Endocrine Abstracts

Glial cells missing B (GCMB), which is the mammalian homologue of the Drosophila GCM gene, encodes a 506 amino acid parathyroid-specific transcription factor that contains: a DNA-binding domain (residues 21–174); a predicted nuclear localization signal (residues 176–193); an inhibitory domain (residues 258–347); and two transactivation domains (residues 174–263, and residues 428–506). To date only two different GCMB m...

Leptin is regarded as an essential adipokine for controlling energy homeostasis, caloric intake reduction and increase of caloric expenditure by negative feedback mechanisms via receptors in the hypothalamus. Puberty is said to be triggered by leptin, which signals the hypothalamus that adequate fat reserves are available for initiation of energetically costly process of reproduction. Leptin activates gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) system, which stimulates luteinizing h...

The maturation of hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis causes the onset of puberty, which stimulates the development of secondary sex characteristics and changes in the size and composition of the body. Furthermore, the size of the thyroid gland increases and its function also changes as an adaptation to the requirements of the transformation of child to an adult. It has also been reported that the thyroid hormones including thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) have a f...

BAFF, a member of the TNF family, promotes autoantibody production by increasing B cell survival and proliferation. We have previously shown that serum BAFF concentrations are increased in GD patients. In the present work, we studied the expression of BAFF and BAFF-R, by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on paraffin embedded sections of: 1. orbital adipose tissue from 22 patients (5 men, 17 women) with GO (3 of them with active GO) associated with GD or Hashimoto thyroiditis in 19 an...

Org 36286 is a sustained follicular stimulant (SFS) inducing multiple follicular development in patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. Due to its long half-life a single dose of Org 36286 may replace the first 7 injections of daily recFSH and after this one week interval, stimulation may be continued with daily recFSH up to the day of triggering ovulation (Org 36286 regimen). Ideally, recFSH should be started as soon as Org 36286 levels become too low to support m...

We report a case of a 57 year old lady who presented with marked weight loss, dizziness and general malaise. The physical examination revealed pallor, hypotension, tachycardia and dehydration. There was no muco-cutaneous pigmentation. Routine biochemistry showed normocytic anaemia, hyponatraemia, mild hyperkalaemia and renal impairment. Abdominal ultrasound showed presence of bilateral large supra-renal masses. A short synacthen test showed sub-optimal rise in plasma cortisol ...

Introduction: All stages of diabetic nephropathy are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. Intensive intervention to achieve target glycaemic control, blood pressure and cholesterol can minimise cardiovascular risk, mainly by reducing proteinuria.Aims: To compare two cohorts of patients, group A, attending a nurse-led clinic in addition to the traditional diabetes renal clinic and group B attending the latter only...

Introduction: As an alternative to cortisol assays in the serum or saliva to diagnose hypercorticisme we evaluated the ability of a commercial cortisol assay to assess capillary blood cortisol concentrations using routine procedures.Methods: Capillary blood was obtained using a device used by diabetics to routinely assess capillary glucose levels and deposited on Schleicher-Scheull 903 blotter paper (routinely used for neonatal diagnosis of hypothyroidis...

LH hyper-secretion, driven by increased GnRH pulsatility, underpins excess testosterone secretion – a key clinical feature of PCOS.The kisspeptin-neurokinin B (NKB)-GnRH pathway has emerged as the pivotal regulator of reproduction. We hypothesised that pharmacologic blockade of NKB may address the central pathophysiology of LH hyper-secretion and hyperandrogenism in PCOS. We undertook a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled multi-centre Phase...

Orexin-A and orexin-B orchestrate their diverse central and peripheral effects via two G-protein coupled receptors, OX1R and OX2R, which activate multiple G-proteins. They are involved in a host of physiological processes including, steroidogenesis, appetite control and energy regulation. Whilst some signalling mechanisms have been proposed for individual recombinant orexin receptors in generic mammalian cell types, it is clear that the peripheral effects of orexin are spatial...