Endocrine Abstracts

Bartter and Gitelman syndromes are salt wasting alkaloses. These inherited conditions are the result of impairment of sodium chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle (Bartter) or distal tubule (Gitelman). Secondary hyperaldosteronism occurs as a direct result of renal salt wasting resulting in hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis. The tubular defects seen mimic those of long-term loop (Bartter) or thiazide (Gitelman) diuretic use and urinary calcium levels and serum magnesiu...

Bartter and Gitelman syndromes are salt wasting alkaloses. These inherited conditions are the result of impairment of sodium chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle (Bartter) or distal tubule (Gitelman). Secondary hyperaldosteronism occurs as a direct result of renal salt wasting resulting in hypokalaemia and metabolic alkalosis. The tubular defects seen mimic those of long-term loop (Bartter) or thiazide (Gitelman) diuretic use and urinary calcium levels and serum magnesiu...

Introduction: NICE Guidance 18 updated in March 2022 will make real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) the standard of care and recommends the cheapest rtCGM that meets an individual’s needs. Eight rt-CGM devices have Conformité Européene (CE) mark for paediatrics with type 1 diabetes. There are no published performance standards for CE mark; however, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published their interoperable CGM (iCGM) criterion. For iCGM ap...

Reports dating back to the 1950s have implicated human Growth Hormone (GH) in the initiation and invasive progression of several types of human cancers. A major hurdle in treating cancer is resistance to therapy. Recently, through a series of mechanistic studies using in vitro models and in silico analyses of human cancer patient databases, we have identified a covert role of GH in promoting cancer drug resistance via direct upregulation of: (i) the expression of ATP-...

Since the discovery of SRY as the main testis-determining gene more than 25 years ago, at least 30 other single gene conditions have been identified that can result in differences/disorders in sex development (DSD). Some of these are associated with ‘classic’ steroidogenic blocks or related conditions such as CAH, whereas others are associated with alterations in gonad determination and development. Reaching a specific genetic diagnosis can have implications...

The Brecon Group (Welsh Paediatric Diabetes Interest Group) was established in 1995 given the need to advise Welsh Government regarding commissioning of paediatric diabetes services. A diagnostic register was created using a minimal data-set to identify the numbers of young people aged <15 years with diabetes in Wales and to establish national audit. This allowed us to show the benefits of appointment of paediatric diabetes specialist nurses but also the lack of impact of ...

Obesity is a chronic disease with significant adverse implications for health. Guidelines recommend first line treatment with lifestyle interventions that include restriction of energy intake, increased physical activity and behavioural modification, but these only reduce body weight by 3–5% initial over 12 months, and weight regain is common. Bariatric surgery is effective, but most suitable for people with more severe obesity or with significant complications such as di...

We all know that endocrinology is the most amazing specialty. However although some of the discoveries in the last 3–400 years have been amazing, some of the wrong turns have exhibited opportunism and quackery. Perhaps we should start with testosterone and the effects of castration. We know that removal of the testes before puberty has irreversible affects and that in 16th and 17th centuries these were exploited for music. Popes did not come out of this covered in glory a...

The effects of conditional mouse growth hormone receptor gene disruption or ‘knock-out’ on metabolic parameters and longevity will be presented. Tissues investigated include muscle, adipose, heart, and liver. Also, data on adult onset growth hormone gene disruption will be presented....

The World Cancer Research Fund International predicts the number of prostate cancer (PCa) cases will approach 1.7 million by 2030. Patient-specific staging drives the demand for sensitive and specific imaging of PCa including intraprostatic disease as well as local and distant metastases. Definitive therapy such as surgery or radiation is highly effective, but if the tumor escapes the gland, treatment options are limited. New imaging approaches that can more accurately assess ...