Endocrine Abstracts

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) is a common endocrine condition. The associated metabolic abnormalities are usually amenable to surgical treatment (PTX). Although it is generally believed that such treatment will reduce the risk of long-term complications this has not been demonstrated in a clinical trial and the current treatment guidelines are based on consensus. In order to assess the effect of parathyroidectomy on two of the most common complications of PHP, renal stones...

The pathogenesis of gonadotrophin secreting pituitary tumours (gonadotrophinomas) remains poorly understood. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are important for the control of cell proliferation and differentiation and BMP2 is essential for commitment of undifferentiated pituitary cells to the gonadotroph cell lineage. In addition, BMPs have been implicated in tumourigenesis in a variety of tissues, associated with up-regulated expression of Id (Inhibitors of differentiation)...

High blood pressure is a common problem among patients in a Nephrology ward and outpatient clinic. However in those patients resistant to therapy, we must exclude a secondary cause. The authors present a case of a patient that was referred to our hospital due to complaints of headache, high blood pressure resistant to therapy (BP=240/130 mmHg), and images in renal ecography, which were compatible with enlarge left adrenal gland and left kidney atrophy. At admission the blood r...

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate growth, differentiation and apoptosis in a variety of tissues and have crucial roles in the regulation of reproduction. BMPs bind specific Type II receptors and form complexes with Type I receptors (Alk2, 3 or 6) whereby the Type II receptors activate Type I receptors by phosphorylation. BMP2 and 4 play a crucial role in the development of the gonadotroph cell lineage during mouse pituitary morphogenesis and BMP6, 7, and 15 stimulate...

Introduction: Thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement is the cornerstone in the follow-up of DTC. Sensitivity can be optimised by measuring recombinant TSH stimulated Tg (rhTSH-Tg). Higher sensitivity results in more Tg positive patients who need imaging and considerable patient burden. We assessed the impact of rhTSH-Tg measurement on health related quality of life (HRQOL).Methods: In 121 patients in follow-up for DTC, Tg during thyroid hormone suppression thera...

Objectives: Somatostatin (SST) inhibits insulin secretion from pancreatic B-cells through a reduction of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i). The influx of Ca2+ is mediated by voltage-operated Ca2+ channels (VOCCs). The role of VOCCs of the R-type (CaV2.3) in SST-mediated processes is unknown. Therefore, we designed a study to identify SST-receptor subtypes (SSTR) in insulinoma cells (INS-1) and characterize the role of t...

Objectives: Somatostatin (SST) inhibits glucagon and insulin secretion. Five receptor subtypes for SST are known (SSTR1-SSTR5), all of which are expressed in the endocrine pancreas. SSTR2 inhibits glucagon secretion in vitro, however its role in vivo is not well understood. Here, we characterize the role of SSTR2 in regulating glucose homeostasis in mice with diet-induced obesity.Methods: SSTR2-deficient (SSTR2−/−) and control mice...

T3 and T4 rapidly activate intracellular signalling cascades via thyroid hormone receptor (TR)-independent actions, suggesting the existence of a plasma membrane receptor. Recent studies support a role for the RGD recognition site of integrin, a transmembrane glycoprotein, as a cell surface TR. We have demonstrated, using PCR and Western blotting, the expression of integrin αVβ3 mRNA and protein in the transformed human osteosarcoma cell line MG...

Bisphosphonates are the treatment of choice for Paget’s disease of bone (PDB). However, long-term effects on complications are unknown. The PRISM trial was a randomised controlled trial comparing symptomatic management and intensive bisphosphonate therapy for PDB, and involved 1324 patients followed for a median of 32 months (range 12–48). Patients allocated to symptomatic therapy (n=663) were untreated unless they had bone pain, at which point they received a...

Introduction: We present the outcome for the first 80 patients undergoing neuronavigation–guided, endoscopic transphenoidal surgery in our centre since August 2001. All operations were undertaken by the same neurosurgeon and endoscopic nasal surgeon.Indications for treatment: Indications for treatment may be divided into: Functioning microadenomas, with the aim of surgical cure while protecting residual pituitary function. Functioning macroadenomas,...