Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Cranial diabetes insipidus (CDI) is characterised by arginine vasopressin (AVP) deficiency. Oxytocin (OT) is structurally related to AVP and is synthesised in the same hypothalamic nuclei, but a clinical syndrome of OT deficiency is not currently recognised. Psychological research has demonstrated that OT influences social and emotional behaviours, particularly empathic behaviour.Aim: We hypothesised that patients with acquired CDI and anteri...

Introduction: Microparticles (MP) are circulating submicron particles released from cell membranes. They have an important role in intercellular endocrine signalling and may be increased in numerous conditions including cardiovascular disease. However, the influences of gender on MP characteristics are not fully understood.Aim: To compare MP characteristics (size, concentration, cellular origin and inflammatory profile) in healthy males and females acros...

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by anovulation and insulin resistance but the effects on reproductive outcomes are unclear.Objectives: To determine the impact of PCOS upon fertility, pregnancy complications and delivery method.Methods: Data were extracted from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Patients with a diagnosis of PCOS (2000–2012) were matched to controls (1:2) by age (±1 year)...

Background: Testosterone levels are commonly lowered in men with diabetes but it is unclear whether these impact upon symptoms of androgen deficiency and diabetes-related quality of life.Objective: To investigate the relationship between testosterone levels, symptoms of androgen deficiency, erectile function and diabetes-related quality of life in men with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Design: Cross-sectional study of 115 men with type 2 diabetes, 93 men w...

Background: Adrenal incidentalomas (AI) are a common radiological finding (estimated prevalence 4%). Guidelines from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES) recommend radiological evaluation at 3–6 months then annually for 1–2 years, and hormonal evaluation by measurement of plasma aldosterone/renin (ARR) activity, 24 h catecholamines/metanephrines (CATS), and 1 mg overnight dexamethasone ...

Both brown (BAT) and white (WAT) adipose tissue have neuroanatomically well characterized sympathetic innervation (with activation initiating lipid mobilization), but little evidence to support the presence of a (putatively counter-regulatory) parasympathetic input.Parasympathetic actions are mediated through muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR). The mouse 3T3-L1 (white fat-derived) cell line expresses M1, M3 and M4 mAChR during differen...

The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes can be directly related to increasing levels of population obesity and associated insulin resistance. Adipose tissue has neuroanatomically well characterized sympathetic innervation (with activation initiating lipid mobilization), but little evidence to support the presence of a (putatively counter-regulatory) parasympathetic input (Bartness & Song 2007). Parasympathetic actions are mediated through muscarinic acetylcholine receptor...

Background: Hashimoto’s encephalopathy is a rare steroid-responsive condition associated with high antithyroid antibody titres. We report a case of autoimmune thyroiditis presenting with status epileptics.Case: A 36-year-old non-epileptic Caucasian lady presented as an emergency with uncontrolled generalised seizures requiring sedation, short-term ventilation and maintenance sodium valproate therapy. Further enquiry revealed a 3–4 week history ...

A 43-year-old policeman was referred for investigation of recurrent symptomatic hypomagnesaemia. He initially presented with a one week history of dizziness, headaches, and ‘funny turns,’ on a background history of bronchial asthma, reflux oeosphagitis and hypertension. Initial investigations demonstrated hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypophosphataemia. These disturbances were attributed to his thiazide diuretic which was subsequently discontinued; his symptoms ...

Objective: Appendiceal carcinoid is an uncommon neuroendocrine condition that can potentially give rise to a variation in management. We aimed to assess the occurrence and mode of presentation of carcinoid tumour of appendix, and any variation of its management.Methods: All appendicectomies that took place at a single institute between January 1995 and December 2005 were considered for study.Results: A total of 1941 appendicectomie...