Endocrine Abstracts

Preservation of a functional pancreatic beta cell mass is essential for normal blood glucose homeostasis. The molecular mechanisms through which beta cells sense changes in blood glucose concentration and decode these as enhanced insulin release will be discussed. I shall describe evidence that AMP-activated protein kinase is a key part of this machinery, implicated both in the acute regulation of insulin and in the regulation of beta cell apoptosis. I shall also discuss the h...

Graves' disease is known to occur with increased frequency in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) especially women. Undiagnosed thyrotoxicosis can aggravate glucose intolerance and precipitate diabetic ketosis and ketoacidosis. Among the various presenting symptoms of hyperthyroidism, vomiting is a recognized but uncommon symptom.We present the case history of a 30 year old woman with T1DM of 10 years duration presenting with a short history of...

Most cases of primary hyperparathyroidism are due to either parathyroid adenoma or hyperplasia. Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of hyperparathyroidism, usually diagnosed post operatively .Prognosis is poor with a 5 year survival rate of 50-75%.A 74 year old man presented with a 2 week history of weight loss, anorexia and constipation but no abdominal or bone pain. Past history included hypertension and gout and was not on drugs known to cause hyper...

Background: Suboptimal glycaemic control in hospital inpatients is related to poor clinical outcomes and longer hospital stay. The aims of this study were to document the prevalence and severity of hypo- and hyperglycaemia in medical inpatients and to evaluate aspects of patient management and staff proficiency regarding glucose management.Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 21 381 capillary blood glucose results in 1496 unique patients on 26...

Background: Severe obesity, BMI ≥40 kg/m2, confers a greater risk for graft loss and mortality among renal transplant patients. Transplantation provides a better survival and quality of life in overweight dialysis patients. Higher BMI is associated with progressively increased risk of CKD stages 4–5, hazard ratio of 3.10 (CI 2.95–3.25) for BMI ≥35 kg/m2. A recent meta-analysis found pre-transplant BMI <30 kg/m2 is asso...

Aim: One of the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is impaired beta cell function, which develops in part as a result of widespread cellular de-differentiation. The current state-of-the-art defines beta cells as a heterogeneous islet population, with the existence of individual subpopulations including specialised ‘pacemakers’. We sought here to understand how overexpression-induced beta cell maturity affects such heterogeneity, befo...

Aim: One of the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is impaired beta cell function, which develops in part as a result of widespread cellular de-differentiation. The current state-of-the-art defines beta cells as a heterogeneous islet population, with the existence of individual subpopulations including specialised ‘pacemakers’. We sought here to understand how overexpression-induced beta cell maturity affects such heterogeneity, befo...

Background: Both metabolic surgery and sodium glucose co-transporter (SGLT2) inhibitors have been demonstrated to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose clearance, but also increase glucagon secretion and cardiovascular health.Aim: To examine the effect of metabolic surgery (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy; VSG) on SGLT2 expression in kidney cortex of lean mice.Methods: In order to assess whether exogenous SGLT2 inhibition has the sam...

Hypertension in obese Zucker rats is associated with raised plasma aldosterone, suppressed renin and increased hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal activity. We investigated the possible causes and consequences of these associations by comparing adrenal gene expression and urinary electrolyte and steroid excretion patterns in lean and obese rats. Groups (n=11) of adult male lean and obese Zucker rats were held in metabolism cages for 7 days. Urine collected over the ...

Aim: To assess the outcome of thyroid surgery in a District General Hospital.Methods: Retrospective study of thyroid surgery done over a 3-year period(1999-2002). Indications for surgery, pre and postoperative thyroid status, extent of surgery, post operative complications and post operative histology were evaluated.Results: 124 patients underwent surgery for thyroid disease. 90 % were female and 10 % male, median age of 52 years (...