Endocrine Abstracts

The importance of measuring renin or plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone in establishing mineralocorticoid deficiency is not in doubt. Once mineralocorticoid replacement therapy is initiated, guidance suggests that optimization of mineralocorticoid dose should be based upon measurements of blood pressure, renin (or PRA), and electrolytes. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between renin and clinically important variables to determine whether measurem...

Background: The 5α-reduced glucocorticoid, 5α-tetrahydrocorticosterone (5α-THB), displays a dissociated steroid profile exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects in a murine model of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis but failing to induce adverse metabolic effects caused by corticosterone. We assessed the topical anti-inflammatory properties of 5α-THB in a model of irritant dermatitis. Given the adverse effects of steroids on cutaneous wound healing, we also in...

Background: 5α-reductase 1 (5αR1) metabolises steroids such as glucocorticoids and androgens, and is highly expressed in murine liver. Genetic disruption of 5αR1 leads to adverse metabolic changes in mice. We hypothesised that dutasteride, a 5αR inhibitor, induces insulin resistance in mice, as in humans, and this effect is underpinned by increased hepatic glucocorticoid action; an experimental paradigm was set up using A-348441, a liver-selective glucocort...

Hormonal control of pancreatic β-cell development in the fetus during late gestation remains unclear. In fetal sheep hypothyroidism causes an increase in pancreatic β-cell mass in association with increased plasma insulin and leptin concentrations. This study investigated the effects of triiodothyronine (T3), insulin and leptin on proliferation rates in fetal ovine pancreatic β-cells in vitro.All procedures were approve...

Background: One percent of the adult population are, at any one time, prescribed oral glucocorticoids (GC). GCs are known to be associated with hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression. However, there remains uncertainty regarding: i) the prevalence of GC-induced adrenal insufficiency (AI); ii) the effects of GC dose and duration; and iii) the time course of adrenal recovery and how GCs should be withdrawn. We undertook a systematic literature review to addres...

Background: Chemerin is a recently identified adipocyte-secreted signalling molecule (adipokine) that regulates adipocyte differentiation, metabolism, and inflammation through activation of the cognate receptor Chemokine-Like Receptor 1 (CMKLR1). Circulating chemerin levels are increased in obese patients as well as in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Increased white adipose tissue mass (WAT) and resultant chan...

Introduction: NICE NG18 recommends level 3 carbohydrate counting from diagnosis for CYP diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Our unit introduced in-patient level 3 carb counting from day 1 in 2015 in response to an audit demonstrating sub-optimal control in the first year of treatment.Methods: We carried out a longitudinal study of HbA1c in paediatric patients during the first year of diagnosis in two time periods, before and after the introduction of carb co...

The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is higher in women than men. Our study aimed to investigate the behavioral, biochemical, and histological changes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AD, to study effect of estrogen in AD clarifying the possible involved underlying mechanisms and its modulation by progestsserone. Groups: Female albino rats were divided into control, AD, AD+ovariectomy (OVX), AD+OVX+estrogen replacement and AD+OVX+estrogen+pr...

Background: Vitamin D is important to skeletal health and is standard care in conditions with low BMD. Thyrotoxicosis caused by Graves’ disease (GD) leads to increased bone turnover and reduced BMD. We aimed to test the hypothesis that vitamin D supplementation would improve bone recovery in GD.Methods: Using a double-blinded design, hyperthyroid patients with a first time diagnosis of GD were randomized to supplementation with vitamin D3 70 mg/day...

Introduction: Acromegaly is a slowly progressing systemic disease that leads to numerous changes in metabolism and organ function. A large cross-sectional study showed signs of subclinical airway obstruction in female patients. We performed a longitudinal study of lung function testing to compare parameters of airway obstruction in male and female patients with acromegaly over time.Methods: 40 patients with acromegaly (24 male, 16 female) underwent repea...