Endocrine Abstracts

The transcription factor HIF-1α regulates hypoxia-mediated gene expression which promotes tumour growth, metastasis and desensitisation to chemo-and radiotherapy. HIF-1 is functional in a range of thyroid-carcinoma cells and is regulated by hypoxia and the PI3K and MAPK-signalling pathways.We aimed to determine if HIF-1 and PI3K were important in the development of a metastatic phenotype and play a role in desensitisation to radiotherapy in thyroid ...

A 57-year-old man with a history of alcohol excess was admitted following a road traffic accident. He suffered multiple trauma with fractures to his left femur, tibia and fibula, his right pubic ramus and several ribs. In addition severe abdominal trauma necessitated nephrectomy and splenectomy. Routine biochemistry and bone profile on admission was within normal limits.He had a prolonged stay in the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) with acute kidney injury ...

A 22-year-old woman with hypophosphataemic rickets was diagnosed at age four when she presented with short stature and valgus deformity of the lower limbs. Biochemical testing, genetic screening and radiological investigation of her family showed no abnormality and it was concluded that she had a de novo mutation.She was treated with 1α-calcidol and phosphate Sandoz with regularly monitored biochemistry. She had poor adherence to her medicati...

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is reported to be more prevalent in patients with GH deficiency (GHD) than in the general population. Case control studies have not however been undertaken. Recognition of NAFLD is important due to its association with cardiovascular disease and chronic liver disease.Aims: To determine i) the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with severe GHD compared to age and BMI-matched controls, and, ii) the effect ...

Mr DP was referred by palliative care to ophthalmology with anisocoria, diplopia and nystagmus. He was known to have a poorly differentiated carcinoma of the prostate with skeletal metastasis (Gleason score 4+5=9). He was on hormonal therapy and had received radiotherapy to the cervical spine. PSA was normal, at 5.31 μg/l.An MRI scan revealed a 12 mm mass in the left side of the pituitary gland, displacing the stalk to the right and lying close to t...

Introduction: The role of hormones and their underlying mechanisms in the development of osteoporosis are complex and not completely understood. Serum SHBG concentration is increased in older men and may be correlated with reduced bone mineral density and increased fracture risk. However, there is little data on exact relation of BMD with 24-h mean concentration and circadian rhythm of SHBG.Methods: We measured 24-h mean SHBG concentration in 3 groups of...

Introduction: The average life expectancy and the prevalence of diabetes are increasing. Among the elderly population, type 2 diabetes is a growing problem, with a large proportion of newly diagnosed diabetics. Treating elderly diabetes can present unique challenges. Impaired cognitive and physical functioning among some elderly patients can make adjusting to a diabetes care routine more difficult and thus, contribute to the complexity of managing diabetes.<p class="abstex...

The measurement of serum testosterone in women is difficult with most automated immunoassays because of poor sensitivity, accuracy and precision at low concentrations. Mass spectrometry is the gold standard for these measurements but it is slower and requires special expertise and equipment. We investigated whether the modification of a commercial RIA allowed improved testosterone measurements in laboratories without access to mass spectrometry.A commerc...

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunctions are relatively common presentations in Endocrine Practice. They are second to diabetes mellitus (DM) among endocrine disorders. However, management often involves the endocrinologists and surgeons.Aims: The aim of this review is to determine the spectrum of thyroid disorders and the pattern of presentation seen in our hospital.Method: It is a five (5) years study (June 2004–April 2009) that l...

Sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibits VEGF-mediated tumour angiogenesis. Following NICE approval, it is increasingly used in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.Hypothyroidism in sunitinib-treated individuals was first described in 2005. The aetiology remains uncertain and possibly reflects a destructive thyroiditis. Incidence rates of hypothyroidism from case series vary between 36 and 85%. We report a retrospective analysis of t...