Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Cushing’s syndrome(CS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality which warrants a good screening test that is less laborious. We explored the possibility of using urine spot cortisol:creatinine ratio (UCCR) as a new screening test for Cushing’s syndrome.Aims and objectives: To study the efficacy of UCCR as a screening test for patients with Cushing’s syndrome.To compare UCCR in patients with CS, o...

Thyrotoxicosis is a common disorder especially in women. Most of the patients tolerate antithyroid medications very well with very few developing life threatening side effects. We describe a 64 years old gentleman who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism secondary to Grave’s disease (autoimmune). He was treated with Carbimazole 20 mg daily. With in a month, he presented with malaise and reduced oral intake. Laboratory investigations showed acute cholestatic hepatitis with r...

Introduction: Mutations in SLC29A3 lead to PHID and H syndromes, familial Rosai Dorfman Disease and Histiocytosis-lymphadenopathy plus syndrome. PHID syndrome is associated with short stature, pubertal delay, endocrine and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. We report a new association of PHID syndrome with severe systemic inflammation, scleroderma-like changes and cardiomyopathy.Case report: A 12-year-old girl with PHID syndrome presented with shortness ...

Background: Children presenting with diabetic keto-acidosis (DKA) as an initial presentation of diabetes mellitus are often unwell, with associated increases in mortality and morbidity. While electrolyte imbalances such as hypokalaemia and hypophosphataemia are well recognised, the incidence of hypercalcaemia is less well documented.Case: A previously healthy 12-year-old boy presented to hospital with a history suggestive of new onset diabetes. Initial b...

Background: Testicular germ cell tumours are the most frequent cancer of young men. While pathogenesis and reasons of an increasing incidence all over the world remain unknown, epidemiological and clinical data have suggested that fetal exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs), especially with estrogenic effects, could participate to testicular germ cell carcinogenesis. However, EEDs (like bisphenol A) are often weak ligands for classical nuclear estrogen receptor...

Estradiol (E2) may directly interact with growth factors stimulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Previously, we have demonstrated that E2 through membrane estrogen receptor α (mERα) modulates the lactotroph cell population which exhibit noticeable changes in the pituitary gland. The aim of this study was to analyze the mERα contribution on lactotroph cell proliferation in response to E2 and FGF-2 interaction evaluatin...

Glucocorticoid (GC) excess adversely affects many aspects of skin homeostasis, characteristics of which are also seen during ageing (e.g. poor wound healing). The mechanisms underlying this remain unclear. The enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) regenerates cortisol, independently of circulating concentrations, and we have previously demonstrated increased 11β-HSD1 expression in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) from aged donors. We have now e...

In the endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR), hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) generates an NADPH/ NADP ratio sufficient to drive 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1)-mediated glucocorticoid (GC) activation (11-DHC to corticosterone). In H6PDH knockout (H6PDKO) mice a reduced NADPH/NADP ratio leads to reversed 11β-HSD1 activity (corticosterone to 11-DHC), and GC insensitivity. They also display skeletal myopathy driven by activation of the un...

Osteoporosis in men is increasingly being recognized as a public health issue. Thirty percent of hip fractures occur in men, and one in eight fractures occurs in men above 50 years of age.Objectives: To assess the prevalence of osteoporosis in healthy male subjects using Bone Mineral Density (BMD) as measured by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to study the influence of various factors which influence BMD.Methods: Health...

Introduction: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the association of anti-cardiolipin antibodies and venous & arterial thrombosis. APS accounts for <0.5% of cases of hypoadrenalism. We present a series of 5 such cases occurring at our institution plus a further patient identified with unilateral adrenal haemorrhage. Case 1 presented with nausea, vomiting and weight loss. Lupus anticoagulant positive. Commenced aspirin 300 mg. 6-weeks later represented with dehydration, ...