Endocrine Abstracts

Although the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is expressed in 70–80% of breast cancers, only 20–30% is located at the plasma membrane (PM) and therefore functional. Previous work in thyroid cells leads demonstrated that PBF redistributes NIS from the PM into intracellular vesicles, potently reducing radioiodide uptake. We therefore examined whether increased membranous NIS could facilitate radioiodide therapy for breast cancer. Immunofluorescent microscopy revealed co-l...

Pituitary tumor-transforming gene binding factor (PBF) is a ubiquitous glycoprotein which is over-expressed in thyroid, breast and other endocrine cancers, and modulates cellular invasion, radioiodine uptake and thyroid hormone efflux. Papillary thyroid cancer patients with high PBF expression show decreased disease-specific survival compared to those with lower expression. PBF expression has recently been correlated with breast cancer metastasis and colon cancer extra-mural v...

Chronic treatment with the synthetic glucocorticoid (GC) prednisolone has been reported in association with many detrimental health effects. In addition to well-documented adverse metabolic effects, there is evidence for memory impairments in these patients. GCs are known to have effects on memory, either enhancing or impairing dependant upon timing of exposure. Cell experiments have shown that synthetic GCs such as methyl-prednisolone (MPL) cause an alteration in timing of gl...

The causative link between circulating glucocorticoid excess and osteoporosis is established. Although circulating cortisol levels do not change significantly with age, local tissue metabolism may be implicated in age-related bone loss. The enzyme11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) increases local cortisol production, is expressed in human osteoblasts and its activity increases with age leading to a decrease in bone formation. We hypothesised that sele...

Background: Incidental pituitary haemorrhage in prolactinomas is a common radiological finding. The clinical significance, associations and outcome of this are largely unknown. Most reports describe surgically treated macroprolactinoma and non-functioning adenoma, and there are few data in a clinic prolactinoma population.Aims: To characterise the prevalence, natural history and risk factors associated with pituitary haemorrhage in a large clinic prolact...

Background: Incidental pituitary haemorrhage, not associated with pituitary apoplexy, is a common clinical and radiological finding. Little information exists on the clinical behaviour of incidental haemorrhage with most reports describing surgically treated macroprolactinoma and non-functioning adenoma, and there are few data in a clinic prolactinoma population.Aims: To characterise the prevalence, natural history and risk factors associated with pituit...

The UK Turner Study examined in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) the impact on final height (FH) of Oxandrolone (Ox) and/or delayed pubertal induction (14y).Methods: Girls with TS aged 7–13y receiving GH were randomised to Ox (0.05 mg/kg per day, max. dose 2.5 mg/day) or placebo from 9y (or from enrolment if >9y). Girls requiring oestrogen were further randomised to begin oral Ethinylestradiol (E2) (Y1:2 μg/day; Y2:4 μg/day; ...

Introduction: Disorders of sexual development (DSDs) are estimated to occur in 1 in 4500 births. This potentially represents one baby born every other day in the UK. We aim to explore how Mersey foundation and paediatric trainees deal with newborn babies with possible DSD and identify if there is a need for further training in this subject.Methods: An online survey composed of 10 questions was distributed amongst foundation and paediatric trainees in Mer...

Objectives: Thyroid hormones (TH) affect cardiovascular functions via direct actions on the heart and via indirect actions on central nervous system. Mutations in TH receptor α1 (TRα1) cause Resistance to Thyroid Hormone α (RTHα), a disorder characterized by hypothyroidism in TRα1-expressing tissues including the heart.Methods: The current experiments aimed at investigating the role of peripheral and central TR&...

Background: Phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are highly heritable, with 30-40% due to a germline pathogenic variant. An additional 40% of tumours will harbour a somatic variant. Understanding the variant status of a tumour enables molecular classification. Liquid biopsy offers a novel approach to non-invasive diagnostics by harnessing the ability to detect small amounts of circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) and performing genomic sequencing. There are few ...