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Augsburger P, Liimatta J, Flück CE. Update on Adrenarche-Still a Mystery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:1403-1422. [PMID: 38181424 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Adrenarche marks the timepoint of human adrenal development when the cortex starts secreting androgens in increasing amounts, in healthy children at age 8-9 years, with premature adrenarche (PA) earlier. Because the molecular regulation and significance of adrenarche are unknown, this prepubertal event is characterized descriptively, and PA is a diagnosis by exclusion with unclear long-term consequences. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We searched the literature of the past 5 years, including original articles, reviews, and meta-analyses from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus, using search terms adrenarche, pubarche, DHEAS, steroidogenesis, adrenal, and zona reticularis. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Numerous studies addressed different topics of adrenarche and PA. Although basic studies on human adrenal development, zonation, and zona reticularis function enhanced our knowledge, the exact mechanism leading to adrenarche remains unsolved. Many regulators seem involved. A promising marker of adrenarche (11-ketotestosterone) was found in the 11-oxy androgen pathway. By current definition, the prevalence of PA can be as high as 9% to 23% in girls and 2% to 10% in boys, but only a subset of these children might face related adverse health outcomes. CONCLUSION New criteria for defining adrenarche and PA are needed to identify children at risk for later disease and to spare children with a normal variation. Further research is therefore required to understand adrenarche. Prospective, long-term studies should characterize prenatal or early postnatal developmental pathways that modulate trajectories of birth size, early postnatal growth, childhood overweight/obesity, adrenarche and puberty onset, and lead to abnormal sexual maturation, fertility, and other adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Augsburger
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jani Liimatta
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Kuopio Pediatric Research Unit (KuPRU), University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, 70029 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Christa E Flück
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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Miranda JP, Pereira A, Corvalán C, Miquel JF, Alberti G, Gana JC, Santos JL. Genetic determinants of serum bilirubin using inferred native American gene variants in Chilean adolescents. Front Genet 2024; 15:1382103. [PMID: 38826804 PMCID: PMC11140026 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1382103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene variants in the UGT1A1 gene are strongly associated with circulating bilirubin levels in several populations, as well as other variants of modest effect across the genome. However, the effects of such variants are unknown regarding the Native American ancestry of the admixed Latino population. Our objective was to assess the Native American genetic determinants of serum bilirubin in Chilean admixed adolescents using the local ancestry deconvolution approach. We measured total serum bilirubin levels in 707 adolescents of the Chilean Growth and Obesity Cohort Study (GOCS) and performed high-density genotyping using the Illumina-MEGA array (>1.7 million genotypes). We constructed a local ancestry reference panel with participants from the 1000 Genomes Project, the Human Genome Diversity Project, and our GOCS cohort. Then, we inferred and isolated haplotype tracts of Native American, European, or African origin to perform genome-wide association studies. In the whole cohort, the rs887829 variant and others near UGT1A1 were the unique signals achieving genome-wide statistical significance (b = 0.30; p = 3.34 × 10-57). After applying deconvolution methods, we found that significance is also maintained in Native American (b = 0.35; p = 3.29 × 10-17) and European (b = 0.28; p = 1.14 × 10-23) ancestry components. The rs887829 variant explained a higher percentage of the variance of bilirubin in the Native American (37.6%) compared to European ancestry (28.4%). In Native American ancestry, carriers of the TT genotype of this variant averaged 4-fold higher bilirubinemia compared to the CC genotype (p = 2.82 × 10-12). We showed for the first time that UGT1A1 variants are the primary determinant of bilirubin levels in Native American ancestry, confirming its pan-ethnic relevance. Our study illustrates the general value of the local ancestry deconvolution approach to assessing isolated ancestry effects in admixed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- José P. Miranda
- Department of Nutrition, Diabetes, and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- School of Medicine, PhD in Epidemiology Program, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana Pereira
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos INTA, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Corvalán
- Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos INTA, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan F. Miquel
- Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gigliola Alberti
- Pediatrics Division, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pediatric Nutrition, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan C. Gana
- Pediatrics Division, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Gastroenterology and Pediatric Nutrition, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - José L. Santos
- Department of Nutrition, Diabetes, and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- School of Medicine, PhD in Epidemiology Program, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Calvert ME, Molsberry SA, Overdahl KE, Jarmusch AK, Shaw ND. Pubertal Girls With Overweight/Obesity Have Higher Androgen Levels-Can Metabolomics Tell us Why? J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:1328-1333. [PMID: 37978828 PMCID: PMC11031235 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Pubertal girls with higher total body fat (TBF) demonstrate higher androgen levels. The cause of this association is unknown but is hypothesized to relate to insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to investigate the association between higher TBF and higher androgens in pubertal girls using untargeted metabolomics. METHODS Serum androgens were determined using a quantitative mass spectrometry (MS)-based assay. Metabolomic samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography high-resolution MS. Associations between TBF or body mass index (BMI) z score (exposure) and metabolomic features (outcome) and between metabolomic features (exposure) and serum hormones (outcome) were examined using gaussian generalized estimating equation models with the outcome lagged by one study visit. Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) adjusted P values were calculated to account for multiple testing. RaMP-DB (relational database of metabolomic pathways) was used to conduct enriched pathway analyses among features nominally associated with body composition or hormones. RESULTS Sixty-six pubertal, premenarchal girls (aged 10.9 ± 1.39 SD years; 60% White, 24% Black, 16% other; 63% normal weight, 37% overweight/obese) contributed an average of 2.29 blood samples. BMI and TBF were negatively associated with most features including raffinose (a plant trisaccharide) and several bile acids. For BMI, RaMP-DB identified many enriched pathways related to bile acids. Androstenedione also showed strong negative associations with raffinose and bile acids. CONCLUSION Metabolomic analyses of samples from pubertal girls did not identify an insulin resistance signature to explain the association between higher TBF and androgens. Instead, we identified potential novel signaling pathways that may involve raffinose or bile acid action at the adrenal gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison E Calvert
