Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology

ea0019p125 | Diabetes, Metabolism and Cardiovascular | SFEBES2009

Urocortin 3 transgenic mice exhibit a metabolically favourable phenotype resisting obesity and insulin resistance on a high fat diet

Jamieson P , Cleasby M , Morton N , Kelly P , Wingate J , Brownstein D , Seckl J , Vale W

Urocortins are the endogenous ligands for the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type-2 which is highly expressed in skeletal muscle where it regulates glucose metabolism and muscle mass. Transgenic mice overexpressing Urocortin-3 (UCN3+) show accelerated peripheral glucose disposal and increased skeletal muscle mass with myocyte hypertrophy associated with decreased energy efficiency and improved glucose tolerance. We aimed to determine whether this phenotype would confe...

ea0011oc9 | Steroids and reproductive endocrinology | ECE2006

11β-HSD1: anti-inflammatory mechanism in acute and chronic inflammation?

Coutinho AE , Gray M , Sawatzky DA , Brownstein D , Mullins J , Seckl JR , Savill JS , Chapman KE

Although the anti-inflammatory effects of exogenous glucocorticoids (GC) upon inflammation are well recognized, the contribution of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1), an amplifier of GC action in vivo, in modulating endogenous GC action during inflammation is unknown. Mouse models of arthritis and lung inflammation were used to explore the role of 11β-HSD1 in acute and chronic inflammation. Arthritis was induced in 11β-HSD1−/&#...

ea0015oc29 | Pituitary, disease | SFEBES2008

Targeting Cyp11b1 expression in mice to model sequelae of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Mullins Linda , Peter Audrey , Wrobel Nicola , Aldujaili Emad , McNeilly Judith , Brownstein David , McNeilly Alan , Mullins John , Kenyon Christopher

We have created transgenic mice in which Cyp11b1, the gene encoding 11β-hydroxylase, has been knocked out. Since mice do not secrete adrenal androgens, this knockout line allows a more detailed investigation of phenotypes associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) without the overwhelming virilisation that characterises patients with CAH. Starting with a BAC containing the mouse Cyp11b1/b2 locus and including flanking up- and downstream sequences, a const...

ea0021p25 | Bone | SFEBES2009

Extra-pituitary expression of the prolactin gene in the bone and cartilage of an hPRL-Luc transgenic rat model

Semprini Sabrina , McNeilly Judith R , Ramage Lindsay , Brownstein David G , Salter Donald M , McNeilly Alan , White Michael R H , Davis Julian R E , Mullins John J

Prolactin (PRL) is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland and it is commonly known for its lactogenic and mammotrophic effects. In humans and primates, prolactin is also expressed in extra-pituitary sites where it is associated with numerous biological functions, but its spectrum of expression varies in different species.Hyperprolactinemia-induced osteoporosis is believed to be mediated by hypogonadism, but the expression of the prola...

ea0019oc9 | Neuroendocrine and Steroids | SFEBES2009

11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity limits fibrosis following bleomycin lung injury by augmenting active glucocorticoids

Yang Fu , Duffin Rodger , Brownstein David G , Coutinho Agnes , Rossi Adriano G , Savill John S , Seckl Jonathan R , Chapman Karen E

Glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory agents. Endogenous glucocorticoid action is modulated by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) which interconverts active (cortisol, corticosterone) and intrinsically inert glucocorticoids (cortisone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone). 11β-HSD type 1 regenerates active glucocorticoids. 11β-HSD 1 highly expressed in the lung but its role is little explored.Immunohistochemical staining of mouse ...

ea0025oc5.4 | Reproduction and fetal programming | SFEBES2011

Impaired cardiac function in GR−/− fetal mice

Rog-Zielinska Eva , Thomson Adrian , Moran Carmel , Brownstein David , Kenyon Christopher , Michailidou Zoi , Szumska Dorota , Bhattacharya Shoumo , Richardson Jennifer , Owen Elizabeth , Watt Alistair , Forrester Lesley , Holmes Megan , Chapman Karen

Glucocorticoid levels rise dramatically in late gestation in mammals and are essential for organ maturation in preparation for birth. They are widely used clinically to mature the lungs of premature infants and hypomorphic GR mice die neonatally due to severe lung atelectasis. Here, we describe fetal lethality in GR null (GR−/−) mice with 51% loss at E17.5 (P<0.05) that could be due to impaired cardiac development. Histology showed reduced hea...