Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: We present two pregnant women who were referred to obstetric endocrinology service with polyuria and polydipsia. They were investigated and treated for diabetes insipidus (DI). In both cases, the underlying pathophysiology was ADH insufficiency secondary to autoimmune lymphocytic hypophysitis. There are currently no consensus guidelines on the diagnosis of DI during pregnancy. These cases highlight best practice and endorse MDT management of chronic hypopituitari...

Introduction: Association between lymphoma and pituitary dysfunction is well documented, though most commonly through mechanism of infiltrative pituitary metastasis, or primary lymphoma of the pituitary, rather than autoimmune lymphocytic hypophysitis. Here we present a highly unusual case whereby investigation into the cause of Diabetes Insipidus with radiological features of lymphocytic hypophysitis, led to diagnosis and cure of Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Diabete...

Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent deacetylases that are implicated in mediating health benefits of calorie restriction and possibly exercise. We will report on novel roles of SIRT1-3 in diseases of aging and recent progress in using small molecules to activate SIRT1. Small molecule activators of SIRT1 (STACs), such as resveratrol and SRT1720, improve multiple health parameters in mice including protection from type II diabetes and hepatic steatosis. We developed an system...

Background: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) arise from neuroendocrine cells, they are commonly found in the pancreas, small bowel and lung. They are a heterogeneous group of tumours capable of secreting a variety of hormones, therefore the spectrum of symptoms is broad. Treatment options for metastatic NETs include cytoreductive surgery, or interventional radiology procedures such as transarterial embolization (TAE). Aims: Previous studies have shown that ...

A 31-year-old gentleman presented to our Endocrine Services with his 20-year-old fiancée with plans for marriage and to conceive. He was diagnosed with congenital panhypopituitarism and absent pituitary stalk at the age of 4. He was started on replacement growth hormone, desmopressin, levothyroxine, hydrocortisone and testosterone, in this sequence, across the years. He underwent induction of puberty at the age of 13 years. He was noticed to have bilateral cryptorchidism ...

The spinal cord dorsal horn acts as a hub for the modulation of sensory information, relying heavily upon the interplay of a heterogenous cell population (endothelial cells, astrocytes) with sensory neurons. We have identified in rodent models of hyperglycemic neuropathic pain that spinal microvasculature is damaged. A pathological hallmark of chronic pain is astrogliosis, acting as a potent source of inflammatory response and impacting vessel integrity and sensory neuronal ac...

An 84-year-old lady presented with a month’s history of polyuria and polydipsia. She reported waking up seven times during the night to pass urine and constantly feeling thirsty. Her measured 24-hour urine output was 4.9 L. She was otherwise doing well with a past medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and prolonged hospital admission 20 years ago for Guillain Barré syndrome. Her drug history included Lisinopril, Atorvasta...

Background: Treatment of HIV patients with antiretroviral therapies may confer an increased cardiovascular risk, possibly mediated through metabolic perturbations induced by these therapies. We sought to determine whether large arterial stiffening, an early marker and predictor of cardiovascular disease, occurs in HIV recipients of HAART, and if so the plausible mechanisms involved.Methods: In this case-control analysis, 56 HIV subjects (mean age 46 &#17...

Background: The Ins2+/G32S mutation in the KINGS mouse drives beta-cell endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The result of this is sexually dimorphic; males develop overt diabetes by 5-weeks (>16.7mM) whilst females remain normoglycemic. Previous studies have shown that high-fat feeding increases beta-cell ER stress, whilst GLP1-receptor agonists reduce this. We investigated whether altering ER stress could promote diabetes development in female KINGS mic...

Despite well-established sex differences in blood glucose homeostasis, female mice are highly underrepresented in preclinical diabetes research. Reasons for this may be the milder diabetic phenotype often seen in female mice and/or the assumption that the estrus cycle causes excessive variability in blood glucose concentrations. During this workshop talk we will discuss these points and the importance of accounting for sex differences. Using continuous glucose monitoring techn...