Endocrine Abstracts

The resin of the guggul tree (Commiphora mukul) has been used for millennia in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Extracts of this resin have been reported to lower LDL cholesterol in humans, and the plant sterol guggulsterone (4,17(20)-pregnadiene-3,16-dione) is thought to be the active agent. We have found that guggulsterone is an antagonist ligand for the nuclear the bile acid receptor, FXR. Guggulsterone treatment lowers hepatic cholesterol levels in wild t...

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can rarely be associated with underlying endocrine disorders such as Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism or with administration of thyroxin or growth hormone. We describe a case of acute adrenal deficiency presented along with IIH.Case history: A 24-year-old Caucasian female (body mass index 21 kg/m2) presented with nausea, vomiting and collapse. She had several months of generalised ...

The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is characterised by euvolamic hyponatraemia. Patients with SIADH continue to drink normal amounts of fluid, despite plasma osmolalities well below the physiological osmotic threshold for the onset of thirst. The regulation of thirst has not been previously studied in SIADH. We studied the characteristics of osmotically-stimulated thirst and vasopressin (AVP) secretion, and the non-osmotic suppression of thirst and AVP ...

We present the case of a 44-year-old woman from Afghanistan who had lived in the UK for 2 years. She was admitted to hospital with headache. She gave an 8 months history of generalised headache, secondary amenorrhoea and weight gain. There was no history of polyuria or polydypsia. Examination revealed a bitemporal hemianopia to red pin confrontation. Investigations confirmed that she was panhypopituitary. In addition, she was vitamin D deficient. Imaging of the pituitary gland...

Introduction: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but devastating malignancy. We performed a review to determine outcome in our patient cohort.Of 20 patients 14 were females, six males. Median overall survival was 27.5 months (range 1–168), nine being deceased. Mean age at presentation 52.3 years (range 18–71). The majority of cancers were large; 5% ≤5 cm, 40% 5–10 cm, 55 >10 cm. 25% had stage IV disease, 10% stage III, 55% ...

Background: Secretion and metabolism of glucocorticoids and sex steroids is disrupted in critical illness, and may be further disrupted in COVID-19. The host receptor (ACE-2) is expressed in endocrine tissues including adrenal cortex and gonad, and its occupancy may dysregulate the renin-angiotensin system. We hypothesise that severe COVID-19 results in glucocorticoid and sex hormone deficiency, and aldosterone excess.Methods: Plasma was obtained from 27...