Endocrine Abstracts

Hyperinsulinism in Infancy (HI) is a potentially-lethal condition of neonates and during early childhood. For many years the pathophysiology of this disorder was unknown. Recent advances in genetics, histopathology and molecule physiology have now revealed the causes of HI in a large cohort of patients. This review focuses upon the relationship between the basis of HI and current treatment options. From defects in ion channel subunit genes to lesions in the control of pancreat...

There is limited evidence on the effect of potassium (K+) supplementation on endothelial function. Three studies suggest a beneficial effect in healthy volunteers and mild hypertensives. However potassium increases aldosterone due to a direct effect on the adrenal gland and there is evidence that aldosterone excess is detrimental to cardiovascular health. We therefore aimed to determine the effect of potassium supplementation on endothelial function in patients with >10% c...

Background: Weight gain in type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients has become a clinical problem due to less strict diets and more stringent glycemic targets. Thus, the number of overweight T1D in the USA increased from 3.4% in 1988 to 22.7% in 2007. Hyperinsulinism is involved in the genesis of obesity but in T1D, the impact of insulin therapy in weight gain is not established. Islet transplantation, now reimbursed in France, makes it possible to interrupt insulin. The aim of this wor...

Testosterone is a coronary vasodilator and is known to increase ischaemic threshold in men with angina. We have previously demonstrated that testosterone inhibits the pore forming alpha1c subunit of the cardiovascular L-type calcium channel transfected into HEK293 cells. In this study we have investigated the effect of testosterone on potassium-stimulated extracellular calcium entry in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).A7r5 cells grown...

Background: Hypomagnesemia is an electrolyte disturbance defined by a low serum magnesium level. Causes of hypomagnesemia include inadequate dietary intake, decreased intestinal absorption, and increased renal excretion. The clinical presentation varies depending on the severity of the magnesium deficiency-from asymptomatic cases to patients with mild symptoms, to severe, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and seizures.Case presentation: A 55-year-old ...

With the right balance of daily medication, individuals with adrenal insufficiency can expect to have a normal life span and to lead busy and rewarding lives. Despite this, research finds that people with adrenal insufficiency often feel below par compared to healthy individuals.(1)(2) One recent study found that the rate of hospital admission for adrenal crisis is almost three times higher for women with autoimmune adrenalitis than it is for patients with secondary adrenal in...

Testosterone therapy has been shown to be beneficial in men with coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic heart failure (CHF), effects which are proposed to be due to a direct vasodilatory action. We utilised fluorescence measurements to investigate whether testosterone inhibits extracellular calcium entry induced by 50mM high potassium (K+) buffer, in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells.A7r5 cells were grown on coverslips in 12-well plates in ...

Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the cardiovascular complications in Diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The effects of hyperthyroidism on the peripheral vasculature are not fully understood. Decreased central arterial stiffness is a feature of thyrotoxicosis and normalises with treatment (1). The purpose of our study was to establish the effect of thyrotoxicosis and its treatment on surrogate humoral markers of endothelial function; Von Willebrand factor (VWF), Soluble ...

A 42-year-old gentleman of Ghanaian origin presented with a 1 month history of worsening severe proximal myopathy. On presentation his symptoms had progressed to the extent that he was unable to mobilise from his bed. Prior to this illness he had been fit and well. Examination revealed severe proximal myopathy and a uniformly enlarged, smooth thyroid gland. There was no clinical evidence of hyperthyroidism.Blood tests on admission showed a serum potassiu...

Introduction: The diagnosis of non-HIV lipodystrophies is challenging, especially since borderline forms with type 2 diabetes have been described (Strickland Diabetes Care 2013).Objective: To identify the most specific anthropometric and biological parameters enabling to differentiate lipodystrophic from obese and control subjects.Methods: This prospective study (clin.gov 2009-AO-1169-48) included 94 patients divided in 3 groups ad...