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Query: UMLS:C0028754 (obesity)
 124,988 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Obesity, a phenotype having high heritability in humans, constitutes the major risk factor predisposing an individual to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). However, most obese humans do not develop NIDDM, indicating that diabetogenesis entails a complex interaction between obesity genes and other predisposing susceptibility traits. The possible nature of some of these background modifiers is being elucidated by analysis of genetically obese mice. Mutations at loci on six different mouse chromosomes produce obesity, but development of insulin-resistant diabetes requires an interaction between the obesity mutation and other factors in the genetic background. Analysis of the interaction between three distinct obesity genes expressed on the same genetic background has shown that virilization of hepatic sex steroid metabolism mediated via aberrant shifts in sex steroid sulfotransferase activities is a prerequisite for diabetogenesis. The analogies between the development of a hyperandrogenized tissue state in obese mice with obesity-diabetes syndromes in humans are discussed.
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PMID:Obesity genes and diabetes induction in the mouse. 835 93

Long term follow-up studies of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia have documented less than desirable outcomes, including reduction in final adult height, obesity, virilism, and decreased fertility. We have proposed that children with the most severe forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia would be better off if their adrenals were removed at an early age. We report here on our experience with prophylactic bilateral adrenalectomy in a 3-yr-old girl with a double null mutation of the CYP21 gene. The results of sodium balance studies, performed preoperatively on our patient and her unaffected fraternal twin sister, and hormonal data are presented as well. In contrast to her twin, who markedly increased her sodium retention in response to ACTH, our patient showed increased natriuresis, suggesting a deleterious effect of her adrenals on sodium homeostasis. Adrenalectomy was carried out at the time of necessary genital repair. No surgical or postsurgical complications were encountered.
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PMID:Prophylactic adrenalectomy of a three-year-old girl with congenital adrenal hyperplasia: pre- and postoperative studies. 932 62

The cardinal clinical features of PCOS are hirsutism and menstrual irregularity from anovulation. Obesity occurs in approximately 50% of hyperandrogenic anovulatory women, some of whom also have non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Underlying these clinical findings are several biochemical abnormalities, including LH hypersecretion, hyperandrogenism, acyclic estrogen production, decreased SHBG capacity, and hyperinsulinemia, all of which contribute to increased ovarian production of androgens, particularly T. A fundamental mechanism of ovarian hyperandrogenism in PCOS is LH hypersecretion. Whether the central nervous system is a possible locus for initiating LH hypersecretion remains unclear, because exaggerated LH secretion is temporarily reversed by induced ovulatory cycles or physiologic luteal concentrations of progesterone. On the other hand, desynchronization of pulsatile LH secretion from sleep in girls with PCOS and an exaggerated (e.g., masculinized) early LH response to GnRHa testing in women with hyperandrogenic anovulation and congenital adrenal virilizing disorders suggest that events occurring before puberty, perhaps during fetal life, may irreversibly alter neuroendocrine function. Hyperinsulinemia from insulin resistance is an important regulatory mechanism governing ovarian hyperandrogenism. Hyperinsulinemia in hyperandrogenic anovulatory women potentiates ovarian hyperandrogenism by enhancing LH secretion; potentiating 17-hydroxylase and, to a lesser extent, 17,20-lyase activity; and suppressing SHBG capacity. It is a key component of hyperandrogenic anovulation caused by a type of insulin resistance that in independent and additive to that of obesity alone. Although the mechanisms governing insulin action on ovarian steroidogenesis are unknown, abnormalities of intracellular insulin signaling or cytochrome P450c 17[alpha] activity may render the 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase enzyme complex more sensitive to insulin. Hyperinsulinemia in hyperandrogenic anovulatory women is accompanied by upper-body obesity characterized by an increased amount of abdominal fat. Upper-body obesity is an important independent risk factor for CVD and diabetes. Although genetic and environmental factors affect fat distribution, sex steroids, particularly androgens, regulate lipid metabolism, suggesting yet another link between the hormonal and metabolic abnormalities of hyperandrogenic anovulation. A careful history and physical examination guide the extent of diagnostic testing. Slowly progressive hirsutism with anovulation of peripubertal onset usually reflects hyperandrogenic anovulation. This type of clinical presentation requires an evaluation to rule out other endocrinopathies (e.g., virilizing tumors, adult-onset CAH, hyperprolactinemia, and Cushing's syndrome). Virilization or severe rapidly progressive hirsutism requires immediate investigation to rule out a possible virilizing tumor. The ultimate goals of therapy for hyperandrogenic anovulatory women are to normalize the endometrium, antagonize androgen action at target tissues, reduce insulin resistance, and correct anovulation, if necessary.
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PMID:Polycystic ovary syndrome. 942 64

