Articles tagged with Adrenal Glands
The European Society of Endocrinology organizes World Hormone Day to educate the public about hormone-related health issues. Global endocrine disorders affect millions worldwide, emphasizing the need for proper hormone balance.
Researchers developed a lab-grown organoid system that faithfully mimics human adrenal gland development and forms complex tissue structures. The system enables the study of adrenal biology, cortisol production in response to stress, and disease development, with potential applications for regenerative therapies.
The ESE and ESPE have launched a landmark Joint Clinical Practice Guidance to support structured and effective transition of young people with endocrine conditions. The Guidance provides practical, evidence-based recommendations to ensure continuity, safety and quality of care during this critical phase in a patient's life.
Research found that breast cancer flattens corticosterone release in mice, reducing quality of life and increasing mortality. Disruptions to diurnal rhythms have been linked to stress responses like insomnia and anxiety in cancer patients.
The European Society of Endocrinology is launching a new campaign to raise awareness about the importance of hormone health. The #BecauseHormonesMatter initiative aims to improve public understanding of hormones and promote practical steps for better hormone health, following the success of last year's campaign.
The European Society of Endocrinology has released the EndoCompass Research Roadmap, a major new initiative to align research efforts and improve funding strategies for hormone-related health challenges. The roadmap identifies specific research needs across eight endocrine specialties and five cross-cutting areas.
Research reveals individuals taking oral steroids for over 3 months are 6 times more likely to be diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency than those treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Long-term users of inhaled steroids also face increased risk without hospitalisations.
A new study explores the ability of individuals with adrenal crisis to accurately and effectively administer emergency cortisol injections. Nearly half of those living with adrenal insufficiency are unable to self-administer life-saving injections during a medical emergency, highlighting the need for improved awareness and preparedness.
Researchers are studying the role of stress hormones and mineralocorticoid receptors in bone health as we age. The goal is to understand how balance between these factors affects our skeletons. By investigating this complex relationship, scientists hope to develop new insights into osteoporosis and other age-related bone disorders.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that crinecerfont reduces adrenal androgen production by half in adults with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), allowing for lower doses of corticosteroids. This could lead to fewer long-term side effects associated with high-dose corticosteroid use.
Researchers found that patients wearing a brain-tracking headband while meditating experienced improved physical functioning and reduced body pain after surgery. The MUSE-2 device provides audio biofeedback to aid meditation.
The Joint Guideline provides guidance on diagnosing and treating GC-AI, a condition affecting at least 1% of the global population. The guideline aims to improve patient care and outcomes worldwide.
Researchers at Kyushu University identified a new type of tumor cell population, steroids-producing nodules (SPNs), which lead to cortisol-producing adenomas. The study provides clues into the formation and maintenance of the human adrenal cortex.
A recent study published in Hypertension reveals that aldosterone-producing adenomas are composed of multiple cell types that work together to promote tumor growth. The research identified two distinct cell fates involved in hormone production, with cells expressing genes associated with aldosterone synthesis and cortisol production.
A novel imaging approach has been shown to accurately identify sub-types of primary aldosteronism, an adrenal gland disorder. The technique provides a clearer picture of the adrenal glands, helping doctors decide whether surgery is necessary.
Researchers found that glial cells in the gastrointestinal tract respond to stress signals from the central nervous system, leading to inflammation and exacerbating IBD symptoms. Chronic stress can impair treatment efficiency for IBD patients using steroids.
A clinical trial found that moderate salt restriction reduced blood pressure and depressive symptoms without adverse effects in patients with primary aldosteronism. The study suggests a feasible approach to improving care for these patients and may also benefit those with essential hypertension.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf developed a new strategy to increase target molecules for radionuclide therapy in pheochromocytoma tumors, delaying tumor growth. The combination of valproic acid and decitabine prior to therapy doubled the radiation dose absorbed by the tumor.
A team from the University of Pennsylvania led by Kotaro Sasaki coaxed stem cells to take on the characteristics and functions of a human adrenal gland. The researchers developed an organoid culture system to direct iPSCs to transition into adrenocortical progenitor-like cells, resulting in cells producing steroid hormones.
A new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham reveals how impaired metabolism due to mutations in succinate dehydrogenase B disables a normal bioenergetic sensing mechanism, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. This discovery sheds light on how cancer cells divide despite having a less efficient energy production.
