Endocrine Abstracts

Background and Objective: CB1 antagonism may have potential benefits in the metabolic syndrome, with effects mediated through central orexigenic mechanisms and peripheral action on adipose tissue. We have previously described the effects of CB1 activation/inactivation on murine white preadipocyte 3T3-L1 proliferation; we now extend these studies to human tissue.Method: Ethical approval was obtained for this study. Human preadipocytes were isolated from w...

BackgroundCannabinoid (CB) receptors are expressed in adipocytes. CB1 antagonism may have potential in the metabolic syndrome, with effects mediated through central orexigenic mechanisms and via peripheral action on white adipose tissue (WAT). Equivalent studies in brown adipose tissue (BAT) are lacking.ObjectiveWe aimed to compare CB1 and CB2 receptor expression during WAT and BAT adipogenesis and to investi...

Introduction-Cushing's syndrome is characterised by hypercortisolaemia, loss of the diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion and loss of negative hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) feedback. Patients with adrenal incidentalomas may manifest some signs of cortisol excess before developing overt Cushing's syndrome. This can be considered as 'Cushing's syndrome in evolution'.Case History-A 47 year old lady with ty...

Folliculostellate (FS) cells are non-hormone producing cells that represent up to 10% of the anterior pituitary gland and may mediate the response of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis to inflammation. Adenosine, released during stress and inflammation, acts at A2b receptors to stimulate growth and secretion of IL-6 from a mouse FS cell line, TtT/GF. We have now extended these studies and investigated how NECA (universal adenosine receptor agonist; 10 micromolar) stimulat...

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by a high prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance, leading to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, it is unclear whether cardiovascular risk (CVR) is increased in PCOS independently of these metabolic disturbances.Aims: To establish whether PCOS is associated with arterial stiffness, carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and myocardial dysfunction, and explore the relationships ...

The South Wales regional NET Multidisciplinary Meeting (MDT) discusses patients on a monthly basis. The European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) have guidance on expected pathology input into a NET MDT service. We assessed pathology reports submitted and discussed in 2016 for compliance with ENETS criteria, and determined the time from pathology reporting to MDT discussion. 117 patients had pathology submitted for review in 2016 and were assessed by one specialist NET pa...

Objective: To compare 3 methods of generating Ki-67% in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs).Methods: Twenty-four slides were used to generate 49 images for analysis. Each image was analysed and 3 different methods were used to calculate Ki-67%.Results: The comparison of Ki-67% from counting and estimating using the diameter (shortcut method) was strongly positively correlated, whereas the Ki-67% from counting a...

Introduction: Obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk but the underlying pathways are unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are circulating submicron particles containing proteins, enzymes and mRNA of their donor cells. They could mediate some of these risks by paracrine actions in target cells.Aims: To compare the concentration and characteristics of circulating EVs from healthy volunteers (HV)...

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by hyperandrogenism, oligo/amenorrhoea and subfertility but the effects on mental health outcomes are unclear. Offspring neurodevelopment might also be influenced by gestational androgen exposure.Aims: To determine if (i) there is an association between PCOS and psychiatric outcomes, and (ii) rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorde...

Introduction: Obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk but the underlying pathways are unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are circulating submicron particles containing proteins, enzymes and mRNA of their donor cells. They could mediate some of these risks by paracrine actions in target cells.Aims: To compare the concentration and characteristics of circulating EVs from healthy volunteers (HV)...