Endocrine Abstracts

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...

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 ...

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...

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)...

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...