Endocrine Abstracts

The metabolism of glucocorticoids within adipose tissue, by the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11HSD1), is known to be altered in obesity and following high fat feeding. Until recently, little attention has been paid to the fat depots found directly adjacent to blood vessels. Emerging evidence suggests that perivascular adipose may play a key role in modulating vascular function. The presence of steroidogenic enzymes within perivascular adipose, and the eff...

Mifepristone (RU38486) is a progesterone and glucocorticoid receptor antagonist which is used clinically to induce medical abortion, and as a research tool, e.g., in metabolic syndrome and depression. We aimed to develop a sensitive method to detect and quantify mifepristone in human plasma.Analyses were developed using a Surveyor HPLC system, with a mobile phase of methanol:ammonium acetate (5 mM) (70:30; 0.4 ml/min) and a C18 column (5 μm; 2.1&#21...

Background: Consumption of a high-meat, low carbohydrate diet in late pregnancy is associated with fetal growth restriction, and raised blood pressure and glucose intolerance in the offspring. In a recent study in Motherwell, Scotland, where pregnant women had been advised to eat one pound (0.45 kg) of red meat per day during pregnancy and to avoid carbohydrate-rich foods, we found elevated fasting plasma cortisol levels in men and women whose mothers reported higher protein c...