Endocrine Abstracts

Renalase is a recently discovered flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent oxidase, predominantly secreted into the circulation from the kidney and regulates catecholamine degradation and metabolism. Renalase gene is also present in heart muscle, skeletal muscle and liver cells in humans, and in mouse testicles. Four isoforms of renalase gene has been identified in humans (hRenalase1 to hRenalase4), however only hRenalase1 is detected in human blood suggesting that hRenalas...

Objective: To examine the relationship between C-peptide levels and endogenous insulin secretion and to understand the effects of elevated C-peptide after dosing on evaluating study insulin and its analogs’ PK/PD values in euglycemic clamps.Method: The study included 33 healthy male volunteers who underwent an 8-h euglycemic clamp with a subcutaneous injection of insulin aspart (0.2 U/kg). Blood glucose (BG), C-peptide, human insulin, and insu...

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5–10% of women in the reproductive age group. It is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia which is further aggravated during pregnancy. The use of metformin in PCOS is increasingly accepted but its therapeutic use during pregnancy is still a debatable issue. There are few local studies on the use of metformin among PCOS patients and data are lacking among Filipinos.Objectives: To...

Introduction: Abdominal obesity and insulin resistance are risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is associated with hypoandrogenism, endothelial dysfunction, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and reduced quality of life (QoL). We aimed to compare effects of lifestyle modification-induced weight loss on insulin resistance, endothelial and sexual function, LUTS and QoL in obese non-diabetic men with and without ED.Methods: Seventy abdominally o...

Introduction: Androgen deficiency (AD) is associated with endothelial and erectile dysfunction, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and reduced quality of life (QoL) in obesity. We aimed to compare effects of weight loss induced by lifestyle modification on endothelial and erectile function, LUTS and QoL in obese men with and without AD.Methods: abdominally obese Asian (body mass index≥30 kg/m2, waist circumference [WC] ≧ 90 cm) m...

Introduction: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance, visceral obesity -metabolic syndrome (MS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Fetuin-A, human protein: α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein is an abundant serum protein exclusively expressed in the liver and has been suggested to act as a link between obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and MS.Aims: A) To determine levels of Fetuin-A in PCOS women. B) To invest...

A 31-year gentleman presented with a four day history of anxiety and confusion. Over several months, he had noticed red eyes and a ‘stomach-ache’. A collateral history revealed a previous episode of confusion and concern about excessive alcohol intake. He denied any current medication. On examination, he had bilateral conjunctivitis. Investigations demonstrated severe hypercalcaemia of 3.54 mmol/l (NR 2.15–2.6 mmol/l). He was treated with intravenous fluids and ...

Hyperaldosteronism is a significant cause of secondary hypertension, but there are often delays in obtaining the diagnosis. The recent BES publication of Guidelines for the investigation and management of this condition represent a move to standardise the work-up of these patients.We present an audit of cases, dating back to 2000, with confirmed biochemical hyperaldosteronism (on the basis of plasma aldosterone/renin activity ratio or lack of aldosterone...

Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is characterized by insulin resistance and a pro-inflammatory state, both factors possible related to adipokine expression. In our study we have endeavoured to assess serum levels of insulin-sensitising omentin and pro-inflammatory thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in GDM.Subjects and methods: The study included 20 women with GDM, diagnosed according to the WHO criteria, age 29.7±5.5 (mean±S.D.), BMI...

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is a 36 amino acid peptide, secreted from the endocrine pancreas. Previous work has shown that peripheral administration of PP inhibits food intake in rodents and humans. However, PP has a short circulating half-life that limits its use as an anti-obesity agent. Determining the mechanisms involved in the physiological breakdown of PP will allow the rational design of long-acting analogues with greater clinical utility in the treatment of obesity. PP...