Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Insulin-sensitive tissues such as liver and skeletal muscle modify their gene expression under conditions of obesity-induced insulin resistance, and some of these gene products may be released to maintain glucose homeostasis. This study aimed to identify mRNAs encoding liver and skeletal muscle peptides that have the potential to regulate β-cell function by binding to islet GPCRs, and to quantify changes in expression of these liver and muscle mRNAs in obese...

Although characterised predominantly for its role in the brain, the neuropeptide kisspeptin has previously been shown to potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin through its receptor, GPR54; expressed abundantly in β-cells. We have previously reported a physiological role for kisspeptin signalling in the islet adaptation to pregnancy, using a β-cell specific GPR54 knockout mouse line (βGPR54ko). The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of impaired &#...

Previous studies have shown beneficial effects of the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) family, including the urocortins (UCN1, UCN2 and UCN3), on pancreatic islets and subsequent glucose homeostasis. However, the physiological relevance of this interaction is not currently understood. CRH and urocortins are also expressed by placenta, so this study investigated whether signalling through CRH receptor 1 or 2 (CRHR1/CRHR2) plays a role in the islet adaptation to pregnancy. ...

Gestational diabetes (GDM) occurs when beta-cell insulin secretory capacity is insufficient to meet the increased demands required to maintain normoglycemia during pregnancy. Considerable clinical evidence supports a link between depression and GDM, although underlying mechanisms are unclear. We used the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) rodent model of depression to examine the metabolic effects of depression in pregnant mice. C57BL/6J females were divided at 4-weeks-o...

During pregnancy progressive maternal insulin resistance occurs which is normal, ‘sparing’ glucose that can be transported across the placenta to be used by the fetus. In gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) maternal glucose dysregulation is exacerbated, characterised by hyperglycaemia and associated with long-term adverse outcomes in mother and child, such as increased risk of diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease in later-life. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) i...

Serum concentrations of progesterone sulphates are raised in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), the commonest pregnancy-specific liver disease. Women with ICP have increased rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We hypothesised that raised progesterone sulphates may modulate glucose homeostasis. Progesterone sulphates were assayed in serum samples from participants of the hyperglycaemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes (HAPO) study (n=79–94), and ...