Endocrine Abstracts

Obesity is a complex condition associated with numerous increased health risks caused by reduced physical activity and an increased consumption of energy-dense foods. It affects all ages and socio-economic groups, and is rising to global epidemic proportions.Lifestyle changes in diet and physical activity are capable of treating all but the severest cases of obesity, although low compliance is fuelling interest in effective therapies, including gastroint...

Background: GLP-1/glucagon dual agonists are being developed as treatments for obesity due to their combined effect of reducing food intake while increase energy expenditure. Though the effect of the dual agonist on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism is well studied, little is known about the effects on protein metabolism. This study aimed to examine the acute and chronic effects of the GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist on amino acid metabolism.Methods: The lon...

Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) comprise a heterogeneous group of tumours that constitute a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The most commonly used general NET circulating biomarker is Chromogranin A (CgA). CgA is elevated under other circumstances, notably by the use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and possibly via a gastrin-mediated mechanism. Chromogranin B (CgB) and Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated transcript (CART) are two less commonly used NET biomar...

High protein diets suppress appetite and facilitate weight loss, but are difficult to adhere to. Understanding the mechanisms by which protein suppresses appetite may establish targets for more acceptable interventions to treat or prevent obesity. Of particular interest is the concept of functional foods or novel products, which aim to potentiate satiety.Receptor systems that respond to amino acids have been identified. However, the specific mechanisms r...

Glucagon is released from α-cells in the pancreatic islets and is best known for its role in glucose homeostasis. Glucagon/GLP-1 receptor co-agonists have recently been shown to improve glucose homeostasis and reduce body weight in diet-induced obese mice. Glucagon receptor agonism increases energy expenditure while the GLP-1 receptor agonism prevents glucagon-induced hyperglycemia. Peripherally administered glucagon is also capable of reducing food intake, and glucagon n...

Laboratory rats are commonly used to study energy homeostasis. To accurately record food intake or energy expenditure it is necessary to house rats individually, which can be stressful for social animals. Environmental enrichment may reduce stress and improve welfare in laboratory rodents. However, the effect of environmental enrichment on food intake and thus experimental outcome in rats is unknown. We aimed to determine the effect of environmental enrichment on food intake, ...

Background: Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor used in the treatment of obesity. Recent published work has shown that orlistat may have a role in affecting the release of appetite regulating gastrointestinal derived peptides. However, the precise effect of orlistat on these hormones remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of orlistat with a high fat meal on levels of plasma Peptide YY (PYY) and on appetite.Methods: Ethical perm...

The hypothalamo-pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis maintains controlled systemic levels of thyroid hormone (TH). This is achieved through negative feedback via the hypothalamic arcuate and paraventricular nuclei. The effects of thyroid hormone in other hypothalamic nuclei are yet to be elucidated. Administration of triiodothyronine (T3, thyroid hormone) into the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) increases food intake in rats. Thyroid hormone activation and inac...

Background: Bariatric surgery has been proven to produce substantial weight loss and amelioration of metabolic syndrome-associated co-morbidities. However, at five-year follow-up, only 20–40% of patients maintain diabetes remission and 40% of patients return to their baseline weight. The limiting factor in treating refractory diabetes following obesity surgery is the lack of knowledge about its aetiology.Aims: Evaluate the eating pattern and clinica...

Introduction: Improvement in glycaemia is observed early after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery (RYGB) in patients with diabetes. Commonly cited mechanisms to account for these changes include the elevation of gut hormones, increase in bile acids levels, changes in the gut microbiota and calorie restriction. Calorie restriction is believed to play a role in improving hepatic insulin sensitivity and reduce hepatic glucose output early after RYGB, in the context of non-significa...