Endocrine Abstracts

Background: High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (hrMRI) can assess trabecular bone microarchitecture but the number of image slices required for reliable assessment is unclear.Methods: MRI was performed just below the growth plate of the proximal tibia from 20 healthy controls (all females; median age 21 years (range 18.35) and ten cases (3M:7F; median age 19.5 years (range 16.48) with known bone abnormalities including osteogenesis imperfecta and...

Introduction: Metformin is widely used as oral anti-hyperglycaemic agent to treat type 2 diabetes, with increasing reports of an additional, potential bone protective role.Objective: We investigated the role of AMPK in mediating the effects of metformin on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to either osteoblasts or adipocytes.Methods: Confluent murine MSCs (C3H10T1/2) were treated with metformin (500 μM), a k...

Introduction: Insulin sensitising agents are reported to have a diverse range of effects on bone with metformin exerting positive effects and thiazolidinenediones (TZDs) exerting negative effects. 5′AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in cellular energy homeostasis. It is widely expressed in the body and can be activated by metformin.Aim: We investigated the role of AMPK pathway in mediating the effects of metformin on the ost...

Introduction: Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) is an increasingly recognised cause of upper airway obstruction associated with holoprosencephaly, of which solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) is the least severe form. Studies have described pituitary abnormalities in up to 40%. We aimed to determine the use of baseline endocrine investigations and MRI brain in assessing endocrine dysfunction.Method: Retrospective casenote ...

Objective: The pathophysiology of the increased fracture risk in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) remains unclear. Given that childhood and adolescence are important physiological periods for optimal bone development, we performed a multimodality assessment to determine the effects of T1D on bone health.Methods: Thirty two affected children at a median (range) age of 13.7 years (10.4, 16.7), were recruited for detailed assessment of bone health. Serum bone alkaline...

Introduction: The insulin tolerance test (ITT) is the gold standard method to assess GH and/or ACTH deficiency. Safety concerns with the use of this test were raised more than 20 years ago from overtreatment of hypoglycaemia and consequent cerebral oedema, resulting in some centres using alternative tests. We have re-appraised use of the ITT in a contemporary setting and evaluated: i) timing of the glucose nadir, ii) time to resolution of hypoglycaemia, iii) adverse events and...