Endocrine Abstracts

Annexin-1 (Anx-1), a 37kDa protein, is a member of the super-family of Ca2+- and phospholipid-binding annexin proteins and acts as a mediator of glucocorticoid (GC) action in the host defence and neuroendocrine systems. In the anterior pituitary Anx-1 is expressed mainly by folliculostellate (FS) cells and mediates the early delayed feedback inhibition exerted by GCs on the release of ACTH and other pituitary hormones.The role of Anx-1 in the ...

Introduction: The biochemical diagnosis of acromegaly is based on elevated plasma growth hormone (GH) that fail to suppress after an oral glucose load. Elevated insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) supports the diagnosis. Traditionally GH level of less than 2 miliunits per litre rules out acromegaly. With advent of recent sensitive GH assays, lower levels of GH are increasingly being recognized. We describe a case of acromegaly which differed from the traditional presentation.<...

Anabolic steroids enhance performance in atheletes, but can lead to life threatening consequences. We report a 33-year-old male amateur body-builder using anabolic steroids, presenting with acute inferolateral myocardial infraction and marked hyperlipidaemia. He had no known cardiovascular risk factors. Despite rapid thrombolysis, peak creatinine kinase was 3,348 iu/l, signifying significant myocardial damage and a markedly raised total cholesterol of 10.6 mmol/l, with a low H...

Carcinoid tumours are the most common neuroendocrine tumors with an estimated incidence of 7-13/ million population. The clinical symptoms of carcinoid tumours usually relate to presence of the carcinoid syndrome, local symptoms or metastases. Most are asymptomatic with only 10% manifesting the 'carcinoid syndrome'. We report an 86 year-old lady referred for evaluation of multiple subcutaneous, nodules around her neck and upper back, with a suspicion of underlying lymphoprolif...

Anabolic steroids enhance performance in atheletes, but can lead to life threatening consequences. We report a 33-year-old male amateur body-builder using anabolic steroids, presenting with acute inferolateral myocardial infraction and marked hyperlipidaemia. He had no known cardiovascular risk factors. Despite rapid thrombolysis, peak creatinine kinase was 3,348 iu/l, signifying significant myocardial damage and a markedly raised total cholesterol of 10.6 mmol/l, with a low H...

Background:Galectin-3, a beta-galactosidase binding lectin, has been reported to be preferentially expressed in thyroid malignancies by many authors. Moreover, it has been claimed that galectin-3 is a useful adjunct to fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in the diagnosis of follicular thyroid lesions, a notorious pitfall of this test. Although galectin-3 does seem to be expressed more often in malignant thyroid lesions, especially papillary carcinomas, it is fr...

It has been noted that there are differences in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis between the sexes, as well as changes in the axis with age. The differences in the HPA axis between the gender and age groups are thought to be due to differences in the efficiency of glucocorticoid (GC) negative feedback. The pituitary, a principle site of GC negative feedback, is the focus of this investigation. Annexin-1 (ANXA1) is a member of the annexin family of phospholipid- an...

A 33 year old male was referred with poorly controlled hypertension. He gave no other past medical or family history. Despite therapy with multiple agents blood pressure was poorly controlled at 200/130 mm/Hg. Initial investigations which included renal ultrasound, magnetic resonance angiography and urine catecholamine excretion were all negative. Plasma renin concentration was suppressed (1 mu/ml/L, normal range 5 to 50) and plasma aldosterone was raised at 650 pmol/L (normal...

We present two patients who were originally diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). A 23 year old was referred with deteriorating hirsutism. Her menstrual cycle was reported as entirely regular following the menarche at age 13. Examination revealed her to be obese with a body mass index of 33 and hirsute, with a Ferriman and Gallway score of 19. She had a typical PCOS appearance on trans-vaginal ultrasound scan. Additional investigations in endocrine clinic revealed...

An 82-year-old male was referred to the breast clinic with a four month history of painful right gynaecomastia (GM), without nipple discharge. A 4 cm plaque of tender, soft tissue was palpable. Physical examination and external genitalia were normal. There was no relevant drug history. Prolactin, Testosterone (T), CXR, Ultrasound and FNA of the breast were normal. LH 13.0 IU (1.5-10.0) and FSH 18.1 IU (1.5-10.0) were raised. FT3 was raised at 7.3 pmol/L (3.5-5.5) with TSH supp...