Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) affects mainly cortical bone. It is thought that PTH indirectly regulates the activity of osteoclasts by means of the osteoprotegerin/ligand of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κβ (OPG/RANKL) system. Several studies have confirmed that OPG and RANKL loci are determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) in the general population. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between fractures and BMD and the ...

We present a 57-year-old female with Cushing’s syndrome characterised by new type 2 diabetes, hypertension, weight gain, bruising, proximal myopathy and depression. She also had poorly-healing cellulitic ulcers on both legs. Investigations: hypokalaemia and ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome. Low dose dexamethasone suppression test: T=0 ACTH 85 ng/l, cortisol 907 nmol/l, T=48 h cortisol 807. High dose dexamethasone suppression test failed to suppr...

Introduction: The most common localization of parathyroid glands is behind the thyroid gland poles. According to different authors ectopic localization is present in 37–45.7%.Case report: Caucasian male, 31 years old, with elevated serum calcium was sent to an endocrinologist after pyelolithotothomy. He has the history of ulcerative colitis treated with anti-inflammatory therapy. Laboratory analysis: total serum calcium: 2.85 mmol/l, phosphorus: 0.6...

Background and Objectives: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is considered as a marker of cellular aging. Brown adipose tissue in women has been claimed to be associated with long life in women. Neuregulin-4 is a new batokine secreted from brown adipose tissue, and it is thought to play a role in the regulation of glucose, lipid metabolism and energy balance. The aim of the study is to examine LTL and serum Neuregulin-4 levels as well as their relations with disease activity, co...

A 42 year old lady was referred to the endocrine clinic with a five month history suggestive of hypothyroidism and a high TSH and low T4 levels. Clinical examination revealed increased skin pigmentation, low systemic blood pressure, bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Short synacthen test confirmed cortisol insuffiency and she was started on thyroxine and hydrocortisone, and went on to have further investigations for the lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenom...

Macroprolactin, a circulating complex of monomeric prolactin together with an autoantibody, is commonly encountered in the course of endocrine investigations. It is generally agreed macroprolactin exhibits reduced bioactivity in vivo since individuals who harbour the complex do not demonstrate the classic clinical signs or symptoms characteristic of true hyperprolactinaemia. The aim of this study was to compare the relative potency of purified preparations of macroprolactin to...

Where screening for macroprolactin takes place, laboratories routinely rely on treatment of sera with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to distinguish macroprolactinaemia from true hyperprolactinaemia. However, PEG is incompatible with a number of common immunoassay platforms. The aim of this study was to assess the specificity and clinical utility of ultrafiltration as an alternative procedure for removal of bio-inactive prolactin IgG complexes such as macroprolactin from serum prior...

Pre-operative localization of parathyroid adenoma using parathyroid imaging remains a controversial issue. However, with the advent of minimally invasive parathyroid surgery and the use of more sensitive radionuclide (Technetium Seastamibi and recently Technetium tetrofosmin); the belief in the usefulness of parathyroid imaging is increasing.Our objectives were a) to compare the sensitivities of three parathyroid imaging modalities (Thallium Substraction, Low Dose and High Dos...

Macroprolactin has reduced bioactivity and accumulates in the sera of some subjects, resulting in apparent hyperprolactinaemia. Development of the polyethyleneglycol (PEG) precipitation technique has enabled large-scale screening for macroprolactin in hyperprolactinaemic subjects. We have reviewed the experience of routine screening for macroprolactin using PEG precipitation over a 54-month period in a single centre.Plasma levels of prolactin exceeded 50...

Genetics plays a crucial role in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Here we examined the association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms and MetS in a Saudi Arabian cohort to extend the understanding of the genetic basis of MetS in diverse ethnic populations. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters as well as genotyping for 894G>T, −786T>C variants of eNOS gene by PCR–RFLP and 4a/b by direct PCR were per...