Endocrine Abstracts

Epigenetic dysregulation may be one mechanism underpinning the link between early life conditions and later cardiometabolic risk. In animal models, environmental manipulations including modified maternal diet change DNA methylation and offspring phenotype. Manipulations altering the epigenetic state reverse the phenotype suggesting causality. We have previously reported higher blood pressure (BP) and cortisol in an adult cohort whose mothers were advised to eat a high-protein,...

Background: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) previously conducted a Technology Appraisal for Genotropin in children and positive guidance was issued in 2002. This guidance is currently under review.Aim: To perform a systematic review (SR) to identify studies investigating the efficacy and safety of Genotropin published since the previous NICE appraisal for the existing indications (GH deficiency (GHD), Prader-Willi syndrom...

AimsTo define the prevalence of hyponatraemia (serum sodium <135 mmol/l) on our medical admissions unit and review the laboratory investigations, diagnosis and management of patients with critical or severe hyponatraemia (serum sodium <120 mmol/l).MethodsSerum sodium levels requested from the medical admissions unit over a six-month period were retrospectively collated. Case notes and biochemistry dat...

Background: Maternal hyperthyroidism (MH) during late pregnancy is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes but the effects of MH in early gestation when managed in a specialised joint obstetric endocrine clinic setting is unclear. Objectives: To evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of maternal hyperthyroidism presenting during early gestation. Methods: Endocrine and obstetric record of 40 pregnancies with active hyperthyroidism managed in the antenatal endocrine clin...

Peptic ulceration is associated with hypercalcaemia in a number of disease states including isolated primary hyperparathyroidism and multiple endocrine neoplasia (e.g. MEN1 syndrome where hyperparathyroidism co-exists with gastrinomas and the Zollinger Ellison Syndrome). Hypercalcaemia is also known to enhance gastrin secretion. We were therefore interested in investigating whether any association exists between serum calcium concentrations and the findings at oesophago-gastro...

Gonadism is a medical term for decreased functional activity of the gonads (ovaries or testes) producing hormones and gametes. Male hypogonadism is characterised by a deficiency in testosterone – a hormone critical for sexual, cognitive and body function as well as development. Low testosterone levels can be due to hypothalamic, pituitary or testicular abnormalities. Hypogonadism is classified as primary (primary testicular failure) and secondary (a problem in the hypotha...

Adult GH deficiency (AGHD) is a common sequela in patients with pituitary or brain tumors or in patients with a history of traumatic brain injury or cranial irradiation. In addition, approximately one third of children who were diagnosed with GH deficiency will remain GH deficient as adults. Since AGHD is characterized by diminished cardiovascular health, abnormal body composition, decreased muscle strength and aerobic capacity, poor quality of life, and increased mortality, i...

The hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis plays a key role in the metabolic response to stress, so it is to be anticipated that cortisol signalling might in turn be regulated by nutritional status. This regulation might operate either centrally, controlling ACTH and hence plasma cortisol, or peripherally, controlling metabolism of cortisol in target tissues.Plasma cortisol levels are elevated during starvation in animals and a recent meta-analysis co...

Among individuals who came for master health check up to Apollo hospitals, Chennai between June 2011 to November 2011, 750 patients were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Those who showed fatty liver on ultrasonography were compared with those who had normal liver parenchyma. People with acute medical illness, known hepatic disease, known renal disease, people who consume excessive alcohol (>20 g/day), patients on medications that cause hepatotoxicit...

The majority of T3 actions are mediated by nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (TRα and TRβ), which act as hormone-inducible transcription factors. TRs are constitutively localised to the nucleus and, in the absence of hormone, bind to T3-response elements (TREs) located in the promoter regions of T3 target genes to mediate transcriptional repression. Entry of T3 to the nucleus and high affinity binding to TRs results in de-r...