A recent case study at Kobe University reports a 15-month recovery process for a patient with impaired ACTH secretion due to COVID-19. The research team successfully restored hormone levels through ACTH replacement therapy, and the patient's condition improved significantly after one year and a half.
Researchers have created a noninvasive method to identify tumors causing hypertension by reducing radiation exposure. The new fluorine-based agent replaces an iodine-based agent and may allow for screening of patients with hypertension-linked aldosterone adenomas.
A team of researchers has identified the KDM1A gene as responsible for a rare form of Cushing's Syndrome caused by abnormal expression of the GIP hormone. The discovery provides an early diagnosis tool and personalized medicine options, improving patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered that adrenal gland metastases are unresponsive to checkpoint inhibitors due to the secretion of corticosteroids. Surgical removal is the current best course of action for patients with these metastases. The study's authors hope to develop a nonsurgical treatment option in the future.
Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science mapped the entire stress axis in detail, identifying 21,723 cells along the route. They found significant alterations in gene expression and cell changes, particularly in the adrenal glands, which play a crucial role in the stress response.
Research suggests that frequent use of high-strength corticosteroid creams for skin lightening can lead to impaired cortisol function and adrenal insufficiency. Women using these products may be at risk of developing severe health problems, including extreme fatigue and even death.
Prolonged treatment with synthetic corticosteroids disrupts adrenal steroidogenic pathways, leading to pro-inflammatory effects and potential long-term damage. The study's findings have high clinical relevance for developing better treatments and preventing adrenal insufficiency.
Research reveals that bone-derived hormone osteocalcin plays a critical role in mediating the acute stress response, which is distinct from hormones released by the adrenal glands. Osteocalcin levels rise in response to stress, triggering physiological responses such as increased energy expenditure and heart rate.
A study found that female mice replace their entire set of hormone-producing cells within 3 months, while it takes male mice 9 months. This sex-specific difference could lead to sex-specific treatments for diseases like adrenal cancer.
Researchers developed a flexible electrode to monitor adrenal gland activity in real-time, providing potential continuous tracking of acute and chronic stress responses. This method could aid in diagnosis and treatment of stress disorders.
A genetic mutation in EPAS1/HIF2A gene is found to be the main reason for the development of adrenal gland tumors in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease. The study also reveals that patients with this severe type of heart disease have a sixfold higher risk of developing these tumors.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have successfully generated an artificial adrenal gland using cells derived from urine. The new approach uses reprogramming to create steroid-producing cells that can model adrenal diseases and test personalized treatments for patients with adrenal insufficiency.
A study by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute founds a previously unknown regulatory axis that controls aldosterone levels, offering new avenues for drug discovery of secondary hypertension. The findings suggest that the adrenal glands' structure and cholesterol biosynthesis play a crucial role in hyperaldosteronism.
A newly-discovered reflex arc disrupts hormone secretion by adrenal glands, leading to increased bacterial infections. Trauma-induced spinal cord injuries weaken the immune system, resulting in severe infections and hindering nervous tissue regeneration.
Researchers modelled adrenal gland responses to stress, predicting abnormal glucocorticoid release and testing in rats. The study reveals dynamic complexity in the adrenal gland's response to stress, highlighting its role in regulating hormones.
A study conducted by Quebec researchers found that genetic mutations of the Armc5 gene disrupt foetal development and compromise immune responses. The protein plays a crucial role in early T-cell activation and adrenal gland biology.
Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre have identified a new syndrome in mice with deleted Armc5 gene, characterized by adrenal gland abnormalities and immune system compromise. The study opens up new avenues for understanding and treating diseases linked to the ARMC5 gene.
Primary aldosteronism is a common cause of high blood pressure that frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated. The Endocrine Society recommends expanded screening for individuals with high blood pressure, particularly those who are at higher risk, to prevent associated cardiovascular complications.
Researchers found that brominated fire retardants stimulate an adrenal gland hormone, leading to potential development of cardiovascular disease. The study's results suggest a link between these chemicals and high blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, and congestive heart failure.
The Endocrine Society recommends treating severe primary adrenal insufficiency symptoms immediately, even if a diagnosis is not confirmed. Patients should undergo diagnostic testing to rule out the condition and receive glucocorticoid replacement therapy to maintain cortisol levels.
