Endocrine Abstracts

Primary aldosteronism (PA) describes the most frequent cause of secondary arterial hypertension. Aldosterone itself represents a BP-independent cardiovascular risk factor associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality. Recently a worsening of lipid metabolism after treatment has been described.Objective: Our aim was to analyse changes in lipid parameters according to treatment outcome in PA patients. Data of 215 consecutive PA patients with u...

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is mainly caused by unilateral aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH). Subtype differentiation relies on the invasive and technically challenging adrenal venous sampling (AVS). We recently demonstrated the potential utility of peripheral plasma steroid profiling by LC-MS/MS to distinguish APA and BAH. We tested the following hypotheses: first, if steroid profiling in combination with AVS, effectively...

There is experimental evidence that inhibition of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) by small molecule inhibitors induces a rapid, CRM1/XPO1-dependent nuclear export of the AR protein in human prostate cancer cell lines. By contrast nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling of Q641X, a C-terminally truncated AR-mutant, remains unaffected by GSK-3β inhibition. In silico analysis of the AR C-terminus (amino acids [aa] 641-920) predicted two putative NES-sites, l...

Pituitary adenomas are among the most common brain tumours and can result in significant morbidity (e.g. blindness), reduced quality of life, and death if left untreated. Transsphenoidal surgery is the mainstay of treatment for the majority of symptomatic pituitary adenomas and has the potential to offer a cure. However, many series describe high rates of treatment failure and recurrence - in functioning adenomas (e.g. up to 20% in Cushing’s Disease) and non-functioning a...

Aldosterone is a steroidal hormone that specifically binds to the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). Production and secretion of aldosterone is triggered by changes in blood pressure (BP). Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an important cause of secondary hypertension. The effects of aldosterone have been described in renal and vascular tissue but recent studies have shown that MR is also expressed in non- epithelial cells such as those of the immune system. A 29-year-old Afro-Carrib...

Primary Amenorrhoea is usually the result of a genetic or anatomical abnormality. Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is an uncommon cause in which individuals with a 46XY male karyotype are resistant to testosterone due to a defect of the androgen receptor.A 16-year-old female of non-consanguineous parents presented with primary amenorrhoea. There was no family history of delayed puberty. She was of normal female appearance (height 5′9″, B...

Case history: A 35-year-old female was found to be significantly hypertensive (181/91 mmHg) following a first trimester miscarriage (at 8 weeks gestation) during her first pregnancy.Investigations: Blood tests demonstrated moderate hypokalaemia (2.6 mmol/l) with a normal serum sodium (140 mmol/l) and eGFR (>90 ml/min). ECG showed hypokalaemic changes with prolongation of the PR interval and T wave flattening. To avoid potential misinterpretation, add...

Introduction: Congenital central hypothyroidism (CH), is characterized by low levels of thyroid hormones and TSH. It is not possible to diagnose this condition by neonatal screening programs based on TSH measurements, hence it is often missed. The assumption that CH is usually a mild condition has been refuted, and more than 50% of all newborns with CH have moderate to severe disease. Early diagnosis and treatment lead to better neurodevelopmental outcomes. Isolated CH is a ra...

The utility of renin measurement in guiding mineralocorticoid replacement is unclear. To address this we retrospectively examined the parameters and treatment of 97 patients with Addison’s disease over a five year period.Methods: Adrenal replacement, blood pressure (BP), orthostatic BP response, urea, sodium, potassium and renin levels of 97 patients attending our clinic were collected over the period 2012–2016. Data ...

The utility of renin measurement in guiding mineralocorticoid replacement is unclear. To address this we retrospectively examined the parameters and treatment of 97 patients with Addison’s disease over a five year period.Methods: Adrenal replacement, blood pressure (BP), orthostatic BP response, urea, sodium, potassium and renin levels of 97 patients attending our clinic were collected over the period 2012–2016. Data ...