Endocrine Abstracts

The CNS and gut derived peptide Neuromedin U (NMU) has been shown to inhibit feeding following intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection. The present study aimed to further explore the hypothalamic actions of NMU. ICV NMU-23 (1nmol), but not truncated NMU-8, significantly inhibited feeding (1h food intake: 3.8 plus/minus 0.4g vs saline 5.4 plus/minus 0.6g, p <0.05). Following micro-injection into 8 hypothalamic areas, NMU-23 potently inhibited feeding in the PVN (1h food int...

A previously well 54 year old man, with no atherosclerotic risk factors, presented with a 10 month history of claudication. Arteriography showed extensive distal aortic and iliac stenoses.At surgery, (Aortoiliac and femoral bypass) extensive thrombus was found in the distal aorta. Post operatively good distal flow was confirmed. He was discharged on Aspirin.Fourteen days later the patient was readmitted hypotensive, pyrexic, with ...

The performance of a commercial method (RSR) for measuring TBII was compared prospectively with an in-house method. TBII data were correlated with clinical information available at the time of clinic attendance and with the ultimate diagnosis in the light of additional independent information (isotope scan, thyroid microsomal antibodies, response to treatment). Serum samples were collected prospectively from subjects attending an endocrine clinic and from normal subjects (grou...

Graves' disease (GD) is caused by thyroid stimulating antibodies (TSAb) which are thyrotropin (TSH) agonists. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, although markers of thyroid auto-immunity are not involved in the pathogenesis of GD. Despite this, TPO antibodies are frequently used to establish the etiology of thyrotoxicosis. It was our aim to compare TPO antibodies with TSAb in a cohort of thyrotoxic patients to determine whether TPO antibodies and TSAb could be regarded as eq...

Purpose: Deficiency of the adrenocortical axis is, except for glucocorticoid-induced adrenal deficiency, most commonly associated with failure of multiple pituitary axes and is less common isolated. Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency (IAD) has been first described by Steinberg et al. in 1954. Acquired idiopathic IAD is defined by a secondary adrenal insufficiency with otherwise normal pituitary function, absence of structural pituitary defects, no...

Introduction: Cushing disease (CD) is a rare pathology and associated with serious complications and an increased mortality (standardized mortality ratio 2.8) (1). The mortality risk is twice as high (standardized mortality ratio 5.7) if CD is biochemically not well controlled. Transsphenoidal tumor resection is the first line treatment. However, the need for second line treatment is high, as 5-50% of patients in remission after surgery relapse and consist of ...

Introduction: Cushing’s disease (CD) is a very rare cause of obesity in children. Typical features seen in adults with CD may be absent and clinical investigations may not give a definitive diagnosis. We present a case of CD, highlighting the challenges of diagnosis and the dilemmas encountered in managing such patients.Case report: A ten-year-old girl was referred with a five-year history of weight gain. At presentation BMI was +3.66 SD and she had...

Introduction: Inpatient hypoglycaemia management remains a significant challenge. An audit in 2009 revealed poor understanding (“recognition” by frontline staff) of the need to treat and manage hypoglycaemia. Consequently a management protocol, documentation sheet and hypoboxes with standardized quantities (15 g) of dextrose in various forms were introduced throughout the hospital.Aims: We re-audited inpatient hypoglycaemia management and the i...

Introduction: C1q/TNF-related protein-3 (CTRP-3) is a newly discovered adipokine with anti-inflammatory impact on monocytes by down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g. interleukine 6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), in both adipocytes and monocytes. So far it is unclear which kind of interactions and molecular mechanisms are underlying the observed effects. Our aim is to characterize the differential effects of the globular and the collagenous doma...

Aims: To examine whether Graves’ disease (GD) and Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) are associated with insulin resistance (IR) and other cardiovascular risk factors. Patients and methods: We analyzed 479 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, 354 (74%) with HT and 126 (26%) with GD, 94% woman, with a mean age of 46±16 years. The patients in both groups were properly treated in order to normalize TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels. We recorded thyroid function...