8/2008 |
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FDA Accepts Samaritan's Cushing's SP-6300 IND and Clears Phase II Study The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its regulatory review of Samaritan's IND (Investigational New Drug) application for Cushing's syndrome SP-6300 and declared it has not identified any deficiencies in its IND filing. Accordingly, Samaritan can proceed with its proposed Phase II clinical study of Cushing's syndrome SP-6300's efficacy in patients experiencing Hypercortisolism... |
Samaritan Pharmaceuticals |
1/4/2008 |
Cushing's Recurrences |
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In the early postoperative period of Cushing's disease patients, desmopressin may stimulate ACTH secretion in the remnant corticotrophic tumour, but not in nontumour suppressed cells... |
Clinical Endocrinology |
6/24/2008 |
DHEAS |
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DHEAS Levels Linked to Cognitive Function in Women "Possible explanations for our findings include direct actions of DHEA/DHEAS via a putative DHEA receptor, via the androgen receptor, or as neurosteroids and endogenous ligands for sigma-1 receptors," Dr. Davis' team suggests. DHEAS may also be a "marker of overall potential for tissue intracrine androgen and estrogen production in women but not the actual mediator of the effect." |
Reuters Health |
3/13/2008 |
Diabetes |
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Simplified Evaluation Tool for Physicians to Personalize Diabetes Treatment Programs Patients wear the CGMS iPro Recorder for three days, after which physicians can review the data and use the results to uncover glucose patterns and optimize patient therapy. Based on the detailed glycemic profiles collected from the CGMS iPro Recorder, physicians can better tailor diabetes treatment programs for each patient. This may be particularly helpful for patients who experience inconsistent high and low glucose levels, who experience hypoglycemia unawareness and who generally desire better control, as well as for women with gestational diabetes and pregnant women with diabetes... |
Medtronic |
1/30/2008 |
Diabetes Insipidus |
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Complications of Diabetes Insipidus: The Significance of Headache Causes of deficient amounts of ADH secretion include: (a) a malfunctioning hypothalamus or pituitary gland, (cool.gif damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland during surgery... |
Journal of Neuroendocrinology |
6/29/2008 |
Doctors |
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The Startling Truth About Doctors and Diagnostic Errors Despite all of the talk about medical errors and patient safety, almost no one likes to talk about diagnostic errors. Yet doctors misdiagnose patients more often than we would like to think. Sometimes they diagnose patients with illnesses they don't have. Other times, the true condition is missed. All in all, diagnostic errors account for 17 percent of adverse events in hospitals, according to the Harvard Medical Practice Study, a landmark study that looks at medical errors... |
Health Beat |
6/23/2008 |
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Many Doctors Use Placebos on Patients Placebos are widely used in research trials as a way to control for the influence of the placebo effect. In the case of drug trials, one study group may be given an active drug while another group gets identical treatment with only the active ingredient missing. In theory this lets researchers study only the active ingredient while canceling out the placebo effect... |
WebMD |
3/24/2008 |
Drugs |
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PPH and more After Five Years on Fen-Phen In 2000, Shannon went in to the hospital for a hysterectomy. "I came out of the hospital having been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, and Cushing's disease, in addition to having the hysterectomy," she said. "They tested my heart and found heart problems. One of the doctors said it was likely due to the Fen-Phen, but my cardiologist will not put anything in writing about this. So I took it upon myself to find out as much as I could on the internet... |
Lawyers and Settlements |
6/19/2008 |
Growth Hormone |
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Objective: To determine whether use of the overnight metyrapone test (OMT) and plasma IGF-I standard deviation scores (IGF-I-SDS) could provide a cost-effective alternative to the ITT. |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
7/31/2008 |
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Our data demonstrated that a substantial number of patients with nonsecreting pituitary microadenomas failed the GHRH-arginine test despite normal serum IGF-1 levels, and had at least one other pituitary hormone deficiency, suggesting that nonsecreting microadenomas may not be clinically harmless. We therefore recommend long-term follow-up with periodic basal pituitary function testing, and to consider dynamic pituitary testing should clinical symptoms arise in these patients... |
Clinical Endocrinology |
7/21/2008 |
