Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: As there are scarce data on the clinical case load and multidisciplinary input provided for patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), we performed a survey of patients with OI attending bone and genetic clinics in Glasgow.Methods: Clinical details of 53 children(M:28) and 23 adults(M:9) were obtained by a review of case records.Results: The median age at presentation in children was 4.5 yrs (range 0.2–13.5), wi...

The 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) enzyme is a tissue specific regulator of glucocorticoid action that is linked to the development of osteoporosis, inflammatory arthritis and myopathy. Systemic inhibition of 11β-HSD1 enzyme activity has been proposed as a therapeutic option in these conditions. However, 11β-HSD1 activity has also been reported to be important in regulation of the immune response and the HPA axis. We have previously demo...

Background/aim: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression has been shown to be upregulated in several tumors and is thought to represent an important endogenous response to tumor progression. Therefore, in order to evaluate the role of VDR-gene and of the 25(OH)-Vitamin D3 in thyroid cancer we analysed four polymorphisms in patients with thyroid cancer and healthy controls.Patients and methods: Patients (n=136; 84 females and 52 males) with d...

Orbital fat (OF) represents a highly specialised adipose tissue depot that occupies a confined space behind the eyeball known as the orbit. OF fills most of the orbital cavity providing support to the delicate structures that link the eye to the brain, and protects against sight-threatening mechanical and inflammatory trauma. Subcutaneous (SC) and omental (OM) adipose tissues are highly active endocrine organs, regulated in part by glucocorticoids (GCs). The pre-receptor regul...

Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the humanistic effects of chronic hypoparathyroidism (HPT), a rare, debilitating condition. We provide interim results from a global survey conducted to characterise the burden associated with chronic HPT from the patient perspective. An anonymous, self-reported survey (online or paper) was conducted in patients with chronic HPT, not adequately controlled with standard therapy by self-perception, from 12 countries through physicians o...

BackgroundEndogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is detrimental to bone. The skeletal complications are characterized by decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption, resulting in decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased risk of fractures at time of diagnosis. After remission of the disease, BMD improves towards normal values but fracture rate remains elevated. Therefore, components of bone quality other than BMD, such as bone mat...

BackgroundStandard glucocorticoid (GC) therapy in classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD-CAH) is often inadequate in controlling adrenal androgen excess, leading to GC over-exposure and poor health outcomes. A novel modified-release formulation of hydrocortisone (MR-HC, Chronocort® Diurnal Ltd. UK) has been shown to improve circulating adrenal androgen excess in 21-OHD-CAH. We investigated whether saliva and ...

Delayed hyponatraemia(DH) is a well-known complication following trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery (TSS), varying in incidence from 9–36% and occurs between post-operative days(POD) 4 to 14. Various studies have demonstrated that post-operative fluid restriction after TSS reduces the incidence of DH.Objective: to assess whether a fluid restriction protocol from POD5 to POD14 following TSS reduces the incidence of post-operative DH ...

Background: Women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) frequently suffer from obesity, insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. There is evidence showing an association of hypovitaminosis D with metabolic disturbances in PCOS women. We aimed to investigate the influence of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS women.Design: Forty-eight women with PCOS were included in the study. Cholecalciferol was admi...

Chronic wounds (e.g. diabetic foot ulcers) have a major impact on quality of life, yet treatments remain limited. Glucocorticoids impair wound healing; preclinical research suggests that blocking glucocorticoid activation by the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) improves wound repair. This investigator-initiated double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel-group phase 2b pilot trial investigated efficacy, safety and feasibility of 11&...