Endocrine Abstracts

Although amyloid deposition can cause a goitre thyrotoxicosis secondary to amyloidosis is rare. We report a case of fatal systemic amyloidosis presenting as thyrotoxicosis.A 62-year-old previously healthy male presented with heat intolerance, weight loss and tremor. On examination he had moderate sized firm goitre and mild dysthyroid eye disease. Biochemistry confirmed thyrotoxicosis; serum free T4 47 pmol/l (normal 10–25) freeT3 14.4 pmol/l (normal...

Introduction: The clinical differentiation between androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) and 5 alpha reductase deficiency (5-ARD) can be difficult. Presenting features may be similar and initial investigations may still not be discriminatory.Methods: Case notes on a total of ten patients with the initial diagnosis of AIS or 5-ARD were retrospectively reviewed.Results: All ten children had a 46XY male karyotype. Four children were r...

The role of the intra-ovarian insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in preantral follicle development is unclear. Here we have examined the expression of mRNA for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IGF-2, Type 1-IGF receptor, Type 2-IGF receptor and insulin receptor (IR) in human pre-antral follicles at different stages. Ovarian cortex biopsies (5mm3) were obtained (with informed consent) during gynaecological surgery from six women (age 32.2 plus/minus SD 2.2,...

A breakdown in stromal-epithelial interactions mediated by androgens is emerging as a key factor in prostate cancer (PCa) aetiology and progression. Currently however, we have limited knowledge of the mechanics of androgen and androgen receptor (AR) action in prostate stroma, or how dysfunction in that compartment contributes to the disease process.In this study, immunohistochemical analysis of 64 PCa samples revealed an inverse relationship between stro...

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that acts as a hormone responsive transcription factor. GR function is controlled by hormone binding, post-translational modifications and through interaction with cofactors. Here, we report that JNK dependent phosphorylation of GR affects its sumoylation. JNK activation by UV radiation that targets GR for phosphorylation at serine 246 (S246) facilitated subsequent GR sumoylation at lysine...

Objective: To investigate pancreatic beta cell morphology and function in rat adult offspring of dams fed a high fat diet in pregnancy.Methods: Female Sprague Dawley rats were fed either a control breeding diet (4% fat) or a high fat diet (20% animal fat) balanced for vitamins and nutrients. Experimental diets were fed for 10 days prior to mating, throughout pregnancy and weaning. Weaned pups were fed standard low fat chow throughout adult life. The time...

Background: Diabetic gastroparesis is a disabling condition with no consistently effective treatment. Ghrelin infusion, in animal studies, increases gastric emptying and reverses post-operative ileus. We present the results of the first double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study of ghrelin in gastric emptying in patients with diabetic gastroparesis....

BackgroundDiabetic gastroparesis is a disabling condition with no consistently effective treatment. Ghrelin infusion, in animal studies, increases gastric emptying and reverses post-operative ileus. We present the results of the first double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study of ghrelin in gastric emptying in patients with diabetic gastroparesis.MethodsTen insulin requiring diabetic patients (5 men, 6 ...