Endocrine Abstracts

Agouti-related protein (AGRP) plays a key role in energy homeostasis with the carboxy-terminal domain acting as an endogenous antagonist of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4-R). It has been suggested that the amino-terminal domain of AGRP binds to syndecan-3, allowing it to regulate local concentrations of AGRP at the MC4-R. This model assumes that AGRP is secreted as a full-length peptide. However, AGRP contains several consensus prohormone convertase cleavage sites: Lys52-Lys...

Up to 15% of unselected patients with hypertension have evidence of inappropriate aldosterone production, identified by a raised ratio of plasma aldosterone to renin (ARR), suggesting that altered regulation of aldosterone synthesis is a key intermediate phenotype in essential hypertension. We previously described an association between the -344C/T 5'UTR polymorphism in the CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) gene and hypertension with raised ARR; the same genetic variation associa...

The association between Cushing's syndrome and pregnancy is uncommon due to associated sub-fertility. Recognising this is important, as there implications for both mother and foetus.A twenty year old presented at twenty three weeks gestation. Insulin requiring diabetes had developed as had oedema. Pigmented abdominal striae were prominent. Her serum sodium concentration was noted to be low (3 mmol/l). 24 hour urinary free cortisol was elevated (>1380 ...

Aldosterone is an important cardiovascular hormone. Around 15 % of hypertensives have alteration in aldosterone regulation, defined by a raised ratio of aldosterone to renin (ARR). Studies of CYP11B2, the aldosterone synthase gene, focus on a single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5'promotor region (-344 C/T). We have shown that the T allele is associated with increased urinary excretion and plasma levels of aldosterone and is more common amongst hypertensives with a raised ARR...

Introduction: Somatostatin and its analogues (SSA) have been reported to have anti-proliferative effects. We have recently demonstrated expression of all 5 somatostatin receptor sub-types in normal and malignant colonic tissue. SOM-230 (Novartis) is a novel SSA that has a wider binding affinity to somatostatin receptors compared to octreotide (OCT). Its effects on proliferation of colonic cancer cells are unknown.Aims: To determine the effects of SOM-230...

Maternal nutrient restriction at specific gestational stages compromises fetal growth and development, in particular, fetal adipose tissue deposition. The extent to which nutritional supplementation can promote growth and development of specific fetal organs is unknown. This study aimed to determine whether protein supplementation of the maternal diet at defined stages of gestation promoted the abundance of the key mitochondrial proteins; uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), cytochrom...

ObjectivePrevious studies have documented poor fertility results in women with hypopituitarism (HP) both in terms of pregnancy rates and outcomes. We aimed to assess ovulation induction (OI) and pregnancy outcomes in women with HP compared to women with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) treated at University College London Hospitals.DesignA retrospective study.Patients<p class="ab...

NHS England has established several Complications from Excess Weight (CEW) services. Despite physical activity (PA) being an integral part of successful weight management programmes, the capacity to offer an effective PA program within CEW services could be limited by resources. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of embedding an exercise specialist led, mobile health (mHealth) technology supported, PA and exercise intervention (MOTIVATE-CEW) to a CEW service. A...

Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is characterised by low birth weight, short stature, and feeding difficulties in childhood, with marked leanness also described. There is limited information on body composition in older people with SRS.Objective: To evaluate body composition in adults with SRS. Methods: Participants aged ≥18 years with molecularly-confirmed SRS attended a single study appointment. Body composition was evaluated ...

Vitamin D (vit-D) deficiency is common in patients with gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NET) and has been linked to reduced survival in these patients. Vit-D status was assessed in 183 patients with GEP-NET, at the time of their first presentation in the ARDEN-NET-Centre; and following simple advice at routine 6-monthly follow-up appointments to increase vit-D intake using over-the-counter vit-D preparations (Colecalciferol (Vit-D3), 1000–2000 units/d...