Endocrine Abstracts

Androgen excess is a cardinal biochemical feature of PCOS and correlates closely with markers of insulin resistance. 11-oxygenated androgens are elevated in women with PCOS, however, their relationship with metabolic dysfunction is unclear. The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the downstream impact on androgen metabolism of oral classic and 11-oxygenated precursor administration and (ii) to delineate the differential impact of androgen excess on insulin sensitivity in w...

Cortisol excess drives multiple adverse effects including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and delayed wound healing. Activation of cortisol by the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) has shown promise as a therapeutic target for these comorbidities but clinical progress has been hampered by variable 11β-HSD1 inhibitor efficacy. Transcriptomic profiling by RNA-seq found 611 11β-HSD1 target genes in primary skin fibroblasts (n = 3),...

Background: The gonads are the major source of classic androgens during reproductive years. Additionally, the adrenal gland produces precursors for both classic and 11-oxygenated androgen biosynthesis, with androgen activation predominantly occurring in peripheral target tissues of androgen action. We used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to profile classic and 11-oxygenated androgens in serum and saliva across the adult age range and assessed diurnal as well as ...

Chronic wounds (e.g. diabetic foot ulcers) have a major impact on quality of life, yet treatments remain limited. Glucocorticoids impair wound healing; preclinical research suggests that blocking glucocorticoid activation by the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) improves wound repair. This investigator-initiated double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled parallel-group phase 2b pilot trial investigated efficacy, safety and feasibility of 11&...

Active androgens exert immunomodulatory actions at sites of inflammation and lower levels are implicated in the increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in females. However, inflammatory regulation of intracrine androgen metabolism within cell populations at sites of inflammation remain poorly defined. In this study we characterised immune and stromal cell androgen metabolism in RA patients and assessed their functional significance. Using the online Accelerating Medic...

Introduction: National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends screening for emotional wellbeing as part of consultations for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Aim: We evaluated several dimensions of emotional wellbeing in people attending PCOS consultation in the UK and India.Methods: All people attending reproductive endocrine clinic for PCOS at three centres: Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, UK; Apollo Hospi...

Aim: To study differences in various aspects of emotional wellbeing among women with PCOS living in the UK and India.Methods: Women with PCOS were invited to complete an online survey between September and October 2020 in the UK and May and June 2021 in India. The survey included Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; score ≥11 cases of anxiety and depression, respectively), Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI; score ≥72 suggestive of bo...

Introduction: Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is the gold standard method for urinary steroid profiling. However, GC-MS requires chemical derivatisation, long run times, is labour intensive, expensive, and unsuitable for rapid multi-sample analysis, limiting its use in routine clinical practice. GC-MS urinary steroid metabolomics, the combination of steroid profiling and machine learning (Generalized Matrix Learning Vector Quantization) was shown to have superior ...

Objective: This study investigated the association between ethnicity, birthplace and emotional and psychosexual wellbeing in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in the community.Design: International cross-sectional study.Methods: Women with a self-reported PCOS diagnosis by a healthcare professional were invited to complete an online Blue Morpho questionnaire between September-October 2020 (UK) and May-June 2021 (India). F...

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, with an estimated prevalence of 10-15% worldwide. PCOS can have adverse consequences on the emotional wellbeing of the patient. However, evidence exploring the relationship between PCOS and psychosexual wellbeing, specifically sexual function, and dysmorphic appearance concerns, is largely inconclusive.Aim: A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to assess differ...