Endocrine Abstracts

The kidney plays a dominant role in long-term blood pressure (BP) control and electrolyte homeostasis but aldosterone (aldo) responsive molecular pathways in the kidney involved in regulating BP remain poorly understood despite identification of several participant genes. Many human single gene disorders affecting BP have been faithfully reproduced in mice by targeting the corresponding genes. Thus mouse is an excellent model to study molecular pathways underlying hypertension...

We report the case of a 34 year old woman with recurrent hyperthyroid Grave's disease. She was initially found to be thyrotoxic in July 1996. Treatment was commenced with carbimazole, of which she received 12 months in a titration regimen. She relapsed in October 1999, six months following the delivery of her first child, and was restarted on carbimazole, remaining euthyroid on a dose of 10mg. She conceived again in May 2002 (whilst on carbimazole) and treatment was continued ...

Heparin is being frequently used in most hospitals within the U.K. The use of low molecular weight heparin is increasing also amongst different specialities. The risk of bleeding and thrombocytopaenia with heparin treatment is well recognised. However other side effects of heparin therapy like hyperkalaemia, which can be life threatening due to the high risk of arrhythmias are less commonly perceived.We describe a 59 year old female patient with type 2 d...

Random serum cortisol levels should be carefully interpreted in the clinical setting of hypoadrenalism, when clinicians have a high index of suspicion. We describe an 81year old lady who was admitted with symptoms and signs of hypoadrenalism, though her random cortisol levels were 800nmol/l. She was admitted following a collapse at home. She also gave a history of weight loss of about 5 kgs over the previous 6 months, and complained of breathlessness. On examination she was sl...

Renal sodium handling and responses to aldosterone (aldo) are conserved across species and intrinsic to the dominant role of the kidney in long-term blood pressure (BP) control. Molecular pathways involved in hypertensive responses to aldo and escape from these remain largely unclear despite identification of several participant genes. We have characterized renal gene expression changes in mice, receiving aldo and/or dietary salt excess, using microarray analysis and concurren...

Introduction: There is limited literature on autoimmune haematological disorders (AIHD) such as autoimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP), autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, and autoimmune neutropenia (AN) in Turner syndrome (TS) although autoimmune disorders are more common in TS.Methodology: Retrospective analysis of a clinic database, to identify patients with AIHD out of all the patients followed up in a specialised TS clinic. (...

Introduction: Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is an autosomal recessive, monogenic syndrome of obesity, with an estimated prevalence of 1:160.000. BBS is caused by mutations in one of the twenty-six genes that play a role in the function of primary cilia (1). Early-onset obesity, post-axial polydactyly, retinitis pigmentosa, renal or genitourinary abnormalities, learning disabilities and hypogonadism are considered primary features. Diabetes, speech deficit, heari...

Background: Primary adrenal insufficiency or Addison’s disease (AD) is characterized by glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiency due to lesion of the adrenal glands through different mechanisms (1). Addison’s disease is a risk factor for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Close monitoring is required for these patients during the intrapartum and postpartum periods.(2)Objective: Retrospective evaluation of the management of Addison&#...

Introduction: Luteinizing hormone (LH) and human choriogonadotropin (hCG) regulate reproduction through binding the same receptor (LHCGR). They act via activation of G protein- and β-arrestin-dependent signals, resulting in ligand-specific pattern of signaling cascades and LHCGR internalization into endosomal vesicles. Previous studies differentiated the action of these two hormones in LH-related proliferative signals and hCG-related steroidogenic signals.Aim. We compared...

The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in clinical management of cancer has had an undeniable impact in management of cancer patients. Currently there are several ICIs are used across Europe including but not limited to, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and ipilimumab. Even though their clinical efficacy is reputable, they have the potential of causing serious immunotherapy-related adverse events’ (irADRs) in several organ systems including endocrine organs. ...