Endocrine Abstracts

Stem cell transplants are used to treat and cure many types of haematological malignancies as well as rare solid-organ tumours. The conditioning regimes, medications and potential graft vs host disease can have effects on many organ systems in the body. The Endocrinology Department has designed a follow-up service over the past 3 years for patients in remission due to increasing awareness of the potential endocrinological and metabolic effects of allogenic stem cell transplant...

In May 2011 a 55-year-old South East Asian man had a tumour removed from the floor of his mouth. The histology was consistent with a brown tumour of hyperparathyroidism. His PTH was raised at 12.3 pmol/l (NR 1.6–7.5) and he was referred to the endocrinology clinic. His serum calcium was 2.22 mmol/l (NR 2.2–2.6 mmol/l) and his serum 25 (OH) vitamin D level was <15 (NR >50 nmol/l) with a normal alkaline phosphatase. He had no symptoms of osteomalacia. He is a v...

Objective: Osteopontin (OPN) is a proinflamatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Adiponectin (ADP), an adipocyte-derived vasoactive and insulin-sensitizing peptide, exerts anti-inflamatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects on endotheliocytes. We aimed at determining in type 2 diabetes patients the relationship between serum OPN, serum ADP and either lower-limb atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or mediacalcinos...

Objectives: The bone-related peptide osteoprotegerin (OPG) was recently found in high concentration inside vascular tissues in diabetic patients. OPG is produced by vascular smooth muscle cells and endotheliocytes, and inhibits progression of advanced plaque by delaying size progression as well as plaque calcification. We aimed at determining in type 2 diabetes patients the relationship between serum OPG and circulating level of angiotensin II (AngII), but also the relationshi...

Radioactive iodine is a common and effective treatment for hyperthyroidism. Post radio-iodine hypothyroidism is a frequent complication occurring in ~80% of radioiodine treated patients. This can be diagnosed clinically (by monitoring free T4 and TSH levels) but, in our centre, a 123I uptake scan 6 weeks after therapy is sometimes used to help predict the likelihood of future hypothyroidism. In these situations, thyroxine therapy can be started if radioio...

Cushing’s tumours are ACTH-producing neoplasms of the pituitary gland. Their ACTH-oversecretion is autonomous and does not respond to the canonical inhibition of the hence also elevated cortisol. Current research in identifying new drug targets is mainly focused on designing therapeuticals that directly inhibit ACTH over-secretion from the adenoma. Serum and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (Sgk1) is an early target gene of glucocorticoids in all cells studied. It is a PKB...

A 32-year-old man was referred for investigation of spastic paraparesis. There was a history of two seizures in the past. Of note was that his mother had previously been investigated for a mild spastic paraparesis, and had been diagnosed with idiopathic generalised epilepsy. MRI scan of the cervical and thoracic cord appeared normal but the MRI brain scan showed diffuse high signal intensity areas in the occipital white matter of both cerebral hemispheres. An EEG suggested idi...

Background: There is growing recognition of the importance of sports/exercise in children and young people (CYP) with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) [NICE guidance 1.2.47–1.2.53]. In 2014 our Paediatric Diabetes service set up a Diabetes Sports clinic run by a paediatric diabetologist and dietician and an adult diabetologist. Appointments were offered to families of CYP with T1DM who are ‘elite sportspersons’–performing at competitive levels, or regional/national l...

Introduction: Adrenal insufficiency can result in a life-threatening situation if undetected. This pathology is diagnosed by performing an ACTH-Test. Most symptoms like fatigue, loss of weight or arthralgia are rather unspecific. Therefore it is difficult to assess which patients really need an ACTH-Test. Aim of this study was to identify risk factors and indications in order to specify which patients actually require it.Material and methods: 324 patient...

Background: Lifestyle interventions as well as pharmacological therapy are strong measures to prevent adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). Social determinants of health and consequent health disparities can affect a successful GDM management. This includes inequality in health care and education quality, economic stability as well as environmental factors. However, in high-income countries, these social determinants of health have rare...