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Wieczorek J, Pawlicki P, Zarzycka M, Pardyak L, Niedbala P, Duliban M, Yurdakok-Dikmen B, Kotula-Balak M. Elevated luteinizing hormone receptor signaling or selenium treatment leads to comparable changes in adrenal cortex histology and androgen-AR/ZIP9 signaling. PROTOPLASMA 2024; 261:487-496. [PMID: 38052957 PMCID: PMC11021298 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-023-01910-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The importance and regulation of adrenal androgen production and signaling are not completely understood and are scarcely studied. In addition, there is still a search for appropriate animal models and experimental systems for the investigation of adrenal physiology and disease. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of luteinizing hormone (LH) signaling and selenium (Se2+) exposure on androgen adrenal signaling via canonical androgen receptor (AR), and membrane androgen receptor acting as zinc transporter (zinc- and iron-like protein 9; ZIP9). For herein evaluations, adrenals isolated from transgenic mice with elevated LH receptor signaling (KiLHRD582G) and adrenals obtained from rabbits used for ex vivo adenal cortex culture and exposure to Se2+ were utilized. Tissues were assessed for morphological, morphometric, and Western blot analyses and testosterone and zinc level measurements.Comparison of adrenal cortex histology and morphometric analysis in KiLHRD582G mice and Se2+-treated rabbits revealed cell hypertrophy. No changes in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were found. In addition, AR expression was decreased (p < 0.001) in both KiLHRD582G mouse and Se2+-treated rabbit adrenal cortex while expression of ZIP9 showed diverse changes. Its expression was increased (P < 0.001) in KiLHRD582G mice and decreased (P < 0.001) in Se2+-treated rabbits but only at the dose 10 ug/100 mg/ tissue. Moreover, increased testosterone levels (P < 0.05) and zinc levels were detected in the adrenal cortex of KiLHRD582G mice whereas in rabbit adrenal cortex treated with Se2+, the effect was the opposite (P < 0.001).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslaw Wieczorek
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Pawlicki
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marta Zarzycka
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Laura Pardyak
- Center of Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Kraków, 30-248, Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Niedbala
- Department of Genetics, Animal Breeding and Ethology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michal Duliban
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Begum Yurdakok-Dikmen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dışkapı, 06110, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Malgorzata Kotula-Balak
- University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Krakow, Poland.
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Abstract
Resident progenitor and/or stem cell populations in the adult adrenal cortex enable cortical cells to undergo homeostatic renewal and regeneration after injury. Renewal occurs predominantly in the outer layers of the adrenal gland but newly formed cells undergo centripetal migration, differentiation and lineage conversion in the process of forming the different functional steroidogenic zones. Over the past 10 years, advances in the genetic characterization of adrenal diseases and studies of mouse models with altered adrenal phenotypes have helped to elucidate the molecular pathways that regulate adrenal tissue renewal, several of which are fine-tuned via complex paracrine and endocrine influences. Moreover, the adrenal gland is a sexually dimorphic organ, and testicular androgens have inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and progenitor cell recruitment in the adrenal cortex. This Review integrates these advances, including the emerging role of sex hormones, into existing knowledge on adrenocortical cell renewal. An in-depth understanding of these mechanisms is expected to contribute to the development of novel therapies for severe endocrine diseases, for which current treatments are unsatisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodanthi Lyraki
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Andreas Schedl
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France.
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Dumontet T, Martinez A. Adrenal androgens, adrenarche, and zona reticularis: A human affair? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 528:111239. [PMID: 33676986 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In humans, reticularis cells of the adrenal cortex fuel the production of androgen steroids, constituting the driver of numerous morphological changes during childhood. These steps are considered a precocious stage of sexual maturation and are grouped under the term "adrenarche". This review describes the molecular and enzymatic characteristics of the zona reticularis, along with the possible signals and mechanisms that control its emergence and the associated clinical features. We investigate the differences between species and discuss new studies such as genetic lineage tracing and transcriptomic analysis, highlighting the rodent inner cortex's cellular and molecular heterogeneity. The recent development and characterization of mouse models deficient for Prkar1a presenting with adrenocortical reticularis-like features prompt us to review our vision of the mouse adrenal gland maturation. We expect these new insights will help increase our understanding of the adrenarche process and the pathologies associated with its deregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Typhanie Dumontet
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Training Program in Organogenesis, Center for Cell Plasticity and Organ Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Antoine Martinez
- Génétique, Reproduction et Développement (GReD), Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique CNRS, Institut National de La Santé & de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Université Clermont-Auvergne (UCA), France.
