Endocrine Abstracts

In humans Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) transcripts exist in two isoforms, the full-length (GHRfl) or exon 3 deletion isoform (GHRd3). Individuals with the GHRd3 isoform are associated with an increased response to recombinant human GH. The d3/fl-GHR polymorphism does not influence adult height. However, an association with the d3/fl-GHR polymorphism has been found with antenatal growth especially in small for gestational age (SGA) infants. H...

We previously found that two cell lines (ARO and FRO) derived from anaplastic thyroid cancer and one (TT) deriving from medullary thyroid cancer did not respond to the retinoic acid (RA) treatment. We supposed that it was related to the lack of the RA receptor RAR beta mRNA expression. It has been suggested that the promoter methylation was one possible cause of loss of RAR beta expression.We analyzed the methylation status of RAR beta promoter in ARO, F...

Increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in men of low birthweight may be an important link between early life events and adult metabolic syndrome. In animal models females are more sensitive to HPA axis programming by manipulations in utero, but whether gender influences susceptibility in humans is unknown.We studied 106 women aged 67-78 y, from Hertfordshire UK, in whom birthweight was recorded. None had pituitary or adrenal disease or were rec...

Background: Leptin is a multi-functional hormone of which low levels are associated with immuno-deficiency. We and others have shown that leptin promotes secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) by monocytes (1) and activated lymphocytes (2). The leptin receptor (Ob-R) is expressed on neutrophils and leptin enhances oxidative species production by stimulated neutrophils.Aim: To access whether CD11b expression on human neutrophils is a di...

Introduction: Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) represent ovarian functional markers of granulosa and theca cells respectively. This study investigated AMH and INSL3 plasma levels in two groups of ovulatory or anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and their relationship with ovarian morphology and androgen levels.Methods: AMH and INSL3 were measured in a cohort of 57 patients with PCOS classified in two gro...

Introduction: In normal subjects GH is a hyperglycemic hormone as opposed to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1). Active acromegaly is associated with insulin resistance (IR) and glucose intolerance although both GH and IGF1 are elevated. Our objective was to assess whether GH, IGF1 or both are risk factors for IR and glucose intolerance in acromegaly.Methods: Basal serum IGF1 and GH, glucose and insulin during an oral glucose tolerance test were measure...

The cortisol day curve has been advocated in the assessment of glucocorticoid replacement therapy in adrenal failure but remains controversial.Objective: To determine the validity of this test within our practice.Method: A retrospective analysis using endocrine laboratory dataset.Results: 102 inpatient cortisol day curves from 76 patients were analysed. The serum cortisol was checked at 5 time points (pre and 1 hour post morning dose, before midday dose, pre and po...

Background: The growth hormone/ insulin-like growth factor-1 (GH/IGF-1) axis has been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. We have recently demonstrated the local expression of both GH and IGF-I in normal and malignant breast tissue. However, the regulation of this local GH/IGF-1 expression is unknown. Aims: (i) To quantify the mRNA levels of GHRH, ghrelin and their receptors in malignant and adjacent normal breast tissue, and (ii) to determine any cor...

Purpose: GH deficiency (GHD) is associated with increased cardiovascular events, however, the detailed mechanisms have not been assessed yet extensively. We set up this study in order to evaluate cardiac, arterial, and endothelial function, by conventional echo, TDI, and biomarkers (proBNP and troponin I), in GHD patients by comparison with normal individuals with similar cardiovascular risk factors profile.Methods: Thirty GHD patients (46±14 years,...

Background: Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurements are one of the main pillars of thyroid cancer follow-up, because of the high organ and disease specificity of Tg in athyrotic patients. However, 20–25% of patients have detectable serum anti-Tg auto-antibodies (TgAB), which might cause false low Tg measurements in immunometric assays (IMA). This can lead to significant challenges in patient management. Measurement of Tg by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC...