Endocrine Abstracts

3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) expression is essential for the synthesis of all classes of steroid hormones, converting delta5beta-hydroxysteroids into hormonally active delta4-3-ketosteroids in NAD+-dependent reactions. Numerous 3beta-HSD isoforms have been described in mouse, rat, human and other mammals, all with distinct tissue and developmentally specific expression, distinct kinetics, with alternative substrate specificity...

Introduction: During gestation diminished maternal insulin sensitivity (IS) increases the availability of fuels allowing fetal growth. Very severe obesity (Class III obesity (OB), BMI≥40 kg/m2) is associated with reduced IS but it is 28 how nutrient availability differs and how this impacts on birth weight versus normal pregnancies (CON). Methods: 213 OB (median (interquartile range) 43.2(41.1–46.3) kg/m2) and 87 CON (BM...

It is now generally acknowledged that local tissue concentrations of cortisol and cortisone are modulated by site-specific actions of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) isoenzymes 1 and 2. Cortisone, the inactive metabolite of cortisol is produced by type 2 11β-HSD. To assess 11β-HSD type 1 and 2 activity, the cortisone/cortisol ratio has to be accurately determined. Immunoassays to measure cortisone levels are not widely available and tend to lack ...

At least 90% of human ovarian cancers may originate in the OSE. Most studies indicate that EOC is oestrogen responsive. Paradoxically, ovarian cancer generally occurs after the menopause, so the question arises if oestrogen is involved, where does it come from? We hypothesise that the high circulating concentrations of conjugated (inactive) oestrogens in post-menopausal women are substrates for formation of active oestrogen in the OSE through the hydrolytic enzyme activity of ...

3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) expression is essential for the synthesis of all classes of steroid hormones, converting delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroids into hormonally active delta4-3-ketosteroids in NAD+-dependent reactions. A variety of 3beta-HSD isoforms have been described in primate, rodent and other mammals, often exhibiting distinct kinetic properties, preferential subcellular localization, as well as alternative substrate s...

Background: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an inherited cancer syndrome characterized by the development of tumours in at least two of the following three main sites: parathyroid, pituitary and endocrine pancreas. Hyperparathyroidism is the most common presenting feature, with a typical age at onset of 20-25 years, and > 90% penetrance by 40 years. After extended family studies, an index case may have no affected relatives and be apparently 'isolated'. We rep...

Introduction: Adult male offspring of women with PCOS have increased dyslipidaemia, characterised by elevated triglycerides (TG), increased total and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), and hyperinsulinaemia. As altered intrauterine endocrine environments can ‘programme’ adverse health outcomes in adulthood we hypothesised that this dyslipidaemia was a consequence of a hyperandrogenic intrauterine environment. We used an outbred large animal model to identify if prenatal androg...

Introduction: Altered intrauterine endocrine environments can ‘programme’ adverse health outcomes. Linkage between altered androgen exposure in utero and adverse offspring health is robust. For example, increased maternal androgen concentrations and PCOS in female offspring and dyslipidaemia in male offspring. We hypothesised that the liver was a major target for androgenic programming in utero and hepatic dysfunction would be present in offspring. ...