Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology

ea0044p181 | Obesity and Metabolism | SFEBES2016

The impact of a tier three weight loss service on Quality of Life (QoL): A retrospective, service evaluation project

Ingram Esme , Zalin Anjali , Quarrie Charlotte , Shotliff Kevin , Morganstein Daniel , Greener Veronica , Turnbull Lucy

Introduction: The NHS Commissioning Board recommends the introduction of multidisciplinary Tier 3 Specialist Weight Management Services (SWMS) for adults with obesity. Unfortunately, these services are yet to be commissioned in many areas and this largely reflects financial barriers to their development. We have noted, through observation and feedback, that our Tier 3 service is highly valued by patients. Supportive evidence in the literature - although encouraging - is limite...

ea0021p348 | Steroids | SFEBES2009

−344 C/T polymorphism of aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) and cortisol synthesis in heart failure patients

Tsorlalis Ioannis , Fraser Robert , Jackson Colette , Ingram Mary , Holloway Christine , McMurray John , Connell John

Background: Increased levels of cortisol are associated with worse prognosis in heart failure (HF). The final step in cortisol production is catalysed by 11β-hydroxylase encoded by CYP11B1, which is highly homologous with CYP11B2. A common polymorphism in the aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2 −344T) is associated with a raised ratio of 11-deoxycortisol/ cortisol (S/F). We examined the relationship between −344C/T polymorphism and corticos...

ea0019p143 | Diabetes, Metabolism and Cardiovascular | SFEBES2009

Increased mineralocorticoid activity in obese Zucker rats is independent of the renin–angiotensin system and hepatic steroid metabolism.

Kenyon C , Livingstone D , Ingram M , Al-Dujaili E , Rutter A , Fraser R , Andrew R

Hypertension in obese Zucker rats is associated with raised plasma aldosterone, suppressed renin and increased hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal activity. We investigated the possible causes and consequences of these associations by comparing adrenal gene expression and urinary electrolyte and steroid excretion patterns in lean and obese rats. Groups (n=11) of adult male lean and obese Zucker rats were held in metabolism cages for 7 days. Urine collected over the ...

ea0013oc30 | Neuroendocrinology, reproduction and cardiovascular | SFEBES2007

Consequences of variation in the CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 genes on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity

Freel E Marie , White Ann , Ingram Mary , Fraser Robert , Davies Eleanor , Connell John

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...

ea0012oc1 | Young Endocrinologist prize session | SFE2006

The effects of age and calorie restriction on 24-hour plasma melatonin and activity rhythms in the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)

Downs JL , Aghazadeh-Sanai N , Mattison JA , Ingram DK , Kohama SG , Urbanski HF

A characteristic of aging in humans, as well as in nonhuman primates, is the disruption and attenuation of many biological rhythms. A desynchronization or dampening of cyclical neuroendocrine patterns, such as the circulating melatonin rhythm, may help to explain age-related disturbances in sleep and daytime alertness. Although the cause of age-associated disruptions of biological rhythms is largely unknown, it may be partially due to cumulative neuronal damage of relevant bra...

ea0011p744 | Steroids | ECE2006

Endogenous corticosteroid synthesis in subjects after bilateral adrenalectomy

Freel M , Fraser R , Ingram M , Davies E , Wallace M , Connell J

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...

ea0007p199 | Steroids | BES2004

Glucocorticoids contribute to the heritability of leptin in Scottish adult female twins

Wallace A , Banfield E , Ingram M , Swan L , Hillis W , Connell J

There is considerable evidence to indicate that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is activated in obesity and that glucocorticoids may have a stimulatory effect on adipocyte leptin production. However, the precise interactions between glucocorticoids and leptin are complex and remain poorly understood. To investigate whether the glucocorticoid/leptin interaction is affected by genetic factors, we investigated the heritability of BMI, leptin and glucocorticoid metabolite ...

ea0007p201 | Steroids | BES2004

The origin of 18-hydroxycortisol and 18-oxocortisol in man

Freel E , Shakerdi L , Wallace A , Ingram M , Fraser R , Connell J

18-hydroxycortisol (18-OHF) and 18-oxocortisol (18oxo-F) are derivatives of cortisol whose origin and regulation are uncertain. 18-OHF is synthesised by zona fasciculata 11-beta hydroxylase; 18-oxoF can only be produced by zona glomerulosa aldosterone synthase. Levels of both steroids are increased in patients with Primary Aldosteronism. However, the origin of these steroids in normal subjects is not known.8 normal subjects and 6 subjects with primary adrenal failure performed...

ea0005p223 | Steroids | BES2003

Excretion of the urinary metabolite of deoxycortisol is heritable and influenced by polymorphic variation at the CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase) locus

Myosi B , Keavney B , Watkins H , Davies E , Ingram M , Fraser R , Connell J

Background: The enzymes 11beta-hydroxylase and aldosterone synthase are key control steps in regulation of cortisol and aldosterone synthesis. We have previously reported that polymorphic variation of the gene encoding aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is associated with altered efficiency of 11b-hydroxylation of the precursor of cortisol, deoxycortisol. In order to examine this relationship in greater detail, we have studied the pattern of steroid precursor metabolite excretion ...

ea0005p237 | Steroids | BES2003

Cortisol metabolite excretion and 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity are strongly heritable in man

Myosi B , Watkins H , Keavney B , Ingram M , Fraser R , Davies E , Connell J

Background: Cortisol availability to target tissues represents a complex interplay of synthesis, secretion, metabolism and excretion. A number of these processes are regulated by enzymes that are encoded by genes that are key candidates in determining the metabolic and cardiovascular phenotype in man. Measurement of a range of corticosteroid metabolites allows the activity of these enzymes to be inferred. We have studied the pattern of cortisol metabolite excretion in a large ...