Regina Matsunaga Martin

Male pseudohermaphroditism due to 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 deficiency. Diagnosis, psychological evaluation, and management.

Ten male pseudohermaphrodites with 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (17 beta-HSD3) deficiency were evaluated in 1 clinic with an average follow-up of 10.1 years. The diagnoses were made by demonstrating low to normal serum testosterone levels, high androstenedione levels, and high ratios of serum androstenedione to testosterone in the basal state or after treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin. The molecular features of the underlying mutations were identified in all 7 families. Two additional males in the same families are believed to be affected on the basis of history obtained from family members. All of the 46,XY individuals in these families were registered at birth and raised as females (despite the presence of ambiguous genitalia in all or most), and all virilized after the time of expected puberty due to a rise in serum testosterone to or toward the normal male range. The age at diagnosis varied from 4 to 37 years. Ten individuals were studied by the same psychologist, and change of gender role (social sex) from female to male occurred in 3 subjects and in the 2 presumed affected subjects not studied. The individual with the highest serum testosterone level maintained female sexual identity, and in 2 families some of the affected males changed gender role and others did not. Thus, while androgen action plays a role in the process, additional undefined psychological, social, and/or biologic factors must be determinants of gender identity/role behavior. Management of the 7 individuals who chose to maintain female sex roles included castration, clitoroplasty, vaginal enlargement procedures when appropriate, treatment of hirsutism, cricoid cartilage reduction, and estrogen replacement. Three of the 7 are married (2 twice), 1 is involved in a long-term heterosexual relationship, 1 is engaged to be married, and the other 2 are not married and not believed to be sexually active. The 3 subjects who changed gender role behavior to male underwent hypospadias repair, and 1 was given supplemental testosterone therapy. One of these men is divorced, and the other 2 (aged 29 and 35 years) are unmarried. The diagnosis in 8 of these subjects was made after the time of expected puberty; it is unclear whether the functional and social outcomes would have been different if the diagnosis had been made and therapy begun earlier in life.

Potential effects of alendronate on fibroblast growth factor 23 levels and effective control of hypercalciuria in an adult with Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia.

CONTEXTnJansens metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (JMC) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by activating mutations in the PTH 1 receptor (PTH1R; PTH/PTHrP receptor), leading to chronic hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria. Hypophosphatemia is also a hallmark of JMC, and recently, increased fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels have been reported in this syndrome. Hypercalcemia has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk; however, cardiovascular disease has not been extensively investigated in JMC patients.nnnOBJECTIVEnThe aim of the study was to describe the long-term follow-up of a JMC patient with regard to the management of hypercalciuria, the evaluation of FGF23 levels under bisphosphonate treatment, and the investigation of cardiovascular repercussion of chronic hypercalcemia.nnnRESULTSnThe diagnosis of JCM was confirmed by molecular analysis (p.H223R mutation in PTH1R). The patient was followed from 5 to 27 yr of age. Asymptomatic nephrolithiasis was diagnosed at 18 yr of age, prompting pharmacological management of hypercalciuria. Treatment with alendronate reduced hypercalciuria; however, normocalciuria was only obtained with the association of thiazide diuretic. Serum FGF23 levels, measured under alendronate treatment, were repeatedly within the normal range. Subclinical cardiovascular disease was investigated when the patient was 26 yr old, after 19 yr of sustained mild hypercalcemia; carotid and vertebral artery ultrasonography was normal, as well as coronary computed tomography angiography (calcium score = 0).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe long-term follow-up of our JMC patient has provided insight on therapeutic strategies to control hypercalciuria, on the potential effects of alendronate on FGF23 levels, and on the lack of detectable cardiovascular disease at young adulthood after prolonged exposure to hypercalcemia.

