Endocrine Abstracts

Endokinin B (EKB) is a recently identified tachykinin whose role is not yet fully understood. EKB displays equivalent affinity for the three tachykinin receptors as substance P (SP) which it is often found co-expressed with. SP has been implicated in a variety of neuroendocrinological responses including stress regulation, and affective and anxiety-related behaviours. An important aspect, therefore, is to dissect a distinct role for EKB from that of SP. Here, we have attempted...

Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas arising as part of familial syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)2 or von-Hippel Lindau syndrome (VHL) are more likely to be malignant and multiple. Recently the role of mutations in the SDH genes (encoding subunits of succinate dehydrogenase) have also been identified as important in the aetiology of such tumours. We report a case where identification of an apparently sporadic metastatic phaeochromocytoma was found to be co...

Impaired insulin action is a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes and skeletal muscle is the principal tissue for peripheral glucose disposal. Aims: To determine if after prolonged culture human muscle cells from characterised type 2 diabetes patients have defects of insulin action compared to controls. Design: After attaining local Ethical Committee approval six compliant type 2 diabetic patients with severe clinical insulin resistance, on greater than 100 units of insul...

Impaired insulin action is a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes and skeletal muscle is the principal tissue for peripheral glucose disposal. Aims: To determine if after prolonged culture human muscle cells from characterised type 2 diabetes patients have defects of insulin action compared to controls. Design: After attaining local Ethical Committee approval six compliant type 2 diabetic patients with severe clinical insulin resistance, on greater than 100 units of insul...

Background: Several devices are available for the administration of recombinant GH. A prospective study was undertaken to look at those attributes of GH delivery device most important to patients when making their choice.Objectives: i) To understand which features of a GH device are considered most important to patients when choosing a device. ii) Comparison of patient’s device preferences at start of GH treatment and after 2 years of treatment. iii...

The epithelial cells of the choroid plexus (CP) are responsible for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secretion into the ventricles of the brain, which then drains principally into the dural sinuses. The balance between production and drainage, in part, facilitates a normal intracranial pressure. The secretion of sodium and anions by the CP, creates an osmotic gradient driving the movement of water into the ventricles. This mechanism is analogous to that found in the ocular ciliary ep...

Sodium transport across the human ocular non-pigmented ciliary epithelium (NPE) is fundamental to the production aqueous humour and maintenance of intraocular pressure. In sodium transporting tissues, serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase isoform 1 (SGK1) has been identified as an early corticosteroid target gene in the activation of pre-existing epithelial sodium channels (ENaC). We previously demonstrated the presence of both the mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid...

Introduction: Higher cortisol levels and, in particular, hyperactivity of the HPA axis might play a role in the development of MS at least in adults. Data on the pediatric age are scanty.Aim of our study was to evaluate ACTH and cortisol association with MS, its components, phenotypic parameters, family history of metabolic derangements in pediatric obesity.Methods: Cross-sectional study. 271 Caucasian overweight or obese children ...

Mutations in the HSD11B2 gene explain the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME), which is characterised by severe hypokalemic hypertension. The enzyme product of the HSD11B2 gene, 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11beta HSD2), converts cortisol to its inactive form, cortisone. This reaction occurs primarily in the kidney, preventing the mineralocorticoid effects of cortisol, and in the placenta where it is believed to regulate fetal growth by protecti...

Physiological circulating concentrations of estrogens are very low in men and postmenopausal women (<50 pg/ml), which presenting analytical challenges. Immunoassays can detect as low as 30 pg/ml, but cross-reactivity is a concern. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) offers greater specificity than immunoassays, but ionisation of estrogens is inefficient. Derivatisation, which introduces charged moieties, may enhance ionisation. Dansylated de...