Endocrine Abstracts

It has been proposed that cellular Ca2+ signals activate hormone secretion. In pancreatic β cells, which produce insulin, Ca2+ signals have been known to contribute to insulin secretion. Prior to this study, we confirmed that Calbindin-D9k (CaBP-9k) was responsible for regulation of the distribution of free calcium in the cytoplasm. We also confirmed that insulin-secreting β cells express CaBP-9k, and assumed that CaBP-9k play a role in β c...

Placenta exchanges vital factors including oxygen, carbon dioxide, cation (copper, iron, calcium) and glucose that are essential to fetal growth. Copper, iron, calcium cation and glucose transfer genes are regulated by reproduction-related hormones, vitamin D and human placental lactogen. These molecules are transferred by specific receptors located on cell membrane or cytoplasm in placenta. These substances disturb action of reproduction-related hormones (ex> estrogen, pr...

Synthesized chemicals that not existed in the environment have been troubled endocrine physiology. These endocrine disruptors (EDs) had been noted and replaced with other chemicals. Most of compound banned for production act as an estrogen. But other than estrogen, especially thyroid hormone related EDs are noted for early brain and neural development. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are representative known as thyroid disruptor because of its structural similarity. 2,4,6-t...

Calcium ion is important for physiological functions in all tissues and organs, and is essential for many vital functions. Calcium in lumen is absorbed to cytosol, and Calbindin-D9k binds calcium. It can remove calcium to extracellular through PMCA1 and NCX1. However, in the rat esophagus, the calcium related gene regulations and localizations were not well documented. We evaluated calcium related genes including Calbindin-D9k, PMCA1, and NCX1. Immature rats were daily treated...

Introduction: Following the introduction of the Quality Outcome Framework (QOF), 98–100% patients with hypothyroidism received annual TSH checks during the period 2009–2014. However, there was no evidence this resulted in improved care. We have developed an electronic protocol in EMIS web to both emulate the former QOF thyroid e-alerts in prompting GP’s to check annual thyroid function in patients with treated primary hypothyroidism, and also to alert if TSH is ...

BDNF, a neurotrophin involved in brain development and plasticity, is implicated in the melanocortin regulation of obesity onset. Mice deficient in the orphan nuclear receptor SF-1 have a poorly developed VMH and consequent absence of BDNF in this region. Our studies reveal a role for SF-1 in BDNF expression, and its' implications for hypothalamic obesity. Real-time RT-PCR indicated expression of BDNF exons I, III and IV were dramatically reduced in the VMH of SF-1 heterozygou...

Developmental toxicity tests have been made by embryonic stem cell tests at the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods or by embryonic body test in our laboratory. However, no neuronal-specific developmental toxicity test has been made yet. Therefore, this study was carried out using a 46C cell line, mouse embryonic stem cells with an endogenous Sox1-GFP reporter, to exploit the developmental neurotoxicity test. The expression of Sox1, a marker for neural pr...

Calcium signaling plays a regulatory role in the events of cellular proliferation. In immunocytes such as T cells, B cells, mast cells and many other cell types, Ca2+ signals show to control the proliferation, differentiation, and function. Furthermore, Ca2+ has been shown to act as a second messenger to regulate innate immune cell function and activation. Here, we found that loss of Nckx3, a potassium-dependent Na+ /Ca2+</...

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone, crucial for regulating female reproduction. Its actions are mediated through FSHR, a Class A G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), which primarily couples to Gs/cAMP/PKA pathway to modulate ovarian follicle growth, granulosa cell proliferation, and estrogen production. In addition to dogmatic functions of FSH in reproduction, there is increasing evidence that FSH can act on extragonadal tissues. Specifica...

Background: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing globally mainly due to increased detection of papillary microcarcinoma. The British Thyroid Association (BTA) guideline (2014) recommends the use of U1-U5 classification on ultrasound to assess thyroid cancer risk. U3 nodules have low, but indeterminate risk and therefore need FNAC. This retrospective review analyses the outcome of U3 nodules in an outer London hospital.Methods: Thyroid ultrasound...