ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

recently. However, the nature of the signals that may connect body fat/muscle tissues with the central nervous system governing energy homeostasis remains to be elucidated. Objective. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of peripheral kisspeptin-10 administration on irisin release in human males. Subjects and methods. Kisspeptin-10 was administered to normal weight (n=8) and obese (n=8) men. Sequential blood sampling was performed for 30 minutes pre and 210 minutes post kisspeptin injection at 30 minutes interval. ELISA kit was used to detect plasma irisin levels. Results. There is a significant (P<0.0001) effect of Kisspeptin-10 administration on irisin release in both normal weight and obese participants. Mean irisin levels (96.24 ± 1.351 ng/mL) at 210 minutes were significantly (P<0.0001) enhanced as compared to pre-kisspeptin (59.18 ± 4.815 ng/ mL) in normal weight subjects. In obese subjects mean irisin levels (75.76 ± 4.06 ng/mL) were significantly (P<0.0001) elevated at 180 minutes post-kisspeptin when compared with pre-kisspeptin irisin levels (41.28 ± 2.89 ng/mL). Conclusion. Our findings suggest that kisspeptin may have a novel therapeutic potential to induce irisin release in humans which may have anti-obesity effects.

Objective. To investigate the effect of puerarin (Pue) on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and the expression of type I collagen(Coll I) mRNA in a high-glucose (HG) environment, and to provide evidence for the clinical treatment of diabetic osteoporosis(DOP). Subjects and Methods. The proliferation of osteoblasts from three groups – the control group, the HS group, and the HG+Pue (10-8-10-6 M) group – was cultivated for 72 h and evaluated using the methyl thiazolyltetrazolium (MTT) assay. Results. The MTT values and the ALP activities in all experimental groups were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the MTT values and the ALP activities in the HG+Pue group were significantly higher than those in the HS group. Coll I mRNA expression in all experimental groups was significantly lower than that in the control group, while that in the HG+Pue group was significantly higher than that in the HG group. Conclusions. The proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and the expression of Coll I mRNA were inhibited by high glucose, but Pue can increase the proliferation and differentiation as well as the expression of Coll I mRNA in the osteoblasts, indicating that Pue could be therapeutically beneficial against DOP.

Context. Peripheral nerve lesions are a major complication of diabetes mellitus, the main clinical manifestations of which are numbness and pain involving the limbs. Objective. To determine the correlation between pregabalin treatment and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. Design. An experimental animal study in BALB/c mice. Subjects and Methods. Diabetes models are established by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) into the abdominal cavities of mice. The correlation between the treatment effect, time, and dosage of pregabalin was determined. The effect of a type 1 organic cation transporter (Octn1) in the absorption of pregabalin was evaluated. Results. Pregabalin reduced tactile allodynia in diabetic mice. The best analgesic effect occurred when intestinal absorption was increased. Octn1 mediated pregabalin entry into intestinal epithelial cells, which influenced the absorption of pregabalin with a timedependent fluctuation in the small intestine. Peripheral nerve damage caused by diabetes was dependent on time and dose of pregabalin, which was related to the regular expression of Octn1 in small intestinal epithelium. Conclusions. Peripheral nerve damage caused by diabetes was dependent on time and dosage of pregabalin, which was related to the regular expression of Octn1 in small intestinal epithelium.

Aim. To compare the red blood cell (RBC) diffusional water permeability (Pd) in elderly human subjects and mature\r\nsubjects.\r\nPatients and methods. 58 apparently healthy subjects, aged 65-80 years, were divided into two groups: 44 mature (35-64.9 years) and 14 elderly subjects (65-80 years). The morphological characteristics of RBCs were determined from light microscopic measurements and their Pd was measured\r\nby a NMR method. The inhibition of Pd induced by p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB) and the activation energy (Ea,d) of water diffusion across the RBC membrane\r\nwere also determined.\r\nResults. No significant differences between the RBCs of the two groups were found in regard with morphological parameters. Pd (10-3 cm/s) was in case of mature subjects ~ 3.1 at 15?C, 3.6 at 20?C, 4.2 at 25?C, 5.0? at 30?C, 6.1 at 37?C and 7.3 at 42?C, while for elderly subjects Pd was ~ 3.4 at 15?C, 3.9 at 20?C, 4.5 at 25?C, 5.3 at 30?C, 6.6 at 37?C and 7.9 at 42?C. Although rather small these differences were statistically significant: p<0.004 to p <0.04 at various temperatures. This means that RBCs from\r\nelderly people have a higher Pd. In agreement with this suggestion, the values of inhibition of water permeability induced by PCMB were higher for the RBCs from elderly individuals; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Ea,d was the same (~23 kJ/mol) for the RBCs from both groups. After incubation with PCMB Ea,d was ~ 37 kJ/mol for the mature individuals and ~ 31 kJ/mol for\r\nelderly individuals; however, the differences were not statistically significant.\r\nConclusion. A small, but statistically significant, increase in Pd of RBCs from elderly individuals was observed. This can be correlated with peculiarities of a less physically active organism.

