Endocrine Abstracts

At implantation, the ability of an embryo to successfully attach to the luminal epithelium is dependent on the receptive phenotype the endometrium must acquire. This spatially and temporally restricted period of uterine receptivity is defined by endometrial molecular adaptations, highly regulated by embryonic-derived signals and ovarian steroids. Critical to this isthe expression of adhesivemoleculesintegrins and osteopontin (OPN) at the foetal-maternal interface which facilit...

Introduction: We previously reported the novel finding that leptin, and several other fat-derived hormones (adipokines), is expressed and regulated in rat hypothalamus (1). Subsequently leptin (ob) mRNA was found in human, sheep and pig brain, but was surprisingly undetectable in mouse brain. In the present experiments we used a mouse hypothalamic neuronal cell line to investigate possible inhibitory mechanisms that may prevent mouse neurons from expressing ob mRNA. These incl...

Medicago sativa plants are commonly used as green fodder. In this study, estrogen-like activity of ethanolic extract of Medicago sativa plants and its possible effects on serum biochemical metabolites in immature female rats were investigated. Crude extract of dried Medicago sativa plants was prepared in 90% ethanol using Soxhlet’s apparatus. Fifteen immature female rats were divided into 3 equal groups. Rats of groups A and B were given the extract at the dose of 250 (lo...

A 77 year old man with a background of Crohns disease requiring ileostomy, pernicious anaemia and hypertension, presented with a 4month history of dysphagia to solids, hoarseness of voice, anorexia and marked weight loss of 30 kg. He was initially referred to gastroenterology, who performed an endoscopy which was normal. Subsequently he was referred to the ENT and speech and language therapy departments. A video fluoroscopy confirmed severe oropharyngeal dysphagia with effortf...

A 27 year old lady with a background of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) presented to endocrinology clinic for investigation of thyrotoxicosis. At the age of three years old, she presented with a rash on her forehead, which on biopsy revealed Langerhans cell histiocytosis. She was also noted to have symptoms consistent with diabetes insipidus, for which she remains on desmopressin therapy. At the age of six she received pituitary radiotherapy and 6 years ago developed secon...

A 60year old gentleman was referred to endocrine team with new onset hyperthyroidism. He had developed tubulointerstitial nephritis secondary to carbamazepine resulting in ESRF 3 years previously. Four months prior to presentation he received a live-unrelated renal transplant including a single dose of Alemtuzamab post-operatively for induction of immunosuppression. Thereafter his immunosuppression was maintained with tacrolimus. Other medical history included bipolar disorder...

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroidism affects 1% of the world’s population, with majority of cases due to benign parathyroid adenomas. Parathyroid cancer is a rare cause.Case report: This case report describes a 53-year-old lady presenting with nonspecific bone pains, whose initial workup revealed mild hypercalcemia and MRI lumbosacral spine suggestive of multiple myeloma. Subsequent work up, including two bone marrow examinations and serum prot...

A 31-year-old engineer presented with a 6-week history of tremor, weight loss, mild goitre and palpitations. At the onset of these symptoms, he also presented to a specialist eye hospital for difficulty with focussing his vision. He had no past medical history and was taking no medications. He did not have any family history of ocular or autoimmune conditions and was a non-smoker. On examination his BMI was 20, he had very mild proptosis, no diplopia and a diffuse symmetrical ...

A 47-year-old afrocaribbean lady was referred to endocrinology clinic with a 1-month history of weight loss, heat intolerance, palpitations, fatigue and hair loss. She reported symptoms consistent with proximal myopathy including myalgia and difficulty rising from chairs. Interestingly she noted a 1-month history of hypersalivation, which had caused her significant distress in her social and work life. The hypersalivation had resulted in a change in her voice and had also inte...

A 39-year-old rugby league player was admitted with back pain to an Endocrinology/General Medicine ward. He was diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the spine and was treated with antibiotic. During his prolonged in-patient stay (6 weeks i.v. antibiotic treatment), the presence of purple striae on his lower abdomen was noted. Although he did not have other classical features of a Cushing’s syndrome including proximal myopathy, he had an increased BMI (38 kg/m2) and ...