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Friedrich F, Mueller K, Bruch PG, Hakenberg OW, Bastian M, Almansor S, Willenberg HS. Flow-dependent differentiation of cultured adrenal cells under different stimuli. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 384:325-331. [PMID: 33650019 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03432-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
It still remains unclear how the functional organisation of the adrenal cortex arises. One aim of this study was to create a setup which allows for the establishment of a concentration gradient in vitro. This was achieved by a continuous flow of medium through the culture flask which caused differences in glucose and cortisol concentrations as well as in pH values between the sites of inflow and outflow of medium. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, we found that a continuous supply of 1 ml medium per hour significantly increased the expression of MC2R, CYP11B1 and CYP17A1 genes of NCI-H295R cells in the distal area of the flask as compared with the proximal part. The expression of the AT1R showed a reverse regulation. The addition of dexamethasone to the medium led to an increase in gene expression of MC2R while AT1R was downregulated. Moreover, we detected a higher expression of CYP11B2 and a decreased expression of CYP11B1 when endothelial cell-conditioned medium (ECCM) was added to the inflow. Our experiments show that a directed medium delivery system creates different gradients and affects the functional differentiation of the NCI-H295R cells. Also, our results emphasise that products of endothelial cells have additional effects on the differentiation of the cultured adrenal cortical cells. Our results are in support that the regulation of the adrenal zonation is possible through different concentration gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Friedrich
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Katharina Mueller
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Paul G Bruch
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Manuela Bastian
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Shaima Almansor
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Holger S Willenberg
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rostock University Medical Center, Ernst-Heydemann-Straße 6, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
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Kim JH, Lee YA, Lim YH, Lee K, Kim BN, Kim JI, Hong YC, Yang SW, Song J, Shin CH. Changes in Adrenal Androgens and Steroidogenic Enzyme Activities From Ages 2, 4, to 6 Years: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5880593. [PMID: 32750115 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The levels of adrenal androgens are increased through the action of steroidogenic enzymes with morphological changes in the adrenal zona reticularis. OBJECTIVE We investigated longitudinal changes in androgen levels and steroidogenic enzyme activities during early childhood. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS From a prospective children's cohort, the Environment and Development of Children cohort, 114 boys and 86 girls with available blood samples from ages 2, 4, and 6 years were included. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Serum concentrations of adrenal androgens using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and steroidogenic enzyme activity calculated by the precursor/product ratio. RESULTS During ages 2 to 4 years, 17,20-lyase and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfotransferase activities increased (P < 0.01 for both in boys). During ages 4 to 6 years, 17,20-lyase activity persistently increased, but 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and 17β-HSD activities decreased (P < 0.01 for all). Serum DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) levels persistently increased from 2, 4, to 6 years, and DHEA, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione levels increased during ages 4 to 6 years (P < 0.01 for all). Serum DHEA-S levels during early childhood were associated with body mass index z-scores (P = 0.001 in only boys). CONCLUSION This study supports in vivo human evidence of increased 17,20-lyase and DHEA sulfotransferase activities and decreased 3β-HSD activity during early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyun Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Young Ah Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youn-Hee Lim
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
- Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyunghoon Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
- Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sei Won Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Junghan Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Choong Ho Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Lotfi CFP, Kremer JL, dos Santos Passaia B, Cavalcante IP. The human adrenal cortex: growth control and disorders. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2018; 73:e473s. [PMID: 30208164 PMCID: PMC6113920 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2018/e473s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes key knowledge regarding the development, growth, and growth disorders of the adrenal cortex from a molecular perspective. The adrenal gland consists of two distinct regions: the cortex and the medulla. During embryological development and transition to the adult adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex acquires three different structural and functional zones. Significant progress has been made in understanding the signaling and molecules involved during adrenal cortex zonation. Equally significant is the knowledge obtained regarding the action of peptide factors involved in the maintenance of zonation of the adrenal cortex, such as peptides derived from proopiomelanocortin processing, adrenocorticotropin and N-terminal proopiomelanocortin. Findings regarding the development, maintenance and growth of the adrenal cortex and the molecular factors involved has improved the scientific understanding of disorders that affect adrenal cortex growth. Hypoplasia, hyperplasia and adrenocortical tumors, including adult and pediatric adrenocortical adenomas and carcinomas, are described together with findings regarding molecular and pathway alterations. Comprehensive genomic analyses of adrenocortical tumors have shown gene expression profiles associated with malignancy as well as methylation alterations and the involvement of miRNAs. These findings provide a new perspective on the diagnosis, therapeutic possibilities and prognosis of adrenocortical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudimara Ferini Pacicco Lotfi
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
- *Corresponding author. E-mail:
| | - Jean Lucas Kremer
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Barbara dos Santos Passaia
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