Successful Live Birth in a Woman With 17α-Hydroxylase Deficiency Through IVF Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer

CONTEXTnCongenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 17α-hydroxylase deficiency in 46,XX patients is characterized by primary amenorrhea, absent or incomplete sexual maturation, infertility, low serum levels of estradiol, and elevated progesterone (P). There were no previous reports of singleton live births from such women.nnnOBJECTIVEnTo describe the first successful singleton live birth in a female with CAH due to 17α-hydroxylase deficiency.nnnCASE DESCRIPTIONnA 26-year-old Brazilian woman with CAH associated with 17α-hydroxylase deficiency due to the compound heterozygote mutation (p.W406R/P428L) in the CYP17A1 gene expressed the desire to conceive. In vitro fertilization (IVF) was recommended due to the complexity of the disorder. The first attempt of treatment failed despite the production of viable embryos. At the second IVF attempt, all viable embryos were frozen due to inadequate endometrial development associated with prematurely elevated serum P during ovarian stimulation. Subsequently, a long-acting GnRH agonist and oral dexamethasone were used to lower ovarian and adrenal P overproduction. Once serum levels of P were < 1 ng/mL, endometrial preparation with estradiol valerate and frozen-thawed embryo transfer were performed, resulting in a singleton pregnancy. Estradiol supplementation was completely suspended by 14 weeks of gestation. She delivered at 30 weeks and 4 days due to acute fetal distress. The puerperium was uneventful; the newborn was discharged in good conditions 5 weeks after birth.nnnCONCLUSIONnA successful live birth was achieved in a woman with 17-hydroxylase deficiency through IVF, cryopreservation of all embryos, and frozen-thawed embryo transfer after adequate endometrial preparation.

A homozygous point mutation in the GH1 promoter (c.-223C>T) leads to reduced GH1 expression in siblings with isolated GH deficiency (IGHD)

CONTEXTnMutations in the GH1 promoter are a rare cause of isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD).nnnOBJECTIVEnTo identify the molecular aetiology of a family with IGHD.nnnDESIGNnDNA sequencing, electromobility shift (EMSA) and luciferase reporter assays.nnnSETTINGnUniversity Hospital.nnnPATIENTSnThree siblings (2M) born to consanguineous parents presented with IGHD with normal pituitary on MRI.nnnMETHODSnThe GH1 proximal promoter, locus control region, five exons and four introns as well as GHRHR gene were sequenced in genomic DNA by Sanger method. DNA-protein interaction was evaluated by EMSA in nuclear extracts of GH3 pituitary cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed in cells transiently transfected with plasmids containing four different combinations of GH1 allelic variants (AV).nnnRESULTSnThe patients harboured two homozygous variants (c.-185T>C and c.-223C>T) in the GH1 promoter within a highly conserved region and predicted binding sites for POU1F1/SP1 and SP1 respectively. The parents and brother were carriers and these variants were absent in 100 controls. EMSA demonstrated absent binding of GH3 nuclear extract to the c.-223C>T variant and normal binding of both POU1F1 protein and GH3 nuclear extract to the c.-185T>C variant. In contrast to GH1 promoter with AV only at c.-185, the GH1 promoter containing the AV only at c.-223 and at both positions drove significantly less expression of luciferase compared with the promoter containing either positions wild type in luciferase reporter assays.nnnCONCLUSIONnTo our knowledge, c.-223C>T is the first homozygous point mutation in the GH1 promoter that leads to short stature due to IGHD.

Expression profiles of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor and LHCGR in sporadic adrenocortical tumors

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor (GIPR) and LHCGR are G-protein-coupled receptors with a wide tissue expression pattern. Aberrant expression of these receptors has rarely been demonstrated in adult sporadic adrenocortical tumors with a lack of data on pediatric tumors. We quantified the GIPR and LHCGR expression in a large cohort of 55 patients (25 children and 30 adults) with functioning and non-functioning sporadic adrenocortical tumors. Thirty-eight tumors were classified as adenomas whereas 17 were carcinomas. GIPR and LHCGR expression were analyzed by real-time PCR and normal human pancreatic and testicular tissue samples were used as positive controls. Mean expression values were determined by fold increase in comparison with a normal adrenal pool. GIPR mRNA levels were significantly higher in adrenocortical carcinomas than in adenomas from both pediatric and adult groups. LHCGR expression was similar in both carcinomas and adenomas from the pediatric group but significantly lower in carcinomas than in adenomas from the adult group (median 0.06 and 2.3 respectively, P<0.001). GIPR was detected by immunohistochemistry in both pediatric and adult tumors. Staining and real-time PCR results correlated positively only when GIPR mRNA levels were increased at least two-fold in comparison with normal adrenal expression levels. In conclusion, GIPR overexpression was observed in pediatric and adult adrenocortical tumors and very low levels of LHCGR expression were found in all adult adrenocortical carcinomas.

