Endocrine manifestations of systemic autoimmune diseases [electronic resource] /

Includes bibliographical references and index.

This book is one of the first to evaluate the role of Steroids in autoimmune rheumatic diseases from the basic mechanisms to the clinical involvements and focuses on the importance of steroidal hormones in the pathogenesis and therapeutical management of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In particular, the chapters analyze the mechanisms of action and the involvement of adrenal steroids (glucocorticoids) in the neuroendocrine immune system, including the effects on elderly. The perturbations of the HPA axis as source of altered steroidal sythesis will be discussed and related to some interesting pathological conditions often complicating the autoimmune rheumatic diseases susch as psychosis or fibromyalgia. Concerning the role of gonadal steroids (sex hormones), several chapters will discuss clinical and epidemiological evidences of their role, as well as their effects as risk factors in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including a section in Pediatrics. *The premier issue evaluating the role of Steroids in autoimmune rheumatic diseases from the basic mechanisms to the clinical involvements *Documents the latest research and indicate recent and coming new therapeutical-biological approaches to the therapy *The book will present therapeutical perspectives concerning the new glucocorticoids, and the effects of biological drugs on their synthesis.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: -- Neuroendocrine Immune Control Mechanisms and their influence on autoimmune disease; -- Sex Steroids, the immune system and autoimmune disease; -- Autoimmune disease and influence of sex hormones in experimental animals; -- Genetics of Autoimmune Endocrine Diseases; -- CLINICAL: -- Pituitary; -- Thyroid Dysfunction in Autoimmune Diseases; -- Adrenal Dysfunction and Autoimmune Disease; -- Endometriosis; Genetic abnormalities, hormones and autoimmune diseases; Polyglandular Autoimmune Endocrine Disease; -- Diabetes Type 1; -- Autoantibodies and Infertility in Autoimmune Diseases; -- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Endocrine Disorders; -- Pregnancy, neuroendocrine immune system and autoimmune diseases; -- HORMONAL MODULATION IN THE THERAPY OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: -- Ovarian Function and its preservation in Autoimmune Diseases; Corticosteroids; -- Prolactin; -- DHEA; -- Adenosine agonists; -- NOVEL THERAPIES: -- New Treatments for Graves? Disease; -- Anti-TNF therapy -- modulation of hormone axes; -- Islet-cell transplantation; -- "Immune Intervention in Type 1 Diabetes: Realities of Today and Hopes for Tomorrow."

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