| | - Isadora Pontes Cavalcante
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR
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McHale TS, Chee WC, Chan KC, Zava DT, Gray PB. Coalitional Physical Competition. HUMAN NATURE-AN INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE 2018; 29:245-267. [DOI: 10.1007/s12110-018-9321-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Dumontet T, Sahut-Barnola I, Septier A, Montanier N, Plotton I, Roucher-Boulez F, Ducros V, Lefrançois-Martinez AM, Pointud JC, Zubair M, Morohashi KI, Breault DT, Val P, Martinez A. PKA signaling drives reticularis differentiation and sexually dimorphic adrenal cortex renewal. JCI Insight 2018; 3:98394. [PMID: 29367455 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.98394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The adrenal cortex undergoes remodeling during fetal and postnatal life. How zona reticularis emerges in the postnatal gland to support adrenarche, a process whereby higher primates increase prepubertal androgen secretion, is unknown. Using cell-fate mapping and gene deletion studies in mice, we show that activation of PKA has no effect on the fetal cortex, while it accelerates regeneration of the adult cortex, triggers zona fasciculata differentiation that is subsequently converted into a functional reticularis-like zone, and drives hypersecretion syndromes. Remarkably, PKA effects are influenced by sex. Indeed, testicular androgens increase WNT signaling that antagonizes PKA, leading to slower adrenocortical cell turnover and delayed phenotype whereas gonadectomy sensitizes males to hypercorticism and reticularis-like formation. Thus, reticularis results from ultimate centripetal conversion of adult cortex under the combined effects of PKA and cell turnover that dictate organ size. We show that PKA-induced progenitor recruitment is sexually dimorphic and may provide a paradigm for overrepresentation of women in adrenal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Typhanie Dumontet
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Amandine Septier
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Ingrid Plotton
- Molecular Endocrinology and Rare Diseases, University Hospital, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
| | - Florence Roucher-Boulez
- Molecular Endocrinology and Rare Diseases, University Hospital, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
| | - Véronique Ducros
- Unit of Hormone and Nutrition, Department of Biochemistry, Toxicology and Pharmacology, University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | - Mohamad Zubair
- Department of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichirou Morohashi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - David T Breault
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pierre Val
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Antoine Martinez
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Vaiani E, Maceiras M, Chaler E, Lazzati JM, Chiavero M, Novelle C, Rivarola M, Belgorosky A. Central adrenal insufficiency could not be confirmed by measurement of basal serum DHEAS levels in pubertal children. Horm Res Paediatr 2015; 82:332-7. [PMID: 25359306 DOI: 10.1159/000368318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) is due to a decrease of CRH and/or ACTH secretion. ACTH-dependent dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) has been postulated as a possible marker of adrenal function in adult patients. AIMS To evaluate the usefulness of basal serum DHEAS determination to diagnose CAI in pubertal patients with a suspected diagnosis of CAI. METHODS Ninety-four pubertal patients suspected of having CAI were divided into two groups according to sufficient (group 1) or insufficient (group 2) low-dose ACTH test serum cortisol response. Concordance with low (<2.5th percentile) or normal (≥2.5th percentile) basal serum DHEAS levels for age and sex, respectively, was analysed. RESULTS Fifty patients (53.2%) in group 1 and 44 (46.8%) in group 2 were included. The median value of serum DHEAS levels in group 2 (0.7 µmol/l, interquartile range 0.44-1.49) was significantly lower than in group 1 (2.13 µmol/l, interquartile range 0.87-3.5; p < 0.03). Nevertheless, serum basal DHEAS levels as a diagnostic marker of CAI showed 39% sensitivity and 80% specificity. CONCLUSION In pubertal patients, basal serum DHEAS levels do not seem to be a useful tool to diagnose either sufficiency or insufficiency of secondary adrenal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Vaiani
- Endocrine Service, Hospital de Pediatría Garrahan, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Voutilainen R, Jääskeläinen J. Premature adrenarche: etiology, clinical findings, and consequences. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 145:226-36. [PMID: 24923732 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Adrenarche means the morphological and functional change of the adrenal cortex leading to increasing production of adrenal androgen precursors (AAPs) in mid childhood, typically at around 5-8 years of age in humans. The AAPs dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate conjugate (DHEAS) are the best serum markers of adrenal androgen (AA) secretion and adrenarche. Normal ACTH secretion and action are needed for adrenarche, but additional inherent and exogenous factors regulate AA secretion. Inter-individual variation in the timing of adrenarche and serum concentrations of DHEA(S) in adolescence and adulthood are remarkable. Premature adrenarche (PA) is defined as the appearance of clinical signs of androgen action (pubic/axillary hair, adult type body odor, oily skin or hair, comedones, acne, accelerated statural growth) before the age of 8 years in girls or 9 years in boys associated with AAP concentrations high for the prepubertal chronological age. To accept the diagnosis of PA, central puberty, adrenocortical and gonadal sex hormone secreting tumors, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and exogenous source of androgens need to be excluded. The individually variable peripheral conversion of circulating AAPs to biologically more active androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) and the androgen receptor activity in the target tissues are as important as the circulating AAP concentrations as determinants of androgen action. PA has gained much attention during the last decades, as it has been associated with small birth size, the metabolic and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and thus with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in later life. The aim of this review is to describe the known hormonal changes and their possible regulators in on-time and premature adrenarche, and the clinical features and possible later health problems associating with PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimo Voutilainen
- Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital and University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 100, Kuopio FI-70029, Finland.
