Endocrine Abstracts

Endogenous glucocorticoids are secreted in hourly pulses, establishing a characteristic ultradian rhythm. Accordingly, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is activated in distinct pulses, causing target-gene pulsing. In contrast, constant glucocorticoid treatment causes aberrant target-gene overexpression in cell culture models, however this has not yet been described in vivo. Therefore, here we assess the effect of altering the glucocorticoid ultradian pattern on transc...

AT-rich interacting domain (ARID) subunits can interact with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and therefore may be essential for gene transcription dependent on receptor signalling. Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones important for regulating a variety of physiological processes through the binding and activation of GR. GR associates with numerous co-regulators, such as chromatin remodelling factors, to mediate gene induction or repression. One chromatin remodelling complex w...

Introduction: In recent years a growing number of gene mutations have been identified which cause a myriad of syndromes having adrenal insufficiency as a core characteristic. The evolution of each syndrome is dependent on the variant and the particular gene affected. Common practice is for candidate genes to be sequenced individually, which can be time consuming and is complicated by overlapping clinical phenotypes. The increasing availability and cost effectiveness of whole e...

Introduction: Long-standing type 2 diabetes (DM) is associated with brain atrophy. In this prospective study we examined the impact of glycaemic status on total brain volume in an elderly cohort.Methods/Design: Two-year follow-up study of a population-derived cohort of non-demented community-dwelling adults aged 70–90 years (Sydney Memory and Aging Study). Prospective MRI and metabolic data were available in 312 of the 542 participants who had a MRI...

Angiotensin II (A-II) stimulates aldosterone (aldo) secretion through the zona glomerulosa AT1R. A-II can be metabolized to angiotensin III (A-III) which also stimulates aldo synthesis. In the rat A-III stimulates aldo secretion through the AT2R receptor.The human adrenocortical HAC15 cells were incubated with A-II or A-III (10 nM) for 24 h and the concentration of aldo and cortisol (F) measured in the media. A-II produced a fourfold and A-III a twofold ...

Introduction: The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in the elderly approaches 50% in some community-dwelling cohorts. We examined whether IFG is associated with a higher burden of disease, cardiovascular risk factors and circulating low-grade inflammation than in normoglycemic elderly people.Methods/Design: Cross-sectional data of 929 participants of the Sydney Memory and Aging Study (MAS) were examined. MAS is a population-derived cohort of c...

Introduction: Various models of transition are used to help engage and improve the health of young adults. Our transition clinic model: a multi-disciplinary endocrine Adolescent Transition Clinic (ATC), was instituted at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, in October 2008 serving young people in the West of Scotland. A good transition process should improve clinic attendance, health outcomes and quality of life into adulthood.Aim: To review th...

Background: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is proving superior in reducing HbA1c compared to multiple daily injections (MDI) in both the adult and paediatric populations. This study aims to compare the two methods, and evaluate the importance of education when starting insulin pump therapy in children.Design: Patients who attended a ‘pump school’ provided by the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital between January 2010 and...

A 64-year-old man (HM) was admitted to our local hospital with transient dysarthria and right hemiparesis; formal blood glucose was 2.2 mmol/l on admission. During his in-patient stay, he had frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia. Further questioning revealed a 4 week history of recurring dizzy spells which improved on eating.Cerebral imaging and adrenal function were normal and so the patient underwent further investigations (summarised below) which confir...

Background: The hypothalamus is a critical area of the brain involved in the regulation of appetite. Cerebellin1 (Cbln1) is a highly conserved 16 amino acid neuropeptide. High levels of Cbln1 mRNA expression are found in specific hypothalamic areas involved in appetite regulation.Aim: To examine the effects of Cbln1 on food intake in rodents.Methods: 1. Ad libitum fed rats were injected intracerebroventricularly (ICV) with Cbln1 (1...