Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Microparticles (MPs) are membrane sheds formed during cell activation or apoptosis and are characteristic to the cell of origin. Microparticles are thought to have procoagulant activity and a potential role in the inflammatory process. They have also been identified as potential cardiovascular risk factor markers. Microparticles are found to be elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Annexin-V is a general apoptosis marker that binds to phospha...

Background: PCOS is associated with a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors. Increased serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are thought to be proatherogenic, and have also been found to be elevated in PCOS. This study was undertaken to determine the changes of VEGF in patients with PCOS after rimonabant and/or metformin intervention.Methods: A 6-month randomised open labelled parallel study of rimonabant or metformin in 20 patien...

Introduction: Normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism is a less recognised variation of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Patients present with normal calcium and elevated level of PTH.Case: A 70 years old woman presented to her general practitioner with left sided loin pain. She had no past medical history of note and she was not taking any medications. Ultrasound of the urinary tract showed bilateral nephrocalcinosis. Her blood tests showed raised PTH leve...

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has shown to be associated with increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study was undertaken to determine the changes of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with PCOS after rimonabant and/or metformin treatment.Methods: A 3 month randomised open labelled parallel study of rimonabant or metformin in 20 patients with PCOS with a body mass index >30 kg/m2 was undertaken. Subsequen...