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The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic overview of the literature on adrenal suppression and Cushing's syndrome secondary to an interaction between inhaled/intranasal fluticasone and ritonavir. The clinical presentation, diagnosis and management will be discussed... |
Current Opinion in Endocrinology and Diabetes |
7/15/2008 |
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There may be a relative GHD syndrome in overweight and obese women without organic pituitary or hypothalamic disease that confers increased cardiovascular risk, independent of weight... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. |
7/10/2008 |
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Aerobic Capacity and Growth Hormone Deficiency after Traumatic Brain Injury Conclusions: This study shows that individuals with traumatic brain injury with normal GH secretion have below normal aerobic capacity and those patients who have GH insufficiency/deficiency are further deconditioned. Studies of GH replacement in these subjects should be conducted to assess whether GH therapy can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and prevent secondary disability... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
4/14/2008 |
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Diagnosis of adult GH deficiency. The current guidelines for the diagnosis of adult GHD are mainly based on the statements from the GH Research Society Consensus from Port Stevens in 1997. It is stated that diagnosis of adult GHD must be shown biochemically by provocative tests within the appropriate clinical context. The insulin tolerance test (ITT) was indicated as that of choice and severe GHD defined by a GH peak lower than 3 μg/L... |
Elsevier Ltd |
2/16/2008 |
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Health Alert: Adrenal Crisis Causes Death in Some People Who Were Treated With hGH Treatment with hGH does not cause adrenal crisis, but because a number of people lacking growth hormone also lack ACTH, adrenal crisis has occurred in some people who were treated with hGH. In earlier updates we have talked about how adrenal crisis can be prevented, but people continue to die from adrenal crisis, which is brought on by lack of cortisol. These deaths can be prevented. Please talk to your doctor about whether you are at risk for adrenal crisis... |
National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service |
1/1/2008 |
Hormones |
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Wiley Systems, Inc. Announces New Bio-Mimetic Hormone Restoration Rhythms Wiley Systems, Inc. announced new Wiley Protocol® branded products based on bio-mimetic hormone restoration therapy (BHRT), currently termed bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Mounting evidence on the Wiley Protocol indicates that it may have been the rhythm that was always missing in other regimens. To supplement its original focus on female estrogen and progesterone hormones, Wiley Systems has released five new original Wiley Protocol bio-mimetic creams that replicate ancillary hormone rhythms including two hormone creams as part of a male hormone therapy program to help optimize men's health. There's also a cream to recreate a youthful appearance in facial skin... |
Wiley Systems, Inc. |
4/1/2008 |
Insulin Resistance |
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Glucocorticoids produce whole body insulin resistance "Insulin resistance is viewed as an insufficiency in insulin action, with glucocorticoids being recognized to play a key role in its pathogenesis. With insulin resistance, metabolism in multiple organ systems such as skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue is altered. These metabolic alterations are widely believed to be important factors in the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease. More importantly, clinical and experimental studies have established that metabolic abnormalities in the heart per se also play a crucial role in the development of heart failure. Following glucocorticoids, glucose utilization is compromised in the heart. This attenuated glucose metabolism is associated with altered fatty acid supply, composition, and utilization. In the heart, elevated fatty acid use has been implicated in a number of metabolic, morphological, and mechanical changes and, more recently, in "lipotoxicity". In the present article, we review the action of glucocorticoids, their role in insulin resistance, and their influence in modulating peripheral and cardiac metabolism and heart disease... |
American Physiological Society |
4/7/2008 |
Metabolic Syndrome |
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Metabolic Syndrome Triggered by Overeating, not Obesity "Most people today think that obesity itself causes metabolic syndrome," senior author Dr. Roger Unger, professor of internal medicine, said in a prepared statement. "We're ingrained to think obesity is the cause of all health problems, when, in fact, it is the spillover of fat into organs other than fat cells that damages these organs, such as the heart and the liver. Depositing fatty molecules in fat cells where they belong actually delays that harmful spillover." |
