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Prete A, Bancos I. Mild autonomous cortisol secretion: pathophysiology, comorbidities and management approaches. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2024; 20:460-473. [PMID: 38649778 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-024-00984-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The majority of incidentally discovered adrenal tumours are benign adrenocortical adenomas and the prevalence of adrenocortical adenomas is around 1-7% on cross-sectional abdominal imaging. These can be non-functioning adrenal tumours or they can be associated with autonomous cortisol secretion on a spectrum that ranges from rare clinically overt adrenal Cushing syndrome to the much more prevalent mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) without signs of Cushing syndrome. MACS is diagnosed (based on an abnormal overnight dexamethasone suppression test) in 20-50% of patients with adrenal adenomas. MACS is associated with cardiovascular morbidity, frailty, fragility fractures, decreased quality of life and increased mortality. Management of MACS should be individualized based on patient characteristics and includes adrenalectomy or conservative follow-up with treatment of associated comorbidities. Identifying patients with MACS who are most likely to benefit from adrenalectomy is challenging, as adrenalectomy results in improvement of cardiovascular morbidity in some, but not all, patients with MACS. Of note, diagnosis and management of patients with bilateral MACS is especially challenging. Current gaps in MACS clinical practice include a lack of specific biomarkers diagnostic of MACS-related health outcomes and a paucity of clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of adrenalectomy on comorbidities associated with MACS. In addition, little evidence exists to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of long-term medical therapy in patients with MACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Prete
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Irina Bancos
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Senthilkumaran M, Koch C, Herselman MF, Bobrovskaya L. Role of the Adrenal Medulla in Hypoglycaemia-Associated Autonomic Failure-A Diabetic Perspective. Metabolites 2024; 14:100. [PMID: 38392992 PMCID: PMC10890365 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14020100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoglycaemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF) is characterised by an impairment in adrenal medullary and neurogenic symptom responses following episodes of recurrent hypoglycaemia. Here, we review the status quo of research related to the regulatory mechanisms of the adrenal medulla in its response to single and recurrent hypoglycaemia in both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with particular focus given to catecholamine synthesis, enzymatic activity, and the impact of adrenal medullary peptides. Short-term post-transcriptional modifications, particularly phosphorylation at specific residues of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), play a key role in the regulation of catecholamine synthesis. While the effects of recurrent hypoglycaemia on catecholamine synthetic enzymes remain inconsistent, long-term changes in TH protein expression suggest species-specific responses. Adrenomedullary peptides such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin, and proenkephalin exhibit altered gene and protein expression in response to hypoglycaemia, suggesting a potential role in the modulation of catecholamine secretion. Of note is NPY, since its antagonism has been shown to prevent reductions in TH protein expression. This review highlights the need for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms involved in the adrenal medullary response to hypoglycaemia. Despite advancements in our understanding of HAAF in non-diabetic rodents, a reliable diabetic rodent model of HAAF remains a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjula Senthilkumaran
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Coen Koch
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Mauritz Frederick Herselman
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Larisa Bobrovskaya
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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Brox-Torrecilla N, García Cano AM, Valderrábano P, Quintero Tobar A, Escobar-Morreale HF, Araujo-Castro M. Prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with adrenal incidentalomas: a study of 709 cases. Endocrine 2023; 81:484-491. [PMID: 37212980 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03396-6] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAI) or adrenal incidentalomas (AI) with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS). METHODS In this single-center retrospective study, all patients with adrenal incidentalomas ≥1 cm and ACS or NFAI studied between 2013 and 2020 were included. ACS was defined by a post-dexamethasone suppression test (DST) serum cortisol concentration ≥1.8 μg/dl, in the absence of signs of hypercortisolism, and NFAI was defined as a DST < 1.8 μg/dl without biochemical evidence of hypersecretion of other hormones. RESULTS Inclusion criteria were met by 231 patients with ACS and 478 with NFAI. At diagnosis, type 2 diabetes was present in 24.3% of patients. No differences were found in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (27.7 vs. 22.6%, P = 0.137) between patients with ACS and NFAI. However, fasting plasma glucose values and glycated hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in patients with ACS than with NFAI (112 ± 35.6 vs. 105 ± 29 mg/dl, P = 0.004; and 6.5 ± 1.4 vs. 6.1 ± 0.9%, P = 0.005, respectively). Furthermore, patients with type 2 diabetes had higher urinary free cortisol (P = 0.039) and late-night salivary cortisol levels (P = 0.010) than those without type 2 diabetes. After a median follow-up of 28 months, no differences were found in the incidence of type 2 diabetes between the groups (HR 1.17, 95% 0.52-2.64). CONCLUSION Type 2 diabetes was present in one fourth of our cohort. We found no differences in its prevalence or incidence between the groups. However, glycemic control might be worse among diabetic patients with ACS. Higher concentrations of urinary and salivary cortisol were found in patients with than without type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Brox-Torrecilla
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana M García Cano
- Department of Biochemistry, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Valderrábano
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Héctor F Escobar-Morreale
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal & Universidad de Alcalá & Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) & Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Araujo-Castro
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition. Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain.
