Endocrine Abstracts

Aldosterone is key in the development of hypertension. We have shown that a SNP (−344T) in the 5’ regulatory region (UTR) of the gene encoding aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) was associated with aldosterone excess and high blood pressure. However, the most robust phenotype is altered adrenal 11-hydroxylation efficiency (deoxycortisol to cortisol); a step carried out by 11β-hydroxylase, encoded by the adjacent gene, CYP11B1. We proposed that the effects of CYP11B...

In addition to the HLA gene region, two further genes involved in the inhibition of T cell signalling, CTLA-4 and PTPN22, have been consistently associated with autoimmune disease (AID), highlighting the important role played by molecules in this pathway in AID susceptibility. The Programmed Cell Death 1 gene (PDCD1) on chromosome 2q37.3 encodes PD-1 which is involved in providing a negative signal to activated T cells. Large case-control studies have show...

A 67 year old female presented with hypertension, oedema and cough. A CT scan of her abdomen showed an enlarged left adrenal gland. Urinary free cortisols were grossly elevated and low dose dexamethasone suppression testing confirmed Cushing’s Syndrome. 24 hour catecholamines were also elevated consistent with a diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma. ACTH levels were high (690 pg/ml) but pituitary MRI was normal. She was commenced on alpha and beta blockade in preparation for su...

(This poster is based on OC19)...

The major glucocorticoids (cortisol in man and corticosterone in the rat) play an important role in obesity and its attendant hypertension. However, there is no consistent evidence of glucocorticoid excess in simple obesity, suggesting that its role in the regulation of adipose tissue mass results from a more complex mechanism than adrenal hypersecretion of glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoid biosynthesis is not limited to the adrenal cortex; mRNA and enzymatic activity of 11β...

Adrenal steroids and alterations in steroid metabolism are important factors in the development of obesity in Zucker rats. One might predict, therefore, that the function of the adrenal gland differs between lean and obese Zucker animals. Accordingly, we investigated adrenal gland morphology and function and have considered not only glucocorticoids and HPA activity but also the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Plasma samples and adrenal glands were obtained from young 12 ...

Backround: Male hypogonadism is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular risk factors and approximately 25% of males suffering with coronary heart disease are hypogonadal. Few studies have assessed the impact of testosterone therapy on vascular function in hypogonadal individuals and none have investigated the weekly impact of gradually reducing testosterone concentrations on vasculature.Patients and Methods: 10 hypogonadal subjects (6 wi...

Background: Men who receive gonadotoxic treatment for cancer may be at risk of hypogonadism. The extent of this risk is unknown. Severe hypogonadism is associated with fatigue, sexual dysfunction, reduced muscle mass and obesity. Diagnosing mild or moderate hypogonadism is difficult and requires evaluation.Aim: The aim of this study was to identify hypogonadism in young male survivors of cancer.Subjects and Methods: The study was a...

Corticosteroids can be synthesised in tissues other than the adrenal cortex but the contribution of this extra-adrenal corticosteroidogenesis to circulating levels in man is not known. We studied this in a group 10 subjects taking chronic glucocorticoid replacement following bilateral adrenalectomy. In phase 1, they were maintained on cortisol alone (30 mg/day). In phase 2, cortisol was replaced by dexamethasone (2 mg/day) and in phase 3, they received both cortisol and dexame...

Bile acids inhibit glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid metabolism. However bile acids may also influence hormone action by modulating steroidogenesis in the adrenal gland. In rodents adrenal cholesterol supply for steroidogenesis is derived from circulating HDL through the actions of scavenger receptor SR-B1. Since hepatic SR-B1 expression is known to be regulated by bile acids, we have investigated whether adrenal SR-B1 is similarly affected and, if so, whether adrenal lipid...