Endocrine Abstracts

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a non-specific but sensitive marker of underlying systemic inflammation. High CRP levels correlate with risk for future cardiovascular events. Statins can lower the circulating levels of CRP. In contrast, the evidence that fibrates lower CRP levels is very limited. This retrospective study evaluates the effect of micronised fenofibrate on plasma levels of CRP in patients with combined hyperlipidemia.Sixty-four patients with co...

Growth hormone (GH) acts chronically to decrease adiposity, at least in part by the inhibition of lipogenesis. One or more of the twelve isoforms of Protein kinase C (PKC) may be involved in this chronic effect of GH on lipogenesis in adipocytes.Two approaches were adopted to examine the role of PKC isoforms in GH signalling. The first method involved maintaining explants of Finn/Dorset sheep adipose tissue with insulin, GH or a combination of both, for ...

Background: Recent consensus recommends assessment of aortic dimensions with aortic sized index (ASI) normalized for body surface area (BSA) defined as absolute aortic dimension/BSA, in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) as young as 10 years. There are currently multiple formulae for estimating BSA without agreement on a preferred method. We assess the clinical validity of each formulae as this may have implications on interpretation of ASI.Method: We calcu...

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is characterized by an increased frequency of glucose tolerance abnormalities associated with insulin-resistance. Few studies evaluated the relationship between insulin resistance and others cardiovascular risk factors in pHPT.Subjects and methods: In 255 consecutive pHPT patients (M/F=66/189, age (mean±S.D.): 59.9±13.7 years, PTH: 215.6±219.4 pg/ml, calcium: 11.2±1.2 mg/...

Objective: To evaluate Vitamin D levels and bone metabolism in adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).Patients and methods: One hundred patients with CF (53 F, 47 M; age 29±8 years). and 100 healthy controls were enrolled. Patients were assessed through clinical, and laboratory investigations. Evaluation of serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), vertebral fractures (quantitative morphometric analysis) and bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine an...

It has been hypothesised that the hypothalamo–pituitary gland complex is a prime target through which environmental chemicals may alter reproductive physiology. The aim of this study was to investigate whether exposure to an environmentally relevant mix of chemicals during in utero and post-natal development can alter pituitary function. Pituitary glands were collected from 110 day-old foetuses (8 control and 8 treated) and 18 month old, post-pubertal sheep (8 cont...

Selective Parathyroid Venous Sampling in Patients with Complicated Primary HyperparathyroidismCM Ogilvie, PL Brown, M Matson, R Carpenter, WM Drake, PJ Jenkins, SL Chew, JP MonsonCentre for Endocrinology and Departments of Surgery and Radiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, QMUL, London EC1A 7BEThe role of pre-operative localisation of abnormal parathyroid glands remains controversial but is particularly releva...

The IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) growth/survival pathways are engaged in crosstalk with pathways induced by cell-cell interactions. Different elements of the IGF-IR signalling system also affect the phosphorylation status of molecules involved in the regulation of cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion, such as catenins. In addition, the IGF-IR has been shown to co-precipitate with cell adhesion complexes.In this study, the crosstalk between IGF signalling and ...

Introduction: C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute reactant protein and member of the pentraxins family has a primitive defense function against exogenous organisms. Although its production is predominantly under the control of IL-6, IL-1 and tumor necrotic factor also contribute to hepatic synthesis and CRP secretion. CRP is mainly produced in the liver and possibly other tissues, such as atherosclerotic lesions. C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with increased risk for ca...

ObjectiveIn BALB/c mice with GD model, the TSHR and ICAM-1 were targeted for treatment, and new approaches to GD targeted therapy were explored.MethodsThe siRNA targeting TSHR and the ICAM-1 mAb specifically binding ICAM-1 were designed and synthesized. Thirty GD model mice were randomly divided into siRNA treatment group, ICAM-1 mAb treatment group, and untreated GD group, with 10 mice in each group, and 10 ...