Endocrine Abstracts

The application of exogenous neurotrophins (NT) has been widely proposed as a therapeutic strategy for the recovery of regeneration in axotomised CNS neurons. Results from this approach have, however, been disappointing since limited regenerative responses are elicited, we suggest due to limited neurotrophin receptor (NTR) expression. NT exert their trophic effects by signalling through the Trk/p75 receptors. Adequate receptor expression levels must, therefore, be central to t...

The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) plays a key role in the body's capacity to maintain a nearly constant level of the extracellular ionized calcium concentration. The parathyroid glands play an especially important role in calcium homeostasis through their capacity to sense even minute perturbations in the extracellular calcium concentration and to respond in ways that will normalize the level of extracellular calcium. In response to hypocalcemia, for example, in...

Background: Survivors with Fontan circulation suffer from chronic systemic hypoperfusion resulting in end-organ injury. Little is known about the effects of these hemodynamic perturbations on bone. We hypothesized that chronic Fontan circulation (>5 years after surgery) would be associated with bone deficits.Methods: Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) was performed on 10 Fontan patients (seven males, 11.8±1.7 years) and 11 health...