Endocrine Abstracts

We present a commentary based on both history and experiences of the many contributions to steroid biochemistry and endocrinology made in Edinburgh over the past 75 years. Reflections will be made commencing with the contributions of Guy Marrian (1904–1981) and colleagues. Marian, occupied the Chair of Medicine with relation to Medicine (later Medical Biochemistry, then Biochemistry) at Edinburgh University from 1939 until his appointment as Director of the ICRF Laborator...

At least 90% of human ovarian cancers originate in the OSE. Most studies indicate that EOC is oestrogen responsive. Paradoxically, ovarian cancer generally occurs after the menopause, which raises the question if oestrogen is involved, where does it come from? We hypothesise that the high circulating concentrations of conjugated (inactive) oestrogens in post-menopausal women are substrates for formation of active oestrogen in the OSE through the hydrolytic enzyme activity of S...

Abdominal surgery and diseases such as endometriosis cause persistent abdominal adhesions leading to pelvic pain, infertility and in severe cases, bowel obstruction. Current treatments are ineffective and the aetiology is unclear, although excessive collagen deposition is a consistent feature. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is a key enzyme required for crosslinking and deposition of insoluble collagen.10–12 weeks old female C57Bl/6 mice (3–10 mice per gro...