Endocrine Abstracts

Dissection or rupture of the aorta accounts for death in 2-8% of women with Turner Syndrome (TS), and dilatation of the aortic root, has been reported as a predisposing factor. We compared measures of arterial structure, stiffness and endothelial function to investigate whether women with TS have a fundamental arterial wall defect which extends beyond the arch of the aorta. Local Ethics Committee approval was obtained.Age-matched women with TS (n=93), 46...

Dissection or rupture of the aorta accounts for death in 2-8% of women with Turner Syndrome (TS), and dilatation of the aortic root, has been reported as a predisposing factor. We compared measures of arterial structure, stiffness and endothelial function to investigate whether women with TS have a fundamental arterial wall defect which extends beyond the arch of the aorta. Local Ethics Committee approval was obtained.Age-matched women with TS (n=93), 46...

IntroductionCardiovascular complications are the main cause of increased mortality in Turner Syndrome (TS). We have previously described a high prevalence of occult aortic dysmorphology in women with TS. The aim of this study was to introduce a classification system for the variety of appearances seen by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Method98 women (median age 29.0, range 18.1-64.2 years) underwent MRI scanning of the aorta. MRI appearances were correlated with ...

Background: Placental signalling has been postulated to drive inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Objectives: To determine if placental signalling contributes to systemic insulin resistance in GDM.Methods: Adiponectin, leptin, adipsin and resistin in placental and omental explant culture supernatants (n=10 GDM and n=10 control) and maternal plasma (n=20 GDM and n=20 co...

The cell cycle occupies a pivotal role in the control of cellular proliferation, a critical point being activation of CyclinE which is held in check by the inhibitor p27. CyclinE is targeted for degradation by the F-box protein Archipelago (Ago/Fbw7/cdc4), while p27 is exported out of the nucleus by Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (Jab1). Over-expression of CyclinE has been reported in breast cancer. We have now explored the role of Jab1 and Ago in mediating changes in...

Background: There is considerable evidence to support a role for the GH/IGF-I axis in the development of breast cancer. We have previously demonstrated that IGF-I is expressed in both normal and malignant breast tissue, but that approximately 10% of primary breast cancers reveal no IGF-I mRNA expression. However the molecular differences between IGF-I positive and IGF-I negative tumours is unknown.Aims: To investigate the molecular differences between IG...

IntroductionCardiovascular disease, which may be structural or ischaemic, is the major cause of morbidity and mortality for women with Turner Syndrome (TS). This study investigated arterial augmentation index (AI%) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) as measures of arterial stiffness in adults with TS. A more positive AI% and greater PWV indicate increased arterial stiffness.Method66 women with TS and 8 normal wome...

IntroductionCardiovascular disease, which may be structural or ischaemic, is the major cause of morbidity and mortality for women with Turner Syndrome (TS). This study investigated arterial augmentation index (AI%) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) as measures of arterial stiffness in adults with TS. A more positive AI% and greater PWV indicate increased arterial stiffness.Method66 women with TS and 8 normal wome...

Background:The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (GH/IGF-I) axis has been increasingly implicated in the development of breast cancer. Previously we have demonstrated the local expression of IGF-I in normal and malignant breast tissue. However the correlation of this local expression with clinical factors has not fully been investigated.Aims: (i) To quantify the mRNA levels of IGF-I in normal and malignant breast tissue and (ii) to identify any correlation betwee...

Background: Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels respectively have a positive and negative association with subsequent risk of breast cancer. The anti-oestrogen tamoxifen is widely used as adjunctive therapy after resection of primary breast tumours. Tamoxifen has been reported to influence serum IGF-I, although its effects on BP-3 are unknown. The effects of tumour resection itself on IGF-I and BP-3 levels are unclear.Aims: To determine the effects of surgery...