Neuroendocrinology News

Patients with growth hormone deficiency due to nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma experienced excessive morbidity due to cerebral infarction and sepsis regardless of whether they received long-term GH therapy, whereas treatment was associated with a normal incidence of type 2 diabetes, despite higher BMI and more severe hypopituitarism in treated patients, according to findings from an observational, registry-based study.

An analysis of 12 years of real-world patient data suggests that the growth hormone blocker pegvisomant is a safe and effective treatment for acromegaly, with a low occurrence of pituitary tumor enlargement and no reports of treatment-related liver failure, according to findings published in the European Journal of Endocrinology.

Among adults with acromegaly, gamma knife radiosurgery is an effective alternative to transsphenoidal surgery when pituitary surgery is either contraindicated or refused or tumor size is suitable; however, long-term follow-up is needed to watch for new-onset hypopituitarism and other complications, according to findings from a 30-year retrospective study published in Clinical Endocrinology.

Increased cortisol reactivity may play a mechanistic role in predicting weight gain among adolescent girls, suggesting teens exposed to prenatal drug use are at particularly high risk for overweight or obesity due to a blunted stress response, according to findings published in Pediatric Obesity.

A plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone suppression test performed shortly after surgical adenomectomy may accurately predict both short- and long-term remission of Cushing’s disease, according to research published in Pituitary.

Endocrine Today has compiled a list of the top five news reports posted in July.

Exposure to organophosphate and alternative brominated flame retardants is common in American households through stuffed furniture like sofas and other household objects; however, regular hand-washing and house cleaning can effectively lower concentrations of these chemicals, researchers said.

Despite new criteria for defining and regulating use of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, taking effect in Europe, scientists, citizens and policymakers worldwide continue to debate the effects of chemicals commonly found in consumer goods. In a recent statement, the Endocrine Society raised concern that the bar for defining a chemical as endocrine disruptor is too high. Meanwhile, suspect chemicals have been found in restaurant and fast food offerings and containers, essential oils and cash register receipts, among many others.

The European Union’s criteria for regulating endocrine-disrupting chemicals in pesticides and biocides do not go far enough to protect public health, according to a statement issued this week by the Endocrine Society. EU’s criteria for biocides, which took effect Thursday, June 7, are implemented according to a guidance document issued by the European Chemicals Agency and the European Food Safety Agency. In the statement, the society noted its scientific experts remain concerned that the final criteria require an “excessively high level of proof” that a chemical is an endocrine disruptor and that the guidance document creates “further unnecessary barriers to regulating harmful EDCs.” “The Endocrine Society asserts that the finding of an adverse effect that involves hormones or endocrine systems should be sufficient to identify an EDC,” the statement reads. “A detailed study of action and mechanisms should not be required.”

Among adults with suspected growth hormone deficiency, the oral ghrelin agonist macimorelin is a safe and effective alternative GH stimulation agent vs. the more invasive and potentially risky insulin tolerance test, according to findings from an open-label, two-way crossover trial.