Endocrine Abstracts

We have previously investigated the ability of glucocorticoids secreted by the adrenal cortex to directly influence gonadal function. In contrast, the primary aim of the present study was to assess whether increased progesterone output from the corpus luteum on day 14 of the ovine oestrous cycle can alter adrenal metabolism (and hence output) of cortisol relative to oestrous cycle day 5. Since cortisol-cortisone inter-conversion by the cloned 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogen...

Exogenous glucocorticoids lead to suppression of the HPA axis via negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary and may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality (Wei L. Ann Intern Med. 2004). Many patients whose steroids are no longer required for their underlying disease find withdrawal challenging. Presentations: Case 1: 68-year old male treated with steroids for hepatic graft versus host disease following a stem cell transplant for EBV-lymphoproliferative ...

Aim: Audit was undertaken to study patient profile, prevalence, treatment choice and interrelation between biochemical markers in vitamin D deficient children.Methods: Retrospective review of case notes for patients who had vitamin D measured over the period 5/2005 and 5/2010.Results: Study included 150 randomly selected patients from a total of 336. 99 (66%) were found to be deficient in vitamin D, 52 females and 47 males. Peak ag...

Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) methods are considered superior to immunoassay for the analysis of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) due to improved performance and potential cost benefits. As LC–MS/MS is appropriate for the analysis of other clinically relevant hormones tandem mass spectrometers are becoming commonplace in UK clinical laboratories. However, like immunoassay, LC–MS/MS methods are not foolproof and inappropriate use of...

Changes in maternal dietary intake during gestation can affect muscle development1 and may be linked to the catabolic actions of hormones, such as glucocorticoids, which inhibits the insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) pathway. This study examines the potential effects of glucocorticoids and skeletal muscle adaptations in seven-day-old offspring exposed to suboptimal gestational environments.Pregnant sows were randomly assigned to a commercial...

The majority of adult GH replaced patients reach target IGF1 levels using established injection devices. However, a small but significant cohort of these patients fail to achieve these intended goals. This can be manifested as either a failure to improve (biochemically or symptomatically) despite escalating GH doses, or large variations in IGF1 measurements despite steady GH dosing.The Easypod® device has a memory chip which allows record...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) reduces thioredoxin in heart failure patients, whereas adrenomedullin, acting as an antioxidant, protects rat cardiomyocytes from infarction and mouse vascular smooth muscle cells from angiotensin II (AII) oxidative effect. Besides AII, aldosterone (Aldo) is also an activator of ROS. Aim of the study was the investigation of the eventual antioxidant effect of ANP...

Previous studies have reported increased cardiovascular disease, fractures and renal stones for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). These studies are mainly based on patients referred to specialist centres or unselected PHPT patients. We specifically aimed to assess the risk for patients ‘mild’ PHPT, in whom treatment is usually not recommended. Using the unique patient identifier, which is used for all medical contacts in Tayside, data linkage of recor...

Cortisol-based therapy is still the most potent anti-inflammatory treatment available for skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of components of the steroidogenic pathway in keratinocytes, though surprisingly none have reported that these cells, which form up to 90% of the epidermis are able to synthesise cortisol1,2. Here, we demonstrate that primary human keratinocytes (PHK) are capable of de no...

A 45-year-old woman presented with a 6-week history of constipation and generalised abdominal pains. Blood biochemistry revealed a corrected serum calcium of 4.99 mmol/l, phosphate 0.82 mmol/l, and intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) of 0.2 pmol/l (normal range 1–6.1 pmol/l). Serum parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTH-rP) was 5.3 pmol/l (normal range <1.8 pmol/l). Computed tomography demonstrated an 11.0×11.6 cm ovarian tumour with cystic and solid areas and h...