Endocrine Abstracts

It was reported that the inhibition of central nervous system (CNS) axon growth is mediated by Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR) and that local administration of small molecule EGFR antagonists to optic nerve lesions promoted retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axon regeneration (Koprivica et al. 2005). This result was attributed to suppression of EGFR kinase, which neutralised the axonal growth inhibitory potency of CNS myeli...

The tachykinin neurokinin B (NKB) has prominent roles in neuroendocrine function, behaviour and the control of reproductive processes, yet little is known about its evolution, potential splice variants or the manner in which it is processed. Indeed, the cloning of human TAC3 in 2000 revealed a single gene transcript encoding a single precursor and single tachykinin. Here, we deduce the phylogenetic relationship of a family of NKB peptides, and identify novel TAC3...

Endokinin B (EKB) is a recently identified tachykinin whose role is not yet fully understood. EKB displays equivalent affinity for the three tachykinin receptors as substance P (SP) which it is often found co-expressed with. SP has been implicated in a variety of neuroendocrinological responses including stress regulation, and affective and anxiety-related behaviours. An important aspect, therefore, is to dissect a distinct role for EKB from that of SP. Here, we have attempted...

Excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters (EAA) play an essential role in regulation of GH secretion in the central nervous system. Involvement of EAA path way in the secretion of GH was indicated by early finding that NMA stimulate GH secretion via direct release of hypothalamic GHRH. The present study was designed to investigate the involvement of excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter’s (EAA) pathway in the regulation of basal as well as stimulated GH secretion in primat...

Recent data suggests that oestrogen(E)-responsive somatostatin neurones are involved in the generation of the ovine GnRH surge. Specifically, somatostatin neurones in the hypothalamus are activated (as assessed by nuclear fos) and mRNA levels are elevated in the early stages of the surge induction process. In addition, somatostatin fibres have been visualised in close apposition to hypothalamic GnRH neurones, which may indicate direct neural connection between GnRH and somatos...

Background: The influence of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis is not limited to reproduction. Female sex steroids influence learning and memory and the neurobiology of brain regions involved in memory processing such as the hippocampus. Pregnancy allows overriding of regulatory feedback loops leading to elevation of endogenous serum hormone levels, depending on concentration; oestradiol can be either neurologically protective or toxic. This investigation aims to increas...

Background: Klinefelter’s syndrome (KS) is a genetic condition affecting men with the potential to severely reduce their testosterone levels and affect their physical appearance. Being a syndrome there are a variety of different symptoms, which individuals may experience to a great or lesser extent. While much research has been directed at understanding the cognitive impact of KS much less research has been undertaken considering the psycho-social impact of living with th...

Background: Medical research suggests individuals with KS are visibly different and likely to be affected by their appearance. This can be associated with increased social stigma and increased psychological morbidity. This can undermine an already fragile self esteem, potentially increasing the risk of social isolation, resulting in further psychological distress. This study qualitatively explored the experiences of men living with a diagnosis of KS.Meth...

Thyroid hormone (TH) regulation of hypothalamic function has been extensively investigated. It is driven, in part, by the presence of deiodinase enzymes in tanycytes surrounding the third ventricle converting T4 to active T3. Retinoic acid (RA), the transcriptionally active form of Vitamin A, has not previously been considered to be an important part of hypothalamic regulation. Data presented here highlights novel parallels between the TH and RA synthetic...

Hypoglycemia result in significant activation of various neuroendocrine pathways involved in producing peripheral hormonal and metabolic responses aimed at restoring euglycemia. The present study was designed to investigate the involvement of excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter’s (EAA) pathway in the regulation of basal as well as physiologically stimulated PRL secretion in primates. Four adult male Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulata) were used in the study. Four set...

The endogenous opiates cause a rapid increase in PRL secretion. The present study was designed to investigate the involvement of opioidergic pathway in the regulation of PRL secretion by the endogenous excitatory neurotransmitters in primates. In the first set of experiments saline infusion (3 ml/h) for a period of 3 h was given. In the second set of experiment NMA injections were administered with one hr interval. In the third set of experiment NAL infusion (5 mg/3 ml per h) ...

Introduction: Testosterone treatment can improve symptoms in hypogonadal men with depression. It is also known to induce aggressive behaviour hypomania and even mania. When patients with bipolar disorder and hypogonadism present with manic symptoms it is particularly difficult to decide whether testosterone should be discontinued or not during manic phase of the illness.Case: A 39 years old Caucasian man was diagnosed with isolated hypogonadotropic hypog...

Objectives: There is some evidence that growth hormone deficient (GHD) children with a common polymorphism of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene, resulting in deletion of exon-3 (d3GHR) on one (d3/fl) or both alleles (d3/d3), have a better growth response to rhGH than those who express exon 3 on both alleles (fl/fl). We speculated that adult patients with this polymorphism may also be more sensitive to rhGH and less likely to be symptomatic from GHD th...

Background: Studies of memory function in patients treated for pituitary adenoma demonstrate deficits in immediate memory (IM) regardless of whether surgery or radiotherapy was received. We have previously shown variability in IM between patients who received the same treatment. The present study was designed to identify changes in the neurological pathways associated with memory function in patients treated for non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFA) using functional magnetic...