Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
10:31
An Experimental Model of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rabbit: Methodological Considerations, Development, and Assessment
Published on: April 20, 2018
[Reversible metabolic syndrome].
Margarita Bala1, Viktoria Guralnik, Gerhard Schuierer
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Medizinische Klinik (Munich, Germany : 1983)
|October 22, 2008
Summary
This case study highlights a patient with Cushing's syndrome, presenting with resistant hypertension and osteoporosis. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling successfully localized the source, leading to curative surgery.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Cushing's syndrome is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by excessive cortisol exposure.
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions like resistant hypertension and osteoporosis.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old male presented with dyspnea, hypertensive urgency, edema, weight gain, impotence, and a history of resistant hypertension and osteoporosis.
- Initial diagnostic tests indicated overt hypercortisolism, with further investigations yielding conflicting results regarding the source (adrenal/ectopic vs. pituitary).
Findings:
- Despite negative imaging, elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and a positive corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test suggested a pituitary source.
- Inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) confirmed a pituitary ACTH gradient, lateralizing the source to the right side.
- Selective transsphenoidal resection successfully treated the hypercortisolism, though pituitary insufficiency necessitated hormone replacement therapy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the utility of IPSS in diagnosing pituitary Cushing's disease when conventional imaging is inconclusive.
- Accurate localization and surgical intervention are crucial for managing hypercortisolism and its associated comorbidities.
- Multidisciplinary management is essential for addressing complex endocrine disorders and their sequelae.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which target tissues such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue respond poorly to insulin. It is also associated with inadequate compensatory insulin secretion, where pancreatic β-cells fail to produce sufficient insulin. Together, these abnormalities lead to persistent hyperglycemia.EtiologyT2DM develops through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental or...
01:24Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
01:18Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
The postabsorptive state usually starts about four hours after a meal and lasts until the next meal is eaten. During this time, the digestive system stops absorbing nutrients, and the body uses stored energy reserves to maintain stable blood glucose levels.
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
01:19Regulation of Metabolism
Cellular needs and conditions vary from cell to cell and change within individual cells over time. For example, the required enzymes and energetic demands of stomach cells are different from those of fat storage cells, skin cells, blood cells, and nerve cells. Furthermore, a digestive cell works much harder to process and break down nutrients during the time that closely follows a meal compared with many hours after a meal. As these cellular demands and conditions vary, so do the amounts and...
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
01:36Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...