Endocrine Abstracts

Background: PCBs are persistent organic pollutants, able to affect thyroid function (endocrine disruptors) and promote inflammation through multiple mechanisms. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor able to bind dioxins and dioxin-like pollutants including PCBs, play a key role in xenobiotic response, by up-regulating specific responsive genes, the so-called “AhR gene battery”, including cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and Nuclear ...

The Pro12Ala and His447His polymorphisms of PPAR-γ, and Gly972Arg polymorphism of IRS-1 have been implicated in insulin resistance (IR) and adiposity. In this study, we investigated the possible influence of these polymorphisms on metabolic features of 53 PCOS women compared with 26 healthy women (controls). All women underwent a clinical, anthropometric and biochemical evaluation, including a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test; insulin secretion and sensitivity indices wer...

Introduction: Platinum-etoposide chemotherapy is a globally established chemotherapy combination for EP-G3-NEC. However, there are many different schedules for such chemotherapy, and the preferred one for EP-G3-NEC has not been established.Methods: An international survey was created, and completed by colleagues with an expertise in the field of neuroendocrine neoplasms. The aim was to explore which schedules of platinum-etoposide chemotherapy are used a...

Since the first description of pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) a remarkable clinical variability was observed. In 2016 a new classification of this group of diseases have been published by the European Network on PHP and related disorders, proposing “inactivating PTH/PTHrP signaling disorder” (iPPSD) as a new term that encompasses all the clinical entities. PHP and related disorders vary in clinical presentation and disease severity, and clinical features usually deve...

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogenous condition that affects approximately 12% of females. The diagnosis can be complex and biochemistry tests are routinely relied upon to help identify hyperandrogenaemia and to exclude other conditions. However, although national and international guidelines advocate the use biochemistry tests, little information is provided as to which tests should be used and which other endocrinopathies should be excluded.<p cl...

Objective: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that that have been reported to cause a variety of toxic effects, including inflammation and cancer, through binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). In turn, AhR promotes xenobiotic detoxification and antioxidant defense, by up-regulating specific responsive genes, the so-called “AhR gene battery”. AhR is also involved in modulation of immune response, by regulating programmed cell ...

Background: Fractures are reported in 1/3 of children who have been abused. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) recommends that assessment of fractures where there is suspicion of physical abuse should include bone biochemistry: calcium (Ca), phosphate (Ph), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Vitamin D (VitD).Objectives: To describe the pattern of bone biochemistry in children with fractures when non-accidenta...

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease characterized by reduced bone mass and increased risk of fragility fractures. Menopause predisposes women to osteoporosis due to declining estrogen levels. Iron is known to play a relevant role in the development of osteoporosis since iron suppresses osteoblast formation and may also stimulate osteoclast resorption of bone. Also, homocysteine is a known risk factor for osteoporotic fractures and is related to DNA methylati...

Background: Liver embolisation is one of the treatment options available for patients diagnosed with neuro-endocrine neoplasms (NEN), especially in the presence of carcinoid syndrome. It is still uncertain whether the benefits of the various types of embolisation treatments truly outweigh the complications in NENs. This systematic review assesses the available data relating to liver embolisation in patients with NENs.Methods: Eligible studies (identified...

Colorectal cancers (CRC) represent 9.4% of all cancers, with about 42 000 new UK cases per year. Current treatment involves surgical resection followed by radio- and chemo-therapy. 5-Fluorouracil is the standard post-operative chemotherapy although tolerance is poor due to dose-limiting toxicities and drug-resistance. New treatment strategies are therefore sorely needed. One emerging chemotherapeutic option is to target oestrogen metabolism. Our novel work rev...