Endocrine Abstracts

AIM: To assess efficacy of GH replacement and safety of stopping treatment in patients aged over 60 years.METHODS: GH-deficient patients were started on GH 0.13 miligram per day and the dose titrated over 4 months to a serum IGF-1 in the upper half of the age-related normal range. After 4 months titration, patients were randomised to either continuing GH or placebo in a double-blind, cross-over study with 2 x 4 month periods of either GH or placebo treatment.RESULTS: 1...

Recent reports have raised concerns that dopamine agonist drugs, particularly cabergoline and pergolide, may be associated with cardiac valvulopathy. Dopamine agonists exert their prolactin-suppressive effect via lactotroph D2S receptors, while cardiac fibrosis appears to be mediated via 5HT2B receptors. We have assessed the receptor binding and functional effects of a range of dopamine agonists to determine their relative potencies at these two receptors...

Background: The introduction of somatostatin analogues for the treatment of acromegaly has relegated dopamine agonists, once a mainstay of treatment, down the therapeutic ladder. Dopamine agonists are, however, added to somatostatin analogues to control active disease in some patients, in an attempt to achieve biochemical control. There are no reports, however, assessing this practise.Aim: To assess the effectiveness of adding dopamine agonist therapy to...

Oral but not transdermal ORT reduces serum IGF-1 levels in postmenopausal women. The effect of ORT type on GH dose and sensitivity is unclear. We present a retrospective analysis of GH-deficient women on ORT in the KIMS database.AIM: To determine the type of oestrogen prescribed and its effect on GH dose.METHOD: Patients were divided into groups taking oral oestradiol valerate, conjugated oestrogen, ethinyloestradiol and transderma...

Background: Glucorticoids can affect blood pressure in humans, as demonstrated most strikingly in Cushing’s syndrome. We have previously reported that total cortisol metabolite excretion is raised in obese subjects, while other investigations have identified genetically determined changes in glucocorticoid receptor function as contributors to hypertension. Furthermore, in essential hypertension, vasoconstrictor sensitivity to glucocorticoids is increased. Such raised sens...