The fundamental clinical features of PCOS include hirsutism and menstrual irregularities from the time of menarche. Obesity is present in approximately 50% of these patients, some of whom also carry a diagnosis of NIDDM. The biochemical abnormalities associated with the clinical picture include LH hypersecretion, hyperandrogenism, acyclic estrogen production, subnormal SHBG levels, and hyperinsulinemia. Hirsutism usually progresses slowly in patients with PCOS; however, the clinical presentation can resemble virilizing tumors, late-onset CAH, or Cushing syndrome. Virilization or rapidly progressive hirsutism requires immediate investigation to rule out a virilizing tumor. Goals of therapy for teenage patients include decreasing levels of bioavailable androgen, blockade of androgen action at target tissues, stabilization of the endometrium, and reduction of insulin resistance. Although the original description of PCOS by Stein and Leventhal was published in 1935, the cause of PCOS remains unknown. This reason, coupled with the fact that PCOS-related insulin resistance is an important cause of NIDDM in women, has caused this disorder to become one of interest and active investigation. Future research will likely be able to delineate mechanisms behind the defects of carbohydrate metabolism and ascertain large multigeneration kindreds for linkage analyses to identify affected genes. Future studies are also likely to confirm whether young women with PCOS are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and other long-term health complications. As new pathophysiologic mechanisms are identified, the promise of new therapies arises, including treatments that could potentially reduce the long-term incidence of adverse health consequences.
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PMID:Menstrual disorders in adolescents. Excess androgens and the polycystic ovary syndrome. 1038 5

Androgen excess (AE) is one of the most common endocrine disorders, affecting 10% of adult women before the menopause. The clinical picture varies widely depending on the etiology of AE. Most of these women are suffering from hirsutism, acne, menstrual disturbances, anovulation and obesity. Virilization is unusual, except in patients with ovary or adrenal cancer. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and idiopathic hirsutism (IH) are the most frequent causes of androgen excess, accounting for more than 90% of the cases. The pathogenesis of PCOS is still an unresolved problem. A hereditary predisposition has been suggested. Enzymatic deficiency is a less frequent cause of AE, the most common deficiency being the non classic 21-OH deficiency (NCAH). AE has been implicated as a side effect of many drugs. Ovary and adrenal tumours are unusual, however, they must be considered especially in case of severe hirsutism or virilization. Complementary investigations are selected based on the result of clinical examination. Pharmacologic therapy, usually with anti-androgens, is the most widely used treatment for PCOS, IH and NCAH. Surgical therapy should be considered only when there is a particular indication such as Cushing's syndrome, ovary or adrenal tumours.
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PMID:[Hyperandrogenism: clinical aspects, investigation and treatment]. 1038 70

Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is characterized by clinical symptoms such as menstrual dysfunction, unovulatory infertility, masculinization, obesity, polycystic ovary by ultrasound, and endocrine abnormalities such as hyperandrogenism, and elevated LH to FSH ratio. Recent reports suggest that insulin resistance plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS, and several insulin sensitizing agents have been used for the treatment of PCOS. Troglitazone, one of the thiazolidinediones, improves not only insulin sensitivity but also hyperandrogenism and ovulatory function. Troglitazone appears to be useful in treating women with PCOS. Further investigations are needed to assess the effectiveness and safety.
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PMID:[Troglitazone for treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome]. 1070 78

Adrenal myelolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor usually discovered by chance in patients with hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis, cancer or endocrine disorders. The association with adrenal endocrine dysfunctions appears to be the most frequent. Myelolipoma has been found in patients affected by Cushing's syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, Addison's disease, virilization. We report herein a case of association, based on clinical and radiological signs, between myelolipoma and adrenal adenoma in a patient with Conn's disease. The myelolipoma was localized in the opposite adrenal gland to that of adenoma, at difference with the other cases described.
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PMID:[Adrenal adenoma and myelolipoma in an elderly patient with Conn's syndrome]. 1076 42

