Endocrine Abstracts

We describe a case of pituitary apoplexy in a patient with a known non- functioning macroadenoma. A 57 year old female was incidentally found to have a 20 x 16 mm solid and cystic pituitary mass abutting the optic chiasm on MRI scanning. She had gonadotrophin deficiency on endocrine testing and normal visual fields. Although repeat perimetry 12 months later revealed a mild superior bi-temporal hemianopia, the patient elected not to have surgery.Several m...

A common NOS3 polymorphism (the gene which encodes endothelial nitric oxide synthase), a variable number of tandem repeats within Intron 4 has been associated with cardiovascular disorders in which nitric oxide bioactivity is impaired including myocardial infraction. Consistent characteristic changes in the pressure pulse wave shape have been associated with ageing, risk factors for cardiovascular disease and impaired NO bioactivity. Therefore pulse waveform analysis can be ut...

PCOS is associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. Adiponectin receptors (Adipo-R1, Adipo-R2) are expressed in human myotubes. Their mRNA levels were found to be correlated with insulin and circulating triglycerides.The aims of this study, were to investigate the expression of adiponectin and its receptors in adipose tissue from normal and PCOS women (Ethical approval was obtained from the University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS T...

Background and Hypothesis:- A common NOS3 Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (894 G/T) which encodes a Glu298Asp amino acid substitution in endothelial NO synthase has been associated with cardiovascular disorders in which NO bioactivity is impaired. The gene coding for p22phox, a critical component of the NADH/NAD(P)H oxidase enzyme system, a major source of vascular SO, is CYBA. Among the allelic polymorphisms reported in CYBA is C242T, associated wit...

Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid n-octanoylated peptide which is the natural agonist for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and which potently stimulates GH release in vivo (1). We studied the effects of a somatostatin infusion on Ghrelin release in normal subjects.STUDY PROTOCOLFour females and five males, 25-40 years of age, body mass index < 28 kg per m2 were studied. Local ethics committee permission was obtained for ...

A 22-year-old lady presented with an acute abdomen and underwent appendicectomy for early appendicitis. Post-operatively she developed headache, dizziness and neck stiffness, and later impaired attention and perseveration. Clinical examination showed papilloedema, a left IVth nerve palsy and left sided cerebellar signs. A CT head scan showed evidence of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and subsequent MRI confirmed SAH with some meningeal enhancement, as well as intraparenchymal ...

Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex genetic disorder caused by lack of expression of paternally inherited imprinted genes on Chr15q11-q13. rhGH has beneficial effects on growth, body composition and development. Starting age, dose titration and monitoring remain controversial.Objective: To study retrospectively children who presented in our multidisciplinary PWS clinic and assess response to rhGH treatment in terms of auxology, IGF1 conc...

ObjectiveIn BALB/c mice with GD model, the TSHR and ICAM-1 were targeted for treatment, and new approaches to GD targeted therapy were explored.MethodsThe siRNA targeting TSHR and the ICAM-1 mAb specifically binding ICAM-1 were designed and synthesized. Thirty GD model mice were randomly divided into siRNA treatment group, ICAM-1 mAb treatment group, and untreated GD group, with 10 mice in each group, and 10 ...

Introduction: Phosphatase and tensin homolog gene (PTEN) gene encodes a lipid phosphatase that plays a central role in cell-cycle processes. PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS), caused by the mutation of the PTEN gene, is a diverse multi-system disorder. PHTS is characterised by the hamartomatous growths, increased risk of breast, thyroid, and renal cancers. In terms of thyroid presentation of PHTS, there is up to 75% risk of multinodular goitre and the life...

Generous glucocorticoid (GC) replacement following pituitary or adrenal surgery for Cushing’s can result in persistent suppression of the pituitary corticotrophs, evidenced by poor short synacthen test (SST) responses. Dose reduction can result in increased fatigue so patients tend to prefer to remain on higher doses. Long-term GC therapy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We present two cases where GC therapy was successfully weaned through a gradual t...