Endocrine Abstracts

ObjectiveTo establish a set of population derived reference ranges for plasma total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and calculated free testosterone (FT) values especially in older men.BackgroundThe age-related decline in testosterone concentrations in men is gradual and both cross-sectional and longitudinal data have shown that there was a small but significant decline in total and free tes...

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare condition affecting the nervous system and adrenal cortex that typically presents in childhood. It results from mutations in the ABCD1 gene. We describe two cases of ALD presenting with hypoadrenalism in adulthood.A 20 year old man presented with persistent vomiting. He was pigmented, blood pressure was 100/60 mmHg, and neurological examination was normal. Investigations showed serum sodium 125 mmol/L, urea 1...

Leptin is a circulating hormone produced primarily by the adipose tissue, which controls food intake and energy homeostasis. Important peripheral actions of leptin involve inhibition of insulin biosynthesis and secretion in pancreatic ß-cells. In turn, insulin stimulates leptin secretion from adipose tissue, establishing a hormonal regulatory feedback loop: ‘adipo-insular axis’. The aim of our study was to determine the interrelations between leptin, insulin/ins...

Objective: We previously reported that the reduced arterial elasticity in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women is present in the first trimester of pregnancy. Women with reduced arterial elasticity are more likely to develop pre eclampsia, which association with PCOS is still unproven. This study was designed to compare blood pressure (BP) and arterial elasticity in pregnant PCOS women and controls in second trimester.Methods: The subjects were 15 preg...

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is produced by the ovarian granulosa cells in immature follicles from around week 36 of gestation to the menopause. Expression is highest in pre-antral and early antral follicles. AMH has a generally inhibitory effect on early follicle development and possibly on the responsiveness of growing follicles to FSH. Serum AMH is markedly elevated in women with PCOS and increased concentrations have also been reported in the healthy prepubertal daughters ...

We report the case of a 26 year old man who presented to his GP with infertility; biochemical investigations revealed elevated serum free thyroid hormones (FT4 41 pmol/l (12–22); FT3 13.4 pmol/l (2.8–7.1); and a normal TSH (2 pmol/l (0.27–4.2). He was referred to the endocrine department.On examination, he was found to be clinically well though thin (BMI 18), anxious and tremulous. His heart rate was 110 bpm and blood pressure was normal. ...

IntroductionThe mechanism by which hypertrophy of skeletal muscle occurs in response to anabolic androgens is incompletely understood. This study used a cell culture model of human skeletal muscle-derived cells, with samples obtained from consenting subjects and local ethics committee approval. The objective was to determine changes in myogenicity upon exposure to exogenous androgen +/− IGF-1 and to see whether an additive effect would be observed....

Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) is associated with osteoporosis. PTH is secreted in a circadian rhythm and temporal fluctuations in PTH concentration, particularly at night, appear to be important in the regulation of bone turnover. Serum phosphate is an important determinant of PTH, with changes in phosphate preceding fluctuations in PTH concentration. We examined the difference in PTH and phosphate circadian rhythmicity in AGHD patients with normal and reduced bone mi...

Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) is associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover. Abnormalities in PTH circadian rhythmicity, including blunted nocturnal rise in PTH concentration have been reported in AGHD and may underlie the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Serum phosphate is an important regulator of PTH, with changes in phosphate concentration preceding fluctuations in PTH. We examined the effect of oral phosphate therapy on PTH circadian rhythm...

FTC (OMIM #211900) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the presence of ectopic calcifications in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. These calcified masses look like irregular tumors which usually develop in a periarticular position, causing pain and often necessitating surgical excision. The majority of affected individuals have hyperphosphatemia due to increased renotubular reabsorption of phosphate and elevated levels of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (cal...