Endocrine Abstracts

Three siblings of Pakistani origin presented shortly after birth with failure to thrive and hyperkalemia and were found to have isolated hyperreninaemic hypoaldosteronism. They were all well controlled on fludrocortisone therapy during childhood and adolescence. When reassessed in adult life off fludrocortisone treatment, hyperreninaemic hypoaldosteronism was confirmed in all subjects, but with significant hyperkalemia in only one case. None of the subjects developed orthostat...

Gene delivery to the CNS is undermined by the lack of suitable vectors capable of delivering genes with sufficient specificity, efficacy and safety. In previous studies we have shown that bacteriophage particles, which lack tropism for mammalian cells, can be genetically modified to display specific ligands that allow binding, internalisation and cell transduction of receptor-bearing target cells. Moreover, phage particles can be forced to evolve using combinatorial techniques...

Gene delivery to the CNS is undermined by the lack of suitable vectors capable of delivering genes with sufficient specificity, efficacy and safety. In previous studies we have shown that bacteriophage particles, which lack tropism for mammalian cells, can be genetically modified to display specific ligands that allow binding, internalisation and cell transduction of receptor-bearing target cells. Moreover, phage particles can be forced to evolve using combinatorial techniques...

Mutations in the plasma membrane thyroid hormone (TH) transporter, MCT8, are associated with severe global neurological deficits accompanied by abnormal circulating TH levels. We have previously shown that MCT8 over-expression in human neuronal precursor cells (NT2) increases cellular T3 uptake and reduces proliferation.Objectives: To quantify and localise the expression of MCT8 in human fetal CNS and to investigate the role of MCT8 in NT2 neurodifferent...

Sporadic somatostatinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), classically presenting with hyperglycaemia, cholelithiasis and steatorrhoea. The mainstay of treatment is surgical resection; other aspects of management remain uncertain. We report 3 cases. Case 1: A 55 year-old female presented with abdominal discomfort and steatorrhoea. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a 9 cm pancreatic mass. Biopsy suggested a NET. Somatostatin (SMS) was 160 pmol/l (normal 0-150)...

Objectives: Tri-iodothyronine (T3) can improve cardiovascular performance following cardiac surgery. Its effects on myocardial protection are unknown.Methods: We performed two consecutive randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trials (identical management protocols) on patients undergoing first time isolated elective or urgent on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Between January 2000 and September 2004, 440 patients were re...

Hypopituitarism is associated with profound androgen deficiency, even in patients who are adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) replete. DHEA has been shown to have a beneficial effect on well-being in patients with adrenal failure. We hypothesised that DHEA may be additive to the known effects of GH on psychological well-being in patients with hypopituitarism. In a double blind placebo controlled trial 50 mg DHEA or placebo was added to standard replacement, including growth ho...

Context. The routine measurement of serum calcitonin (CT) has been proposed for patients with nodular goiter (NG), to detect unsuspected medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) before surgery. Objective To assess the prevalence of hypercalcitoninemia and MTC in NG patients; to compare the ability of CT measurement and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to predict MTC; to identify age groups of NG patients who should be better candidates than others to undergo routine measurement...

In assessing TAO, orbital CT scan allows measurement of extraocular muscle and optic nerve dimensions but it is useful mainly for a qualitative analysis and cannot be used in the clinical score of the disease. Aim of the present study was to seek a number which could express the expansion of the orbital tissue and be used in grading the severity of TAO. 39 TAO patients and 24 control subjects were studied. We have measured the orbital area (OA) on the central axial section of ...

The gut hormone ghrelin is involved in feeding behaviour. It increases appetite and food intake when administered by intravenous infusion to subjects of normal weight. Ghrelin levels are often lower in obese than lean individuals and whether responsiveness to ghrelin differs in lean and obese people is not known. We investigated whether obese human subjects are sensitive to the effects of ghrelin. Approval of the local ethics committee was obtained. We examined the effects of ...