Endocrine Abstracts

Augurin is a putative neuropeptide product of the esophageal cancer-related gene-4. We have previously demonstrated intra-cerebroventricular (ICV) and intra-paraventricular nucleus (iPVN) administration of augurin (71–148) stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in male Wistar rats. This effect was dependent on the release of CRH. Since CRH is known to inhibit feeding, we hypothesised augurin (71–148) would have similar actions. We therefore investigated th...

A 54-year-old lady presented with malaise, weakness, and constipation. She was found to be mildly hypercalcaemia (adjusted calcium 2.68–2.76 mmol/l; reference range 2.12–2.60 mmol/l) and was referred to local endocrinology services. Her PTH was 79 ng/l (range 10–60) and a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism was made. Imaging to localise a parathyroid source was negative. She was referred to the endocrine surgeons at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, ...

Patients with adrenal insufficiency need adjustment of the hydrocortisone (HC) dose during an intercurrent illness. Current recommendation to double the daily HC dose at each occasion does not consider the non-linear dose proportionality in bioavailability i.e. doubling the dose gives less than 100% increase in exposure. We have developed an intercurrent illness dose regimen for a once daily dual release HC tablet using population pharmacokinetic (POPPK) modeling.<p class=...

Introduction: Recent publications regarding primary aldosteronism (PA) have challenged the concept of PA being a rare disease. In 2007 a standardized protocol for diagnosing and treating PA was introduced in Iceland for patients suspected of having PA. Data from the Icelandic Heart Association suggests that 35–40% of the adult population (age 46–67) have hypertension. The aim of this study was to gather information about PA as a cause of hypertension at the referral ...

Somatostatin (somatotrophin release inhibiting factor; SRIF) is produced primarily in the hypothalamus and pancreas and inhibits the secretion of many hormones and neurotransmitters. Moreover, SRIF and SRIF analogs are able to inhibit tumor growth. Many human neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine tumors express the five known somatostatin receptors (sst1–5) in different amounts.Tachyphylaxis after prolonged treatment with octreotide (Sand...

Mithun (Bos frontalis), a free-range domesticated ungulate, reared primarily for beef and occasionally for milk, is mainly distributed in the South-East Asia. Much scientific reports on reproductive-endocrinology in this species are not available at present. The current study was designed to standardise and validate a simple, sensitive and direct enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) on microtitre plates using second antibody coating technique to determine 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF<s...

Due to early demission of women soon after parturition neonatal (nn) TSH-screening of the new born becomes a problem. Therefore we investigated, whether measurements of TSH (Units per liter), free thyroxine (fT4 picogram per millilitre) and antibodies against thyroxine-peroxidase (a-TPO, Units per millilitre) in cord blood of spontaneously delivered babies at term, might be an alternative. Routine (nn) TSH-screening was recommended to be carried out on day 5 of life. Their mot...

A 59 year old man was admitted with epistaxis. Blood pressure on admission was 213/110 mmHg. Past medical history included hypertension (3 years) and a cerebrovascular accident 5 years previously. Drug therapy included an ACE inhibitor, beta-blocker and thiazide diuretic. He denied thirst, polyuria or weight loss. He was an ex-smoker. On examination he was not Cushingoid. There were no diabetic complications.On block analysis potassium was 2.2mmol/l and ...

The orphan nuclear receptor, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) regulates gonadotroph development and gene expression. In the absence of an identified ligand, SF-1 has been shown to be constitutively active and recent studies reveal that post-translational modification may regulate its transcriptional activity. The Ser 203 residue, proximally located to helix 1 of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of SF-1, resides in a consensus MAPK phosphorylation site, and is required for full tra...

Background: Use of metformin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is becoming increasingly accepted and widespread but clinical practice is ahead of the evidence.Methods: We extracted results from the seven published studies of metformin use in PCOS that include control elements quantifiably similar to the experimental arm. We also restricted our analysis to the studies with a systematic longitudinal examination of ovulatory function and metabolic parameters....