Chromogranin A (CgA) is part of the family of granins, which are acidic glycoproteins that represent an important part of secretory dense core granules. They are specific to various neuroendocrine and endocrine tissues, as components of diffuse neuroendocrine system and endocrine glands. CgA is co-secreted and co-released in the circulation along with hormones, bioamines and peptides secreted from the neuroendocrine cells . In the last decade, studies have emphasized the major importance of serum CgA in the diagnosis and follow-up of neuroendocrine tumors such as gastroenteropancreatic tumors, pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma. But its diagnostic value for adrenocortical adenomas or for adrenal malignancy, is still controversial. The current study aims to provide a comprehensive review , for synthesizing current knowledge regarding corelations between plasma CgA concentration and various adrenal tumors. Furthermore, there will be also analyzed and synthesized the clinical applicability and the diagnostic usefulness of dosing CgA in adrenal pathology, both medullary and cortical benign and malignant lesions.
Background: Salivary monitoring of hormone levels has many advantages over the more conventional serum/plasma analysis. Salivary free metanephrines (MN) and normetanephrines (NMN) could precise biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma (PHEO) as an alternative to plasma metabolites. Subjects and methods: The prospective case-control study included a group of 30 patients confirmed with PHEO an age-matched control group of 70 normotensive subjects. The PHEO diagnosis was suspected on clinical ground and confirmed by imaging studies and classical neuroendocrine markers. Free plasma and salivary NMN and MN were assayed using enzyme immunoassay for both metabolites. Results: In tumor cases all metabolites were increased. As expected, values for all 4 parameters (mean±SEM) differed significantly in tumor group vs. normal group: free plasma normetanephrines (NMNp): 1514.16 ± 282.97 pg/mL vs 47.82±2.52 pg/mL; free salivary normetanephrines (NMNs): 663.63±168.47 pg/mL vs 44.98± 2.47 pg/mL; free plasma metanephrines (MNp): 431 General Endocrinology
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