Endocrine Abstracts

INTRODUCTIONThe plasma concentrations and urinary excretion rates of 18-OH-F and 18-oxo-F are high in Conn's syndrome and glucocorticoid suppressible hyperaldosteronism, reputedly because aldosterone synthase (AS) has abnormal access to cortisol (F). However, both compounds are also excreted in normal subjects. Two enzymes, 11beta-hydroxylase (11OH) and AS, located in the zona fasiculata (ZF) and zona glomerulosa (ZG) respectively, are capable of 18-hydroxylation but only ...

Disruption of the normal cell cycle is one of the most frequent alterations in tumour cells, contributing to uncontrolled cell proliferation during tumour development. The CDK inhibitor p27 plays a pivotal role in controlling cell proliferation during development and tumourigenesis, and has been implicated in tumorigenesis in rats. Previous studies have demonstrated changes in p27 protein expression, in human pituitary tumours,especially in corticotroph tumours, where p27 prot...

Background: Evaluation of plantar pressure is useful for detecting functional abnormality of foot, especially in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate plantar pressure and force in diabetic patients using Tekscan F-Scan in-shoe foot force and gait analysis system.Methods: Plantar pressure and force were measured by selecting an area of interest under the six areas of the foot: hallux, first metatarsal, second metatarsal, 3–5 metat...

Archipelago/hCdc4/Fbw7 is the F-box protein specific for recognising and binding phosphorylated cyclin E and targeting it for ubiquitination. Mutations in Archipelago that prevent it from binding to phoshorylated cyclin E have been described in various human cancers including breast, ovarian and endometrial tumours. Previous studies have suggested that cyclin E is over-expressed in corticotroph tumours and other pituitary adenoma subtypes, and we postulated that this may be se...

Background: We have previously shown that a higher BMI and less favorable body composition are associated with relatively higher FT3 levels (within the euthyroid range) in healthy young men. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether FT3 and the ratio FT3:FT4 are also associated with cardiovascular markers in a healthy euthyroid population of middle-aged men and women.Methods: Thyroid parameters were measur...

In the ovary, 11βHSD enzymes inter-convert cortisol (F) with its inert metabolite, cortisone (E). Porcine follicular fluid from antral follicles and spontaneous ovarian cysts contains hydrophobic compounds that inhibit NADP(H)-dependent cortisol metabolism by 11βHSD1. The aim of this study was to measure intra-follicular F:E ratios in porcine antral follicles and ovarian cysts, and determine whether F:E ratios correlate with the inhibition of 11βHSD1 by porcine ...

Previously asymptomatic 29-year-old Saudi male patient, presented to with a history of dizziness, abdominal pain and diarrhea for three days.His morning 800 h serum cortisol was 6.4 μg/dl (normal: 5–25 μg/dl); plasma ACTH was 7579 pg/ml (normal: <46.00). The diagnosis of acute adrenal crisis was made which confirmed later by a defective rise in the cortisol level with ACTH stimulation test.The patient was admitte...

W F Young Jr, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA AbstractProf. William Young is Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Vice-Chair of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition. He received his MD degree from Michigan State University. Prof. Young trained in endocrinology and metabolism at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. He has been a member of the staff at Mayo ...

Background: Prevalence of FHH in hypercalcaemic patients with a raised PTH has been quoted as 1 in 20. Parathyroidectomy has no benefit and therefore it is important to exclude FHH prior to considering surgery.Objectives: The aim of our study was to idenitify hypercalcaemic patients with a 24 hour urine calcium creatinine ratio (Ca/Cr) between 0.01–0.02 with a view to propose a cut-off ratio of 0.015 which will provide optimal...

Background: Prevalence of FHH in hypercalcaemic patients with a raised PTH has been quoted as 1 in 20. Parathyroidectomy has no benefit and therefore it is important to exclude FHH prior to considering surgery.Objectives: The aim of our study was to idenitify hypercalcaemic patients with a 24 hour urine calcium creatinine ratio (Ca/Cr) between 0.01–0.02 with a view to propose a cut-off ratio of 0.015 which will provide optimal...