Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Prolactin is found in serum in different molecular forms, differing in molecular size. Macroprolactin is a complex of prolactin with immunoglobulin and has limited biological activity due to failure to cross capillary wall because of its high molecular weight complex.Objective: To assess the response of the inactive macroprolactin and the biologically active monomeric prolactin, in patients with hyperprolactinaemia, during TRH and metoclopram...

Human obesity is characterized by abnormalities in sympathetic cardiovascular control. We present two cases to demonstrate the relationship between weight, BP and catecholamines (UC).Case 1: A 39 year-old man reported symptoms of flushing and palpitations. His BMI was 50 kg/m2, consistent BP of 240/140 mmHg, with normal renal, thyroid function and normal fasting glucose. Urinary noradrenaline (UNA820 nmol/24 hrs) and dopamine (UDA-4500 nmol/24...

Introduction: The effect of oestrogens on the male skeleton has been demonstrated in a number of studies and oestradiol (E2) plays an important role in regulating bone mineral density (BMD). The concentration of bioavailable oestradiol (BE), rather than total oestradiol (TE), is associated with bone loss in elderly men.Oestradiol circulates in the bloodstream in one of three forms: bound to SHBG; bound to albumin; and unbound/free. The albumin-bound plus the free fraction comp...