Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: The Wnt-signalling pathway is involved in tumor development in various tissues. Wnt-signalling molecules are expressed in pancreatic beta-cells. In addition, Wnt-signalling regulates insulin secretion and the proliferation of pancreatic beta-cells in vitro and in animal models. However, it is not clear whether Wnts play a role for the development of human insulinomas. Therefore, we investigated the expression pattern of Wnt-signalling molecules in benign and...

Clear evidence on the specific impact of fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) on cell biology and lipid metabolism in complex systems had been lacking until FABP-deficient mice models were created. Surprisingly, no change in appearance, gross morphology or viability was observed in FABP1-deficient mice. However, metabolic parameters in mice upon exposure to high-fat/cholesterol diet differed between studies. Therefore, liver fatty acid-binding protein (also called FABP1) plays ...

Background: Hypercalcaemia is independently associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity/mortality. It is a poor prognostic marker in malignancy. Best practice dictates further investigation of any high calcium values. Recognition of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is important for long term follow-up and management.Aims: Survey of causes of hypercalcaemia in adults (>18 years) from samples sent to one hospital lab over 1 year with particula...

A high prevalence of rickets in the Gbagyi tribe around Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, has been noted. Multiple affected children born to one wife, but not others, of polygamous men suggests a genetic aetiology.With ethical approval, children with deformities characteristic of rickets (genu varum/valgum, rachitic rosary) were identified, clinical histories obtained and examination points documented included genu valgus/varus distances and other limb deformiti...

The aim of the study was to evaluate factors determining bone mineral density (BMD) and serum concentrations of osteocalcin (OC) and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) in acromegaly. Material consisted of 121 patients with active acromegaly, aged 23–80 years. In the whole group BMD, assessed by DXA, was: 0.35±0.15 at L2–L4, 0.60±0.11 at femoral neck, 0.05±0.12 at Ward’s triangle and 0.59±0.13 at trocha...

Hypopituitarism is associated with premature vascular mortality. Growth hormone (GH) deficiency, over-replacement with glucocorticoid, cranial irradiation and traditional vascular risk factors are possible contributing factors to the excess mortality.We studied 200 consecutive adult hypopituitary age (mean standard deviation) 51.7 plus/minus 15.3 years, who attended our pituitary clinic between July and December 2002. Hypertension was defined as blood pr...

Short synacthen tests (SST) are used to investigate patients with suspected HPA pathology and a rise of serum total cortisol > 550nmol/L is accepted as demonstrating sufficient cortisol reserve. However, cortisol is 80% bound to cortisol binding globulin (CBG) and therefore abnormal values of CBG can influence serum total cortisol used to interpret dynamic tests of the HPA axis. The free cortisol index (FCI) is a surrogate marker for serum free cortisol and is defined as s...

Background: The mechanism underlying the spontaneous improvement of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during pregnancy and the subsequent post-partum flare is incompletely understood. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) polymorphisms Bcl1 and 9β are associated with an increased and decreased glucocorticoid sensitivity respectively. We examined the relation between carriership of these functional GR polymorphisms and disease course during pregnancy and post-partum in RA...

Phthalates are man-made chemicals that are used in many different types of products. The main use is as plasticizers, but they can also be added to, for example, cosmetics, drug coatings, and perfumes. One of the most commonly used phthalates is di-butyl phthalate (DBP), which has been detected in both food and drinking water globally. Once ingested, DBP is rapidly metabolized to its main metabolite, mono-butyl phthalate (MBP), which is frequently detected in human plasma and ...

Adrenal lymphangiomatous cysts are rare, often found incidentally, but can also present in association with abdominal/loin pain or hypertension.1 They have occasionally been reported in association with hormone over secretion of either aldosterone, cortisol or catecholamines. We present a case of a 40-year-old serving soldier who was suddenly awoken with severe left sided abdominal and flank pain. Over the course of several months, he was forced to take time off wor...