Endocrine Abstracts

Advanced glycation end products modify protein structure and function in type I diabetes. Glycoproteins may be potentially modified through other mechanisms, particularly changes to insulin-dependent oligosaccharide components. We have assessed the use of immobilised lectins, characterising the oligosaccharides of a serum glycoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). We wish to test the hypothesis that glycoprotein glycosylation may be modified in type I diabetes.<p ...

Short synacthen tests (SST) are used to investigate patients with suspected HPA pathology and a rise of serum total cortisol > 550nmol/L is accepted as demonstrating sufficient cortisol reserve. However, cortisol is 80% bound to cortisol binding globulin (CBG) and therefore abnormal values of CBG can influence serum total cortisol used to interpret dynamic tests of the HPA axis. The free cortisol index (FCI) is a surrogate marker for serum free cortisol and is defined as s...