Objectives. This work aimed to study the influences of carbonated beverages (CBs) on the testis growth and the expression levels of androgen receptor (AR) of mice. Methods. Two experimental groups of 30 mice each PEP-1 and PEP-2 drank 50% and 100% Pepsi-Cola, respectively for 15 days. Other 2 experimental groups of 30 mice each COC-1 and COC-2 drank 50% and 100% Coca- Cola, respectively for 15 days. The control group (CG) of 30 mice drank water. Bilateral testes were harvested aseptically on days 0, 5, 7, 10, 13 and 15. Real-time PCR and Western blot were implemented to detect levels of androgen receptor (AR) mRNA and protein in testis tissues. Results. Testes masses of PEP-2, COC-1 and COC-2 were greater than those of PEP-1 and CG (P < 0.05). On day 15, testis longitudinal diameter (TLD) of CBs-treated mice was increased as compared to CG. TLD, testes transverse diameters (TTD) and AR proteins levels of PEP-2 and COC-2 were increased in comparison with CG (P<0.05). Serum testosterone concentrations of PEP-2 were higher than that of COC-1 and CG (P < 0.05). Levels of AR mRNAs of four CBs-treated mice were increased by 60.18%, 67.26%, 65.93% and 78.76%. Conclusions. A high concentration of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola could raise TLD and TDD, enhance testosterone secretion, and increase serum EGF concentrations.

Objective. To analyze the clinical value of dissection parathyroidectomy (DP) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) complicated by refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Subjects and Methods. Patients with CKD complicated by refractory secondary HPT were included as the research subjects. Among them, 42 patients who received DP were assigned as the study group, while another 42 patients who underwent conventional total parathyroidectomy were assigned as the control group. Results. The average operative time and postoperative average length of hospital stay of the study group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The study group showed lower levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) compared to the control group 1 day postoperatively, 7 days postoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively (P<0.05). The study group exhibited lower serum calcium levels than the control group 1 day postoperatively, 7 days postoperatively, 1 month postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively (P<0.05). Additionally, the study group demonstrated lower serum phosphorus levels compared to the control group 1 day postoperatively, 7 days postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively (P<0.05). Conclusions. The application of DP in patients with CKD complicated by refractory secondary HPT holds definite clinical value.

Context. The androgen/androgen receptor interaction plays a critical role in the development of the male genital system, and investigations around these receptors can expand our knowledge about mechanisms of some male abnormalities such as hypospadias. Objective. In the present study, the expression of androgen receptor (AR), fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF10), and fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) genes were investigated in prepuce tissue of healthy and hypospadic children. Design. It was a case-control study with follow-up about up to eight months after operation. Subjects and Methods. Patients’ tissue samples (n=20) and controls tissue samples (n=20) were collected after surgery and circumcision. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the Real time PCR was performed to evaluate and compare the levels of gene expressions. Both groups were checked until eight months after surgery. Results. The results showed that FGFR2 gene expression had significantly decreased in prepuce tissue of patients compared with healthy children (p-value <0.05). Patients and healthy children follow up showed that 20% of hypospadic patients who needed reoperation had AR gene upregulation along with FGF10 and FGFR2 downregulation. Conclusions. Taken together, interestingly, FGF10/ FGFR2 signaling has an important role in external genital system development and wound healing process.

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Objective. To investigate clinicopathologic feature, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP). Methods. Clinical data, histologic findings of one GP case in our hospital were reported and we reviewed the published literature on GP. Results. GP is composed of three types of cells: spindle cells, ganglion-like cells, and epithelioid cells. Several kinds of antibodies were used to evaluate and identify tumor cells immunohistochemically. Epithelioid cells showed positive results with antibodies for NSE , CgA, Syn, Ck and negative results with antibodies for S-100 protein, CD117.Spindle cells showed positive results with antibodies for S-100 protein, CD34 and negative results with antibodies for CD117, NSE, CgA, Syn, CK. Ganglion-like cells showed positive results with antibodies for NSE, CgA, Syn, CD117 and negative results with antibodies for S-100 protein and CK . In some cases, metastatic spread to regional lymph nodes or recurrence has been reported. Conclusions. GP is a rare true neuroendocrine tumor of potential metastatic capacity.

Background. Blood glucose levels in the human body continuously fluctuate within a certain range. Intermittent hyperglycemia has adverse effects on vascular endothelial\r\ncells and pancreatic beta cells. A few studies have found that blood glucose fluctuation induced apoptosis of both endothelial cells and pancreatic beta cells, possibly due to oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine the\r\neffects of blood glucose fluctuation on hepatocytes in vivo.\r\nMaterials and Methods. To induce intermittent hyperglycemia, rats were intermittently treated with 50% glucose\r\ninjection to fluctuate blood glucose between 5.5 mmol/L and 20.0 mmol/L. The rats with intermittent hyperglycemia were treated with either low dose (0.35 mg/kg?min) or high dose\r\n(0.70 mg/kg?min) N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The rats infused with saline were used as control. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver, as well as plasma ALT, AST, TBIL, and IBIL, were examined using colorimetric kits.\r\nResults. Liver function was lower in the rats with intermittent hyperglycemia than in control rats. Hepatocytes exposed to blood glucose fluctuation were more likely\r\nto undergo apoptosis compared to control group (0.07?0.016 vs. 0.015?0.009, P<0.01). The expression of Caspase-3 and\r\ncleaved Caspase-3 was significantly higher in the IHG group than in the SAL group (0.111?0.015 vs. 0.07?0.011; 0.064?0.012 vs. 0.004?0.001, P<0.05).The expression of\r\nBax and the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2 were significantly higher in the IHG group than in the SAL group (0.20?0.05 vs. 0.10?0.02; 0.55?0.20 vs. 0.20?0.05, both P<0.01). When treated with NAC, the liver function of rats with intermittent hyperglycemia improved remarkably, and hepatocyte apoptosis decreased.\r\nConclusion. Blood glucose fluctuation appears to be detrimental to liver function, but this effect can be ameliorated by NAC.