The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 91, No. 10 17a
Copyright © 2006 by The Endocrine Society
Endocrinology & Metabolism News, October 2006
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Endocrine Discovery
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In 5269 individuals with impaired fasting glucose levels or glucose intolerance, but no cardiovascular disease, ramapril therapy vs. placebo for three years did not reduce the incidence of diabetes or death, but did increase their reversion to normoglycemia (hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.3).
(N Engl J Med (ePub ahead of print Sept. 15, 2006))
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of multivitamin and mineral supplements to prevent cancer and chronic disease in adults found insufficient evidence to determine whether there were benefits or not.
(Ann Intern Med (Sept. 5, 2006) 145(5):372)
Among 105 lunchtime diners and 40 undergraduates, underestimates of caloric contents by normal- and over-weight participants were significant for larger meals, –35% and –23%, respectively, whereas both groups were relatively accurate in their estimates of smaller meals.
(Ann Intern Med (Sept. 5, 2006) 145(5):326)
Men with low serum testosterone (<250 ng/dl) had a higher all-cause mortality, 35% vs. 20% for normal testosterone, in a study of more than 800 male veterans.
(Arch Intern Med (Aug. 14/28, 2006) 166:1660)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Among 5,000 coronary artery disease patients with the metabolic syndrome, there were fewer major cardiovascular events over five years in those treated with atorvastatin 80 mg/d as opposed to only 10 mg/d, 9.5% vs. 13% over a median 5 years of follow-up.
(Lancet (Sept. 9/15, 2006) 368:919)[CrossRef][Medline]
In postmenopausal women with mild primary hyperparathyroidism, the prevalence of vertebral fractures was higher than in controls, even though hyperparathyroid patients had a higher lumbar spine bone mineral density.
(Eur J Endocrinol (Sept. 2006) 155(3):415)
Women who developed gestational diabetes mellitus were less likely to maintain healthy diets and more likely to smoke than pregnant women without diabetes, in a cross-section study of 177,420 women.
(Diabetes Care (Aug. 2006) 29(8):1788)
Treatment of obese and diabetic mice with the chemical chaperones 4-phenyl butyric acid and taurine-conjugated ursodeoxycholic acid normalized hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity in liver, muscle, and adipose tissues, as well as reversed fatty liver disease, suggesting that they enhanced the adaptive capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum and might have potential for treatment of type 2 diabetes.
(Science (Aug. 25, 2006) 313(5790):1137
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Nur77, Nurr1, and NOR1—members of the NR4A family of ligand-independent orphan nuclear receptors—were shown to be downstream mediators of cAMP action in transcriptional control of gluconeogenesis in response to glucagon and fasting. By inducing genes involved in gluconeogenesis, Nur77 stimulated glucose production and raised blood glucose levels. (
Nat Med (Sept. 2006) 12:1048)[CrossRef][Medline]
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Endocrine Practice & Training
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An AAMC report on trends in physician specialties found one endocrinologist per 63,400 Americans, ranking 8th among 36 specialties in U.S. population per physician. Among practicing endocrinologists, 36% were 55 years or older (vs. an average of 33% for all specialties). Endocrinologists represented 5% of newly trained physicians—a 20% increase from 1995 to 2004—with 58% of endocrine fellows being women. (For more information, see https://services.aamc.org/Publications/)
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Endocrinologists
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Susan Sherman (left) and Valeria Guimaraes (right) will join the Executive Council of the Endocrine Society as Physician-in Practice and At-Large members, respectively.
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Milestones in Endocrinology
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75 years ago, Adolf Butenandt isolated 50 mg of crystalline androsterone from 17,000 liters of policemen’s urine.
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In the Journal 25 Years Ago
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Rapid changes of prolactinoma volume after withdrawal and reinstitution of bromocriptine. Thorner MO, Perryman RL, Rogol AD, Conway BP, Macleod RM, Login IS, Morris JL. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1981;53:480–483.
"After 12 months of therapy bromocriptine was withdrawn. Within 48 h PRL levels had started to rise.... at 13 days bitemporal hemianopsia recurred in patient 1, and this was associated with radiographic demonstration of expansion in the pituitary mass...."
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Footnotes
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Readers are encouraged to suggest items for Endocrinology and Metabolism News by email (sherman@endo-society.org). Submissions will be considered based on their significance and timeliness.
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