Endocrine Abstracts

The nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) can recognize and bind the 1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25D) hormone and the carcinogenic bile acid lithocholic acid (LCA) as cognate ligands. VDR liganded with 1,25D or LCA can elicit expression of the metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4 within enteric cells, suggesting an important role for VDR in cellular detoxification in addition to its well-defined endocrine effects on calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Using a range of biochemical and...

First line screening for pheochromocytoma, as recommend by Endocrine Society guidelines, is to determine plasma free or urinary fractionated metanephrines. We routinely offer the latter. Although negative results rule out pheochromocytoma, it is not uncommon to see borderline results which require further investigation. In this situation we have historically relied on the measurement of plasma catecholamines in the clonidine suppression test (CST). Plasma metanephrines, howeve...

Background: Impaired Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) function is associated with obesity and hypertension, but the correlation of circulating IGF-1 with these conditions is weak. As a metabolite of IGF-1, the ratio of cGP/IGF-1 regulates IGF-1 bioavailability and may be a more accurate biomarker of IGF-1 function in obesity and hypertension.Methods: Using ELISA and HPLCms methodologies, we analysed plasma concentration of IGF-1, cGP and IGFBP-3 in 4...