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  • Author: Joachim Woelfle x
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Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in obese children: relationship to markers and risk factors of atherosclerosis and members of the IGF system

Joachim Woelfle, Christian L Roth, Rainer Wunsch and Thomas Reinehr

Background

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPPA) is a large placenta-derived glycoprotein, which serves as a protease of several IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). In non-pregnant adults, measurable PAPPA levels were detected and have been implicated in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic plaques. However, data in children is lacking.

Objective

To study the relationship between PAPPA, markers of atherosclerosis, and members of the IGF system in pediatric obesity.

Patients and design

Eighty-two obese and 52 nonobese children and 1-year longitudinal follow-up study for obese cohort.

Intervention

Outpatient 1-year intervention program based on exercise, behavior, and nutrition therapy.

Main outcome measures

Changes in PAPPA levels, carotid intima media thickness (IMT), weight, blood pressure, lipids, metabolic markers, and members of IGF system.

Results

Baseline PAPPA (PAPPABL) serum levels did not differ between obese and lean subjects. PAPPABL correlated significantly with IGF1, IGFBP1, and serum cholesterol. During the 1-year-program mean IMT decreased from 0.66±0.01 to 0.63±0.01 mm (P<0.05) and PAPPA from 1.83±0.12 to 1.58±0.11 μU/l (P<0.00). In linear regression analysis with IMT after intervention as dependent variable, PAPPA contributed significantly to the observed variance. The longitudinal change of PAPPA correlated significantly with the change of serum triglycerides.

Conclusion

In this cohort of obese children, PAPPA serum levels correlated significantly with other cardiovascular risk factors. The lack of a direct correlation between PAPPA and IMT suggests that the described association of atherosclerotic plaques and increased PAPPA levels might reflect an indirect mechanism of PAPPA with cardiovascular risk factors such as serum lipids rather than a direct effect on the vasculature.

Free access

Functional glucocorticoid receptor gene variants do not underlie the high variability of 17-hydroxyprogesterone screening values in healthy newborns

Felix Schreiner, Magdalini Tozakidou, Rita Maslak, Ute Holtkamp, Michael Peter, Bettina Gohlke and Joachim Woelfle

Objective

17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) screening for classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is part of many newborn screening programs worldwide. Cut-off values are relatively high, and screening sensitivity does not reach 100%. Recently, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) N363S-variant has been linked to relatively low degree of virilization and comparatively lower 17-OHP serum concentrations in clinically diagnosed female CAH patients. We sought to determine whether functional GR gene variants, either increasing (N363S, BclI) or decreasing GR sensitivity (R23K), underlie the variable 17-OHP screening levels in healthy newborns.

Design

GR genotypes were compared with 17-OHP screening values in 1000 random samples from routine screening. 17-OHP was measured by conventional immunoassay (TRFIA) and a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method (LC–MS/MS), which has been shown to increase screening specificity by steroid profiling and avoiding cross-reactions of the 17-OHP-antibody.

Results

There was no significant association of 17-OHP with GR genotypes, even after inclusion of gestational and postnatal age as covariates. However, among LC–MS/MS steroid measurements, we observed some unexpected trends, including lower 11-deoxycortisol concentrations in both 363S- and 23K-carriers. For carriers of the frequent BclI variant, linear regression analysis revealed a significant increase of 4-androstenedione levels with every mutant allele inherited.

Conclusions

Functional GR variants do not underlie the variation of 17-OHP values observed in healthy individuals. However, whether and to which extent genetically determined differences in individual GR sensitivity influence 17-OHP screening levels in conditions of a pathological hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland-axis stimulation and thus may explain false-negative screening results in those affected by CAH remains to be investigated.

Free access

Clinical practice guidelines for the care of girls and women with Turner syndrome: proceedings from the 2016 Cincinnati International Turner Syndrome Meeting

Claus H Gravholt, Niels H Andersen, Gerard S Conway, Olaf M Dekkers, Mitchell E Geffner, Karen O Klein, Angela E Lin, Nelly Mauras, Charmian A Quigley, Karen Rubin, David E Sandberg, Theo C J Sas, Michael Silberbach, Viveca Söderström-Anttila, Kirstine Stochholm, Janielle A van Alfen-van derVelden, Joachim Woelfle, Philippe F Backeljauw and On behalf of the International Turner Syndrome Consensus Group

Turner syndrome affects 25–50 per 100,000 females and can involve multiple organs through all stages of life, necessitating multidisciplinary approach to care. Previous guidelines have highlighted this, but numerous important advances have been noted recently. These advances cover all specialty fields involved in the care of girls and women with TS. This paper is based on an international effort that started with exploratory meetings in 2014 in both Europe and the USA, and culminated with a Consensus Meeting held in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA in July 2016. Prior to this meeting, five groups each addressed important areas in TS care: 1) diagnostic and genetic issues, 2) growth and development during childhood and adolescence, 3) congenital and acquired cardiovascular disease, 4) transition and adult care, and 5) other comorbidities and neurocognitive issues. These groups produced proposals for the present guidelines. Additionally, four pertinent questions were submitted for formal GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) evaluation with a separate systematic review of the literature. These four questions related to the efficacy and most optimal treatment of short stature, infertility, hypertension, and hormonal replacement therapy. The guidelines project was initiated by the European Society of Endocrinology and the Pediatric Endocrine Society, in collaboration with the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology, the Endocrine Society, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the American Heart Association, the Society for Endocrinology, and the European Society of Cardiology. The guideline has been formally endorsed by the European Society of Endocrinology, the Pediatric Endocrine Society, the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and the Endocrine Society. Advocacy groups appointed representatives who participated in pre-meeting discussions and in the consensus meeting.