Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Overt hyperthyroidism (OH) is associated with potentially lethal conditions such as atrial fibrillation, pulmonary embolism, stroke and coagulopathy. OH has also been connected with an increased mortality. However, this could be the result of common genetic and environmental factors affecting both OH and mortality.Objective: To investigate if OH is associated with an increased mortality and to what degree the relation might be explained fro...

Our previous work has shown that the intake of a high fat high carbohydrate (HFHC) meal results in an increase in endotoxin (LPS) and LPS binding protein (LBP) concentrations concomitant with an increase in the expression of TLR-4, the receptor for LPS, and CD-14, which facilitates the binding of LPS to its receptor. In addition, there is an increase in ROS generation, NFkB binding and the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β. Our work has also demonstrated that an equicalo...

We have previously demonstrated that a low dose of hydrocortisone (100 mg) given intravenously suppresses intranuclear NFκB and AP-1 binding and the expression of pro-inflammatory genes like MMPs. We have now investigated the effect of a high dose of hydrocortisone (300 mg=60 mg prednisolone) on NFκB binding and the expression of TLRs, the mediators of TLR signal transduction, MyD88 and TRIF and HMG-B1. Ten normal subjects were injected intravenously with 300 mg of h...

Case history: We report 7 weeks old with central diabetes insipidus, holoprosencephaly (HPE), immunodeficiency and severe colitis. She was first admitted with severe diarrhoea and hypernatremia. A diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus (CDI) was made and she was commenced on subcutaneous desmopressin (DDAVP). Her initial hypothalamic–pituitary axis (HPA) was normal (ACTH 10 ng/l, cortisol 635 nmol/l, GH 23 μg/l and TSH 3.30 μ/l). However repeated cortisols and ...

Background: Hyponatraemia is the commonest electrolyte abnormality in clinical practice, and may be a biochemical manifestation of different diseases including malignancy. About 14% of hyponatremia in medical inpatients is due to underlying tumour related conditions.We present a case of 68 years widow who was referred by her General Practioner with 3 weeks history of nausea, occasional vomiting, confusion, increased urinary frequency, and urinary inconti...

Inappropriate control of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in production animals has serious consequences for animal welfare, and economic consequences in relation to food production. Fertility rates have declined as a consequence of farming practice and selective breeding, which may result in an increased susceptibility to disease and infection. Whilst precise monitoring of HPA status can be achieved through measurement of plasma cortisol levels, obtainin...

Background: Hyponatraemia is the commonest electrolyte abnormality in clinical practice, and may be a biochemical manifestation of different diseases including malignancy. Uterine neuroendocrine tumours causing hyponatraemia are rare and can cause a diagnostic challenge.We present a case of 68 years widow who presented with 3 weeks history of nausea, occasional vomiting, confusion, increased urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, chronic constipation, ...

Introduction: British Thyroid Association Guidelines state that the diagnosis of thyroid malignancy cannot be based on the results of an aspiration’s cytology alone and will usually require surgical removal for confirmation. There has been much debate about the management of indeterminate fine needle aspirations (Thy 3). Recent publications have reported that the prevalence of thyroid carcinoma following a Thy 3 result to be as high has 28%, emphasising the importance of ...

Background: Elevation of blood and tissue concentrations of glucose and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may play a relevant role in the occurrence of atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis and diabetic complications. To evaluate the impact of elevated extracellular AGEs and different glucose concentrations we studied the gene expressions and the underlying pathways which may lead to endothelial inflammation.Methods: Fresh human umbilical vein cord endo...

Background: Effective acclimatization to high altitude involves a natriuresis and diuresis facilitated by a suppressed aldosterone. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is common but poorly understood. A cardiac hormone, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), is released primarily in response to cardiomyocyte stretch but animal models suggest BNP secretion is also stimulated by acute hypoxia. An increase in BNP causes a diuresis, natriuresis and a reduction in aldosterone. We hypothesized ...