Endocrine Abstracts

Annexin 1 (ANXA1) is a glucocorticoid-regulated, calcium and phospholipid-binding protein well recognized as an important signalling intermediate in both peripheral systems and the brain. Online adult mouse brain gene libraries have reported ANXA1 mRNA expression in the subventricular zone (SVZ) lining the lateral ventricles. The SVZ is one of the two largest neurogenic areas of the brain and as ANXA1 plays a known role in cell differentiation and proliferation, we have invest...

A decrease in insulin sensitivity (IS) is associated with increasing visceral adiposity. An inverse correlation has been demonstrated between Intramyo-(IMTG) and intrahepatocellular triglyceride (HCTG) concentrations and IS. Patients with AA have reduced IS but IMTG and HCTG content has not been studied.Eight patients with AA (IGF-I >ULN, median 1.83×ULN (range1.16–4.38) ((6 M), median age 39.5 (range 23–66) years, median BMI 30.6(23.5...

Calcium mobilization from intracellular stores represents an important cell signalling process that is regulated, in mammalian cells, by inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3), cyclic ADP ribose (cADPR) and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP). Intracellular calcium is important for mobilization of secretory granules to the plasma membrane in preparation for exocytosis. NAADP mobilizes calcium from lysosome-related acidic compartments and it has recently...

Primary hyperaldosteronism usually results from an aldosterone-secreting adenoma of the adrenal cortex (Conn’s adenoma) or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Identification of the anatomical adrenal lesion causing hyperaldosteronism typically involves CT or MR scanning, with lateralisation of aldosterone production confirmed by adrenal vein sampling (AVS). The latter is a technically difficult and invasive procedure, but current non-invasive alternatives (e.g. radiolabelled i...

Annexin-1 (ANXA1) is a 37 kDa calcium- and phospholipid-binding protein expressed abundantly in S100-positive folliculostellate (FS) cells in the anterior pituitary gland. ANXA1 is localised both intracellularly and on the cell surface in high density foci appearing at points of contact between the FS cells and the neighbouring secretory cells, where it has been demonstrated to mediate the glucocorticoid-induced negative feedback on the secretion of ACTH from corticotrophs. Gl...

Our initial studies suggested that plurihormonal cells are constantly found in early embryonic stages of human pituitary but are very rare later.Aim: A quantitative evaluation and morphological characterization of these plurihormonal cells.Methods: Pituitaries from therapeutically aborted human fetuses of 8–24 weeks, gestational age were fixed (with ethical permission) by immersion in 4% buffered formaldehyde. One-μm-thic...

Introduction: Pituitary conditions are rare and diagnosis may be slow because symptoms are ambiguous. The treatment may be a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and medication so patients see many healthcare professionals (HCPs). This survey sought to assess patient satisfaction with the information and support they receive from GPs, endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, radiotherapists, specialist nurses, and other agencies (e.g. the pituitary foundation).M...

Introduction: Pituitary conditions are rare and diagnosis may be slow because symptoms are ambiguous. The treatment may be a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and medication so patients see many healthcare professionals. This survey sought to assess patient satisfaction with the information and support they receive from GPs, endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, radiotherapists, specialist nurses, and other agencies (e.g. the pituitary foundation).Method: ...

Generalised resistance to thyroid hormone (GRTH), a subset of the syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH), is characterised by variable reduced target tissue responsiveness to circulating thyroid hormones. Plasma thyroid hormone levels are raised and TSH levels inappropriately non-suppressed. We describe a 54-year-old female with GRTH diagnosed from the finding of raised fT4 and fT3 levels coincidental with non-suppressed TSH levels. A thyrotropin (TRH) test resulted i...

CD38 is an enzyme which catalyses the production of the second messengers cyclic ADP ribose and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate which mobilize calcium from ryanodine-sensitive intracellular calcium stores. Intracellular calcium is well known to be important for mobilisation of secretory granules to the plasma membrane in preparation for exocytosis and CD38 signalling has recently been demonstrated to increase posterior pituitary oxytocin release (Jin et al.</i...