Investigation of the metabolic and endocrinological differences between daily and weekly growth hormone replacement therapy, somapacitan, in patients with adult growth hormone deficiency: A real-world pilot study.

In this real-world pilot study, we evaluated the metabolic and endocrinological effects in patients with adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) who switched from daily growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy to weekly GH replacement therapy using somapacitan. Eleven patients with AGHD, whose medical treatment aside from GH replacement therapy did not change, were enrolled. We investigated the metabolic and endocrinological parameters between at switching and 6 months after switching from daily GH formulation to somapacitan. The results showed that body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and liver functions were significantly improved 6 months after switching compared to those at switching (each P < .05). Besides, the improvement in HOMA-IR was significantly associated with the period of daily GH replacement therapy before switching (P = .048), while age, sex, improvement in BMI or liver functions, presence of any hormonal deficiency, and the existence of any hormonal replacement therapy significantly associated (P > .05). In addition, switching to GH replacement therapy did not affect endocrinological parameters. In conclusion, this study might indicate that weekly GH replacement therapy with somapacitan could have more beneficial points than daily GH replacement therapy. Considering the cohort of this study was small, future studies with larger cohorts should be necessary to confirm the results of this study.

Clinical evaluations of pituitary apoplexy in incidental nonfunctional pituitary adenomas.

Pituitary apoplexy is an uncommon syndrome that often results in spontaneous hemorrhage or infarction of pituitary tumors or glands. We previously reported pituitary apoplexy occurred most frequently in nonfunctional pituitary adenomas among all types of pituitary incidentalomas. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of pituitary apoplexy in patients with incidental nonfunctional pituitary adenomas. 65 patients with pituitary incidentaloma were enrolled. All patients underwent clinical/endocrinological/pathological investigations. As a result, 33 patients were diagnosed with nonfunctional pituitary adenomas. Of these, 12.1% of patients had pituitary apoplexy. There was no difference in tumor diameter, age, or sex between the apoplexy and the non-apoplexy groups. However, the liver enzymes aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase were significantly higher, and plasma sodium and chloride levels were significantly lower in the apoplexy group than in the non-apoplexy group (each P < .05). In addition, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was significantly higher in the apoplexy group than in the non-apoplexy group (P < .05). Besides, thyroid-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin deficiencies were significantly more frequent in the apoplexy group than in the non-apoplexy group (each P < .05), and growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiencies were more frequent in the apoplexy group than in the non-apoplexy group (P = .09 and.08, respectively). Furthermore, tumor diameter was not associated with pituitary apoplexy, whereas thyroid-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone deficiencies were significantly associated with the apoplexy group (each P < .05). Hence, the present study indicated that pituitary apoplexy could not be related to tumor diameter. Moreover, hormonal deficiencies, hepatic dysfunction, hyponatremia or hypochloremia, and dyslipidemia might be indicators of pituitary apoplexy. There could be the possibility the treatment for dyslipidemia prevents pituitary apoplexy.

Clinical investigation of a unique type of hypothalamic adrenal insufficiency.

Hypothalamic adrenal insufficiency (AI) is a rare but distinct type of AI. The leading cause of hypothalamic AI is a secondary side-effect of exogenous steroid intake, particularly in large amounts and/or long-term periods. The next cause would be the effect of the tumor in the hypothalamic lesions. We show here 9 cases of hypothalamic AI without any disorder on imagings and a history of steroid administration. All patients had general fatigue; 7 patients (77.8%) had a history of hypoglycemia; 5 patients (55.6%) had a history of hypotension. None of the patients had hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, or eosinophilia. Their morning plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) value was low at 8.5 ± 4.2 pg/mL, and serum cortisol value was low at 4.5 ± 1.3 µg/dL. All patients demonstrated normal responses during the corticotropin-releasing hormone loading (CRH) test but inadequate responses during the insulin tolerance test (ITT). After hydrocortisone replacement therapy, their morning plasma ACTH and serum cortisol values were significantly recovered (P < .05). Moreover, more than half of the patients were fine after discontinuing hydrocortisone replacement therapy. These results indicate that this unique type of hypothalamic AI has a curable clinical course making hydrocortisone replacement therapy a novel therapeutic option.