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Trandafir AI, Stanciu M, Albu SE, Stoian VR, Ciofu I, Persu C, Nistor C, Carsote M. Management of Adrenal Cortical Adenomas: Assessment of Bone Status in Patients with (Non-Functioning) Adrenal Incidentalomas. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4244. [PMID: 37445279 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134244] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Our aim is to analyse the bone profile in adults with (non-functioning) adrenal incidentalomas (AIs), specifically addressing the impact of autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS). This narrative review, based on a PubMed search from inception to February 2023 (case reports, non-ACS, and other secondary causes of osteoporosis were excluded), included 40 original studies, a total of 3046 patients with female prevalence (female:male ratio of 1921:1125), aged between 20.5 and 95.5 years old. This three decade-based analysis showed that 37 studies provided dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) information; another five studies reports results on bone micro-architecture, including trabecular bone score (TBS), spinal deformity index, and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography; 20 cohorts included data on bone turnover markers (BTMs), while four longitudinal studies followed subjects between 1 and 10.5 years old (surgical versus non-adrenalectomy arms). Post-dexamethasone suppression test (DST) cortisol was inversely associated with bone mineral density (BMD). TBS predicted incidental vertebral fractures (VFx) regardless of BMD, being associated with post-DST cortisol independently of age and BMD. Low BTMs were identified in ACS, but not all studies agreed. An increased prevalence of ACS-related osteoporosis was confirmed in most studies (highest prevalence of 87.5%), as well as of VFx, including in pre-menopause (42.5%), post-menopause (78.6%), and male patients (72.7%) depending on the study, with a 10-fold increased incidental VFx risk up to a 12-fold increased risk after a 2-year follow-up. No specific medication against osteoporosis is indicated in ACS, but adrenalectomy (according to four studies) should be part of the long-term strategy. This bone profile case sample-based study (to our knowledge, one of the largest of its kind) showed that AIs, including the subgroup designated as having ACS, embraces a large panel of osseous complications. The level of evidence remains far from generous; there are still no homogenous results defining ACS and identifying skeletal involvement, which might be a consequence of different investigation clusters underling adrenal and bone assessments over time. However, bone status evaluations and associated therapy decisions remain an essential element of the management of adults with AIs-ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra-Ioana Trandafir
- Department of Endocrinology, C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology & Carol Davila Doctoral School, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihaela Stanciu
- Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, "Lucian Blaga" University of Sibiu, 550024 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Simona Elena Albu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & University Emergency Hospital, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Vasile Razvan Stoian
- Department 10-Surgery, General Surgery Department 3, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & University Emergency Hospital, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Ciofu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Persu
- Department of Urology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Claudiu Nistor
- Department 4-Cardio-Thoracic Pathology, Thoracic Surgery II Discipline, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & Thoracic Surgery Department, "Dr. Carol Davila" Central Emergency University Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mara Carsote
- Department of Endocrinology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy & C.I. Parhon National Institute of Endocrinology, 011863 Bucharest, Romania
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Araujo-Castro M, Casals G, Hanzu FA, Pascual-Corrales E, García Cano AM, Lanza VF, Luis Del Rey Mejías Á, Marchan M, Escobar-Morreale HF, Valderrabano P. Characterisation of the urinary steroid profile of patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas: A matched controlled cross-sectional study. