Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The NETest is a multi-gene assay comprising 51 circulating neuroendocrine tumor specific transcripts. The quotient of the 51-gene assay is based upon multi-algorithmic data analysis. Eight cancer hallmarks or ‘omes’ (apoptome, epigenome, growth factor signalome, metabolome, proliferome, plurome, secretome SSTRome) represent 29 genes. The NETest is an accurate diagnostic (>90%) but its prognostic utility has not been assessed. In this study, we describe ex...

IntroductionDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is associated with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), whilst hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) with Type 2 (T2DM). HHS has been well described as a presentation of T1DM in children, but not in adults. We present present a case of T1DM presenting in a young adult as HHS, with severe hyperglycemia but without acidosis.Case reportA 21 year old male presented with a 4 5 ...

Introduction: Pharmacological targeting of skeletal muscle to enhance metabolism through signalling pathways independent of insulin could be effective in treating metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. BI-9774 is an allosteric agonist which has been shown to have high potency in enhancing 5’ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. The purpose of these experiments was to establish the effects of BI-9774 on AMPK signalling and mitocho...

Introduction: Skeletal muscle (SkM) is a major site of carbohydrate and fatty acid (FA) utilisation, where efficient selection between these two substrates is paramount in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. The accumulation of FA in SkM has been suggested to contribute to metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Consequently, there is significant interest in SkM FA metabolism and importantly, how FAs contribute to the metabolic function...

There are 1.21 million deaths from road traffic accidents worldwide. In Afghanistan, there have been 2005 battle injuries over 10 years. Advances in military trauma care have improved survival, resulting in more severely injured individuals entering the trauma care pathway. Improved understanding of endocrine-immune changes after severe trauma may facilitate novel interventions to improve outcomes. We prospectively recruited 102 severely injured patients at the Queen Elizabeth...

Muscle wasting remains a significant complication in patients with inflammatory disease where it contributes to disability, risk of falls and early mortality. Interestingly, muscle wasting in patients with glucocorticoid excess mirrors that observed in patients with inflammatory disease. We have previously reported that the glucocorticoid activating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is potently up-regulated within mesenchymal derived cell popu...

Background: Acquired male secondary hypogonadism is a relatively common cause of referral to the endocrine clinic. However, the extent to which further investigation is required, and the indications for a trial of testosterone therapy, remain unclear. Aim To review the clinical/biochemical/radiological findings in men presenting with this condition.Methods: We performed a retrospective case analysis of 41 consecutive patients referred to our clinic over ...

We report the first case of familial adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) in association with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) in a family with a MSH2 germline mutation.HNPCC, an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in one of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes, is the commonest cause of hereditary colon carcinoma, and is associated with an increased risk of certain non-colonic cancers (e.g. endometrial, ovarian, urin...

Context: Patients with hypopituitarism have increased morbidity and mortality. There is ongoing debate around the optimum glucocorticoid replacement therapy.Objective: To assess the effect of glucocorticoid replacement in hypopituitarism on corticosteroid metabolism and its impact on body composition.Design and patients: We assessed the urinary corticosteroid metabolite profile (using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) and body ...

Context: The economic and logistic burden of screening for hypopituitarism following moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considerable. Published guidelines suggest prioritisation for screening of patients with symptoms of pituitary dysfunction.Objective: To evaluate the implementation of targeted symptom-based screening for hypopituitarism after moderate/severe TBI, compared with routine consecutive screening.Design: Gr...