Endocrine Abstracts

The brain plays a crucial role in maintaining the body’s energy needs, a process involving the activity of a group of hypothalamic neurons that express the neuropeptidergic marker pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). POMC neuronal dysfunction can cause obesity and its associated metabolic sequelae. However, this population of neurons is highly diverse at a molecular and functional level, and whether or not such heterogeneity is implicated in disease establishment or progression h...

Background & Aims: NutriAct is a 36-month randomized controlled multi-center trial aiming to analyze the effects of a dietary pattern focusing on a high-protein and high-unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) intake on healthy aging. We aimed to explore changes in intake of macronutrients and determine factors associated with a successful modulation of dietary pattern after 36 months in elderly community dwelling participants.Methods: 502 participants were ra...

Type 2 diabetes is among the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. Further research is needed to identify new mechanisms that may help preserve the function of insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells. The cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) and their endogenous ligands, endocannabinoids, exert a key role in regulating of glucose homeostasis, β-cells function, and insulin secretion. Intriguingly, CB1 is not only located at the plasma membrane (pmCB1), but also at the...

Introduction: Genetic testing can improve the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases of obesity and identify patients who may benefit from targeted therapeutic intervention. For example, patients with genetic defects in the melanocortin-4 (MC4R) pathway may present with severe early-onset obesity and hyperphagia. Historically, however, genetic testing in patients with obesity has been limited. The Uncovering Rare Obesity® diagnostic genetic testing program aims to enhance acc...

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the molecular mechanisms associated with the pathological progression from MAFLD to HCC are still to be fully elucidated. The genomic and transcriptomic profile of HCC samples have been widely described; however, the proteomic landscape of MAFLD-derived HCC samples is mostly unknown. Here, we sought to perform the first quantitative proteomic analysis of HCC samples from ...

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2) has been recently characterized as an endogenous GHSR1a antagonist. LEAP-2 is produced mainly in the liver, and it was described that an acute ghrelin administration blocks food intake, GH release and normalize glucose levels during chronic caloric restriction. For this reason, it could be considered as a key endocrine factor in the regulation of systemic energy metabolism. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of action is still un...