Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Aromatase deficiency in mice or men prevents conversion of androgens to oestrogens and results in central obesity and insulin resistance. In idiopathic obesity, higher aromatase mRNA levels in adipose tissue predict peripheral rather than central fat distribution, but any contribution of aromatase to metabolic complications is unknown. Here, we measured plasma steroids in a large cohort of men and post-menopausal women, in whom aromatase is the major source of oestr...

Background: Aldosterone levels in plasma are reported to be associated with risk of hypertension. Aldosterone secretion from the zona glomerulosa is regulated acutely by the renin/angiotensin system and plasma potassium. The role of ACTH in regulation of aldosterone secretion is disputed.Aim: We have utilised a large population study of middle aged adults to test the extent to which acute aldosterone responses to ACTH are associated with cortisol respons...