HealthDay |
4/19/2008 |
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia-1 (MEN-1) |
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Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia-1 (MEN-1) Presenting as Primary Hyperaldosteronism: A Rare Association Multiple endocrine neoplasia-1 (MEN-1) is characterized by multiple endocrine tumors including parathyroid, islets of Langerhans, pituitary, and adrenal tumors. Most of these patients present with primary hyperparathyroidism. The adrenal tumors in MEN-1 are rare and usually bilateral and nonfunctional. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of primary hyperaldosteronism due to an adenoma as the presenting manifestation of MEN-1.. |
Endocrinologist |
3/27/2008 |
Obesity |
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Obesity can be rooted in medical problems Another disease related to weight gain is Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of tissue to the hormone cortisol. Not only does it cause excessive weight gain, but it can also cause severe fatigue, weak muscles and high blood pressure. Irritability, anxiety, and depression are common, as well. Women experience excessive hair growth along with these other symptoms... |
Fredericksburg.com |
6/17/2008 |
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The Other Side of Obesity as Disease Debate A further conceptual problem arises when obesity occurs in a disease such as Cushing's Syndrome. Obesity is one of the components or signs of that syndrome. Is the obesity which is a sign of Cushing's disease, itself a separate disease?... |
The Common Voice |
6/17/2008 |
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) |
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder but has considerable phenotypic variability and this has led to controversy over its exact definition and diagnosis. The objective of this study was to review the recently proposed diagnostic criteria to determine whether they were sufficiently robust for clinical and research practise... |
MedScape |
1/16/2008 |
Pituitary | ||
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The extent of the global adaptations in the HPA axis has been revealed and the underlying mechanisms investigated within the last 20 years. Both basal, including the circadian rhythm, and stress-induced adrenocorticotrophic hormone and glucocorticoid secretory patterns are altered... |
Journal of Neuroendocrinology |
6/30/2008 |
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We conclude that although our patients appear to have inadequate suppression with high-dose dexamethasone, there is no way to diagnose this pathology presurgically, and that total hypophysectomy, bilateral adrenalectomy, and irradiation are the only alternatives for definitive treatment. A CRH-secreting ectopic tumor could not be found in our patients either before or after surgery in the follow-up period... |
Endocrine Pathology |
6/26/2008 |
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Pituitary cell hyperplasia can be a source of hyperprolactinemia, gigantism, and Cushing's disease. Indeed, up to 18% of Cushing's disease and some of the nonremissions following successful removal of corticotroph ademona could be attributable to corticotroph hyperplasia... |
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6/12/2008 |
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Daily Thyroxine Dose Up to 1.4 mcg/kg Not Adequate in Hypopituitary Patients: Presented at ECE In particular, hypopituitary patients with untreated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) show increases in fat mass, dyslipidaemia, and insulin resistance. Thus, patients with CH who are taking inappropriately low doses of thyroxine may also have such clinical features... |
Doctor's Guide Publishing Limited |
5/6/2008 |
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Some brain (pituitary) tumors may be removed through nose Surgeons at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital have teamed up to remove certain brain tumors through a patient's nose. Some brain tumors, especially those in the pituitary gland, tend to sit right behind the sinus cavities. Ted Christian said his vision began going blank for a split second as he walked or read. At first he thought he had a vision problem, but when the blank spot lasted longer, he underwent a brain scan that showed the problem was not with his eyes. The tumor sat right on his pituitary gland in his head, pushing on the optic nerve. While the benign tumor was not cancerous, it had to be removed... |
WVECTV |
5/6/2008 |
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Analytic Review: Pituitary Tumor Apoplexy: A Review Pituitary tumor apoplexy is an uncommon syndrome resulting often spontaneously from hemorrhage or infarction of a pre-existing pituitary adenoma. As the primary event involves the adenoma, the syndrome should be referred to as pituitary tumor apoplexy and not as pituitary apoplexy. The sudden increase in sellar contents compresses surrounding structures and portal vessels, resulting in sudden, severe headache, visual disturbances, and impairment in pituitary function.. |
