The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 93, No. 2 17a-18a
Copyright © 2008 by The Endocrine Society
ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM NEWS
 |
Endocrine Discovery
|
|---|
Treatment with rosiglitazone monotherapy was associated with increased risk of congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and mortality compared with other oral hypoglycemic agents in a retrospective population-based study of 150,000 patients with Type 2 diabetes age 66 years or more, followed for 3.9 years.
(JAMA [Dec. 12, 2007] 298 (22):2634)
In schizophrenic men, lifestyle intervention and metformin are both effective against anti-psychotic-induced weight gain and abnormalities in insulin sensitivity, with treatment most effective when the two therapies are combined.
(JAMA [Jan 9/16, 2008] 299 (1):185)
A meta analysis of studies of osteoporosis treatment trials found good evidence that the rate or risk for fractures are lessened by a number of agents, but that data are insufficient to determine their relative efficacies or safety.
(Ann Intern Med [published ahead of print Dec. 18, 2007])
Hydrocortisone did not improve survival or reversal of shock in patients with septic shock, either overall or in patients who did not have a response to corticotropin, although hydrocortisone hastened reversal of shock in patients in whom shock was reversed.
(N Engl J Med [Jan. 10, 2008] 358 (2):111)
Intensive insulin therapy placed septic critically ill patients at increased risk for serious hypoglycemia.
(N Engl J Med [Jan. 10, 2008] 358 (2):125)
Among 329 pregnancies in hyperprolactinemic women exposed to cabergoline early in gestation, there was no evidence of an increase in miscarriage or fetal malformations. (
Clin Endocrinol [Jan. 2008] 68 (1):66)
Heme binds to the orphan nuclear receptor Rev-erb
, which is known to be a critical negative component of the circadian core clock, regulating its interaction with a corepressor complex. Heme also suppresses expression of hepatic gluconeogenic genes and glucose output by repressing Rev-erb–mediated gene expression, coordinating the cellular clock, glucose homeostasis, and energy metabolism.
(Science [Dec. 14, 2007] 318 (5857):1786)
Calcium-Enriched Carrots
There may soon be another reason to eat your veggies—they may become fortified in calcium. Jay Morris, Ph.D., of Texas A&M University, and his team created a carrot with twice the normal calcium content.
The researchers modified this carrot by inserting a calcium plant transporter gene (sCAX1) from the mustard plant, Arabidopsis. The carrot with radiolabeled calcium was then fed to mice and humans. In humans, there was a net increase of 41% more calcium absorption, or 30 mg of calcium per 100g serving of carrots, twice the amount from regular carrots. An 8 oz. glass of milk contains 150–200 mg of calcium.
"It’s not milk... but it is a significant increase in [calcium in] a vegetable," said Morris, who added that it’ll take years to answer the safety issues before these carrots will go on market. In the meantime, he is also looking into calcium-fortifying tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce and peppers.
(Proc Natl Acad Sci USA [published ahead of print Jan. 17, 2008])
Metabolic Effects of Testosterone in Older Men
The verdict is not yet in as to whether testosterone supplementation benefits the ailments of aging in older men. A study performed by Marielle Emmelot-Vonk, M.D., of the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, and colleagues shows that while the 6-month addition of 80 mg testosterone to 207 men over age 60 increased lean body mass and decreased body fat, there was no improvement in mobility, muscle strength, bone mineral density, or cognition compared to control men. Additionally, insulin sensitivity improved, but HDL cholesterol fell and both groups had similar prevalences of metabolic syndrome.
"What we found in our study was a little disappointing for us," said Emmelot-Vonk. "On the other hand, the decrease in fat mass was accompanied with an increase in insulin sensitivity. That was good news because maybe it is possible to prevent or treat diabetes with testosterone."
(JAMA [Jan 2, 2008] 299 (1):39)
|
Endocrine Practice
|
|---|
An FDA safety alert highlighted the possibility that bisphosphonates may cause severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint and/or muscle pain. (For more information, see: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/bisphosphonates/default.htm)
|
Milestones in Endocrinology
|
|---|
One hundred years ago, Schaefer and Herring observed "Herring bodies" in the posterior pituitary and discovered that they had antidiuretic properties.
|
In the Journal 25 Years Ago
|
|---|
Induction of hot flashes in premenopausal women treated witb a long-acting GnRH agonist. DeFazio J, Meldrum DR, Laufer L, Vale W, Rivier J, Lu JHK, Judd HL J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1983;56:445–448.
"The hot flashes which occurred with GnRH-a administration were associated with limited or no rises of LH in the circulation...Thus, the factors responsible for pulsatile LH release, rather than LH per se, may be involved in the initiation of hot flashes."
"It’s not milk, but it is a significant increase in vegetable [calcium],"
Jay Morris, Ph.D., discussing his creation of genetically-modified carrots that hold twice their normal amount of calcium, a discovery that may one day aid in the prevention of osteoporosis.
View larger version (177K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
FIG. 1. Lance Lanyon
Lance Lanyon has received the William F. Neuman Award of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research for introducing the concept of functional adaptation of the skeleton to load and developing the tools with which to measure it.
|
|
View larger version (121K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
FIG. 2. G. David Roodman
G. David Roodman received Louis V. Avioli Founders Award of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research for his work on myeloma-related bone disease and Paget’s disease.
|
|
View larger version (147K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
FIG. 3. Jack Martin
Jack Martin was the recipient of the Gideon A. Rodan Excellence in Mentorship Award of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research for inspiring the next generation of scientific investigators in bone research.
|
|
|
Footnotes
|
|---|
Readers are encouraged to suggest items for Endocrinology and Metabolism News by email (sherman{at}endo-society.org). Submissions will be considered based on their significance and timeliness.
Top
Endocrine Discovery
Endocrine Practice