Inhibition of NR5A1 Phosphorylation Alleviates a Transcriptional Suppression Defect Caused by a Novel NR0B1 Mutation.

Context: Mutations in the NR0B1 gene, also well-known as the DAX1 gene, are known to cause congenital adrenal hypoplasia associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The abnormal NR0B1 protein fails to suppress the transcription of promoters of steroidogenic enzymes, which are also targets of NR5A1 protein, also well-known as Ad4BP/SF-1 protein. Since NR5A1 and NR0B1 have antagonistic effects on steroidogenesis, the loss of function due to NR0B1 mutations may be compensated by inducing loss of function of NR5A1 protein. Patient: A middle-aged man was diagnosed with congenital adrenal hypoplasia associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and genetic analysis revealed him to have a novel NR0B1 mutation, c.1222C>T(p.Gln408Ter). Methods: NR0B1 activity was evaluated in CLK1/4 inhibitor-treated 293T cells via immunoblotting and luciferase assays of the STAR promoter. Results: TG003 treatment suppressed NR5A1 protein function to compensate for the mutant NR0B1 showing inhibited suppression of transcription. Immunoblotting analyses showed that the phosphorylation status of NR5A1 at Ser203 was attenuated by the CLK1/4 inhibitor. Conclusion: The specific reduction of NR5A1 phosphorylation by a CLK1/4 inhibitor may alleviate developmental defects in patients with NR0B1 mutations.

Reduction in parathyroid adenomas by cinacalcet therapy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic that modulates the functions of calcium-sensing receptor and is currently used to treat patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Although it was reported that cinacalcet treatment reduced the size of hyperplastic parathyroid glands in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, whether or not cinacalcet treatment can reduce the size of parathyroid adenomas in patients with PHPT has been unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited nine (male: one, female: eight) patients with PHPT due to parathyroid adenomas who did not undergo parathyroidectomy. Cinacalcet was administered at a dose of 50 mg/day, and we evaluated the size of parathyroid adenomas (width × thickness) (mm2) using ultrasonography before and after 6 months of cinacalcet treatment. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 58.1 ± 7.2 years old, and the mean serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration was 134.8 ± 8.7 pg/ml. All participants showed hypercalcemia and osteopenia. After 6 months, the mean size of parathyroid adenomas was significantly decreased (baseline: 73.8 ± 33.4 mm2 vs. after 6 months: 52.5 ± 25.0 mm2, p = 0.045). Thus, 6-month cinacalcet treatment induced a 29% size reduction in parathyroid adenomas. Furthermore, the serum intact PTH concentration before cinacalcet treatment was positively correlated with the reduction in the size of parathyroid adenomas. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that cinacalcet treatment reduces the size of parathyroid adenomas in patients with PHPT. The accumulation of more PHPT cases with cinacalcet therapy is required to confirm this finding.

Adrenal Hemorrhage in a Cortisol-Secreting Adenoma Caused by Antiphospholipid Syndrome Revealed by Clinical and Pathological Investigations: A Case Report.

Due to its rarity, adrenal hemorrhage is difficult to diagnose, and its precise etiology has remained unknown. One of the pivotal mechanisms of adrenal hemorrhage is the thrombosis of the adrenal vein, which could be due to thrombophilia. However, detailed pathological evaluation of resected adrenal glands is usually required for definitive diagnosis. Here, we report a case of a cortisol-secreting adenoma with concomitant foci of hemorrhage due to antiphospholipid syndrome diagnosed both clinically and pathologically. In addition, the tumor in this case was pathologically diagnosed as cortisol-secreting adenoma, although the patient did not necessarily fulfill the clinical diagnostic criteria of full-blown Cushing or sub-clinical Cushing syndrome during the clinical course, which also did highlight the importance of detailed histopathological investigations of resected adrenocortical lesions.

