Endocrine Abstracts

Excess action of glucocorticoid hormones is implicated in metabolic disease and cognitive decline, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11βHSD1) catalysing generation of active glucocorticoid hormones in tissues. The penetration rates and tissue-specific contribution of 11βHSD1 to glucocorticoid turnover were assessed using tracer kinetics. 9,11,12,12-d4-Cortisol (d4F) was infused (1.75 mg/day, 7 days) into C57Bl6/J male mice and mice lacking 11βHSD1 (n<...

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) implicate the CYP17A1 locus in human blood pressure regulation. This gene is important in steroidogenesis, regulating both glucocorticoid and androgen synthesis through catalysis of 17α-hydroxylation and 17,20 lyase reactions. We hypothesised that functional CYP17A1 polymorphisms linked to those identified by GWAS influence blood pressure levels. We therefore screened the entire CYP17A1 locus by dire...

Background: Succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB) associated disease has been characterised by the presence of extra-adrenal paragangliomas with a high rate of metastatic transformation. There is currently no consensus as to the appropriate surveillance regimes for these subjects. We present the surveillance data from a single UK institution with an SDHB surveillance regime which includes annual MR imaging of the abdomen, biennial imaging of the neck, thorax and pelvis and annual u...

Parathyroid hormone is involved in calcium homeostasis through interactions with vitamin D. Because intact and truncated forms of PTH vary in their biological activity, assays that can accurately quantify the ratio of intact hormone to its fragments are of increasing significance in the diagnosis of endocrine, renal and bone diseases. Vitamin D and its metabolites circulate tightly bound to vitamin D-binding protein (DBP). Because DBP concentrations are altered in pregnancy, l...

Parathyroid hormone is involved in calcium homeostasis through interactions with vitamin D. Because intact and truncated forms of parathyroid hormone (PTH) vary in their biological activity, assays that can accurately quantify the ratio of intact hormone to its fragments are of increasing significance in the diagnosis of endocrine, renal and bone diseases. Vitamin D and its metabolites circulate tightly bound to vitamin D-binding protein (DBP). Because DBP concentrations are a...

Background: The measurement of thyroglobulin (Tg) is important in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), but interpretation is subject to interference by anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb). National guidelines recommend measurement of TgAb status but no consensus exists on how surveillance should be adapted in cases of TgAb positivity.Aims: To evaluate the impact of TgAbs on clinical management, in a single-centre cohort of...

Selective transsphenoidal adenomectomy remains the accepted first line treatment for Cushing’s disease (CD), until recently by microscopic (sublabial) transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. Endonasal transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery is emerging as a novel, less invasive treatment for pituitary adenomas with lower postoperative complications and morbidity. The safety of endoscopic surgery has been extensively reviewed in adult patients and is now considered best practice for...

Introduction: 131I-MIBG is a well-established treatment modality for patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Our centre has now accumulated over 10 years of experience with 131I-MIBG therapy, with long term data to evaluate effects on disease progress and other long term outcomes following therapy. Bone marrow effects of radionuclide therapy may include prolonged suppression, myelodysplasia or even frank leukaemia. Incidence is thought to be low, but...

Introduction: Bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture tendency are influenced by diet, activity, drugs, and hormones. Recent studies highlight an inverse relationship between serotonin and BMD, of uncertain mechanism.Purpose: We investigated the relationship between serotonin metabolites and BMD in patients with sporadic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), with and without the carcinoid syndrome.Materials and methods: One-year prospecti...

The biguanides metformin and phenformin enhance insulin sensitivity and improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes. Metformin is the most prescribed oral agent for type 2 diabetes but phenformin has been withdrawn because of its propensity to cause lactic acidosis. Metformin has a major effect in the liver where it reduces glucose output via AMPK activation. As the adipocyte is now considered to be a critical participant in whole-organism metabolic homeostasis we investigate...