Endocrine Abstracts

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)is present, predominantly in latent forms, in normal and malignant breast tissue. The mechanisms by which TGF-beta is activated physiologically remain largely an enigma. The aim of this study was to assess whether the proteases, cathepsin D and PSA could activate latent TGF-beta 1 and 2 in the MCF-7 hormone responsive and MDA-MB-231 hormone unresponsive human breast cancer cell lines. For the experiments, 1 x 106cells were s...

IntroductionInsulin-like growth factors-I (IGF-I) and -II (IGF-II) are important in regulation of metabolism and growth. We previously reported in normal weight normoglycaemic individuals that low circulating IGF-II predicts future weight gain. We subsequently investigated whether such relationships persisted in circumstances of abnormal glucose tolerance.MethodIn 224 type 2 diabetes subjects we assessed the ...

Background: A recent RCT of rhGH in IBD over 6 months showed that improvement in linear growth was associated with a reduction in insulin sensitivity.Objectives: To investigate the effects of prolonged rhGH on growth and glucose homeostasis in children with IBD.Patients and methods: Eleven children (10CD/1UC) (9 m) with a median age of 14.7 years (range, 8.9, 16.2) who received rhGH (0.067 mg/kg per day) as part a 6-month RCT were ...