Endocrine Abstracts

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is an important etiologic risk factor for the development and progression of certain cancers, including colorectal. Bile acids (BA) are potent antimicrobials that support gastrointestinal health and the dysregulation of BA homeostasis is thought to contribute to gut dysbiosis and drive endotoxemia. Furthermore, an increase in the cytotoxicity ofintestinal BA species can directly damage enterocytes and promote carcinogenesis. We have previously shown tha...

Increased life expectancy in patients with CF has brought about novel challenges in their care. Osteoporosis in CF is associated with significant morbidity and is an exclusion criterion for lung transplantation. Recent evidence suggests an association between dysglycaemia and low bone mineral density (BMD). We aimed to determine predictors of bone loss in a cohort of CF patients attending a tertiary referral centre and, in particular, if dysglycaemia is linked with low BMD.</p...

Introduction: Endocrinopathy is frequently seen in systemic amyloidosis and commonly involves thyroid and gonads. We report a case of primary adrenal failure secondary to systemic light chain amyloidosis (AL), involving kidney, liver, spleen, gut, nerves and tongue.Case: A 42-year-old Somalian lady presented with 2-year history of lethargy, febrile episodes and 21 kg weight loss. Investigations showed increase in serum lambda light chain 103 mg/l (5.7&#1...

Male hypogonadism is usually considered in the presence of classical symptoms like reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and reduced bone mineral density.We present the case history of a 43-year-old man with learning difficulties who presented with long-standing lethargy. Clinical examination revealed bilateral ptosis, muscle weakness and slow relaxation of handgrip. He had abdominal obesity, pseudo-gynaecomastia, frontal balding, reduced facial, chest, a...

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...

MC2R is the smallest member of the GPCR superfamily and belongs to the melanocortin subfamily of receptors. The pituitary hormone ACTH acts through MC2R to induce the intracellular production cAMP and the stimulation of steroidogenesis. We have previously shown that MC2R interacts with a single-transmembrane domain protein called MRAP (melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein) and is required for the functional expression of MC2R. Both MC2R and MRAP are mutated in the rare re...

Introduction: The aetiology of obesity-related nephropathy (ORN) is uncertain but may involve hyperfiltration and systemic inflammation.Aims: To define ORN using novel urinary biomarkers that can identify damage to specific regions of the nephron.Methods: Clinical data, blood and urine samples were collected from a consecutive series of 22 patients attending a weight-management clinic (excluding those with diabetes), and from a con...

Aim: We propose that the circulating immune system and adipocyte size plays a role in the development of obesity related co-morbidities independent of body mass index (BMI).Methods: Clinical data and blood samples were collected from patients with severe obesity attending a hospital weight-management clinic and lean healthy controls. Patients were classified into metabolically ‘healthy obese’ or ‘unhealthy obese’ groups, based upon st...

We have previously shown that the ACTH precursor, POMC, is present in human plasma and is the predominant secreted POMC peptide. This suggests that POMC processing is incomplete in neuroendocrine cells and regulation of the post-translational cleavage pathway is important in controlling secretion of ACTH. We have therefore analysed the dynamics of POMC processing in both AtT20 pituitary adenoma cells and primary rat pituitary cells. In both cases, large quantities of POMC, as ...

Objective: To assess adherence to RCP guidelines on radioiodine (RAI) treatment (1995) and management of thyroid eye disease, and also to look at patterns of thyroid function following RAI treatment.Method: Retrospective case notes review of 78 randomly selected patients from one acute trust. An audit performa was developed, based on the RCP guidelines.Results: The audit demonstrated significant deviations from standards. Communica...