A new IU study reveals that short winter days trigger aggression hormones differently in female hamsters compared to males. Melatonin acts directly on the adrenal glands in females to trigger a 'seasonal aggression switch', while in males, it works through the pituitary gland.
The Endocrine Society recommends tumor removal as the first-line treatment for endogenous Cushing's syndrome. This approach is optimal because it preserves the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is crucial for the body's central stress response. Other treatment options include medication and radiation therapy.
Researchers at the Technische Universität Dresden have successfully transplanted adrenal cells encapsulated in a bioreactor, paving the way for future human transplantation. This breakthrough could benefit patients with adrenal insufficiency and congenital diseases such as 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center developed a simple saliva test that uses a smartphone to quantify and interpret cortisol levels in five minutes. This new technology helps identify adrenal insufficiency, monitor cortisol replacement, and assess physiologic changes in adrenal function.
A team of researchers has identified genetic mutations causing uncontrolled cortisol production, leading to weight gain, muscle wasting and other symptoms. The discovery may lead to new diagnostic tools and treatment approaches for Cushing's syndrome, a heritable condition.
A new study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology assesses the progression of 'silent' adrenal tumours (adrenal incidentalomas) and their impact on cardiovascular events and death. The results show that some tumours became more active over time, increasing cardiovascular risk, especially in patients whose tumours secrete cortisol.
New research suggests that 55% of bilateral adrenal Cushing's syndrome patients have genetic mutations predisposing to adrenal tumors. Genetic screening may help identify affected family members, potentially preventing disease progression and eliminating current treatment practices.
Researchers have discovered genetic mutations in the FP/TMEM127 gene linked to a specific type of tumor that forms within the adrenal gland. These variants were primarily found in patients with tumors of adrenal localization and were associated with an average age at development of 42.8 years.
A study by researchers at the University of Maryland and Yale University found that measuring the fetal zone of the adrenal gland using 2D ultrasound is a better predictor of preterm birth than measuring cervical length. The d/D ratio was calculated as an index of FZE, which showed significant correlation with cAGV and d/D.
A new study by McMaster University has discovered a specific class of pharmaceutical drugs that may be effective in treating babies vulnerable to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) due to maternal smoking during pregnancy. Exposure to nicotine results in an inability to respond to hypoxia, increasing the risk of SIDS.
The Endocrine Society has released a new clinical practice guideline for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of primary aldosteronism. The guidelines recommend using the aldosterone-to-renin ratio to diagnose PA in higher-risk patients.
A woman in her 20s suffered from Cushing's syndrome, a hormonal disorder caused by excess steroid hormones, after using an unregulated skin-lightening cream containing clobetasol. The medical team warns that these creams can have devastating consequences and urges caution.
Researchers found that cortisol production is cyclic in nature, involving rhythmic binding and unbinding of a protein essential to its production. This process starts with a signal from the hypothalamus, causing adrenal cells to increase cAMP production.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a new strategy against heart failure by targeting the adrenal gland. By blocking GRK2, an enzyme that regulates fight or flight hormones, they were able to reduce hormone production and improve heart function.
Researchers used 3-D ultrasound to measure fetal adrenal gland size, identifying a preterm risk of delivery within five days. This method has the potential to assist clinicians in devising better therapeutic and preventive interventions for preterm birth.
Researchers have elucidated the role of adrenal clocks in maintaining circadian rhythms. The adrenal gland contains a peripheral clock that defines a time window for responding to external stimuli, regulating corticosterone release and stabilizing physiological rhythms.
Researchers found 322 genes in the adrenal gland with rhythmic functions, separate from the master body clock. This discovery may impact therapies for diseases and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that GRK2 increases in the adrenal gland, leading to high catecholamine release and desensitization of alpha-adrenergic receptors. Reducing GRK2 levels improves receptor function and reduces catecholamine release.
Researchers found that light exposure triggers a massive surge of corticosterone in mice, playing a key role in physiological changes evoked by light. The study suggests light therapy may have beneficial effects on patients with seasonal affective disorder and other metabolic disorders.
The NIH panel recommends surgically removing tumors over 6cm in size, while those between 4-6cm may be removed based on hormone production. Minimally invasive surgery is suitable for smaller, non-cancerous tumors.