Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational, cross sectional and longitudinal studies of sleep apnoea syndrome in acromegalic subjects to determine a) prevalence b) effect of treatment and c) relationship to GH and/or IGF-1.Method: A PubMed search using ‘(acromegaly) AND (sleep apnoea)’ as search terms was performed with subsequent hand searching of relevant papers. Cross sectional and longitudinal studies were ...

GnRH acts via G-protein coupled receptors to stimulate synthesis and secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. GnRH activates phospholipase C, causing calcium mobilisation and influx, activation of protein kinase C and stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades. GnRH is secreted in brief pulses with each pulse causing rapid and transient activation of extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERKs) (1), yet very little is known about what s...

Background: The melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R)/melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP) are critical components of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). MRAP2, homologue of MRAP, can also regulate the MC2R in vitro, however, the physiological significance of this is unclear. We studied the expression of the MRAPs and MC2R in a well-defined rat model of endotoxin induced septic shock. These animals have been shown to have higher ACTH and corticosterone le...

The incidence of type 1 diabetes in children under 5 years is increasing. The insulin requirements, eating regimens and reaction to invasive procedures make this group a challenging cohort to manage on multiple daily injections. NICE Guidance was amended in 2008 to include the option of using CSII at diagnosis in the under 5’s.Seven CSII starts at diagnosis have been done (from 2009 to current). CSII is initiated within 72 h from initial diagnosis, ...

Background and aims: The melanocortin-2-receptor accessory protein (MRAP) is essential for melanocortin-2-receptor (MC2R) function through receptor trafficking and signalling, enabling adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis in response to ACTH stimulation. Disabling mutations of MRAP result in life-threatening glucocorticoid deficiency, known as familial glucocorticoid deficiency type 2. MRAP has a single paralogue in the human genome, MRAP2. In vitro MRAP2 has a similar acti...

A 47-year-old afrocaribbean lady was referred to endocrinology clinic with a 1-month history of weight loss, heat intolerance, palpitations, fatigue and hair loss. She reported symptoms consistent with proximal myopathy including myalgia and difficulty rising from chairs. Interestingly she noted a 1-month history of hypersalivation, which had caused her significant distress in her social and work life. The hypersalivation had resulted in a change in her voice and had also inte...

Introduction: Post-traumatic hypopituitarism (PTHP) is a recognised sequel of traumatic brain injury (TBI), occurring in 25–69% of adult patients, but there are few data on the prevalence or natural history in childhood. Our aim was to determine pituitary function in children at least 4 years after TBI requiring paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission. At the same time body composition was evaluated.Methods: Children discharged from the regi...

Introduction and Case report: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a heterogenous group of conditions resulting from inborn errors of steroidogenesis, of which over 95% are due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.We present a 15-year-old Nepalese female, who was referred to the endocrine clinic for management of CAH. This diagnosis had been at 11 months of age, whilst resident in Hong Kong, when she presented acutely with vomiting and seizures. She had since...

Non-islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH) is a rare paraneoplastic phenomenon and there is limited guidance regarding different treatment modalities.We present two cases of NICTH focusing on the combined methods used to control hypoglycaemia.The first involves an 89-year-old gentleman diagnosed with a pelvic leiomyoma in 2003. For several years, he had experienced recurrent collapses which briefly improved following tumour emboli...

Background: Contrast procedures are frequently performed in diabetic patients and are the third most common cause of hospital-acquired renal failure1. Diabetic patients are at risk of Metformin associated lactic acidosis in the presence of renal failure2.Standards: RCR guidelines3 recommend:• Recent serum creatinine should be available for patients with renal disease or diabetes<p class="ab...