Endocrine Abstracts

Adiposity is a major risk factor for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. PPAR gamma, an orphan nuclear receptor, is highly expressed in adipose tissue. Paradoxically, synthetic PPAR gamma ligands including thiazolidinedones (TZDs), which activate PPAR gamma induce adipogenesis yet improve insulin sensitivity. We have shown that TZDs selectively induce human subcutaneous but not omental preadipocyte differentiation in vitro, correlating with the observation that trea...

There is a marked disparity between the amount of androstenedione (A) excreted in the urine as testosterone (T) glucuronide and the amount of A-T converted in the systemic circulation indicating that there is considerable production of testosterone within the portal circulation which is extracted by the liver. Our studies have examined the hypothesis that intra-abdominal fat is a major source of testosterone production which might contribute to insulin resistance.<p class=...

Insulin resistance is associated with a variety of cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and polycystic ovary syndrome. The mechanism of reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in these conditions is unclear, but is likely to involve defects in cellular components of insulin signalling. All of the disorders above are characterised by abnormal vascular endothelial function, with reduced availability...

In Cushing's Syndrome, elevated circulating cortisol levels are responsible for the association of central obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, and dyslipidaemia. Recent evidence suggests that there are subtle elevations in circulating cortisol concentrations amongst patients with hypertension and insulin resistance, and these are predicted by low birthweight suggesting that they may be programmed by events occurring in early life. In addition, there is e...