Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes requires the complex formation of FGF receptor, FGF and heparan sulphate, which is regulated by multiple extracellular inputs. FGFR1 as KAL-2 gene and anosmin-1, an extracellular matrix protein encoded by KAL-1 gene are associated with Kallmann syndrome characterised by anosmia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Anosmin-1 induces neurite outgrowth and cytoske...

At least 90% of human ovarian cancers originate in the OSE. Most studies indicate that EOC is oestrogen responsive. Paradoxically, ovarian cancer generally occurs after the menopause, which raises the question if oestrogen is involved, where does it come from? We hypothesise that the high circulating concentrations of conjugated (inactive) oestrogens in post-menopausal women are substrates for formation of active oestrogen in the OSE through the hydrolytic enzyme activity of S...

A 24-year-old woman presented with stridor resulting from a large, firm, anterior neck mass. At age six she had been treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) with vincristine, prednisolone, daunorubicin, asparaginase, prophylactic cranial radiotherapy and intrathecal methotrexate. She also had primary hypothyroidism with strongly positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies.The mass had been gradually enlarging for 6 months, causing exertional breathles...

Background/objective: Published data suggest that growth hormone replacement (GHR) may be safely given to patients with hypopituitarism consequent upon a pituitary/peri-pituitary tumour. However, to date, these series have included a preponderance of patients treated with external pituitary irradiation. We have performed a retrospective study to evaluate the recurrence rate in a group of patients with pituitary/peripituitary tumours treated with GHR.Meth...

7-Oxysterols modulate lipid transport and promote oxidative stress and apoptosis in the vascular wall. 7-Ketocholesterol (7KC) and 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7βOHC) are inter-converted by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11βHSD1), better known for metabolising glucocorticoids. Pharmacological inhibition of 11βHSD1 protects against atherosclerosis and these beneficial effects may be mediated through changes in glucocorticoids or oxysterols. To establish ...

The association between Cushing's syndrome and pregnancy is uncommon due to associated sub-fertility. Recognising this is important, as there implications for both mother and foetus.A twenty year old presented at twenty three weeks gestation. Insulin requiring diabetes had developed as had oedema. Pigmented abdominal striae were prominent. Her serum sodium concentration was noted to be low (3 mmol/l). 24 hour urinary free cortisol was elevated (>1380 ...

ObjectiveActive acromegaly is associated with increased mortality. While surgery is the mainstay of treatment, it is not always curative. In selected cases, CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery (CK SRS) can be used as adjuvant treatment in patients with persistent disease.DesignThis is a retrospective review of the biochemical and imaging characteristics for patients with active acromegaly treated with CK SRS...

Objectives: Hyperthyroidism in pregnant women is a clinical concern, and it is important to surveil any change in the occurrence of hyperthyroidism within the pregnant population specifically, especially when a mandatory iodine fortification (IF) program is implemented as it was in Denmark in the year 2000. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate any change in the use of antithyroid drugs (ATD) for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in Danish pregnant women during a 20-year...

A 54-year-old man presented to the heart attack centre with cardiac chest pain, vomiting and collapse. Biochemistry (troponin incremented from 117 to 315ng/l) and electrocardiogram confirmed a diagnosis of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Past medical history included type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension (diagnosed 8 years previously), hypercholesterolaemia and a 20 pack year smoking history. Secondary prevention for MI was commenced and coronary angiograp...

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is both the most common form of secondary hypertension and a high-risk subset associated with increased cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal morbidity compared to essential hypertension. Unilateral PA is amenable to surgery, biochemical cure and reversal of this excess risk; whilst bilateral disease is best treated through mechanism-directed medical therapy. Currently, PA subtype classification relies on adrenal venous sampling (AV...