Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Abnormal liver function tests (↑LFTs) are frequently observed in Turner’s syndrome (TS), although the aetiology is unclear. Obesity is reported as one of the causes; recently an increased prevalence of elevated GGT was found in TS patients with a ring X karyotype.Aim: To analyse the association between abnormal LFTs and TS-related conditions, and in particular their relationship with the different TS-karyotypes.<p class="abst...

Endometriosis is a chronic hormone-dependent disorder, characterised by growth of ‘ectopic’ endometrial tissue outside the uterus. It has been reported that 30–40% of women who are sub/infertile have endometriosis. Infertility in women with severe endometriosis may be the result of either scarring or pelvic distortion, but in women with mild/moderate disease it is believed subfertility may result from disturbances in endometrial tissue function. Transformation o...

Background: Hyperprolactinaemia accounts for 1 in 7 patients presenting with amenorrhoea. Recent data suggests that prolactin acts at the hypothalamus to reduce GnRH-pulsatility. Conditions in which GnRH-pulsatility is reduced, such as hypothalamic amenorrhoea, favour FSH over LH secretion from the pituitary gland. We examined gonadotrophin secretion in hyperprolactinaemic patients as a surrogate marker of GnRH-pulsatility.Methods: A retrospective analys...

Introduction: Liver involvement is frequent in Turner’s syndrome (TS). We have shown that 35% TS women have elevated liver function tests (↑LFTs). Most common hepatic changes include steatosis and steatohepatitis; however, progression to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis is reported. This study assessed a simple noninvasive test for liver fibrosis, FIB-4, which combines standard biochemical values (platelets, ALT, AST) and age in order to evaluate its diagnostic perfo...

Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disorder, characterised by growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. It has been reported that 30–40% of women with infertility have endometriosis. Transformation of human endometrial stromal fibroblasts (hESC) (termed decidualisation) is accompanied by increased steroid synthesis and is fundamental to the establishment of a receptive endometrial microenvironment, which can support and maintain pregnancy. Evidence suggests that ...

Introduction: Abnormalities in liver biochemistry are frequent in Turner’s syndrome (TS) with a reported prevalence between 20 and 80%. While their aetiology remains unclear, metabolic factors and intrahepatic biliary disease have been postulated. Moreover, some TS patients have a predominantly cholestatic biochemical abnormality and others a hepatitic picture. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been shown to be a useful treatment of cholestatic disease.<p class="abstext...

Context: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of classic androgen synthesis. Recent work has highlighted that impaired DHEA sulfation results in enhanced androgen production. Here, we evaluated the relationship between DHEA and DHEAS and androgen excess and metabolic phenotype in PCOS.Patients and methods: We compared 65 women with PCOS to 35 healthy women matched for age and body mass index (BMI). All subject...

Introduction: Elevated liver function tests (↑LFTs) are frequent in Turner’s syndrome (TS), with a prevalence between 20 and 80%, and increases with age. Their pathogenesis and clinical significance is unclear.Objectives: To study the prevalence of ↑LFTs and their relationship with karyotype, anthropometric, metabolic and TS-related conditions: 68 TS women, average age 39 years (range 18–61 years), were reviewed.<p class="abstex...

The importance of measuring renin or plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone in establishing mineralocorticoid deficiency is not in doubt. Once mineralocorticoid replacement therapy is initiated, guidance suggests that optimization of mineralocorticoid dose should be based upon measurements of blood pressure, renin (or PRA), and electrolytes. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between renin and clinically important variables to determine whether measurem...

Background: The 5α-reduced glucocorticoid, 5α-tetrahydrocorticosterone (5α-THB), displays a dissociated steroid profile exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects in a murine model of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis but failing to induce adverse metabolic effects caused by corticosterone. We assessed the topical anti-inflammatory properties of 5α-THB in a model of irritant dermatitis. Given the adverse effects of steroids on cutaneous wound healing, we also in...