Medical management of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) patients has led to suboptimal results in most cases. High glucocorticoid doses, often needed to suppress adrenal androgen production, may lead to signs of Cushing syndrome. Incompletely suppressed androgen levels commonly lead to premature closure of growth centers, acne, virilization, precocious puberty, irregular or absent menses, and decreased fertility in female CAH patients. A newly proposed therapy for CAH patients is bilateral adrenalectomy. Three Caucasian female patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency were treated with bilateral adrenalectomy. Two of the three procedures were accomplished laparoscopically. In each patient, medical management alone was unsuccessful. Two patients had salt-losing 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The third patient had uncontrolled hyperandrogenism complicated by obesity and glucose intolerance. All patients had low height percentiles with respect to their normalized percentiles for weight. Bone age was advanced in one patient. Androgen and renin levels were well controlled in two patients, whereas the third patient had persistent hyperandrogenism. Bilateral adrenalectomy was performed at the ages of 14, 19, and 30 years with follow-up, to date, of 25 months, 10 months, and 26 months, respectively. Postoperatively, all patients were free from hyperandrogenism. One patient experienced one episode of urosepsis precipitating an addisonian crisis. Bilateral adrenalectomy may successfully address the problems of increasing steroid requirements and hyperandrogenism in patients with severe CAH. The ability to perform this operation laparoscopically coupled with the overall metabolic benefits make bilateral adrenalectomy a reasonable alternative to lifelong androgen suppression in select patients.
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PMID:Study of three patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia treated by bilateral adrenalectomy. 1103 5

Dermatologists may commonly see skin lesions that reflect an underlying endocrine disorder. Identifying the endocrinopathy is very important, so that patients can receive corrective rather than symptomatic treatment. Skin diseases with underlying endocrine pathology include: thyrotoxicosis; hypothyroidism; Cushing syndrome; Addison disease; acromegaly; hyperandrogenism; hypopituitarism; primary hyperparathyroidism; hypoparathyroidism; pseudohypoparathyroidism and manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Thyrotoxicosis may lead to multiple cutaneous manifestations, including hair loss, pretibial myxedema, onycholysis and acropachy. In patients with hypothyroidism, there is hair loss, the skin is cold and pale, with myxedematous changes, mainly in the hands and in the periorbital region. The striking features of Cushing syndrome are centripetal obesity, moon facies, buffalo hump, supraclavicular fat pads, and abdominal striae. In Addison disease, the skin is hyperpigmented, mostly on the face, neck and back of the hands. Virtually all patients with acromegaly have acral and soft tissue overgrowth, with characteristic findings, like macrognathia and enlarged hands and feet. The skin is thickened, and facial features are coarser. Conditions leading to hyperandrogenism in females present as acne, hirsutism and signs of virilization (temporal balding, clitoromegaly).A prominent feature of hypopituitarism is a pallor of the skin with a yellowish tinge. The skin is also thinner, resulting in fine wrinkling around the eyes and mouth, making the patient look older. Primary hyperparathyroidism is rarely associated with pruritus and chronic urticaria. In hypoparathyroidism, the skin is dry, scaly and puffy. Nails become brittle and hair is coarse and sparse. Pseudohypoparathyroidism may have a special somatic phenotype known as Albright osteodystrophy. This consists of short stature, short neck, brachydactyly and subcutaneous calcifications. Some of the cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus include necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, diabetic dermopathy, scleredema adultorum and acanthosis nigricans.
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PMID:Cutaneous manifestations of endocrine disorders: a guide for dermatologists. 1268 37

The granulin-epithelin precursor, progranulin, PC-cell-derived growth factor or acrogranin, is a high molecular weight secreted mitogen. It is abundantly expressed in rapidly cycling epithelial cells, in the immune system and in neurons, such as cerebellar Purkinje cells. Progranulin contributes to tumorigenesis in diverse cancers, including breast cancer, clear cell renal carcinoma, invasive ovarian carcinoma and glioblastoma. It regulates the rate of epithelial cell division in responsive epithelial cells, and confers an invasive phenotype on these cells. It is involved in the wound response. During embryogenesis, progranulin accelerates blastocyst formation, and is a growth factor for trophectodermal cells. In the neonate, progranulin, regulates the hormone-dependent virilization of the hypothalamus. It activates phosphorylation of Shc, and p44/42 MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) in the ERK (extracellular regulated kinase) signaling pathway; PI3K (phosophatidyl inositol-3-kinase), AKT/protein kinase B, and p70S6kinase in the phosophatidyl inositol-3-kinase pathway; and focal adhesion kinase in the adhesion/motility pathway. The signaling properties of progranulin are apparently similar to those of classic growth factors, but the functional properties of progranulin distinguish it from these molecules. Deleting the insulin-like growth factor I receptor from murine embryonic fibroblasts blocks proliferation in response to all classic growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor, or platelet-derived growth factor, whereas progranulin retains mitotic activity on these cells. The defined biological actions of progranulin probably represent a small fraction of its overall functions. Transcriptome analyses show that the progranulin gene is induced in numerous situations that vary from obesity to the transcriptional response of cells to antineoplastic drugs. Here, the biological roles of progranulin will be reviewed, with an emphasis on cancer and cell proliferation.
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PMID:Progranulin (granulin-epithelin precursor, PC-cell derived growth factor, acrogranin) in proliferation and tumorigenesis. 1297 94


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