Endocrine Abstracts

Survival of most species relies on the fact that small populations of endocrine neurons located in the hypothalamus determine critical functions such as reproduction, growth, and metabolism. These neurons are so finely regulated that their functions have been conserved across evolution; nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying these regulatory features remain hazy. Indeed, research efforts have been hindered by the complexity and inaccessibility of the hypothalamic-pituitary sys...

Ghrelin, a circulating gastric hormone, stimulates food intake in rodents and humans and hyperphagia, weight gain and adiposity on chronic administration in rodents. Here we investigated the effect of chronic subcutaneous ghrelin on fat volume and distribution using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Male Wistar rats were implanted with subcutaneous osmotic mini-pumps delivering saline (S, n=10) or ghrelin 30nmol/24hours (n=18). In order to investigate the hyperphagia-independe...

Introduction: Clinical trials indicate that Tolvaptan is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with sustained mild/moderate SIADH-induced euvolemic hyponatremia. Tolvaptan doses are often modified during chronic use. We present the weekly doses of a series of patients on chronic therapy, followed up in outpatient clinic.Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional. 114 patients receiving tolvaptan for chronic SIADH were followed up in a Hyponatremia...

Effective management of obesity is increasingly challenging with the continued growth of the nation’s waistlines and bariatric surgery is not the always the answer to this problem. The synergistic action of GLP-1 agonists (GLP1A) and SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2I) represents a possible therapeutic approach for patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity in whom bariatric surgery has been ineffective or is not possible. A single centre retrospective study was performed to ...

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a phosphotropic hormone that belongs along with FGF19 and 21 to a subfamily of endocrine FGFs with evolutionary conserved functions, which can be demonstrated in the gut of C. elegans and in the kidney tubules of fruit flies. FGF23 is posttranslationally regulated by phosphorylation through FAM20C, which causes its proteolysis through the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase FURIN, and results in secretion of FGF23 fragments. O-glycosyla...

Background: Insulin-related peptides are found in Cnidaria (the most ancient animals with differentiated tissues including a nervous system, dating from 600 million years ago) and their nucleotide sequence has been highly preserved ever since. In mammals the binding of insulin to its receptor causes a cascade of actions, the main one being translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters to the plasma membrane allowing influx of glucose into the adipose and striated muscle cells. B...

Appropriate hydrocortisone adjustment by the patient himself in situations of increased demand, e.g. in gastrointestinal or febrile infections, is indispensable to prevent adrenal crises (AC). Previous studies revealed a lack of knowledge concerning self-management in patients with AI. A comprehensive patient education is one of the key measures to avoid life-threatening AC. In November 2014, a working group of the adrenal section in the German Endocrine Society (DGE) met to d...

Anabolic agents are used to enhance performance through their effects on muscle mass, strength, and stamina. The prevalence of anabolic steroid use is difficult to quantify amongst the general population, but estimates derived from anonymous questionnaire studies in various populations suggest use may be common. Up to 4% of 18 years old American males have reported use at least once. Reported use of these agents rises significantly amongst army recruits and further still in el...

Loperamide is a poorly absorbed opioid μ-receptor agonist that is the most commonly used anti-diarrhoeal medication in the UK. Prescription cost analysis from the Department of Health and Social Care Information Centre reported that 1.79 million prescriptions of the drug were issued in 2014 and it is also freely available ‘over the counter’. It is widely believed to be very safe, with constipation as the main side-effect.A 45-year-old man ...

Avascular necrosis is a rare presenting feature of endogenous hypercortisolism. The literature suggests that, if left untreated, complete collapse of the femoral head may ensue, necessitating hip replacement in up to 70% of patients. The majority of described patients with avascular necrosis due to endogenous hypercortisolaemia were treated surgically.Case report: A 36-year-old female, investigated for right leg pain, reported rapid weight gain, easy bru...