- Pediatric Neuroendocrinology Group, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | | | | | | | - Natalie D Shaw
- Pediatric Neuroendocrinology Group, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Durham, NC 27709, USA
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Schneider G, Ruggiero C, Renault L, Doghman-Bouguerra M, Durand N, Hingrai G, Dijoud F, Plotton I, Lalli E. ACTH and prolactin synergistically and selectively regulate CYP17 expression and adrenal androgen production in human foetal adrenal organ cultures. Eur J Endocrinol 2023; 189:327-335. [PMID: 37638769 DOI: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The essential role of ACTH on the growth and function of the human foetal adrenal (HFA) has long been recognized. In addition, many studies have suggested a role of the pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) in the regulation of the HFA, but the effects of this hormone on steroidogenesis and gene expression are still unknown. Our objective was to investigate the effect of ACTH and PRL on the steroidogenic capacities of the HFA. DESIGN In vitro/ex vivo experimental study. METHODS We used a hanging drop in vitro organ culture system. First trimester HFA samples were cultured for 14 days in basal conditions or treated with ACTH, PRL, or a combination of the 2 (3 to 11 replicates depending on the experiment). Steroids were measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry or immunoassay, gene expression by RT-qPCR, and protein expression by immunoblot. RESULTS ACTH significantly increased corticosterone, cortisol, and cortisone production, both by itself and when used together with PRL. PRL stimulation by itself had no effect. Combined stimulation with ACTH + PRL synergistically and selectively increased adrenal androgen (DHEAS and Δ4-androstenedione) production and CYP17A1 expression in the HFA, while treatment with each single hormone had no significant effect on those steroids. CONCLUSIONS These results have important implications for our understanding of the hormonal cues regulating adrenal steroidogenesis in the HFA during the first trimester in physiological and pathological conditions and warrant further studies to characterize the molecular mechanisms of converging ACTH and PRL signalling to regulate CYP17A1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grégoire Schneider
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Lyon, 69002 Lyon, France
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Carmen Ruggiero
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, 06560 Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Lucie Renault
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
- Reproductive Medicine and Biology, University Hospital of Lyon, 69002 Lyon, France
| | - Mabrouka Doghman-Bouguerra
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, 06560 Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Nelly Durand
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, 06560 Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Guillaume Hingrai
- Orthogenics Department, University Hospital of Lyon, 69002 Lyon, France
| | - Frédérique Dijoud
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
- Inserm U1208, 69675 Bron, France
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Lyon, 69002 Lyon, France
| | - Ingrid Plotton
- Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
- Reproductive Medicine and Biology, University Hospital of Lyon, 69002 Lyon, France
- Inserm U1208, 69675 Bron, France
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Lyon, 69002 Lyon, France
| | - Enzo Lalli
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire CNRS UMR 7275, 06560 Valbonne, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, 06560 Valbonne, France
- Inserm, 06560 Valbonne, France
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Jee YH, Jumani S, Mericq V. The Association of Accelerated Early Growth, Timing of Puberty, and Metabolic Consequences in Children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:e663-e670. [PMID: 37029976 PMCID: PMC10686698 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Accelerated early growth and early timing of puberty or pubertal variant have been noticed as risk factors for metabolic syndrome, more frequently observed in children born small for gestational age (SGA) or children with premature adrenarche (PA). Children with SGA, especially if they make an accelerated catch-up growth in early life, carry a higher risk for long-term metabolic consequences, such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, multiple studies support that these children, either born SGA or with a history of PA, may have earlier pubertal timing, which is also associated with various metabolic risks. This review aims to summarize the recent studies investigating the association between early infantile growth, the timing of puberty, and metabolic risks to expand our knowledge and gain more insight into the underlying pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youn Hee Jee
- Section on Growth, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Division of Endocrinology and Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20012, USA
| | - Sanjay Jumani
- Section on Growth, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Veronica Mericq
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, School of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 13101, Chile
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Lalli E, Figueiredo BC. Prolactin as an adrenocorticotropic hormone: Prolactin signalling is a conserved key regulator of sexually dimorphic adrenal gland function in health and disease. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200109. [PMID: 36000778 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A large number of previous reports described an effect of the pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) on steroid hormone production by the adrenal cortex. However, those studies remained anecdotal and were never converted into a conceptual and mechanistic framework, let alone being translated into clinical care. In the light of our recently published landmark study where we described PRL signalling as a pivotal regulator of the sexually dimorphic adrenal phenotype in mouse and of adrenal androgen production in humans, we present here the overarching hypothesis that PRL signalling increases the activity of Steroidogenic Factor-1 (SF-1/NR5A1), a transcription factor that has an essential role in adrenal gland development and function, to regulate adrenal cortex growth and hormonal production in physiological and pathological conditions. PRL can then be considered as a bona fide adrenocorticotropic hormone synergizing with ACTH in the endocrine control of adrenal cortex function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Lalli
- EXPOGEN-CANCER CNRS International Research Project, 660 route des Lucioles, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, 06560, France.,Inserm, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.,Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Valbonne, France.,Pelé Pequeno Principe Research Institute, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Bonald C Figueiredo
- EXPOGEN-CANCER CNRS International Research Project, 660 route des Lucioles, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, 06560, France.,Pelé Pequeno Principe Research Institute, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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