Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Cushing’s syndrome is rare during pregnancy perhaps because hypersecretion of glucocorticoids supresses pituitary gonadotrophin secretion resulting in subfertility. When present, the syndrome is usually due to adrenal disease and less commonly to pituitary adenomas or ectopic ACTH production. In the contrary, Cushing’s syndrome outside pregnancy is usually due to pituitary adenomas whereas non ACTH-dependent Cushing’s is less frequent.<p class=...

Introduction: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) regulates the bioavailability of sex steroid hormones, which in turn regulate reproductive function. The potential association of SHBG gene polymorphisms with the age at menopause has not been examined.Objective: The present study aimed to assess the possible relationship between the pentanucleotide (TAAAA)n repeat polymorphism in the promoter of the SHBG gene and the age at menopause in a Greek fe...

Wnt signaling through low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) is an important determinant of bone mass regulation. Polymorphisms in the LRP5 gene have been associated with either osteoporotic phenotypes or normal bone mineral density (BMD) variation.Objective: To explore the influence of two LRP5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) A1330V and V667M on BMD and serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor...

A 32 year old man with a history of epilepsy since childhood presented in 1992 with a grand mal seizure and clinical features of tuberous sclerosis (TSC). One year later he was referred with classical Cushingoid features. His serum Na was 140 mmol/l, K 3.4 mmol/l, 9 AM cortisol 1018 nmol/l with lack of diurnal variation and ACTH 42-50 ng/l. Urinary cortisol: 797 nmol/24 h. After overnight, low and high dose dexamethasone suppression, cortisol was 1018, 1154, and 62 nmol/l resp...