Endocrine Abstracts

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality in women with Turner Syndrome(TS), and may be congenital or acquired. There is a high prevalence of risk factors for ischaemic heart disease(IHD) including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and obesity. This oestrogen dose-ranging vascular physiology study compared women with TS (n=14) and 46,XX gonadal dysgenesis(GD) (n=11) to determine the relative contributions of oestrogen deficiency and genetics, and to assess the...

Introduction: Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test is used to screen for excess cortisol production (Cushing’s syndrome). It is recommended to use cut-off for suppression of serum cortisol (SC) < 50 nmol/l after 1 mg dexamehason suppression test (DST). Plasma dexamethasone levels are affected by many factors resulting in lower test specificity. Simultaneous analysis of dexamethasone and cortisol levels can improve diagnostic accuracy of DST. We used cut-off level o...

Introduction: Subclinical thyroid dysfunction is defined as an abnormal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level and free thyroxine (FT4) and triiodothyronin (T3) levels within their reference ranges. The prevalence of subclinical thyroid dysfunction has increased, especially in women older than 60 years. There is good evidence that subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with progression to overt disease, so screening is recommended for high-risk populations. FREND&#153...

Runx2 and Osterix(Osx) have been known as the master transcription factors for bone formation. However, genes that act downstream of both Runx2 and Osx have not been fully studied. To investigate downstream target genes of Runx2 and Osx, DNA microarray was conducted in calvaria of WT, Runx2ΔC/+, Osx+/−, and Runx2ΔC/+; Osx+/− double heterozygous mice designated WT, Runx2het, Osxhet, and Doub...

Heparan sulphate (HS) is a highly complex linear polysaccharide found attached to core proteins both on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. Newly synthesized HS chains are modified by a family of enzymes, many of which have multiple isoforms with differing substrate preferences. These modifications include the addition of sulphate groups at up to four positions on each disaccharide unit. The pattern of modifications a HS saccharide undergoes alters its structure,...

Insulinoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor (4 cases/1000000/year), less than 10% are malignant. We report a case of rapidly fatal malignant insulinoma, death occurring less than 3 months after the apparition of hypoglycaemic symptoms.A 79 years old female type 2 diabetic patient, treated with glicazide120 mg b.i.d and metformine et 850 t.i.d, was hospitalized for recurrent hypoglycaemia Insulinoma was diagnosed as severe hypoglycaemic episodes occurred mo...

Pregnancy, a state of insulin resistance (IR), is associated with elevated levels of cytokines and profound alterations in metabolism, directed towards supplying adequate nutrition for the fetus. Adiponectin, an adipokine with anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitising properties, plays an important role in energy homeostasis. Interestingly, in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a state of greater insulin resistance, serum adiponectin levels are lower than normal subjects. We...

Dissection or rupture of the aorta accounts for death in 2-8% of women with Turner Syndrome (TS), and dilatation of the aortic root, has been reported as a predisposing factor. We compared measures of arterial structure, stiffness and endothelial function to investigate whether women with TS have a fundamental arterial wall defect which extends beyond the arch of the aorta. Local Ethics Committee approval was obtained.Age-matched women with TS (n=93), 46...

Dissection or rupture of the aorta accounts for death in 2-8% of women with Turner Syndrome (TS), and dilatation of the aortic root, has been reported as a predisposing factor. We compared measures of arterial structure, stiffness and endothelial function to investigate whether women with TS have a fundamental arterial wall defect which extends beyond the arch of the aorta. Local Ethics Committee approval was obtained.Age-matched women with TS (n=93), 46...

Introduction: Gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) quantitatively detects many steroids at one time in a single serum sample. Cushing’s syndrome (CS) caused by adrenal adenoma is often associated with decreased DHEAS, whereas low levels of aldosterone in ACTH dependent CS and also low levels of 18-oxocortisol were observed in ectopic CS. We aimed to evaluate steroid differences in various types of CS.Methods: In serum from patients...