Endocrine Abstracts

Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disorder, characterised by growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. It has been reported that 30–40% of women with infertility have endometriosis. Transformation of human endometrial stromal fibroblasts (hESC) (termed decidualisation) is accompanied by increased steroid synthesis and is fundamental to the establishment of a receptive endometrial microenvironment, which can support and maintain pregnancy. Evidence suggests that ...

The establishment of pregnancy requires dynamic remodelling of the endometrium. Decidualization, a key part of this process, is characterised by differentiation of endometrial stromal fibroblasts (ESF) which secrete factors that regulate implantation and placental development. We recently discovered that ESF synthesise androgens which modulate the expression of endometrial receptivity and decidualization markers. Utilisation of the circulating androgen precursor DHEA within ta...

The uterus is an androgen-responsive tissue and AR is expressed in cells within the endometrium and myometrium. We have demonstrated that treatment of ovariectomised mice with the potent androgen dihydrosterone (DHT) induces a uterotrophic response with changes in expression of genes involved in cell-cycle progression, Wnt signalling and an expansion of the glandular epithelium. Selective androgen receptors modulators (SARMs) are AR ligands in development as potential therapeu...

The uterus is an androgen-responsive organ; androgen receptors (AR) are expressed in human endometrial stromal fibroblasts and can regulate proliferation and survival of this cell type. Although chronic androgen exposure results in atrophy of human endometrium, previous studies have suggested that it may have trophic effects in the rodent uterus. We hypothesised that androgens may have different impacts on endometrial function in the presence or absence of oestrogens. In the c...

Introduction: A woman’s iodine requirements increase substantially during pregnancy to ensure adequate supply to both mother and fetus. The deficiency of this element may cause several maternal-fetal repercussions. For this reason, iodine supplementation for pregnancy has been recommended and the World Health Organization (WHO) commends an iodine urinary concentration at a median UIC 150–249 μg/l. As in many other countries around the world, there is evidence of...

Background/objective: We have shown that expression of maternal serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) oligossacharides in uncomplicated pregnancy differs from that seen in pregnancy complicated by maternal type1 diabetes mellitus. Whether this observed oligosaccharide heterogeneity in type1 diabetes is specific to hCG or represents a more general phenomenon amongst placental oligosaccharides is not known. The oligosaccharide distribution in placentas from pregnancies compl...

99mTc-Sestamibi (SeS) is a standard tool for localization of adenomas/hyperplasia (PA) in hyperparathyroidism (HPTH), designed on the difference between thyroid and parathyroid tissue radiotracer washout on early and late scintigraphy phases. However, PA have been reported to washout as fast as normal thyroid tissue (‘rapid washout’, RW), which may lead to diagnostic failure. The aim of the study was to determine a correlation of RW of SeS from parathyroid...

Introduction: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder causing progressive muscular degeneration and weakness. The survival of patients with DMD has improved with multi-disciplinary team input. Sub-specialties have moved towards anticipatory diagnostic and therapeutic strategies which focus on prevention and treatment of modifiable disease complications. Endocrine complications of DMD include impaired growth, delayed pu...

The RET receptor tyrosine kinase is an established oncogenic driver in multiple cancers. Activating RET point mutations give rise to the cancer syndrome Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma. Correlations of specific RET mutations with MEN2 disease phenotypes and severity have been well documented, however the molecular mechanisms that distinguish the functions, locations, and protein interactions of speci...

Introduction: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) can release harmful vasoactive substances into the systemic circulation, causing the characteristic features of carcinoid syndrome (CS) such as flushing, diarrhoea and bronchospasm. Approximately 20% of patients with CS develop carcinoid heart disease (CHD) due to progressive valve thickening, retraction and reduced mobility. CHD primarily affects the right-sided valves resulting in tricuspid and/or pulmonary regurgi...