The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
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J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. · Dec 2006
Expression and localization of delta-, kappa-, and mu-opioid receptors in human spermatozoa and implications for sperm motility.
Endogenous opioid peptides signal through delta-, kappa-, and mu-opioid receptors. Some of these peptides such as endorphins and enkephalins are present in the male reproductive tract, but the presence of the corresponding receptors in human sperm cells has not yet been reported. ⋯ We report for first time the presence of functional delta-, kappa-, and mu-opioid receptors in human sperm membranes. These findings are indicative of a role for the opioid system in the regulation of sperm physiology.
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J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. · Nov 2006
GuidelinePositions statement: criteria for defining polycystic ovary syndrome as a predominantly hyperandrogenic syndrome: an Androgen Excess Society guideline.
The Androgen Excess Society (AES) charged a task force to review all available data and recommend an evidence-based definition for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), whether already in use or not, to guide clinical diagnosis and future research. ⋯ Based on the available data, it is the view of the AES Task Force on the Phenotype of PCOS that there should be acceptance of the original 1990 National Institutes of Health criteria with some modifications, taking into consideration the concerns expressed in the proceedings of the 2003 Rotterdam conference. A principal conclusion was that PCOS should be first considered a disorder of androgen excess or hyperandrogenism, although a minority considered the possibility that there may be forms of PCOS without overt evidence of hyperandrogenism but recognized that more data are required before validating this supposition. Finally, the task force recognized, and fully expects, that the definition of this syndrome will evolve over time to incorporate new research findings.
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J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. · Nov 2006
Comparative StudyIGF-II serum levels are normal in children with Silver-Russell syndrome who frequently carry epimutations at the IGF2 locus.
Epigenetic mutations of 11p15 encompassing IGF2 are present in short children with Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) with high frequency (31-50%). It has been speculated that these mutations characterized by demethylation of ICR1 cause diminished IGF2 expression. ⋯ Our data render it unlikely that demethylation of ICR1 on 11p15 does cause diminished IGF-II serum levels in children with SRS. This observation does not exclude deficient IGF-II action before birth.
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J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. · Nov 2006
Comparative StudyCirculating soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products is inversely associated with glycemic control and S100A12 protein.
The interaction of advanced glycation end products, including Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine-protein adducts (CML) and S100A12 protein, with their cellular receptor (RAGE) is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. RAGE has a circulating secretory receptor form, soluble RAGE (sRAGE), which, by neutralizing the action of advanced glycation end products, might exert a protective role against the development of cardiovascular disease. ⋯ Plasma level of sRAGE is down-regulated in chronic hyperglycemia; among its ligands, S100A12 protein, but not CML, appears to be associated with this effect.
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J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. · Nov 2006
Comparative StudyCopeptin and arginine vasopressin concentrations in critically ill patients.
Determination of arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations may be helpful to guide therapy in critically ill patients. A new assay analyzing copeptin, a stable peptide derived from the AVP precursor, has been introduced. ⋯ Plasma concentrations of copeptin and AVP in healthy volunteers and critically ill patients correlate significantly with each other. The ratio of copeptin/AVP plasma concentrations is increased in patients with sepsis and SIRS, suggesting that copeptin may overestimate AVP plasma concentrations in these patients.