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine |
3/29/2008 |
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Journey to the center of the skull After leaving the nasal cavity, you emerge at the site of the pituitary gland, deep inside the skull and roughly halfway between the ears. The pituitary gland is a common location for tumors that are usually not cancerous, but can still be dangerous. The reason: These tumors can disrupt the all-important release of hormones by the various glands controlled by the pituitary gland... |
PioneerLocal |
3/28/2008 |
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Pituitary Disease / Disorder Affects 1 In 5 = 20% Of The U.S. Population "1 in 5 individuals may have an abnormal growth on their pituitary gland, causing significant health complications. If left undiagnosed and untreated, this can impair normal hormone function resulting in a reduced lifespan," explains Dr. Shereen Ezzat, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto and member of the Board of Directors of the Pituitary Network Association... |
PRWeb |
3/13/2008 |
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A recent paper, for the first time, proposed the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) gene as predisposing to pituitary adenoma... |
Cedars Sinaii |
2/23/2008 |
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A Neurosurgeons Perspective on Brain Tumors Neurosurgeons at NOHC are among the region's most experienced in caring for patients with brain tumors and other cranial disorders... |
Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery & Neuroresearch |
2/23/2008 |
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Pituitary Brain Tumors - A Neurosurgeons Perspective Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery & Neuroresearch - Dr. Gail Rosseau, neurosurgeon at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago, provides an educational insight on pituitary tumors - the conditions and treatments for certain cases...
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Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery & Neuroresearch |
2/23/2008 |
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Life's hard times are an important part of who Linda Miller is today. At that time, it was a healing thing for me," said Miller, who suffered through a year of painful symptoms before doctors discovered that she had a tumor on her pituitary gland, and Cushing's disease as a result of that. The tumor was removed via brain surgery — over a Christmas holiday so that she could miss as little school as possible... |
News Journal |
2/7/2008 |
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Background/Aim: The insulin tolerance test (ITT) remains the gold standard for evaluating the pituitary function, but has potential risks when hypoglycaemia is induced. There are scarce data using short-acting insulin analogs for ITTs. This pilot study compares the effects of insulin lispro (LPI) with regular insulin (RGI) during an ITT... |
Hormone Research |
1/22/2008 |
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Hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency following infectious diseases of the central nervous system Hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency may have diverse causes. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency in patients with previous infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) of different etiologies and mild-to-moderate clinical course... |
European Journal of Endocrinology |
1/12/2008 |
Pituitary Adenoma (Tumor) |
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Our data demonstrated that a substantial number of patients with nonsecreting pituitary microadenomas failed the GHRH-arginine test despite normal serum IGF-1 levels, and had at least one other pituitary hormone deficiency, suggesting that nonsecreting microadenomas may not be clinically harmless. We therefore recommend long-term follow-up with periodic basal pituitary function testing, and to consider dynamic pituitary testing should clinical symptoms arise in these patients... |
Clinical Endocrinology |
7/21/2008 |
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Brain surgeon teams with rocket scientists on high-tech tools Shahinian at Brotman Medical Center in Los Angeles, along with doctors at UCI Medical Center and other leading hospitals, now does deep-brain surgery through the nose or through a small hole that's cut behind the ear or at the eyebrow. Shahinian, one of the pioneers of such techniques, started exploring minimally invasive brain surgery as a leader of the Skull Base Institute in 1994. The first peer-reviewed paper, on performing minimally invasive brain surgery on 50 patients, came in 1996 from Dr. Hae-Dong Jho in Pittsburgh, who went on to found the Jho Institute for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery. Since then, pioneering doctors have explored new surgical routes that replace traditional high-impact brain surgery with lower-impact procedures... |
ocregister.com |
5/17/2008 |