Comprehensive Efficacy of the Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor Alogliptin in Practical Clinical Settings: A Prospective Multi-Center Interventional Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to verify the safety and efficacy, including glycemic control, of the selective dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor alogliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This study used a multi-center, open-label, prospective observational design. Type 2 diabetes patients who were undergoing dietary therapy and/or exercise therapy alone without sufficient glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥ 6.5% and < 10%) were administered alogliptin (25 mg/day). The long-term effects (6 and 12 months) on blood glucose, blood pressure, heart rate, body weight and lipids were assessed. RESULTS: A final 50 patients were included with a high prevalence of hypertension (77%) and dyslipidemia (72%), and a mean duration of diabetes of 4.5 years. Pre-treatment HbA1c was 7.5% and was significantly decreased at 6 and 12 months (6M: 6.4%, 12M: 6.2%; P < 0.02 vs. 0M, respectively). Body weight, blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly decreased by 6 months and maintained at 12 months. Triglycerides showed a significant decrease at 12 months. No significant differences were observed in HbA1c decrease for different grade of age, duration of diabetes, body mass index and renal function. The degree of decrease in HbA1c was most strongly correlated with pre-treatment HbA1c. Adverse events were noted in three patients, with no serious outcomes. CONCLUSION: The blood glucose-lowering effect and safety of alogliptin were demonstrated regardless of baseline HbA1c, although its effect appeared stronger with higher pre-treatment HbA1c values. Additionally, alogliptin appears useful for managing atherosclerotic risk factors such as body weight and blood pressure.

Effect of denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), upon glycemic and metabolic parameters: Effect of denosumab on glycemic parameters.

Osteoporosis is a complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Blockade of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) improves osteoporosis, but might also improve glucose tolerance through reduction of hepatic insulin resistance. However, the effect of denosumab (a human monoclonal antibody of RANKL) upon glycemic and metabolic parameters is controversial. We revealed the effect of denosumab upon glycemic and metabolic parameters for 52 weeks. We evaluated 20 individuals diagnosed with both osteoporosis (male and female: postmenopausal) and T2DM. We measured glycemic and metabolic parameters before and 26/52 weeks after administration of denosumab (60 mg per 26 weeks) without changing any other medication each patient was taking. All patients completed the study without complications and the T-score (lumbar spine and femoral neck) improved significantly from baseline to 52 weeks after denosumab administration (P < .001, .001, respectively). None of the glycemic parameters changed significantly from baseline to 26 weeks after denosumab administration, but levels of glycated hemoglobin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance improved significantly from baseline to 52 weeks after administration (P = .019, .008, respectively). The levels of liver enzymes did not change significantly from baseline to 26 weeks after denosumab administration, but levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase improved significantly from baseline to 52 weeks after administration (P = .014, .004, respectively). None of the markers of lipid metabolism and body mass index changed significantly from baseline to 26/52 weeks after denosumab administration. These data demonstrated that denosumab is useful for T2DM patients with osteoporosis for glycemic control via improvement of insulin resistance. Also, the effect of denosumab might be due to improvement of hepatic function.

Clinical investigation of pituitary incidentalomas: A two-center study.

Recent advances in imaging technology resulted in an increase in pituitary incidentalomas (PIs) detection. PIs were reported to be present in 1.6% persons with magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Whereas, there were few studies about PIs with detailed investigation. We aimed to investigate the clinical and endocrinological characteristics of PIs. We evaluated 65 patients diagnosed with PIs who underwent detailed clinical and endocrinological evaluations. Of the 65 patients, 33 (50.8%) had non-functional pituitary adenomas (NFPAs), 11 (16.9%) had Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs), 7 (10.8%) had functional pituitary adenomas (FPAs), 6 (9.2%) had benign extra-pituitary tumors (BEPTs), and 8 (12.3%) had malignant tumors (MTs). Compared with patients with NFPAs, those with MTs were significantly younger and had a significantly lower body mass index, lower prevalence of hypertension, and lower prevalence of dyslipidemia. Patients with MTs had significantly higher prevalence of central diabetes insipidus than those with NFPAs. In addition, patients with NFPAs had significantly higher prevalence of pituitary apoplexy than those with FPAs, BEPTs, and MTs. In conclusion, our study demonstrated clinical and endocrinological characteristics of PIs. Highly detailed clinical and endocrinological investigations should be performed for PIs. In addition, MTs should be considered in the differential diagnosis for young and lean patients with central diabetes insipidus.

