Endocrine Abstracts

A 73-year-old female with previous tuberculosis, primary hypothyroidism, depression and caecal cancer was referred to Endocrinology when interval CT scanning reported a 2.5 cm adrenal mass, stable in size over 4 years. No symptoms or signs of hormonal production were noted. Screening tests were abnormal: post-1 mg dexamethasone cortisol was 98 nmol/l, 24-h urinary free metadrenaline was elevated tenfold (3256 nmol/24 h, range 0–350) to a concentration reported to have hig...

Background: The detrimental effect of excessive obesity on insulin resistance has been well established. The expansion of adipose tissue is closely dependent on two processes: adipogenesis and angiogenesis and the Wnt signalling pathway has been reported to affect both. In adipose tissue the Wnt signalling pathway functions in a converse manner: increasing commitment of mesenchymal stem cells to preadipocytes and inhibiting differentiation of preadipocytes to mature adipocytes...

Background: Graves’ hyperthyroidism is treated with anti-thyroid drugs (ATD) for 12–18 months, after which ~50% of patients remain euthyroid. Risk factors predicting relapse are: male gender, younger age, orbitopathy, large goitres, severe hyperthyroidism at diagnosis and smoking. Recent reports suggest measurement of TBII at ATD cessation is useful in predicting risk of relapse. Aim: To prospectively investigate whether TBII levels at cessation of ATD therapy are us...

Aim: To determine whether cases of hypocalcaemia presenting via an emergency medical admissions unit (EAU) are appropriately investigated.Background: Hypocalcaemia is a potentially life threatening abnormality, with a prevalence of 18% among hospital inpatients.1,2 Risk factors include vitamin D deficiency, renal disease, hypoparathyroidism (typically post-neck surgery) and hypomagnesaemia. A reasonable investigational dataset comprises U+Es a...

Introduction: Sarcopenic obesity prevails with ageing, encompassing excess weight gains and muscle mass or strength losses. Free fatty acids and proinflammatory cytokines are elevated in obese adults. Palmitate decreases the anabolic effects of IGF signalling, while EPA elicits anti-inflammatory activities.We aimed to examine the effects of palmitate and EPA on TNF-α/IGF1 interactions in established models of skeletal muscle cell loss.<p class="...

Inflamed ageing is associated with reduced muscle mass and increased susceptibility to TNF-induced muscle protein degradation. We therefore aimed to elucidate mechanisms supporting reduced hypertrophy and increased atrophy of skeletal myoblasts. C2 myoblasts display diminished differentiation and increased susceptibility to TNF-α-induced apoptosis versus daughter C2C12 cells, providing us with relevant models. C2 and C2</su...

Diet induced obesity is associated with an increased relative risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular complications. In addition to these co-morbidity factors there is increasing evidence to suggest that obese insulin resistant individuals show impaired negative feedback control of the HPA axis in response to stress. Here we investigate HPA axis response to an acute stress following high fat feeding in rats.Male ...

In 2006, responding to the Government White Paper, ‘Our future, our inheritance’, a project commenced promoting genetics in mainstream medicine.By 2008, the original project framework has evolved to address logistical constraints, patient preference and cost effectiveness, offering a streamlined service for clients with inherited endocrine disorders. Recognised patient pathways and a dedicated endocrine genetic clinical nurse specialist (EGCNS)...

In 1995 the Royal College of Physicians issued guidelines for the use of radioiodine in hyperthyroidism. They recommended administration of enough radioiodine to achieve euthyroidism, with acceptance of a moderate rate of hypothyroidism e.g. 15–20% at 2 years and 1–3% per annum thereafter. Guide activity was 400–550 MBq for standard hyperthyroidism (mainly Graves’ disease), at least 550 MBq for toxic multinodular goitre, and 300–500 MBq in toxic adenom...

Introduction: The role of TNF-alpha in muscle wasting diseases if a topic of great interest. However, the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in some pathological diseases and in skeletal muscle is controversial. Physical exercise provides protection against several human diseases, e.g. cardiovascular disease, heart failure and claudicatio intermittens. This protection is associated with the muscle specific production of IL-6. In contrast to its protective role during exercise, eleva...