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2023; 98:165-176. [PMID: 35973974 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14811] [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: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM To identify alterations in steroid metabolism in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentalomas (NFAIs) through the analysis of their urinary steroid profile (USP). METHODS Cross-sectional study with one study group (NFAIs, cortisol post dexamethasone suppression test [DST] ≤ 1.8 µg/dl [49.7 nmol/L]) and 2 control groups: patients with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS group, cortisol post-DST > 1.8 µg/dl (49.7 nmol/L) and patients without adrenal tumours (healthy-adrenal group). Twenty-four-hour urine collections for USP measurement (total and free fraction of 51 24 h-urine specimens) were obtained from 73 participants (24 with NFAIs, 24 without AIs, and 25 with ACS). USP was determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Patients of the three groups were matched according to sex, age (±5 years-old) and body mass index (±5 kg/m2 ). RESULTS Compared to healthy-adrenal controls, patients with NFAIs had a lower excretion of androgen metabolites (230.5 ± 190.12 vs. 388.7 ± 328.58 µg/24 h, p = .046) and a higher excretion of urinary free cortisol (UFC) (54.3 ± 66.07 vs. 25.4 ± 11.16 µg/24 h, p = .038). UFC was above the reference range in 20.8% of patients in the NFAI, compared to 0% in the healthy-adrenal group (p = .018). Patients with ACS had a higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes than patients with NFAIs or the control group. A lower excretion of androgen metabolites (218.4 ± 204.24 vs. 231 ± 190 µg/24 h, p = .041) and a nonsignificant higher excretion of glucocorticoid metabolites (2129.6 ± 1195.96 vs. 1550.8 ± 810.03 µg/24 h, p = .180) was found in patients with ACS compared to patients with NFAIs. CONCLUSION NFAIs seem to secrete a subtle, yet clinically relevant, excess of glucocorticoids. Future studies are needed to confirm our findings; and to identify metabolic alterations associated with an increased cardiometabolic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Araujo-Castro
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica, Ramón y Cajal IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gregori Casals
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Felicia A Hanzu
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eider Pascual-Corrales
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica, Ramón y Cajal IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana M García Cano
- Department of Biochemistry, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Val F Lanza
- Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica, Ramón y Cajal IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Luis Del Rey Mejías
- Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica, Ramón y Cajal IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Marchan
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Héctor F Escobar-Morreale
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica, Ramón y Cajal IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Valderrabano
- Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica, Ramón y Cajal IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
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Zou Y, Xie X, Yan S, Wu G, Liu Q. Case report: Misdiagnosis of accessory spleen in the left adrenal region as an adrenal tumour after splenectomy. Front Surg 2022; 9:1017603. [PMID: 36325041 PMCID: PMC9618801 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.1017603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adrenal tumours are common in urology and endocrinology, and the diagnosis of adrenal tumours were mainly depends on imaging diagnosis. Howerver, misdiagnosis can still occur for some adrenal space-occupying lesions without specific manifestations or abnormal biochemical indexes. Methods We report the case of a 55-year-old patient with a soft-tissue mass in the left adrenal region, and have no specific manifestations or abnormalities in biochemical indexes. The patient had undergone open splenectomy 20 years ago for splenic rupture caused by traffic-accident trauma, and had a 10-year special history of hypertension. Because of the uncertain nature of the mass, surgical treatment was recommended. Results The surgeon managed to remove the left adrenal region mass. During the surgery, the adrenal source was excluded. In the histological examination, the splenic corpuscle and splenic medullary structure were seen under the microscope, and an accessory spleen was diagnosed. Conclusions The accessory spleen was located in the adrenal region rarely, and can easily be misdiagnosed as an adrenal tumour. When the cases show abnormal adrenal space-occupying lesions in imaging examinations, non-adrenal diseases should be considered. we need to combine different imaging techniques for analysis, and think more about it, avoid misdiagnosis leading to unnecessary surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Zou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiaojuan Xie
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Sheng Yan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Gengqing Wu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China,Correspondence: Gengqing Wu Quanliang Liu
| | - Quanliang Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China,Correspondence: Gengqing Wu Quanliang Liu
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