Endocrine Abstracts

ObjectiveTo investigate whether salivary cortisol could provide an alternative to serum cortisol for hypocortisolaemic patients undergoing hydrocortisone day curves.MethodCorrelational study of 58 patients receiving corticosteroid replacement therapy for primary (9) or secondary (49) hypocortisolaemia. Paired samples of saliva and serum were taken at pre-determined time points throughout a 7½ hour hydroc...

Background: Stress-related illness is commonly referred to the endocrine clinic, and often becomes a diagnosis of exclusion after extensive investigation. We provide evidence that a positive clinical diagnosis can be made without risk of missing organic illness.Methods: 101 consecutive and unselected referrals for ‘fatigue ?endocrine’ between 1/4/95 and 30/3/99 were identified from an endocrine clinic database (81 female, 20 male; mean age 41...

Nucleotide receptors can be classified into two groups: P1 receptors where adenosine is the primary ligand, and P2 receptors where the main ligands are ATP, ADP, UTP and UDP. The presence of the P2 family members in osteoblasts and osteoclasts has been known for some time, but there have been no published studies on the role of adenosine in bone physiology.We have demonstrated the presence of the four P1 adenosine receptor subtypes (A1, A...

We have previously shown that β-endorphin reduces muscle fatigue and increases glucose uptake in contracting and non-contracting skeletal muscles of the mouse. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of these peptides on glucose uptake and muscle fatigue in normal mice and obese-diabetic mice (which provide a model for non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM). The uptake of glucose into contracting and non-contracting muscle was assessed using the non-metab...

Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the cardiovascular complications in Diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The effects of hyperthyroidism on the peripheral vasculature are not fully understood. Decreased central arterial stiffness is a feature of thyrotoxicosis and normalises with treatment (1). The purpose of our study was to establish the effect of thyrotoxicosis and its treatment on surrogate humoral markers of endothelial function; Von Willebrand factor (VWF), Soluble ...

A 68-year-old lady was admitted with constipation, epigastric pain, vomiting, occasional coffee ground emesis and melena. She had no chest pain, osmotic symptoms or weight changes. Past medical history was significant for peptic ulcer disease and she was not taking any medications apart from over the counter cod liver oil. She did not have diabetes or cardiovascular risk factors. Her sister had type 1 diabetes. Examination was remarkable for dehydration, mild tachycardia and m...

Current cortisol dosing regimes for patients with adrenal insufficiency are unable to accurately replicate the physiological profile of healthy patients. This work is part of an interdisciplinary study with the aim of using mathematical approaches to understand the treatment strategies for patients with adrenal insufficiency. We also aim to then tailor treatments specific to an individual or situation. We present a simplified model of hydrocortisone delivery via intravenous bo...

Osteocytes make up >90% of bone cells, are embedded in mineralised matrix where they form a communication network. Osteocytes differentiate from osteoblasts, and are thought to be mechano-sensitive. They are very difficult to isolate leading to a dependence on cell lines for in vitro studies of osteocyte biology. There is thus a need to develop new methods to study these cells. Recent publications indicate that osteoblasts maintained in in vitro 3D collagen g...

A 74 years old man prsented with gradually worsening confusion with associated jerky movements with background of well controlled type 2 Diabetes, CKD-3, IHD and previous duodenal ulcer. His was on Finasteride, Omeprazole, Mirtazapine, Tamsulocin, Metformin, Atorvastatin, Humulin I insulin. He was taking omeprazole for Duodenal ulcer since 1993.On examination he had jerky movements of the arms suggestive of muscles spasms. Res...

A 74 years old man prsented with gradually worsening confusion with associated jerky movements with background of well controlled type 2 Diabetes, CKD-3, IHD and previous duodenal ulcer. His was on Finasteride, Omeprazole, Mirtazapine, Tamsulocin, Metformin, Atorvastatin, Humulin I insulin. He was taking omeprazole for Duodenal ulcer since 1993.On examination he had jerky movements of the arms suggestive of muscles spasms. Res...