Investigation of efficacy and safety of low-dose sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors and differences between two agents, canagliflozin and ipragliflozin, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), new antidiabetic agents, were reported to improve not only glycemic parameters but also metabolic and circulatory parameters. Whereas, several adverse events caused by SGLT2is were also reported. We aimed to investigate the changes of glycemic, metabolic, and circulatory parameters as well as safety with low-dose administration of two SGLT2is, canagliflozin and ipragliflozin, and also the difference between the two agents. 25 individuals with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were recruited and administered with low-dose SGLT2is, canagliflozin (n = 10, 50 mg/day) and ipragliflozin (n = 15, 25 mg/day). We examined glycemic, metabolic, and circulatory parameters at baseline and 24 weeks after administration. All patients completed the study without complications. Compared with baseline, levels of glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, and homeostasis model assessment of ß-cell function improved significantly at 24 weeks after administration (p < 0.05). Levels of body weight, low-density lipoproteincholesterol, aspartate transaminase, γ-glutamyl transferase, and urinary excretion of albumin also improved significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, systolic/diastolic blood pressure and levels of brain natriuretic peptide improved significantly (p < 0.05). The comparison of improvement ratio (values of improvement/values of basement) of each agent revealed that there was a significant difference between low-dose canagliflozin and low-dose ipragliflozin for brain natriuretic peptide (0.4404 vs. 0.0970, p = 0.0275). Hence, low-dose SGLT2is could be useful for patients of T2DM not only for hyperglycemia but also for metabolic and circulatory disorders without eliciting adverse events. In addition, with regard to the efficacy upon cardiovascular function, canagliflozin could be more suitable than ipragliflozin.

Differences in the actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline with regard to glucose intolerance in patients with pheochromocytoma.

Glucose intolerance is often observed in patients with pheochromocytoma. However, it remains controversial issue that glucose intolerance on pheochromocytoma is caused by impaired insulin secretion and/or by increased insulin resistance. We aimed to reveal the mechanism of glucose intolerance on pheochromocytoma with regard to the type and amount of catecholamines released. We evaluated 12 individuals diagnosed with pheochromocytoma and who underwent surgery to remove it. We examined glycemic parameters before and after surgery and investigated the association between the change of parameters of insulin secretion (homeostasis model assessment of ß-cell function (HOMA-ß)), insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)) and that of urinary levels of metanephrine/normetanephrine before and after surgery. Overall, fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), HOMA-ß, and HOMA-IR were improved significantly after surgery. Regression analysis showed that the improvement in HOMA-ß from before to after surgery was significantly positively associated with an improvement in urinary levels of metanephrine from before to after surgery and showed a significantly negative association with improvement in urinary levels of normetanephrine from before to after surgery. The improvement in HOMA-IR from before to after surgery was significantly positively associated with an improvement in urinary levels of normetanephrine from before to after surgery. Our results showed that pheochromocytoma extirpation improved glycemic parameters. Furthermore, the different effects elicited by excess amounts of adrenaline and noradrenaline on glucose intolerance were demonstrated.

Clinical Investigation of Adrenal Incidentalomas in Japanese Patients of the Fukuoka Region with Updated Diagnostic Criteria for Sub-clinical Cushing's Syndrome.

