Endocrine Abstracts

The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, continues to rise. NAFLD is associated with significant liver-specific and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, there are no licensed therapies, highlighting the importance of understanding the pathogenic mechanisms that drive the condition. Cytochrome p450 oxidoreductase (POR) plays an essential role in activa...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic disease. Steroid hormones and bile acids are established regulators of metabolic phenotype. 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) is highly expressed in human liver where it inactivates steroid hormones and catalyzes a fundamental step in bile acid synthesis. We hypothesized that AKR1D1 plays a key role in hepatic metabolic homeostasis. Genetic manipulation of AKR1D1 ...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic disease. Steroid hormones and bile acids are established regulators of metabolic phenotype. 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) is highly expressed in human liver where it inactivates steroid hormones and catalyzes a fundamental step in bile acid synthesis. We hypothesized that AKR1D1 plays a key role in hepatic metabolic homeostasis. Genetic manipulation of AKR1D1 ...

Bile acids (BA) are potent steroid hormones that mediate a variety of metabolic effects. They play a pivotal role in cholesterol catabolism, intestine nutrient absorption, and regulate lipid, glucose and energy metabolism. 5-Beta-Reductase (AKR1D1) is a key enzyme in the BA synthesis pathway, required for cholesterol metabolism into bile acids. We generated a novel global AKR1D1 knockout (KO) mouse which, as expected, has decreased total serum and hepatic BAs and altered BA co...

Steroid hormones and bile acids are potent regulators of metabolism. The enzyme 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) has a crucial role in bile acid synthesis and also generates 5β-reduced dihydrosteroid metabolites, regulating intra-cellular steroid availability though the clearance of cortisol, testosterone, androstenedione, and progesterone. As AKR1D1 sits at the interface of bile acid synthesis and steroid metabolism, we have hypothesised that it plays a key role in metabolic h...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the hepatic manifestation of the global epidemic of metabolic disease. Steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids and sex steroids, regulate metabolic phenotype, and in addition, bile acids have recently been identified as potent metabolic regulators. 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) is predominantly expressed in the liver and is a crucial regulator of steroid hormone clearance as well as bile acid synthesis. Its role in pathogenesis of metaboli...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the hepatic manifestation of the global epidemic of metabolic disease. It is tightly associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, yet the precise mechanisms that drive its aetiology are not fully defined. Steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids and sex steroids, regulate metabolic phenotype, and in addition, bile acids have recently been identified as potent metabolic regulators. AKR1D1 (5β-reductase), is predominantly expressed in...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD has been associated with androgen deficiency, yet in the majority of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis NASH, androgens levels are normal. In contrast, women with polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS, which is characterised by androgen excess, have evidence of increased liver fat. Our hypothesis is that androgen exposure to the liver may be crucial in the amount of lipid that can accumulate in hepatocytes. C3A human hepatoma cells w...

Introduction: Cushing’s syndrome can impair the gonadotrophic axis in women of child bearing age if left untreated. Furthermore undergoing endoscopic transphenoidal surgery can render patients hypogonadal, thereby reducing the chances of spontaneous conception. In such cases, pregnancy is usually achieved by assisted contraceptive techniques. We present a case of spontaneous pregnancy following transphenoidal surgery and bilateral adrenalectomy.Case...

Background: Insulin tolerance test (ITT) is the gold-standard investigation in children with suspected growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Despite their benefits, ITTs are resource intensive, potentially dangerous and can result in unnecessary treatment due to false positive results in children that are at low risk for GHD.Methods: Retrospective analysis of all paediatric patients undergoing an ITT in two tertiary hospitals in the UK (centre A between 2017-...