Endocrine Abstracts

A 71-year-old man with carcinoma of prostate and bony metastasis, presented with acute bradyarrhythmia, severe hypocalcaemia and acute renal failure 72 h after intravenous infusion of zoledronate. Before therapy, serum calcium was 2.14 mmol/l (normal, 2.10–2.55 mmol/l), serum phosphate 1.4 mmol/l (normal, 0.8–1.5 mmol/l), serum creatinine 95 umol/l and eGFR 74 ml/min. 25OH vitamin D was not measured. Three days later he presented with a syncopal episode. Initial bloo...

Natriuretic peptides, ANP, BNP and CNP, exert the majority of their effects via particulate guanylyl cyclase receptors (GC-A or GC-B), resulting in increased cellular cGMP levels. Several studies have examined the pharmacological properties of GC-B receptors in many systems, and desensitization (tachyphylaxis, loss of response) has been reported to occur. Targeted deletion (in mice) or genetic mutations (in humans) of the GC-B receptor have been implicated in a dwarfism phenot...

Gonadotrophs have previously been shown to be the predominant source of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in the anterior pituitary, and CNP causes enhanced cGMP accumulation in αT3-1 gonadotrophs. However, the biological role of CNP in gonadotrophs remains elusive. In the current study, we examined the molecular and functional characteristics of the gonadotroph natriuretic peptide system. Using two well-characterised gonadotroph cell lines of different developmental origi...

After diabetes, thyroid disorder is the second most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Thyroid disorders in pregnancy have been proven to have adverse maternal and foetal outcome if not treated adequately and timely.Aim: The aim of this audit was to assess management and therapeutic interventions and outcomes of pregnancies complicated by thyroid disorders.Method: A retrospective case notes analysis of 35 pregn...

In 1999 Haddow et al (NEJM; 1999; 314:549) reported neuropsychological deficits in babies born to inadequately treated hypothyroid mothers. We have compared our management of treated hypothyroidism in 30 pregnancies in 24 mothers delivered before 2000 to 37 pregnancies in 33 mothers since.TSH levels were measured at booking in 22 (73%) in the pre-2000 group, 6 (27%) of which were raised; and 32 (86%) in the post-2000 group where 12 (38%) were raised. 7 m...

The effects of IGF-2 on glucose homeostasis have been more understood from individuals with fasting hypoglycaemia associated with non-islet cell tumours. Endogenous IGFs which circulate in adults fail to exert their immense potential hypoglycaemic activity because they are largely trapped within the vascular space due to their sequestration in a high molecular weight protein complex. The tumours produce excessive amounts of ‘big IGF-2’ which is less readily bound by ...

A 42-year-old lady, previously fit and well, presented to the Accident and Emergency department following a cardiac arrest. She had received four D.C. shocks by the ambulance crew prior to cardioversion to sinus rhythm from ventricular fibrillation. She was admitted to ITU and during this admission developed a grandmal seizure. Physical examination was unremarkable and CT scan of her head was normal. Blood tests including full blood count and biochemistry were all normal excep...

Biopharmaceuticals are complex molecules and can show variation between production batches. Physicochemical tests and biological activity measurements contribute complementary data to the characterisation of these products.As part of a project to correlate physicochemical and bioassay data, under the Department of Trade and Industry’s Measurements for Biotechnology programme, we have developed a simple, robust cellbased bioassay protocol for interfe...

Patients with Cushing's disease have high levels of circulating corticosteroids. Treatment may result in unmasking of steroid dependant conditions. We report a case of ulcerative colitis presenting after bilateral adrenalectomy.Case reportA 19 year old girl underwent bilateral adrenalectomy in November 1998 for pituitary dependant Cushing's disease. She was discharged on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone and post operatively her c...

We present the case of a 34 year old man, previously well, who presented with a 4 week history of worsening headaches and confusion.He was disorientated and confused, but the rest of the examination was largely unremarkable. Admission blood tests revealed him to be profoundly hyponatraemic (serum sodium 100 millimoles per litre, urine sodium 72 millimoles per litre, serum osmolality 202 milliosmoles per kilogram, urinary osmolality 851 millimoles per kil...