Endocrine Abstracts

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The endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal system are scattered amongst the mucosal cells and respond to luminal influences via projecting microvilli. They also respond to a rich neural supply through the submucous plexus. These two influences, luminal nutriments and local innervation, compete with control by circulating hormones and also nutriment concentrations. The gut endocrine cells are widely scattered down the mucosa (diffuse endocrine system) and their response is pro...

Fertility problems in women with PCOS are by no means inevitable. Indeed women who have symptoms of PCOS have at least one child just as often as those who do not have PCOS. But there is no doubt that women with PCOS who have oligo- or amenorrhoea are likely to require induction of ovulation and, in these circumstances, the sooner they seek the appropriate treatment for induction of ovulation, the better the chances of a timely pregnancy....

Endocrinology is a discipline that has always attracted doctors with inquisitive minds. There is much that is still to be learned about the causes of endocrine diseases and how to best prevent and treat them. Whether your principal goal is to be a basic scientist, a clinical scientist and educator or a practitioner, there are numerous ways that you can contribute to the advancement of your discipline through leading or participating in research. In this talk I will discuss the...

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs), although reported with increasing frequency through increased use of abdominal imaging, are rare and uncommon tumours (1 per 100,000 population) representing 1–2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Preoperative diagnosis is important since a solitary small tumour without evidence of metastatic spread may be suitable for pancreatic preserving surgery such as enucleation or middle segment resection rather than more extensive resection. H...

Paget’s disease of bone is the second most common metabolic bone disease after osteoporosis. It is a condition characterised by abnormal bone cellular activity resulting in the formation of disorganised (and weaker) bone. Paget’s disease can affect single or multiple bones. In many cases it may be asymptomatic, however it can often be associated with pain affecting the pagetic bone or there may be ‘peri-pagetic’ pain related to altered biomechanics due to c...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest cause of anovulatory infertility, menstrual disturbances and hirsutism. PCOS is also associated with a metabolic disturbance characterised by hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance. Women with PCOS are at increased long-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and carry a significant risk factor profile for cardiovascular disease. Obesity amplifies both reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. A growing body of evidence ...

Attempts at restoring endogenous insulin secretion by the transplantation of human islet tissue, initially using whole pancreas transplantation, was first reported in 1966. Although there is also a long history surrounding the transplantation of isolated human islets, it was the development and subsequent publication of the Edmonton, glucocorticoid free immunospressive regimen, in 2000, that transformed the use and availability of islet cell transplantation for people with dif...

The SOCS3 gene encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase component that targets inflammatory cytokine receptor components for proteolytic degradation. Our research in this area is aimed at determining the molecular control of SOCS3 gene induction by cyclic AMP in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) as a new route for anti-inflammatory drug action. We found initially that cyclic AMP activates the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, EPAC1, to mobilise C/EBP transcription factors to induce SO...

Hyponatraemia (serum Na+<135 mmol/l) is common. It is associated with increased mortality and morbidity across a range of clinical contexts. Despite this, it remains an area in which there is diverse practice. There are centre and speciality-specific approaches to diagnosis and management that reflect both the apparent absence of a clear evidence-base and differences in perceived clinical priorities.This presentation will focus on a number of key the...