Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: NETs are a diverse group of neoplasms that originate from cells of the diffuse endocrine system. Often somatostatin analogues (SSA) are used as a first line treatment. Loose stools and steatorrhea are common adverse effects of SSA. This can affect the absorption of fat soluble vitamins and trace elements (TE). In this study we assess the prevalence of these deficiencies.Methods: A prospective study of 66 patients on SSA. Vitamins A,D,E,K an...

Background: The low dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) is an important investigation for suspected Cushing’s syndrome (CS). The traditional definition of normal suppression of serum cortisol to ≤50 nmol/l (0.5 mg 6 hrly × 48 hrs) comes from a time when biochemical auto analysers did not routinely detect very low values. Previous studies reported 5.1–8.3% of patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) suppressed to <50 nmol/l at 48 hrs. Many clin...

Introduction: Angiogenesis is regulated by different components of the tumour microenvironment (TME) including cytokines and immune cells. Although angiogenesis has been studied in pituitary adenomas (PAs), the role of individual TME components in PA angiogenesis remains largely unknown. We aimed to characterise the role of the TME components in determining the angiogenesis of PAs, focusing on PA-infiltrating immune cells and the PA-derived cytokine network.<p class="abste...

Background: Botulinum neurotoxin inhibits muscle function by interfering with neurotransmitter release from secretory vesicles. The mechanism underlying this effect involves cleavage of SNARE proteins which are required for vesicle docking at the plasma membrane. The ability of botulinum neurotoxin serotypes to cleave SNARE proteins and inhibit secretion is being exploited for therapeutic purposes by Syntaxin Ltd with their ‘targeted secretion inhibitor technology’ (...

Mutations in the co-chaperone molecule AIP account for a predisposition to pituitary tumours in some families with familial isolated pituitary adenomas (FIPA). We now report on four apparently-unrelated families with the same mutation and originating from the same geographical area, suggesting a possible founder mutation.The index patient had gigantism (19 years, 208 cm) and had a female 4th cousin, once removed (13 years, 191 cm) with a large pituitary ...

Introduction: Hypercortisolaemia is characterised by an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), either through a direct action on the myocardium or by affecting traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the initial examination to assess the structural and functional characteristics of the myocardium.Aim of the study: To investigate whether the metabolic and cardiovascular features of Cushing’s disease (CD) are a...

Background: Cyclical Cushing’s syndrome has been considered to be a rare clinical entity, characterised by periodic increases in cortisol levels followed by regression of the Cushing’s syndrome. The cycles of hypercortisolism may occur before the establishment of the diagnosis, rendering actual diagnosis difficult, or may occur after inadequate or ineffective treatment and affect disease management. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of cyclicity...

We have previously shown that the orexigenic and peripheral adipogenic effects of ghrelin are mediated by its effect on the metabolic enzyme AMPK. As the cannabinoid (CB1)-antagonist rimonabant inhibits the orexigenic effect of ghrelin, we suggest that there is an interaction between cannabinoids and ghrelin.To study the involvement of CB1 in the effects of ghrelin, wild-type (WT) and CB1-knockout mice were treated with ghrelin and rimonabant.<p clas...

Background: Addison’s disease is probably under-diagnosed in South Africa, given that the prevalence is considerably lower than reported in Western countries (Chabre O 2017); this is important as patients may be dying from a highly treatable condition. In addition, large populations of HIV and tuberculosis infected patients in South Africa may have some symptoms erroneously attributed to these conditions, rather than Addison’s disease. We determined the prevalence an...

The 250 mg short synacthen test (SST) is the most commonly used tool to assess the integrity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. There are many instances when compromise to HPA-axis function is potentially reversible (including the use of suppressive dose of prescribed glucocorticoids), but currently there are no data to guide clinicians as to the frequency of repeat testing or to the likelihood of HPA-axis recovery. We performed an observational, retrospective, anal...