Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The growth hormone/ IGF-I axis is important in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and increased IGF-I signalling through the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) has been implicated in the development of tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer.Aims: To compare mRNA and protein expression of IGF-I & IGF-IR in (i) wild type (WT) and tamoxifen resistant (TR) MCF-7 breast cancer cells and (ii) breast cancer tissue from women with primary and recurrent, tamox...

Background: Due to its cross-talk with estrogen receptor (ER) signalling, increased IGF-I signalling through the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) has been postulated as an important factor in the development of tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer.Aims: To investigate the importance of IGF-I signalling in tamoxifen resistant (TR) and wild-type (WT) MCF-7 breast cancer cells by (i) assessing cell proliferation in response to IGF-I and tamoxifen and (ii) using sma...

Introduction: The development of colorectal cancer is influenced by dietary as well as growth factors. Butyrate, (NaB) one of the metabolic by-products of bacterial fermentation of dietary fibre is a primary source of energy for colonic mucosa. It has growth-promoting effects on normal colonic epithelial cells, induces cell cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Since it has been suggested that the apoptotic effects of NaB may be due to its syn...

Thyroid cancer is the commonest malignancy seen in endocrine practice. Audits of clinical practice have revealed significant variations in management, and the British Thyroid Association have published guidelines (2002) to address this. The aim of our study was to assess the care-stage at which practice falls short of agreed standards. We performed retrospective case note review of 83 patients (72 female) followed in a specialist thyroid cancer clinic over 5 years. Histology d...

The endogenous growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), ghrelin, is an important regulator of energy homeostasis. Peripheral and central administration of ghrelin increase food intake, body weight and fat mass, effects which are mediated by the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R 1a). Although the central actions of ghrelin on adiposity have been extensively studied, the direct peripheral effects of ghrelin on adipose tissue remain poorly understood. This study aimed...

IntroductionThe Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) is responsible for the active transport of iodide into thyroid cells. Most of differentiated thyroid carcinomas (TC) retain the functional expression of NIS, which allows the use of radioiodide (RAI) as the systemic treatment of choice for metastatic disease. Still, a significant proportion of patients with advanced thyroid cancer fail to respond to RAI therapy (refractory-TC), which makes their management ve...

BackgroundAutosomal dominant hypocalcaemia, caused by either inherited or de novo mutations in calcium-sensing receptor gene (CASR), is biochemically characterized by the presence of hypocalcaemia, hypercalciuria and inappropriately low levels of PTH. Receptor-activating mutations induce an increase sensitivity to calcium by parathyroid and renal cells, leading to suppression of PTH synthesis and consequently hypocalcaemia. Clinical manifestations are va...

Introduction: The gut microbiota plays an important role in host metabolism, immunity, digestibility and even a behavior. Candida spec. is common resident of the gastrointestinal tract and integral part of the microbiota. Number of 101 to 103 fungal cells per g stool are considered as normal range. However, when mucosal surface is disrupted or host immunity is compromised, life-threatening invasive infection can ensue.Objec...

Background: Endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery is a technical advance for treatment of pituitary tumours. We present the outcomes of patients with Acromegaly or Cushing’s disease undergoing selective pituitary adenomectomy in a regional neurosurgical centre.Methods: Retrospective cohort study August 2010-August 2017. Imaging, histology and pituitary hormone assessments were collated pre and post-operatively to...

Background: Endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery is a technical advance for treatment of pituitary tumours. We present the outcomes of patients with Acromegaly or Cushing’s disease undergoing selective pituitary adenomectomy in a regional neurosurgical centre.Methods: Retrospective cohort study August 2010-August 2017. Imaging, histology and pituitary hormone assessments were collated pre and post-operatively to...