A large number of chemical pollutants including phthalates, alkylphenolic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, organochlorine pesticides, bisphenol A, and metals including lead, mercury, and cadmium have the ability to disrupt endocrine function in animals. Some of these same chemicals have been shown to alter cognitive function in animals and humans. Because...

Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of skeletal muscle, is characterized by a deterioration of muscle quantity and quality leading to a gradual slowing of movement, a decline in strength and power, and an increased risk of fall-related injuries. Since sarcopenia is largely attributed to various molecular mediators affecting fiber size, mitochondrial homeostasis, and apoptosis, numerous targets exi...

The appearance of multicellular organisms imposed the development of several mechanisms for cell-to-cell communication, whereby different types of cells coordinate their function. Some of these mechanisms depend on the intercellular diffusion of signal molecules in the extracellular spaces, whereas others require cell-to-cell contact. Among the latter mechanisms, those provided by the proteins ...

During the past decades, a large body of information concerning the effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) on animals and humans has been accumulated. EDCs are of synthetic or natural origin and certain groups are known to disrupt the action of androgens and to impair the development of the male reproductive tract and external genitalia. The present overview describes the effects of t...

Seventeen female patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation between June 1973 and June 1987 became pregnant 5 months to 11 years after transplantation. Immunosuppression was maintained with combinations of prednisone, cycloeporine, and azathioprine prior to and during pregnancy. One patient discontinued immunosuppression after knowledge of pregnancy, taking only azathioprine sporad...

S difficulties in clinical studies of endocrine function based on plasma sampling regimens include time-consuming venipuncture and measurement of the "total" rather than the "free" biologically active fraction in plasma. Simple methods for determining plasma free steroids have not yet been developed, and most current procedures involve technically demanding ultrafiltration or equilibrium dialys...

OBJECTIVE Burnout is a stress-induced work-related syndrome. It is associated with a higher incidence of infections possibly pointing to a compromised immune system. In the present study, endocrine and ex vivo immune function of severe cases of burnout were investigated. METHODS Endocrine and immune variables were compared in 56 persons with burnout and 38 healthy control subjects. Cortisol a...

Adipose tissue is a complex, essential, and highly active metabolic and endocrine organ. Besides adipocytes, adipose tissue contains connective tissue matrix, nerve tissue, stromovascular cells, and immune cells. Together these components function as an integrated unit. Adipose tissue not only responds to afferent signals from traditional hormone systems and the central nervous system but also ...

The pancreas reduced to 4 or 10 gm. weeks or months previously by partial resection, is able to maintain a normal glycemic level in dogs of about 10 kilos in good condition. When the pancreas is reduced to 4 gm. the capacity for secreting insulin under certain conditions of strain is diminished whereas a pancreas reduced to 10 gm. may have a normal or decreased capacity. This decreased function...

in this study, l-131-mibg imaging was performed in 44 patients with clinical suspicion of tumors originating from neuro-endocrine system. the patients were referred to our department following plasma and urinary measurement of epinephrine, norepinehrine and vanilmandelic acidfvma). radionuclide imaging was performel as a comparative or confirmatory measure in all patients who had previous abdom...