Endocrine Abstracts

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) mediate the effects of multiple hormones, and consequently are fundamental for endocrine functions including glucose homeostasis, thyroid function, fertility, control of urine output, and bone remodelling. Mutations in genes encoding GPCRs result in endocrine disorders, and studies of these mutations has improved understanding of GPCR signalling and trafficking pathways, and could facilitate novel therapies. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR...

Introduction: The HTC in Nottingham was set up in 2013. Patients are referred to HTC from their first appointment with the Endocrinologist for regular follow up, as per national guidelines. Each Patient is reviewed by a Band 6 Nurse or Endocrine CNS, & counter-checked by an Endocrinologist in clinic.There were two aims to this audit:1. Assess patient satisfaction through a questionnaire (with an aim to ca...

Current strategies for identifying substances that adversely affect the thyroid hormone (TH) system (e.g. endocrine disrupting compounds [EDC]) are exclusively focussed on changes in serum TH concentrations and thyroid histopathology. This is based on the assumption that altered TH concentrations in serum directly result in impaired TH action in tissues. However, TH action is also regulated by hormone transport into cells and tissues (e.g. MCT8), activation of T4 to T3 by deio...

It is an exciting time to be a basic scientist in endocrinology, with new technologies emerging, increasing opportunities to take advantage of large-scale genetic data, and innovative strategies to translate mechanistic insights into drug discovery and clinical practice. I will discuss what, in my opinion, are the most exciting basic research findings in endocrinology for this year....

Background: In the UK, the use of insulin pump therapy in children with Type 1 diabetes is increasing. Many studies have investigated the effectiveness of this treatment in improving biomedical outcomes and quality of life measures. However, few studies have explored the perspectives of children themselves on their use of pump therapy, particularly in the pre-adolescent age group. This study focussed on primary school aged children and aimed to explore in depth how they experi...

The clinical course of pituitary adenoma is highly variable. Aggressive adenoma subtypes may require multimodal therapy with multiple operations. Even standard adenoma exhibit a relatively high long term recurrence rate and delayed intervention is often required. The indications for revision surgery in the endoscopic era are expanding for both functioning and non-functioning tumours, including access to the medial and lateral cavernous sinus and intracranial compartments. Alth...

This year marks 25 years since the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) was first identified in bovine parathyroid and the receptor has since emerged as a fundamental contributor to extracellular calcium (Ca2+e) homeostasis, by regulating parathyroid hormone release and urinary calcium excretion. The CaSR is a class C GPCR that is functionally active as a homodimer. It couples to multiple G-protein subtypes to activate intracellular calcium mobilisation and mi...

Denosumab is a fully human MAB that inhibits bone resorption by neutralizing RANKL and was licensed in 2010 for the treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis. It was first integrated in a northwest trust, under the care of the metabolic and bone disease department, as a second line treatment.Since 2012 denosumab has been used in the outpatient clinic under a shared care agreement with the greater Manchester medicines management group, this agreement ensu...

McCune–Albright syndrome and fibrous dysplasia are a rare sporadic skeletal disorder in which normal bone structures and marrow are replaced by a benign fibrous tissue. The disease can be limited to one or many bones and is more prevalent in females. One of the clinical consequences experienced by patients is severe bone pain for which bisphosphonates are an effective treatment.By the use of a nursing model for the treatment of the patient with this...

Induction of puberty is indicated in children with primary or secondary gonadal failure, and where there is pubertal arrest or delay for whatever reason.Timing of induction will vary depending upon age at presentation/diagnosis, but as far as possible this should coincide with expected pubertal changes within the normal population range.Optimization of final height, breast and uterine development, and fertility are important outcom...