Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: 3-M syndrome is associated with mutations in CUL7, OBSL1 and CCDC8 with the three proteins interacting within a novel growth pathway. The impact of this pathway on cellular growth has not been fully defined. We have shown that i) GH and IGF1 signalling are altered; ii) IGF2 expression is reduced and iii) expression of insulin receptor isoforms are altered in 3-M fibroblasts.Aim: To characterise the activa...

Background: For chronic diseases, adherence to treatment remains a major clinical challenge. For men with long-term hypogonadism, there is scant data regarding adherence to treatment. Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a rare, genetic, endocrine disorder characterized by incomplete/absent puberty and infertility. Little is known about adherence in this patient population or the psychosocial implications of living with this rare disorder. Therefore, we aimed to e...

Introduction: Previous qualitative studies have explored perceptions of medication among patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) as possible determinants of treatment satisfaction. This study is the first to quantify patients’ perceptions of AI medication (necessity beliefs and concerns) and their satisfaction with information and to assess whether medication beliefs and satisfaction are related to adherence.Methods: Validated questionnaires were u...

Background: People who have autoimmune atrophic gastritis commonly develop type 1 gNETs, but are also at increased risk of developing gastric adenocarcinoma. Type I gNET patients usually have multiple gastric polyps and have an excellent prognosis when the polyps measure.Method: Retrospective audit of type I gNET patients managed within Liverpool ENETS Centre of Excellence 2004–2018.Results: 86 patients (median age 67 years, 5...

Introduction: Pituitary surgery is associated with post-operative complications including hypopituitarism and visual field defects. In order to ensure that our surgical outcomes were comparable with other centres, we audited the outcome of a cohort of patients referred for surgery at a single centre.Methods: A retrospective audit of 27 consecutive patients diagnosed with pituitary adenoma at Heartlands Hospital Birmingham, who underwent trans-sphenoidal ...

Introduction: Patients with hypothyroidism are routinely advised to take levothyroxine without food or beverages but the pharmacokinetic effect of many common foods are unknown. We describe a patient with an unusually high levothyroxine requirement who only achieved adequate replacement by taking grapes along with levothyroxine. Through a cycle of challenge, withdrawal, and-re-challenge, we were able to demonstrate that levothyroxine availability was enhanced by grapes in this...

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), the predominant natriuretic peptide in the pituitary, is associated with neuroendocrine development and function. Our previous studies show that genes encoding CNP (nppc2, cnp3, nppc4, and nppcl) are expressed during pituitary development in humans and zebrafish (Danio rerio), however a precise role for CNP in the pituitary has yet to be elucidated. Using the versatile zebrafish, we explored in ...

It is recommended that patients with adrenal insufficiency should be in possession of an emergency hydrocortisone kit and have sufficient knowledge and skills to administer it. Historically, in our unit patient education was dependent on referral from Doctors to endocrine specialist nurses (ESN’s). This study sought to assess if patients owned a kit and if patients and family were competent to administer the injection if required.A ‘snapshot&#1...

Chronic heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans and domestic animals. HF is characterised by chronic inflammation and functional changes in non-cardiovascular tissues; obesity is also associated with low level chronic inflammation, with adipose tissue (AT) exhibiting infiltration of macrophages and alterations in fatty acid (FA) profiles. The aim of this project was to investigate expression of regulators of lipid metabolism and inflammation an...

Aim: The insulin tolerance test (ITT) is considered the gold standard test in assessing the integrity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The aim of this study is to evaluate if the 0900 h cortisol levels can be predictive of the patient’s response to hypoglycaemia, minimizing the use of the ITT as it is labour, intensive and unpleasant for the patient.Methods: This is a retrospective study of 110 ITTs performed at the Endocr...