Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Children presenting with diabetic keto-acidosis (DKA) as an initial presentation of diabetes mellitus are often unwell, with associated increases in mortality and morbidity. While electrolyte imbalances such as hypokalaemia and hypophosphataemia are well recognised, the incidence of hypercalcaemia is less well documented.Case: A previously healthy 12-year-old boy presented to hospital with a history suggestive of new onset diabetes. Initial b...

Background: Testicular germ cell tumours are the most frequent cancer of young men. While pathogenesis and reasons of an increasing incidence all over the world remain unknown, epidemiological and clinical data have suggested that fetal exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs), especially with estrogenic effects, could participate to testicular germ cell carcinogenesis. However, EEDs (like bisphenol A) are often weak ligands for classical nuclear estrogen receptor...

Estradiol (E2) may directly interact with growth factors stimulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Previously, we have demonstrated that E2 through membrane estrogen receptor α (mERα) modulates the lactotroph cell population which exhibit noticeable changes in the pituitary gland. The aim of this study was to analyze the mERα contribution on lactotroph cell proliferation in response to E2 and FGF-2 interaction evaluatin...

Glucocorticoid (GC) excess adversely affects many aspects of skin homeostasis, characteristics of which are also seen during ageing (e.g. poor wound healing). The mechanisms underlying this remain unclear. The enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) regenerates cortisol, independently of circulating concentrations, and we have previously demonstrated increased 11β-HSD1 expression in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) from aged donors. We have now e...

In the endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR), hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) generates an NADPH/ NADP ratio sufficient to drive 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1)-mediated glucocorticoid (GC) activation (11-DHC to corticosterone). In H6PDH knockout (H6PDKO) mice a reduced NADPH/NADP ratio leads to reversed 11β-HSD1 activity (corticosterone to 11-DHC), and GC insensitivity. They also display skeletal myopathy driven by activation of the un...

Osteoporosis in men is increasingly being recognized as a public health issue. Thirty percent of hip fractures occur in men, and one in eight fractures occurs in men above 50 years of age.Objectives: To assess the prevalence of osteoporosis in healthy male subjects using Bone Mineral Density (BMD) as measured by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and to study the influence of various factors which influence BMD.Methods: Health...

Introduction: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the association of anti-cardiolipin antibodies and venous & arterial thrombosis. APS accounts for <0.5% of cases of hypoadrenalism. We present a series of 5 such cases occurring at our institution plus a further patient identified with unilateral adrenal haemorrhage. Case 1 presented with nausea, vomiting and weight loss. Lupus anticoagulant positive. Commenced aspirin 300 mg. 6-weeks later represented with dehydration, ...

Hypoglycaemia in non-diabetic patients has a multitude of causes from exogenous insulin to paraneoplastic syndromes. We explore the importance of obtaining a ‘golden sample’, a serum blood sample, during the episode of hypoglycaemia, prior to reversal with treatment. The case herein describes a patient with recurrent episodes of unexplained hypoglycaemia which precipitated several hospital admissions. Standard screening tests did not detect any obvious cause for his ...

Hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease (GD) is traditionally managed in the secondary care ambulatory setting. Conventionally patients are required to attend for regular review at 4–12 weekly intervals, presenting practical difficulties for many adults. Nurse-led Telephone Consultations are gaining momentum in the care of long-term conditions. This Service Development Project (SDP) addressed whether or not a specialist nurse delivered telephone consultation could be ...

Introduction: The circadian clock controls numerous aspects of mammalian physiology across the 24 hour day, including lipid and glucose metabolism. Disruption of the core circadian gene CLOCK is associated with the development of obesity, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in mice. Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk of developing diabetes, dyslipidemia and the metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship o...