ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology

To read the full abstract: Nature 2017;547:419Since the identification of DNA methylation as a master regulator of genomic imprinting more than 20 years ago, it has been the only known mammalian germline imprinting mark. However, recent studies have identified several imprinted genes capable of maintaining paternal allele-specific expression in the absence of oocyte DNA methylation. Here, t...

Brief summary: This paper reviews the associations between cellular iron, ferroptosis and diabetes. It also explores the therapeutic potential of ferroptosis inhibitors in the treatment of diabetic complications.Comment: Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death that is characterized by the decreased capacity of antioxidants and the accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS).1 This, in turn, causes oxidative damage to cell membran...

To read the full abstract: Endocrinology vol. 161,2 (2020): bqz041. doi: https://academic.oup.com/endo/article/161/2/bqz041/5698115This mouse study demonstrates the influence of maternal nutrition during lactation on offspring gut microbiota and its consequences on metabolism and puberty timing. Childhood obesity is a risk factor for the deve...

To read the full abstract: PLoS Med. 2019 Oct 1;16(10):e1002926. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002926.The authors analysed a huge dataset from the Chinese national programme of preconception health checks, which include measurements of fasting plasma glucose. Overall, 13.15% (n =847,737) had impaired fasting glucose and 1.18% (n =76,297 women) had diabetes, of whom only...

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2021 May 1;527:111218. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111218. PMID: 33636254This study used a high fat and high sucrose diet to generate obese mice. The offspring of these mice showed activation of the unfolding protein response and the heat-shock response in the hypothalamus as early as weaning. This was associated with malformed paraventricular nucleus axonal projections ...

In Brief: This phase 1 study in healthy adults assessed the safety and feasibility of transcon-CNP, a novel prodrug that releases native C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). The novel drug was well tolerated and CNP remained in systemic circulation for >7 days following a single dose.Commentary: Achondroplasia is caused by autosomal activating mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3) resulting in constitutive receptor ac...

To read the full abstract: Nature 2017;548:52-57The central nervous system contributes to ageing. The hypothalamus seems to be particularly important in this process. Recent studies have demonstrated a link between ageing and a decrease of neurogenesis in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle in the brain. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSC) reside in those regions in ...

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Dec 1;105(12):dgaa633. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa633. PMID: 32898218.In this study, low risk pregnant women had an ‘early’ OGTT at 18-20 weeks of gestation and these results were correlated with the standard OGTT at 24-28 weeks. Pregnant women with Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who had early OGTT still had a higher risk of delivering macrosomic in...

Brief summary: In this experimental study, a transdermal polymeric microneedle (MN) patch for glucose-responsive closed-loop insulin and glucagon delivery was developed. In chemically-induced type 1 diabetes (T1D) mouse and minipig models, this glucose-responsive dual-hormone MN patch demonstrated tight regulation in blood glucose.The interplay between insulin and glucagon is essential for blood glucose regulation in individuals with or without diabetes....

Cell Metabolism 2022;34(5):667-80.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.03.006Brief Summary: In preclinical models and a phase 1 trial, a powerful new lipid small molecule was shown to act through a mechanism distinct from those of known hypolipidemic agents. Targeting HNF-1α may be a new therapeutic strategy.Comment: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most common...