Endocrine Abstracts

Transsphenoidal surgery results in biochemical cure of approximately 50% of all acromegalic patients, depending on tumour size and surgical expertise. It is uncertain whether prior treatment with somatostatin analogues would result in tumour shrinkage and therefore improve the efficacy of subsequent surgery. Aims: To determine whether 6 months de novo treatment with Sandostatin LAR results in tumour shrinkage. Methods: 6 patients (mean age 53 yr; range 42-...

Cortisol metabolism is modulated by inhibition of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11 beta HSD1) during GH replacement (Weaver et al, Clin Endocrinol, 1994, 41, 639; Gelding et al, Clin Endocrinol, 1998, 48, 153) and in active acromegaly (Moore et al, J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1999, 84, 4172). 11 beta HSD1 activity is also influenced by both fat mass and insulin. To determine the relative contribution of GH/IGF-I to alteration in cortisol metabolism we have examined...