Endocrinologia/Ormoni

The hormone Calcitonin, reduces the amount of serum calcium during hypercalcemia and is released from the C-cells of the thyroid gland. Within its structure it contains a disulphide bridge between cysteine 1 and 7 and a proline at its carboxy terminal.Calcitonin is used therapeutically in the treatment of hypercalcemia diseases such as Paget disease, Sudeck atrophy, bone metastases and vitamin-D intoxication.The level of calcitonin in the plasma can also be used as a marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma, while procalcitonin is used to diagnose sepsis.

Insulin is a polypeptide composed of two peptide chains referred to as the alpha chain and β chain. These chains are linked by two disulphide bonds, and an additional disulphide is formed within the alpha chain. In most species, the alpha chain consists of 21 amino acids and the β chain of 30 amino acids. Insulin is normally secreted rapidly from the β-cells of the pancreatic islets in response to nutrients absorbed after a meal. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, there may be an absolute insulin deficiency as a consequence of autoimmune destruction of the β-cells. On the other hand, in type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin secretion is impaired and is inadequate to overcome peripheral insulin resistance.

Natural cleavage product of GLP-1 which, unlike GLP-1, does not affect either insulin secretion or glucose homeostasis.  GLP-1(9-36) has low affinity for, and acts as an antagonist to, the GLP-1 receptor.GLP-1 (9-36) does however display unique biological activities such as beneficial cardiovascular effects and reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). GLP-1 (9-36) also exerts important physiological effects on neuronal plasticity in the hippocampus, and inhibits chemokine-induced migration of human CD4-positive lymphocytes.GLP-1 (9-36) is formed from the breakdown of biologically active but highly unstable GLP-1 (7-36) amide by the ubiquitous serine protease, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV).

ANP (9-22) is derived from the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) which is a cardiac hormone involved in maintaining cardio-renal homeostasis. This occurs through the activation of the guanylyl cyclase-coupled receptor, resulting in the increased concentration of cyclic guanylate monophosphate. Moreover its function in the processes of anti-proliferation and anti-angiogenesis allow it to take part in the cardiovascular remodelling process.ANP is a member of the natriuretic peptide family and it is encoded by the NPPA gene, located on chromosome 1. Once synthesized from the 151 amino acid pre-prohormone into its biologically active form, ANP is secreted by the atrial cardiomyocytes in the circulating forms: ANP (1-98) and ANP (99-126). This synthesis process involves the signal peptide being removed from the pre-prohormone resulting in proANP (1-126) which is converted into the circulating forms by the type II transmembrane serine protease Corin.

MOR Agonist-1 is a μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist noted for its potent analgesic properties and is utilized in research concerning pain and associated

Estrogen Receptor Modulator 8 (compound 4) is an orally active inhibitor targeting Estrogen Receptor/ERR α with potent efficacy (IC50 = 0.437 nM in MCF-7 cells