Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by tumours of the parathyroids, pancreas and pituitary. Recent consensus guidelines have recommended screening of MEN1 gene mutations in patients who have at least two of the parathyroid hyperplasia, pancreatic endocrine tumour or pituitary adenoma, or are suspicious of having MEN1 (multiple parathyroid tumours before age 30, recurrent hyperparathyroidism, gastrinoma or multiple isl...

Case reports in humans implicate glucocorticoid (GC) excess, through exogenous administration or endogenous overproduction, as a cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In rodents, massive doses of GCs have induced fatty liver when liver fat was measured in the fasting state. The mechanisms through which GCs might induce fatty liver are unknown, but are thought to be secondary to insulin resistance/hyperinsulinaemia. In this study, we examined the effect of dexamethasone (...

During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle aldosterone increases mainly due to the antagonistic properties of progesterone at the MR and due to estrogen-mediated stimulation of angiotensinogen. Little is known about other steroid-metabolizing enzymes that may influence steroid receptor binding, eg 11beta-HSDs, A-ring reductases. Therefore a group of ten normotensive female volunteers with regular menstrual cycles were studied on day 7 (follicular phase) and day 21 (luteal ...

A 53 year old woman developed a firm thyroid mass which was removed. The histology of the thyroid mass showed auto-immune thyroiditis and Langerhans cell Histiocytosis ( LCH). She also complained of thirst and polyuria. A water deprivation test confirmed cranial diabetes inspidus (CDI) ,the symptoms of which resolved on DDAVP . A glucagon stimulation test showed a blunted growth hormone (GH) response of 13.3 milliU per litre with an IGF-1 level of 16 nanomol per litre. The cor...

Case History: A 60 year old female presented with anxiety and weight loss. Serum free T4 was 50 pmol/l (normal 12-23). Despite restoring T4 to normal, symptoms persisted and included flushing attacks. Urine 5-HIAA was elevated (182 micro moles/24 hrs; normal 0-40).Tests were done to locate the primary and secondary carcinoid tumour.Investigations: CT of thorax and abdomen, and ultrasound of abdomen were negative. Routine biochemistry and haematology were...

Nucleotide receptors can be classified into two groups: P1 receptors where adenosine is the primary ligand, and P2 receptors where the main ligands are ATP, ADP, UTP and UDP. The presence of the P2 family members in osteoblasts and osteoclasts has been known for some time, but there have been no published studies on the role of adenosine in bone physiology.We have demonstrated the presence of the four P1 adenosine receptor subtypes (A1, A...

At present, the blue fox is extensively studied in connection with the process of domestication and there is a need for a better understanding of endocrine processes associated with reproductive and stress-response development in this species. Plasma concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol, ACTH and cortisol, gonadal in vitro production of testosterone and oestradiol and adrenal in vitro production of cortisol were measured by RIA in foetal (47-48 days of pregnancy, n=69), ...

Mechanisms underlying the association of low birth weight with the metabolic syndrome in adults remain poorly understood. Epidemiological studies suggest that obesity is not programmed by early life events, but amplifies the risks of intra-uterine growth retardation. We have explored the effects of dietary obesity in rats in which features of the metabolic syndrome have been programmed by prenatal dexamethasone.16 pregnant Wistar rats were treated with d...

Background: Management of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome (ACTH-CS) remains a challenge. In the past 2 decades open bilateral adrenalectomy, associated high morbidity and long post-operative in-patient stay, has usually been reserved for cases of failed transsphenoidal surgery (TpS) and radiotherapy (RT), or where the source of ACTH is not found. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a significant advance with low morbidity and mortality.Aim: To assess the eff...

Hepatic A-ring reduction of glucocorticoids is enhanced in obesity, perhaps contributing to compensatory activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and adrenal androgen excess. One pathway activated is the formation of tetrahydro metabolites by two sequential steps catalysed by 5beta-reductase (5bR) followed by 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3HSD). However, regulation of these enzymes is understood poorly. 5bR and 3HSD are also involved in the conversion of c...