Endocrine Abstracts

A 5.65-year-old boy was referred with a 2-month history of accelerated growth and pubic hair development. Weight and height were >98th C. Pubertal assessment was G3 PH2 AH1 TV 5 ml/4 ml. There was no family history of precocious puberty. No birthmarks, or abdominal masses were present. Blood pressure was normal. Investigations revealed elevated testosterone (7.1 nmol/l), suppressed gonadotropins (LH <0.2 IU/l), normal 17-OHP, androstenedione and DHEAS, prepubertal LHRH...

Successful crystallization of TSHR residues 21–260 has been reported (Sanders et al. Thyroid 2007 17 395) using a partial ectodomain (ECD) bound to the Fab fragment of a human stimulating TSHR monoclonal antibody (M22) and its conformational epitopes delineated. We have now studied antibody binding to the entire ECD (residues 1–412) using epitope protection. In this approach, we first protected a highly purified ectodomain fragment with a variety...

Introduction: The two major long-acting somatostatin analogues (SSA) available on the European market for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours and acromegaly are Somatuline Autogel (SA) and Sandostatin LAR (LAR). The aim of this study was to gain nurses’ insights on the use and ease of administration of SSA devices, including Somatuline Autogel new device (SA-ND), in Europe and the US.Methods/design: Seventy-seven qualified nurses with ≥3 S...

Background: South Asians are at higher risk of vascular disease than the indigenous UK population. Susceptibility to conventional cardiovascular risk factors does not entirely account for this discrepancy. Vitamin D deficiency within this group may be an important patho-physiological contributor and an overlooked treatable cardiovascular risk factor.Aims: To determine whether serum 25-(OH) Vitamin D concentration independently associates with a surrogate...

Pituitary apoplexy is a potentially life and vision threatening neuroendocrine emergency, which can often be misdiagnosed in the absence of the clinical hallmark of sudden onset headache and visual disturbance in a patient previously known to harbour a pituitary tumour. We report a 30 years old male patient with history of Vitiligo who presented to the emergency department with a 1-week history of vomiting, abdominal pain and lethargy along with postural hypotension and a very...

Cinacalcet, a calcimimetic, is licensed for the management of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) where surgery is deemed inappropriate. It is unclear when patients might be deemed more appropriately managed by medical treatment rather than surgery. We report two cases in which cinacalcet has been used to predict the effect of parathyroidectomy and a choice to be made between surgery and conservative management.A 43-year-old woman had a parathyroid adenoma...

Obesity and excess adiposity may occur following treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) even in those not administered cranial irradiation. Prior glucocorticoid treatment may be contributory as glucocorticoids have direct effects on fat mass (FM) and adipocytes. From 1997 to 2003 children treated for ALL in the UK were randomised to receive either prednisolone or dexamethasone.Objectives: In survivors of childhood ALL not treated wit...

Background and Aims: Studies have revealed increased vascular mortality, particularly cerebrovascular mortality in hypopituitary adults. Cranial radiotherapy has been implicated. This study was designed to assess the impact of cranial irradiation upon cerebrovascular function in patients with pituitary disease.Methods: Three groups were studied: - Group 1- (n=12), patients with pituitary disease who have had cranial radiotherapy, Group 2- (n</i...

Introduction-Cushing's syndrome is characterised by hypercortisolaemia, loss of the diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion and loss of negative hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) feedback. Patients with adrenal incidentalomas may manifest some signs of cortisol excess before developing overt Cushing's syndrome. This can be considered as 'Cushing's syndrome in evolution'.Case History-A 47 year old lady with ty...

11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD) type 2 inactivates cortisol and has not been previously found in ovine or human adipose tissue (1,2). Early-mid nutrient restriction (NR) increases adipose tissue stores in term offspring and upregulates 11βHSD1 mRNA expression in perirenal adipose tissue. We determined the presence of 11βHSD2 mRNA expression in omental adipose tissue of neonatal lambs after early-mid maternal NR.19 twin-beari...