Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Endocannabinoids (CBs) are novel lipid mediators that modulate appetitive behaviour and energy metabolism. The overactivation of the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in obesity. Endocannabinoids may regulate the lipid metabolism through their receptors (CB1 and CB2) in liver and adipose tissue. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1) type 1 regulates the local availability of active glucocorticoid, potent inductors of adipogenic different...

Introduction: In humans, testosterone treatment affects body fat distribution and metabolism. The mechanisms involved in these processes are not yet fully understood. We investigated whether sex hormones modulate the expression and activity of type1 11-β-hydroxy-steroid-dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1). 11β-HSD1 catalyses the conversion of inactive cortisone into active cortisol, a key step for the development of functional adipocytes. Based on previous studies an inhib...

Background: Cushing’s syndrome results from chronic exposure to excessive levels of glucocorticoids (GC). The clinical manifestations associated with hypercortisolaemia are variable and differ widely in severity, including hypertension, apparent obesity and metabolic aberrations such as diabetes, dyslipidaemia, ultimately leading to changes similar to the metabolic syndrome. We hypothesised that GC might influence the expression of the genes involved in lipogenesis and gl...

Background: Cushing’s syndrome results from chronic exposure to excessive levels of glucocorticoids (GC). The clinical manifestations associated with hypercortisolaemia are variable and differ widely in severity, including hypertension, apparent obesity and metabolic aberrations such as diabetes, dyslipidaemia, ultimately leading to changes similar to the metabolic syndrome. We hypothesised that GC might influence the expression of the genes involved in lipogenesis and gl...

We have previously shown that the orexigenic and peripheral adipogenic effects of ghrelin are mediated by its effect on the metabolic enzyme AMPK. As the cannabinoid (CB1)-antagonist rimonabant inhibits the orexigenic effect of ghrelin, we suggest that there is an interaction between cannabinoids and ghrelin.To study the involvement of CB1 in the effects of ghrelin, wild-type (WT) and CB1-knockout mice were treated with ghrelin and rimonabant.<p clas...

Ghrelin, cannabinoids and glucocorticoids have all orexigenic and widespread metabolic effects. AMPK is a major controller of many metabolic processes. We have studied the effects of ghrelin and glucocorticoids and their interaction with endocannabinoids using cannabinoid-receptor-1 (CB1) knock-out mice and CB1 antagonist-treated mice, and using tissue samples from patients with Cushing’s syndrome and from a rodent model of Cushing’s syndrome. AMPK activity and downs...

Mutations in AIP have been identified in a significant proportion of families with pituitary adenomas, most commonly in familial acromegaly. However, no data are available about the pituitary expression of AIP and how lack of AIP is involved in tumorigenesis.We identified 10 kindreds with AIP mutations out of 31 families. We studied RNA and protein expression of AIP in normal as well as familial and sporadic pituitary adenomas. In the normal pituitary st...

Background: Excess glucocorticoids result in Cushing’s syndrome (CS) which is characterised by increased food intake, central obesity, dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance, leading to the metabolic syndrome. AMPK is a regulator of energy homeostasis and plays an important role in the regulation of appetite, glucose uptake, lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis. We hypothesised that the effects of corticosteroids on metabolism would be mediated by changes in AMPK activity in a t...

This abstract was printed as a duplication of abstract P291 and corrected onlineBackground: Excess glucocorticoids result in Cushing’s syndrome (CS) which is characterised by increased food intake, central obesity, dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance, leading to the metabolic syndrome. AMPK is a regulator of energy homeostasis and plays an important role in the regulation of appetite, glucose uptake, lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis. We hypothesised...

Acromegaly is almost always due to a sporadic growth-hormone secreting pituitary adenoma, but familial acromegaly has been reported occasionally. Linkage and loss of heterozygosity studies have suggested that it is caused by a tumour suppressor gene located at 11q13. Recently mutations have been identified in a gene in some families with acromegaly alone or acromegaly and prolactinoma. The gene codes for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interactive protein (AIP), a molecular chap...