Transitory increase in creatinine levels after parathyroidectomy: evidence of another action of the parathyroid glands?

OBJECTIVEnLittle information is available on glomerular function changes after surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. The acute effects of some head and neck operations on renal function were studied.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnRetrospective analysis of changes in creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after surgery. Preoperative values were compared with values available until 72 hours after the operation.nnnRESULTSnIn tertiary hyperparathyroidism, mean preoperative and postoperative eGFR values were 57.7 mL/min and 40.8 mL/min (p < 0.0001), respectively. A similar decrease was observed after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism, from 85.4 mL/min to 64.3 mL/min (p < 0.0001). After major head and neck procedures, there was a slight increase in eGFR (from 94.3 mL/min to 105.4 mL/min, p = 0.002).nnnCONCLUSIONnParathyroidectomy may be followed by a transient decrease in eGFR that is not often observed in other head and neck operations.

46,XY DSD due to 17 Beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 3 Deficiency

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 deficiency (17β-HSD3) consists of a defect in the last phase of steroidogenesis, in which androstenedione is converted into testosterone and estrone into estradiol. Patients present female-like or with ambiguous genitalia at birth and most affected males are raised as females. Virilization in subjects with 17β-HSD3 deficiency occurs at the time of puberty and almost half change to be males. Maintenance of the testes in patients raised male is safe and recommended, except when the testes cannot be positioned inside the scrotum. The phenotype of 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) owing to 17β-HSD3 deficiency is extremely variable and is clinically indistinguishable from other causes of 46,XY DSD such as partial androgen insensitivity syndrome and 5α-reductase 2 deficiency. n nLaboratory diagnosis is based on elevated serum levels of androstenedione and estrone and low levels of testosterone and estradiol, resulting in elevated androstenedione:testosterone and estrone:estradiol ratios, indicating an impairment of the conversion of 17-keto into 17-hydroxysteroids. The disorder is due to homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the HSD17B3 gene that encodes the 17β-HSD3 isoenzyme. Molecular genetic testing confirms the diagnosis and provides the orientation for genetic counseling. n nOur proposal in this article is to review the reported and our own cases of 17β-HSD3 deficiency.

Analysis of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor (GIPR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHCGR) expression in human adrenocortical hyperplasia

OBJECTIVEnTo analyze the aberrant expression of the GIPR and LHCGR in different forms of adrenocortical hyperplasia: ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH), primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) and diffuse adrenal hyperplasia secondary to Cushings disease (DAHCD).nnnMETHODSnWe quantified GIPR and LHCGR expressions using real time PCR in 20 patients with adrenocortical hyperplasia (seven with AIMAH, five with PPNAD, and eight with DAHCD). Normal adrenals tissues were used as control and the relative expression was compared with beta-actin.nnnRESULTSnGIPR and LHCGR expressions were demonstrated in all tissues studied. Median GIPR and LHCGR mRNA levels were 1.6; 0.4; 0.5 and 1.3; 0.9; 1.0 in adrenocortical tissues from AIMAH, PPNAD and DAHCD respectively. There were no differences between GIPR and LHCGR expressions in all tissues studied.nnnCONCLUSIONSnGIPR and LHCGR overexpression were not identified in the studied cases, thus suggesting that this molecular mechanism is not involved in adrenocortical hyperplasia in our patients.