Endocrine Abstracts

We have previously shown that the current guidelines for monitoring thyroid function post radioiodine (RI), may not detect hypothyroidism until it has become severe, in a significant proportion of cases (J Endocrinol Invest 2012 35 82–86). An alternative more intense follow-up strategy was used whereby patients had TSH and FT4 measured at 4-week intervals post RI for 6 months. Endocrine specialist nurse-led telephone and nurse-led out-...

Local glucocorticoids action depends on 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) enzymes. Adipose tissues mainly express the 11β-HSD1, which activates inactive cortisone. Altered 11β-HSD1 and GLUT4 expressions have been reported in obesity. GLUT4 participates in the genesis and maintenance of insulin resistance/obesity, and could also be involved in the insulin resistant state observed in hypercortisolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the 11&#...

A 35-year-old lady was admitted at 24 weeks gestation with a 3–4 weeks history of persistent severe, left sided headaches associated with vomiting but not with visual disturbance. She had a prior history of migraines. However, her current headaches were very different in character. On examination her Glasgow Coma score was 15. There was no neck stiffness or photophobia. Visual fields and fundoscopy was normal. She was haemodynamically stable. Magnetic resonance imaging (M...

Myostatin is expressed predominantly in skeletal muscle and at significantly lower levels in adipose tissue. The loss of myostatin by gene disruption prevents an age-related increase in adipose tissue mass and partially attenuates the obese and diabetic phenotypes. Inhibition of myostatin signaling could be useful to prevent and/or treat obesity and diabetes. Male OLETF and LETO rats as non-diabetic controls were treated with or without ALA (100 mg/kg per day) and/or insulin (...

Introduction: Insulin resistance results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors and it may be considered the primary cause of the development of metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by a reduced ability of insulin sensitivity tissues to respond to normal levels of the hormone. In these tissues, glucose transport stimulated by insulin occurs through the glucose transporter 4 and alterations in its expression are related to ...

The hypothalamic melanocortin 4 receptor, its endogenous agonist, alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone and the endogenous antagonist, Agouti related peptide (Agrp) regulate energy homeostasis. However, the physiological role of the hypothalamic melanocortin receptor, MC3-R and its agonist, gamma MSH are currently unknown. We have previously shown that the MC3/4 agonist, a-MSH has no effect on GnRH release from hypothalamic explants and does not influence plasma gonadotrophins ...

Ghrelin receptor GHSR1α is expressed in hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal tissues. Ghrelin reduces GnRH secretion in pre-pubertal period and concentrations of ghrelin are positively correlated with testosterone at adulthood. Nevertheless, the role of ghrelin in affecting pituitary and gonadal functions during normal pubertal development remains elusive. A possible correlation between ghrelin and LH, FSH, testosterone and inhibin B was examined in boys (n=55...

The G protein coupled receptor of obestatin GPR39 is expressed in pituitary and gonads, indicating its possible role in regulation of pituitary and testicular function. The present study examined a possible association of obestatin with LH, FSH, testosterone, and inhibin B at puberty. Blood samples were collected from 10 to 20 years old boys (n=557) and concentrations of obestatin, LH, FSH, testosterone, and inhibib B were determined using specific ELISA. Data were an...

Leptin, a key metabolic signal controlling both energy intake and energy reserves, informs the brain about energy stores of the body to initiate reproductive processes at puberty. Thyroid hormones are important determinant of overall energy expenditure, basal metabolic rate and thermogenesis. The present study examined the relationship between leptin and thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in boys (n=540) between the age of 1 and 20 years. B...

Women with acromegaly present often menstrual irregularity, anovularity and infertility. A direct role of GH and IGF1 excess on the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis, hyperprolactinemia and an impaired gonadotrophin secretion related to a tumor mass effect, or polycystic ovary syndrome have been suggested as possible mechanisms related to infertility. However, no systematic data are available on fertility in these patients. The aim of this retrospective study was t...