Endocrine Abstracts

Somatostatin (sst) modulates exocrine and endocrine secretions, cellular proliferation and apoptosis, via a series of 5 G-protein linked transmembrane receptors (sstrs 1-5). Sstrs 2 and 5 have been reported on vasculature but their role remains obscure. Here, we report the expression of sstrs in endothelial cells in vitro, during both proliferative and quiescent states to determine whether these receptors may change dynamically. Endothelial cells were harvested from ten...

Somatostatin (SST) modulates exocrine and endocrine secretion, proliferation and apoptosis, via 5 transmembrane receptors (SSTRs 1 to 5), which predominantly signal through inhibitory G proteins. Stable analogs such as Lanreotide and Octreotide have been developed for use in clinical practice. Both have high affinity for SSTR 2, and moderate affinity for SSTR 5. Octreotide has been shown to inhibit endothelial proliferation, probably via SSTR 2, which is expressed by prolifera...

GH deficiency is believed to adversely impair skeletal health. In this study bone mass and architecture was assessed using DXA & pQCT. 30 GHD adults (peak GH to stimulation 0.33 to 2.4 mcg/l), 24 GHI adults (peak GH 1.6 to 6.7 mcg/l), and 30 controls comprised the study population.BMD (areal and volumetric), bone size, and architecture, were not significantly different from those of control subjects in either the GHD or GHI, AO groups. CO GHD adults ...

The diagnosis of GHD is based on GH stimulation tests. The test of choice is the ITT and a peak GH response of less than 9mU/L is considered diagnostic of GHD. Peak GH values of less than 20mU/L during an ITT are infrequently observed in healthy adults. In hypopituitary patients a peak GH values to the ITT of 9-20 mU/L likely represents a state of partial GHD, or GH insufficiency (GHI). To investigate if patients with GHI have similar features to GHD adults we assessed body co...

In recent times, there has been concern about the rising prevalence of obesity in children. Physical fitness, defined as a set of attributes possessed by individuals which relates to the ability to perform physical activity, is a key pathway to healthy living. As part of a larger programme called ‘Triple S’, (designed to underpin a schools health related project) we undertook field-based physical testing of 1733 (7 yr olds) (902 M & 831 F) from 49 primary schools...

Background Phytoestrogens are a group of biologically active plant substances with chemical structures similar to that of endogenous estrogen. Their beneficial effects on cardiovascular protection have been indicated by the relatively lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases in people with higher phytoestrogen consumption. Recent studies show that they have anti-oxidative properties, which have not been studied in human endothelial cells under different glucose conditions.</...

BackgroundSomatostatin (sst) acts via a series of 5 G-coupled receptors (sstr1-5) which control exocrine and endocrine secretions and also regulate cellular proliferation and apoptosis in many parts of the body. Recent experimental data suggests that sst plays a roles in ovarian function and the synthetic sstr agonists octreotide has been used in the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome. We have investigated the expression of somatostatin receptors (...

Intra-articular (IA) glucocorticoids (GCs) injections are effective in controlling joint inflammation but limited by short duration of action and off-target side effects. Gellan sheared hydrogels (SHs) area drug delivery vehicle, with unique thinning properties and enhanced release kinetics. We hypothesise that a combination of SHs and pre-receptor metabolism activated GCs provide slow-release drug delivery to target inflammation and minimise side-effects. We the release kinet...