Endocrine Abstracts

During the metaphase to anaphase transition of mitosis, destruction of the human securin, pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG), and subsequent activation of the cysteine endopeptidase separase, leads to the cleavage of RAD21, a component protein of the cohesin complex. The developing fetal brain has rapidly proliferating neuronal cells, whilst adult neurons no longer proliferate and are maintained in G0 status of the cell cycle. We have previously investigated the expressi...

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease resulting from adrenal unresponsiveness to ACTH. Patients present in early childhood with hyperpigmentation, hypoglycaemic episodes and seizures secondary to glucocorticoid deficiency. If left untreated this condition is fatal. Mineralocorticoid production is normal. Mutations in the ACTH receptor have been well described and account for approximately 25% of cases. We describe 3 additional novel mut...

Glucocorticoids (GCs) play a fundamental role in the endocrinology of pregnancy but excess GC in utero may lead to IUGR. Protection against fetal exposure to GCs is provided by the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11beta-HSD2) located in the placental trophoblast. By contrast, relatively little is known concerning the function of GC-activating 11beta-HSD1 which is expressed within maternal decidua. We have used human deciduas (n=32 first, n=10 second and n=...

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a significant cause of perinatal morbidity, in particular neurodevelopmental delay, and is associated with fetal hypothyroxinemia. Thyroid hormone is essential for the optimal development of the central nervous system (CNS) in the fetus. Transport of the active ligand triiodothyronine (T3) across the cell membrane is required for its biological effects, initiated by binding of T3 to nuclear thyroid receptors (TR). Recently, the membran...

The critical role of thyroid hormones (TH) in normal human growth and fetal development is well recognised. The availability of tri-iodothyronine (T3) to bind to thyroid hormone receptors is determined by the local concentrations of T3, as well as the local action of deiodinase enzymes that determine conversion of T4.Quantitative real time RT-PCR was used to quantify the expression of mRNAs encoding the specific deiodinase subtypes (D1, D2 & D3) in h...

Background: The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) controls the neuroendocrine response to psychological and physiological stress. The balance of the hormones synthesised and secreted by these organs is tightly regulated. However, there are intrinsic differences in the relative expression of these hormones depending on sex, which can influence the magnitude of the endocrine response to stressors or the response to pharmacological treatments. Herein, we ...

Background: Thyroid hormones are essential for the adequate growth and development of the kidney and also target changes in glomerular and tubular functions and electrolyte and water homeostasis. Hyperthyroidism leads to an increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow with converse effects seen in hypothyroidism. In turn, the kidneys are responsible for the metabolism and elimination of thyroid hormones and thus renal disease can lead to s...

Background: The clinical heterogeneity of G2 and G3 well-differentiated GEP-NENs make it difficult to choose an effective treatment plan, highlighting the need of molecular imaging in the treatment of NETs patients. It has been suggested that a dual-tracer 68Ga-DOTATATE/18F-FDG grading scoring system could be a useful imaging biomarker. This pilot study aims to validate the prior observation from Chan et al. (BJC 2022) of variability in NETPET scores in G2-G3 WD GEP NENs and a...

Aim: Role of Endocrine Specialist Nurse (ESN) in performing cannulated prolactin and subsequent impact on outpatient clinic activities.Introduction: Hyperprolactinemia is a common condition in endocrine clinical practice. It may occur in any sex, at any age and its prevalence and incidence depend on study population. The most common physiological causes of elevated prolactin are stress, lactation, pregnancy and exercise. Non-physiological causes include ...

Introduction: In cases of emergent surgical conditions, pre-medication of patients with thyrotoxicosis is required to reduce the patient’s risk of thyroid storm in the perioperative and postoperative state. Perforated viscus with concurrent thyrotoxicosis is rarely reported. We report 2 cases of thyrotoxicosis and acute abdomen with perforated viscus.Case 1: A 27-year-old gentleman with underlying hyperthyroidism, presented with central epigastric p...