| | - Jarmo Jääskeläinen
- Department of Pediatrics, Kuopio University Hospital and University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 100, Kuopio FI-70029, Finland
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Marino M, Moriondo V, Vighi E, Pignatti E, Simoni M. Central hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: genetic complexity of a complex disease. Int J Endocrinol 2014; 2014:649154. [PMID: 25254043 PMCID: PMC4165873 DOI: 10.1155/2014/649154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Central hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is an emerging pathological condition frequently associated with overweight, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and midline defects. The genetic mechanisms involve mutations in at least twenty-four genes regulating GnRH neuronal migration, secretion, and activity. So far, the mechanisms underlying CHH, both in prepubertal and in adulthood onset forms, remain unknown in most of the cases. Indeed, all detected gene variants may explain a small proportion of the affected patients (43%), indicating that other genes or epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the onset of CHH. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on genetic background of CHH, organizing the large amount of data present in the literature in a clear and concise manner, to produce a useful guide available for researchers and clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Marino
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, NOCSAE, Via Pietro Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 187, 41125 Modena, Italy
- *Marco Marino:
| | - Valeria Moriondo
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, NOCSAE, Via Pietro Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 187, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Eleonora Vighi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, NOCSAE, Via Pietro Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 187, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Pignatti
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, NOCSAE, Via Pietro Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 187, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, NOCSAE, Via Pietro Giardini 1355, 41126 Modena, Italy
- Center for Genomic Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 187, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Azienda USL of Modena, Via San Giovanni del Cantone 23, 41121 Modena, Italy
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12
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Lower Serum Androstenedione Levels in Pre-Rheumatoid Arthritis versus Normal Control Women: Correlations with Lower Serum Cortisol Levels. Autoimmune Dis 2013; 2013:593493. [PMID: 23762532 PMCID: PMC3674651 DOI: 10.1155/2013/593493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Serum adrenal androgens (AAs), including androstenedione (Δ4A) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), have been reported to be lower in female rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with early disease. Few data are available on hormonal status of women before the onset of clinical rheumatoid arthritis (pre-RA). A broad baseline panel of serum adrenal and sex steroids was compared in 36 female pre-RA to 144 matched cohort control (CN) subjects to determine differences in their mean values and in patterns of hormonal correlations. Study subjects having lower versus higher baseline serum cortisol levels than the total group's mean value were also analyzed separately to investigate differences in their hormonal levels and correlational patterns. In total subjects, mean (±SE) Δ4A level (nmol/L) was lower (P = 0.018) in 28 pre-RA cases (6.4 ± 0.40) versus 108 CN (7.8 ± 0.28). The significant (P = 0.013) difference was restricted to 9 pre-RA versus 53 CN subjects having lower cortisol levels (5.6 ± 0.73 versus 8.0 ± 0.42 nmol/L, resp.). In total subjects, no significant difference was found between study subjects in their bivariate correlations of the hormonal panel variables, unlike results found in the subgroups stratified by lower versus higher cortisol levels. A subgroup of pre-RA females may have relative adrenal cortical insufficiency, as reflected by lower Δ4A, especially observed among those subjects with lower cortisol levels.
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Abstract
The human adrenal cortex comprises three distinct zones with unique steroid products, namely the zona glomerulosa, which secretes the mineralocorticoids, the zona fasciculate, which secretes the glucocorticoids and the zona reticularis (ZR), which at adrenarche, begins to produce the so-called adrenal androgens. Of all the adrenal zones, we still understand control of ZR emergence the least, and yet the consequences of such dysregulation can be devastating. Premature adrenarche is a growing problem and the correspondingly inappropriate emergence of ZR function can negatively influence puberty and lead to adult infertility. Our understanding is limited and more needs to be done. The purpose of these three reviews is to provide a survey of where we are in our current understanding of what adrenarche is, and indeed if it is unique to humans at all. Furthermore, these reviews describe what is also known of how the functional ZR emerges during adrenarche and what steroids of physiologic relevance result beyond the widely known DHEA and DHEAS elevated at this time. Such advances in human, primate and indeed stem-cell biology are clearly laying the foundation for new directions in the hunt for the factors involved in the regulation and functional emergence of a ZR at the appropriate time, as well as insight into how they may fail. Given support for these new directions, considerable progress can clearly be made.
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