Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Autoantibodies (aAB) are characteristic of autoimmune diseases, but may also be found in apparently healthy individuals and precede pathological symptoms. We have recently reported on autoantibodies against the IGF1-receptor (IGF1R-aAB) in control subjects and patients with Graves’ disease (1). The isolated aAB were able to immunoprecipitate the recombinant autoantigen and antagonized IGF1 signaling in vitro. Given the structural similarities betwee...

Objective: Suboptimal mitochondrial function has been implicated in several disorders where fatigue is a prominent feature. Vitamin D deficiency is a well-recognised cause of fatigue and myopathy. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cholecalciferol therapy on skeletal mitochondrial oxidative function in symptomatic, vitamin D deficient individuals.Design: This longitudinal study assessed mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the gast...

Context: GH deficient (GHD) adults can experience fatigue which resolves with GH replacement. The precise basis of this is unclear. Suboptimal mitochondrial function has been demonstrated in several conditions in which fatigue is a prominent symptom. Phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) can measure maximal mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, an important parameter of mitochondrial function. We have adapted this technique to enable non-invasive measureme...

Background: Adults with GH deficiency (GHD) have altered body composition with an increase in abdominal fat when compared with healthy matched controls. However, most studies have not compared GHD adults with GHD adults on GH replacement.Abdominal fat is composed of subcutaneous abdominal tissue (SAT) and visceral abdominal tissue (VAT). Increased VAT is associated with poor metabolic outcomes. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a reliable and reproduci...

Introduction: Mitochondria are critical organelles which generate most of the energy (ATP) in the eukaryotic cell by oxidative phosphorylation. Impaired mitochondrial function will, therefore, restrict myocellular function. Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent with fatigue amongst its commonest manifestation. 31P-MRS is a non-invasive technique used to measure skeletal muscle bioenergetics in vivo. We have examined the relationship between vitamin D and mitochon...

Introduction: The vitamin D (25OHD) status of a population will reflect genetic and environmental factors. We evaluated all 25OHD assays undertaken at a regional centre in an area at high risk of vitamin D deficiency, over a 10 year period on the basis that this would provide insight into annual, seasonal and age based trends in 25OHD status. We planned to correlate vitamin D measurement with trends in vitamin D prescribing.Methods: Data (66 694 samples)...

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children with type 1 diabetes. In the past few years, both the International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) and the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED) have recommended key changes in the management of DKA. These changes incorporate new evidence to reduce the incidence of cerebral oedema and the increased use of insulin pumps.</p...

Introduction: Even though fatigue is a common complaint in GH deficiency (GHD), its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Fatigue can reflect central or peripheral disease processes. 31-Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) is a non-invasive technique used to measure skeletal muscle bioenergetics in vivo. Specifically, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and proton efflux can be measured dynamically and in ‘real time’. The ai...

Background: Craniopharyngiomas are rare tumours with an annual incidence of 0.5–2/100 000. Though benign they still represent a management challenge because of morbidity that includes pituitary hormone deficiency, visual impairment, adipsia and morbid obesity. We retrospectively assessed the outcomes of craniopharyngioma patients in our centre over a 10-year period.Methods: All children (n=16) diagnosed with craniopharyngioma and treated in t...

An 87 year old gentleman with type 2 diabetes mellitus was started on oral sodium fusidate for infected left middle toe ulcer. His blood test revealed Sodium 140 mmol/L, potassium 5.2 mmol/L, urea 25.3 mmol/L, creatinine 287 µmol/L, eGFR-19 ml/minute, albumin 29 g/L, adjusted calcium 2.17 mmol/L, and phosphate 0.95 mmol/L. Two days later he was admitted to hospital. Blood tests on admission showed severe hypocalcaemia with renal failure. (Sodium 146 mmol/LL, potassium 4.9...