Endocrine Abstracts

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are prescribed for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. However, they have significant side-effects including a decline in muscle mass and function which has similarities to age related sacropaenia. Within skeletal muscle 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) converts 11-dehydrocorticosterone (11DHC) to active corticosterone (CORT) amplifying local GC action. We hypothesise that 11β-HSD1 mediated intramyoce...

Patients with glucocorticoid (GC) excess develop insulin resistance and central obesity. We have demonstrated that GCs have tissue-specific effects on insulin sensitivity in humans, causing resistance in skeletal muscle but sensitivity in subcutaneous adipose tissue. The molecular mechanisms that underpin these differences remain poorly understood. Over the last decade small non-coding RNAs (microRNAs–miRNAs) controlling protein expression have been identified, representi...

5α-Reductase (5αR) inhibitors decrease prostatic dihydrotestosterone in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment; finasteride inhibits 5αR type 2, while dutasteride inhibits 5αR1 and 2. 5αRs, especially 5αR1, are also expressed in metabolic tissues regulating actions of androgens and other substrates, including glucocorticoids.Hypothesis: 5αR1 inhibition with dutasteride induces metabolic dyshomeostasis.<p class...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a clinical triad of anovulation, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. Patterns of fat distribution in PCOS may be associated with androgen activation, glucocorticoid metabolism and insulin resistance. Here we analysed the relationship between fat distribution, steroid metabolism and insulin resistance in women with PCOS.We compared results from 100 PCOS patients (Rotterdam criteria) with 80 sex- and BMI-matched con...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a triad of insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism and anovulation. PCOS is associated with increased adrenocortical drive, which may have adverse metabolic consequences. Here we analysed the relationship of urinary androgen and glucocorticoid metabolite excretion with insulin resistance in a large PCOS cohort.We compared results from 127 PCOS patients (Rotterdam criteria) with 100 BMI-matched controls. All subjects under...

The pathophysiological effects of glucocorticoid (GC) excess (Cushing’s syndrome) are similar to the aging phenotype. As such, we hypothesise that age-related changed in body composition (central obesity, reduced bone density, reduced muscle mass and skin thinning), and resultant chronic disease (type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, sarcopenia and heart disease) may be caused by increased GC exposure with age. However, circulating GC’s show little change with advancing age...

Glucocorticoid (GC) excess, Cushing’s syndrome, is characterized by central obesity, proximal myopathy, insulin resistance and potentially type 2 diabetes mellitus. Current dogma dictates that GCs cause insulin resistance across all tissues. We have previously demonstrated that GCs cause insulin sensitization of human adipose tissue in vitro, whilst inducing insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle. No prior study has evaluated whether these observations transla...

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with low ambient ultraviolet B (UVB) light in childhood and in utero (relative risk of developing MS is 1.2 for those born in spring). Besides, the MS-linked HLA-DRB1 allele interacts strongly with vitamin D in vitro, and vitamin D levels are lower in MS patients. Fatigue and musculoskeletal aches/pains are prominent symptoms in both MS and vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, having any chronic disease may predispose to stay...

Evidence-based clinical guidelines in Endocrinology attempt to improve and standardise patient care. There has been an expansion in guideline production although some of the heterogeneous methods used to assess the underlying evidence base may limit interpretation and implementation. Current and archived guidelines from The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), The Endocrine Society (ES), The American Thyroid Association, The British Thyroid Association and...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a triad of insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism and anovulation. PCOS is associated with increased adrenocortical drive and 5alpha-reductase activity, which may have adverse metabolic consequences. Here we analysed the relationship of urinary androgen and glucocorticoid metabolite excretion with markers of insulin resistance in a large PCOS cohort. We compared results from 127 PCOS patients fulfilling Rotterdam diagnostic criteria with 100 B...