Endocrine Abstracts

Pheochromocytoma-Paraganglioma (PPGL) is a rare but important tumour with non-specific presentations that overlap with extremely common entities such as anxiety, hypertension, acute illness and episodic ‘spells.’ Assessment of urine normetanephrine or metanephrine(UNM-M) in real life practice, where PPGL is very rare and PPGL mimics are extremely common, may show overlap in results with loss of specificity depending on the reference range chosen. We performed a retro...

Defective signalling by insulin-like molecules is not only a fundamental characteristic of diabetes, but is also associated with the majority of human tumours, where signalling is typically hyperactivated. Although both these diseases have a significant genetic component, we are still some distance from identifying all the genes and cellular mechanisms affected.We and other groups use the powerful genetics of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster...

A previously well 54 year old man, with no atherosclerotic risk factors, presented with a 10 month history of claudication. Arteriography showed extensive distal aortic and iliac stenoses.At surgery, (Aortoiliac and femoral bypass) extensive thrombus was found in the distal aorta. Post operatively good distal flow was confirmed. He was discharged on Aspirin.Fourteen days later the patient was readmitted hypotensive, pyrexic, with ...

Serum gastrin (G) levels >1000 pg usually raise the suspicion for a neuroendocrine tumor (NET) secreting G. Rarely, such elevated G levels are seen in pts with pernicious anemia (PA) which most commonly is associated with autoimmune gastritis (AG) (1). AG can occur concomitantly with other autoimmune d/o incl. lymphocytic colitis (LC) (2). G stimulates enterochromaffin-like cells which increase histamine (H) secretion. H excess can cause diarrhea (D) as can bacterial overg...

Background: PPNAD is a rare form of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia associated with Carney complex and PRKAR1A mutation. We report the experience of monitoring disease activity in two patients with PPNAD.Both patients (case 1: a 7.4-year-old boy and case 2: a 6.1-year-old girl) presented with rapid onset of cushingoid symptoms, weight gain and hypertension together with multiple freckles and lentigines.Biochemical analysis on both pa...

Hyponatraemia is a common biochemical abnormality associated with significant mortality. However, adequate investigation and accurate diagnosis are frequently lacking. We have evaluated the assessment and management of severe hyponatraemia in a large teaching hospital. Inpatients with a plasma sodium (pNa) <125mmol/L were identified prospectively by laboratory database, over a 6 month period. Notes were examined and data extracted. Data was also retrospectively reviewed by ...

Hyponatraemia is one of the commonest biochemical abnormalities in hospitalised patients, and is generally associated with a poor outcome. Large controlled studies of severely hyponatraemic patients are however unusual. From our biochemistry laboratory database we prospectively collected all patients with a sodium (Na) <125 mmol/L over a 6 month period (n=104).For each hyponatraemic case, a normotraemic control was chosen as the next sequential patient in time on the labora...

Glucocorticoids (Gc) act through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to regulate immunity, energy metabolism, and tissue repair. The inactive GR is held in the cytoplasm in a multi-protein complex, which upon ligand binding undergoes a conformational change. Activated GR translocates to the nucleus to regulate gene expression (over hours), but some effects occur more rapidly. Gc inhibit cell migration through an uncertain mechanism. We now show a very rapid effect, and surprising...

Glucocorticoids (Gc) act through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to regulate immunity, energy metabolism, and tissue repair. The inactive GR is held in the cytoplasm in a multi-protein complex, which upon ligand binding undergoes a conformational change. Activated GR translocates to the nucleus to regulate gene expression (over hours), but some effects occur more rapidly. Gc inhibit cell migration through an uncertain mechanism. We now show a very rapid effect, and surprising...

Glucocorticoids (GCs) act through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) to regulate immunity, energy metabolism, and tissue repair. The inactive GR is held in the cytoplasm in a multi-protein complex, which upon ligand binding undergoes a conformational change. Activated GR translocates to the nucleus to regulate gene expression (over hours), but some effects occur more rapidly. GCs inhibit cell migration through an uncertain mechanism. We now show a very rapid effect, and surprisi...