Objectives We retrospectively investigated the clinical and endocrinological characteristics of adrenal incidentalomas. Methods We studied 61 patients who had been diagnosed with adrenal incidentalomas and had undergone detailed clinical and endocrinological evaluations while hospitalized. We used common criteria to diagnose the functional tumors, but for sub-clinical Cushing's syndrome, we used an updated set of diagnosis criteria: serum cortisol ≥1.8 µg/dL after a positive response to a 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test if the patient has a low morning adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level (<10 pg/mL) and a loss of the diurnal serum cortisol rhythm. Results Of the 61 patients, none (0%) had malignant tumors, 8 (13.1%) had pheochromocytoma, and 15 (24.6%) had primary aldosteronism; when diagnosed by our revised criteria, 13 (21.3%) had cortisol-secreting adenomas (Cushing's syndrome and sub-clinical Cushing's syndrome), and 25 (41.0%) had non-functional tumors. Compared with the non-functional tumor group, the primary aldosteronism group and the cortisol-secreting adenoma group were significantly younger and had significantly higher rates of hypokalemia, whereas the pheochromocytoma group had significantly larger tumors and a significantly lower body mass index. Conclusion Our study found a larger percentage of functional tumors among adrenal incidentalomas than past reports, partly because we used a lower serum cortisol level after a dexamethasone suppression test to diagnose sub-clinical Cushing's syndrome and because all of the patients were hospitalized and could therefore receive more detailed examinations. Young patients with hypokalemia or lean patients with large adrenal tumors warrant particularly careful investigation.

Efficacy of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Incretin therapy is feasible in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, few studies have examined the safety and efficacy of this therapeutic approach in patients with diabetes and renal impairment. Here, we examined glycemic control and the anti-oxidative-stress effects of the dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitor linagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing HD. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing HD (including 13 insulin-treated patients) were switched from ongoing therapy to linagliptin (5 mg, once daily). Levels of fasting blood glucose, C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR), glycated albumin, B-type natriuretic peptide, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), body mass index, blood pressure, and other biologic characteristics (liver function, renal function, lipid profile) were determined before and 3 months after linagliptin treatment. Patients were classified into insulin-treated and non-insulin groups. RESULTS: With the exception of levels of total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, and CPR, none of the patients exhibited changes in glucose metabolism after switching to linagliptin treatment. However, oxLDL levels were decreased significantly by linagliptin therapy in the non-insulin-treated group despite the absence of changes in glycemic control. CONCLUSION: Linagliptin can decrease serum levels of oxLDL in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing HD independent of its glucose-lowering effect.

Serum γ-glutamyltransferase, triglyceride and total cholesterol are possible prediabetic risk markers in young Japanese men.

Serum profiles of lipids and/or liver enzymes are established markers for the estimation of insulin resistance and diabetic risk in the non-diabetic middle-aged population. To identify prediabetic markers in young subjects, 110 young male subjects (20-29 years of age) with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were divided into two groups by median body mass index (BMI), <22.18 (n=55) and ≥22.18 (n=55) kg/m(2). Indices of insulin sensitivity including HOMA-IR and ISI composite, indices of ß-cell function including HOMA-ß, insulinogenic index (ΔI(30)/ΔG(30)) and ΔI(30)/ΔG(30)/ HOMA-IR were calculated. Statistical associations between these parameters and the serum lipid profiles and liver function were evaluated. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels were inversely correlated with the ISI composite among individuals with BMI ≥22.18 kg/m(2) but not those with BMI <22.18 kg/m(2). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that, in Group N, the plasma glucose levels at 60 min (PG(60)) were inversely correlated with the ISI composite and the insulinogenic index, and were positively correlated with the GGT, TC and TG levels. On the other hand, in Group L, PG(60) was correlated with the insulinogenic index, TC and TG levels. In conclusion, elevated levels of GGT, TC and TG are good clinical markers to predict diabetic risks, even in young NGT males. Of these, GGT was the most strongly related factor among subjects with relatively high BMI.

[Bone and Men's Health. The role of androgens in bone metabolism].

Testosterone is the major gonadal sex steroid produced by the testis and act as strong androgen. The adrenal glands produce the weaker androgens dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and androstenedione. These gonadal and adrenal androgens collectively affect skeletal homeostasis in both men and women. Because of the high prevalence of osteoporosis in women, investigators have been concerned especially in estrogen to resolve the mechanisms of bone metabolism. Estrogens play greater role in maintenance of skeletal health than testosterone, the current evidence suggests that androgens also have direct beneficial effects on bone metabolism. Androgens have anti-osteoporotic effect via direct interaction with androgen receptors, as well as effects mediated by estrogen receptors after aromatization to estradiol.