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RxTrials Institute Drug Pipeline Alert Ipsen will provide funding for research programs in the field of proliferative diseases with a particular emphasis on novel therapeutic concepts for the treatment of pituitary adenomas, the company said... |
FDA News |
1/16/2008 |
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A total of 20 patients, including 12 females and 8 males, comprise the study group. Mean age at onset of symptoms was 14.0 years (range, 5–18 years). Four patients had onset of symptoms before the age of 12 years. The majority of patients presented with headaches (n = 12), visual disturbances (n = 12) or, in females, menstrual dysfunction (n = 9/12). Tumor size based on radiographic data was known for 19 tumors; 12 adenomas were greater than 1 cm in greatest dimension, and 7 were less than 1 cm. On follow-up, 2 patients with total gross tumor resections had recurrent adenomas; time to recurrence was 5 months and 17 months, respectively. Nine adenomas stained solely for prolactin, 5 for adrenocorticotropic hormone, and 3 for growth hormone. Two stained for growth hormone and prolactin. One did not stain with hormone antibodies... |
Cleveland Clinic |
1/10/2008 |
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ACTH cell adenomas : clinical manifestations of the physical concentric obesity moon face, buffalo back, more blood quality, abdominal skin with large purple leg stripes, like the increase in vellus hair. Severe amenorrhea, the loss of libido, malaise, or even bedridden. Some patients with hypertension, diabetes and so on... |
Doctors120 |
1/6/2008 |
Prader-Willi syndrome |
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High prevalence of central adrenal insufficiency in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome Strikingly, 60% of our PWS patients had central adrenal insufficiency. The high percentage of CAI in PWS patients might explain the high rate of sudden death in these patients, particularly during infection-related stress. Based on our data, one should consider treatment with hydrocortisone during acute illness in PWS patients, unless CAI has recently been ruled out with a metyrapone test... |
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism |
3/22/2008 |
Steroids |
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Patients treated with potent topical corticoids should be informed about the possibility of developing Cushing syndrome. Adrenal reserve should be monitored in those patients treated with glucocorticoids for long periods, regardless of the administration route... |
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc |
5/15/2008 |
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Itching may reflect serious illness As an aside, the pain is a result of cortisol withdrawal. The body makes cortisol naturally until medication, such as prednisone or other corticosteroids, are introduced. Because the body makes only minimal amounts, the adrenal glands (which produce cortisol) shut down in the presence of the medication. Rarely, some people will not return to normal function, especially if the dosage and frequency are high and long. If this occurs, medication to replace the missing cortisol must be taken to avoid symptoms. If it is not, serious illness and death occur.. |
SVG Tribune |
3/29/2008 |
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The Role of Sex Steroids in Controlling Pubertal Growth In summary, there is ample evidence to suggest that sex steroids, particularly, oestrogen play a vital role in modulating linear growth through the systemic GH-IGF-I axis, as well as, at the level of the growth plate. Clinical disorders of sex steroid synthesis and action lead to an abnormal pattern of growth. An improved understanding of this effect of sex steroids on growth requires a combination of clinical and basic experimental studies... |
Clinical Endocrinology |
3/3/2008 |
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Treatment 'could cut out steroids' Extended use of steroids may result in Cushing's syndrome, a condition marked by rapid weight gain, muscle weakness and skin problems which may lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. In some cases, it can shorten life... |
The Press Association |
2/22/2008 |
Rare Diseases |
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Feds to Offer Free Health Care to People With Very Rare Diseases The new mystery-disease program is aimed at people with the rarest of the rare diseases — even those with truly brand-new ailments — who otherwise would be turned away because there are no studies, yet, for their conditions or a researcher specifically tracking their symptoms. It doesn't promise a diagnosis, but the chance to be reevaluated by a team of renowned specialists... |
NIH |
5/20/2008 |
Thyroid |
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Twin findings open new avenues for improved anaemia treatments Another arm of our research has revealed that thyroid hormone, which it was already established affected metabolism, also contributes to red blood cell formation which was previously unknown... |
Blood, the journal of the American Society of Hematology |
4/13/2008 |
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