Endocrine Abstracts

PTTG is tumourigenic in vivo and transactivates fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). We have previously identified expression of PTTG and FGF-2 as potential prognostic indicators for differentiated thyroid cancer. Critical to PTTG function is a double PXXP motif, forming a putative SH3-interacting domain. We employed cDNA array approaches to identify further genes regulated via this region. MCF12A cells were transiently transfected with vector-only (VO) control, wild-type (WT)-...

Objective: Fetal hyperinsulinemia correlated with large birth weight and impaired glucose tolerance test and obesity in second decades of life. In study we compared the correlation between Fetal Insulin production (as estimated by amniotic fluid (AF) C-peptide concentration) and AF Insulin with macrosomia (as estimated by neonatal birth weight >4000 gr).Methods: Thirty eight neonates was studied: Ten infants were macrosomia and twenty eight was norma...

Introduction: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is an important cause of primary adrenocortical insufficiency (PAI) in men. It’s characterized by impairment in peroxisomal degradation of very-long-chain-fatty-acids (VLCFA), leading to its accumulation on central nervous system, adrenal cortex and testes.Adrenomyeloneuropathy, the most common phenotype of X-ALD, coexists with PAI in up to 70% cases.Case report: A 28-year-ol...

Aim: To assess the association of the endothelial dysfunction (ED) parameters and the lipid-lowering response to atorvastatin therapy in patients with T2D with genetic markers of inflammation.Methods: We include 97 T2D patients with first prescribed atorvastatin 10–20 mg: M/F 26/71; mean age 57 years. After 12 month of statin therapy, patients had fasting lipid profiles and ED parameters repeated. For ED evaluation, we performed pulse wave analysis ...

Background: GH deficiency (GHD) may occur in about 60% of acromegalics treated and cured by surgery or radiotherapy. Effects of GH replacement have not yet been extensively studied in such a patients.Aim: To investigate whether rhGH replacement improve metabolic parameters in acromegalic patients who become GHD.Patients and methods: Forty GHD patients (mean age (S.D.): 48±10, BMI 27±3 kg/m2) were...

Background: In the UK, NICE guidelines for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) recommend a greater than 50% reduction in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) as the therapeutic target. However, despite the availability of a range of lipid lowering medication, this target is often difficult to achieve and, more importantly, maintain life-long. Understanding factors that affect LDL-C target achievement is key to reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Currently, there...

Case History: A 69-year-old gentleman was admitted having lost consciousness. This episode was preceded by typical hypoglycaemic symptoms which, in retrospect, he had experienced for four decades with increasing frequency and severity over the past year. He was hypertensive. There was no family history of endocrinopathy or diabetes.Investigations: A supervised inpatient fast was undertaken along with cross-sectional and radio-isotope imaging.<p class...

Introduction: Treatment with dopamine agonists in patients with prolactinomas and Parkinson’s disease is associated with central side effects. Central side effects may depend on a substance’s ability to pass the blood-brain barrier which can be actively controlled by transporter molecules such as the P-glycoprotein encoded by the ABCB1 gene.Aim of the study: To determine whether cabergoline is transported by the P-glycoprotein and whether polym...

The currently curative therapy for pancreatic endocrine tumours (PET), accounting for <3% of pancreatic tumors, is complete surgical resection, which is achieved in the minority of cases. Most tumors are diagnosed in a late stage, especially in endocrine-inactive forms, indicating the need for further medical therapy. The serine–threonine protein kinase C (PKC) family plays central regulatory roles in several cellular processes, including cell proliferation. PKC signa...

Introduction: The clinical significance of subclinical thyroid diseases is debated.Design: To assess the relationship between undiagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism (USH), health indicators (HI) and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), this cross-sectional study was conducted in 1100 adults representatives of non-institutionalized Catalan population (44.5% men; mean age: 44.8±15.2 years) in Catalonia (Spain); 40 USH (18 men) and 1060 euthyroid (474 m...