The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 91, No. 11 17a
Copyright © 2006 by The Endocrine Society
Endocrinology & Metabolism News November 2006
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Endocrine Discovery
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In a multicenter trial of the Edmonton Protocol for islet transplantation, only 15% (6 of 39 patients) were insulin independent after 2 years of follow up.
(N Engl J Med (Sept. 28, 2006) 355(13):1318)
Among 1,318 women aged 
12 years participating in NHANES between 2001–2002, a relationship was found between urinary perchlorate and serum TSH levels, potentially reflecting effects on thyroid function of low perchlorate exposure levels. (For details, see http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9466/9466.pdf)
More frequent vitamin B12 deficiency was related to the dose and duration of metformin use (>3 years) in a case control study.
(Arch Intern Med (Oct. 9, 2006) 166:1975)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Among 295 elderly English patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunction, no clinically relevant associations were found between TSH level and depression, anxiety, or cognition, although small statistically significant associations with the latter two neuropsychological parameters were seen.
(Ann Intern Med (Oct. 17, 2006) 145:573)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
In a 2-year controlled randomized double-blind trial of DHEA or testosterone therapy in the elderly, among 87 men with low DHEA-S and testosterone, either of the hormonal therapies increased femoral neck bone mineral density, but neither had significant effects on body-composition, peak oxygen consumption, muscle strength, insulin sensitivity, or quality-of-life; while in 57 elderly women with low DHEA-S treated with DHEA, an increase in distal radius density was the only effect observed.
(New Engl J Med (Oct. 19, 2006) 355:1647)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
Crystalline structure analysis of the insulin receptor A ectodomain dimer revealed that it has a folded-over conformation that juxtaposes the ligand-binding regions, making the two domains too far apart for a single insulin molecule to bind both, as was previously thought.
(Nature (Sept. 14, 2006) 443:218)[CrossRef][Medline]
The p16INK4a tumor suppressor, which accumulates in pancreatic islet cells and other tissues with advancing age, was shown to limit regeneration of ß-cells with aging in experiments using over-expression and deletion mouse models.
(Nature (Sept. 28, 2006) 443:453)[CrossRef][Medline]
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Endocrine Practice
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Among the nearly 300 generic drugs that Wal-Mart will offer for $4 per month are glipizide, glyburide, metformin, several ACE inhibitors, estradiol, medroxyprogesterone, and thyroxine (although only 25-microgram tablets). The program has been introduced in the Tampa area and, according to the firm, will be expanded to as many states as possible. (For more information, go to: http://www.walmartfacts.com/articles/4464.aspx)
FDA approved stagliptin (Januvia®), a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that both stimulates insulin secretion and inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis, preventing the adverse effect of weight gain in treated patients. (For more information, see http://www.januvia.com)
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Endocrine Education & Training
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The House Judiciary Committee amended and passed the Physicians for Underserved Areas Act (HR 4997), legislation that would reauthorize the J-1 visa waiver program for an additional two years. The waiver program enables foreign-born doctors to stay in the U.S. and receive a waiver of the foreign country requirement as long as they agree to spend three years practicing medicine in areas of the U.S. facing physician shortages.
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Endocrine Policy
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The NIH Center for Scientific Review announced potential or impending changes in the peer review process, including a requirement for electronic submission of all R01 applications beginning in February 2007; potential expansion of Pioneer Award-like mechanisms to fund innovative, high-impact research; a "Shorten the Application" initiative to streamline the grant application process.
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Endocrinologists
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David Cooper has become President of the American Thyroid Association.
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Milestones in Endocrinology
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100 years ago, Harvey Cushing described dystrophia adiposogenitalis (also known as Froehlich syndrome), which is characterized by obesity and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism in adolescent boys, who may also have diabetes insipidus, loss of vision, behavioral abnormalities, and rarely dwarfism.
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In the Journal 25 Years Ago
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Oxytocin release and plasma pituitary and gonadal hormones in women during lactation. Dawood MY, Khan-Dawood FS, Wahl RS, Fuchs F. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1981;52:678–683.
"There is a significant increase in plasma OT (oxytocin) in response to suckling, with the increase being significant and more evident within 2 minutes of initiation of suckling."
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Footnotes
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Readers are encouraged to suggest items for Endocrinology and Metabolism News by email (sherman{at}endo-society.org). Submissions will be considered based on their significance and timeliness.
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