Endocrine Abstracts

Background and objectives: Obesity-associated inflammation is a key contributory factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Murine studies have revealed potential links between obesity-induced activation of the innate immune response and endoplasmic reticular (ER) stress. Our aims were therefore to (1) examine whether human abdominal subcutaneous (AbSc) adipose tissue (AT) obtained from lean and obese patients, differs in the level of ER stress, through ass...

Introduction: Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is associated with target organ insensitivity to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and abnormal PTH circadian rhythm. In aging women with established osteoporosis, GH and insulin like growth factor -1 (IGF-1) concentrations are low and administration of GH has been shown to increase bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD), but the mechanisms remain unclear. Consequently we investigated the effects of declining GH and IGF-1 conc...

Aims/hypothesis: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived secretory factor that is highly specifically expressed in adipocytes. It exerts effects on energy homeostasis via peripheral and central mechanisms. However, it is not clear whether adiponectin is crossing the blood brain barrier in humans. In serum, adiponectin circulates in several different complexes, each of which has distinct functions. Here, we wanted to test whether adiponectin can be found in human cerebrospinal flui...

Background: The response to first-generation long-acting somatostatin analogues (LA-SSA) treatment in acromegaly depends on the expression of the somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtypes. In contrast to octreotide and lanreotide which preferentially bind to SSTR2, pasireotide targets multiple SSTRs, with the highest binding affinity for SSTR5. It has previously been suggested that SSTR5 expression could predict the response to pasireotide LAR (PAS-LAR) treatment in acromegaly.</p...

Introduction: Differentiation between familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS), a rare hypertriglyceridemia, and severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG; non-FCS) is challenging due to overlap in triglyceride (TG) levels and symptomology but important in disease management. Clinical characteristics that allow for reliable differentiation may exist in the presenting clinical features and primary diagnostic testing. The objective of this analysis was to assess whether readily obtainabl...

Case history: A 57-year-old male with well controlled primary hypertension presented with acute onset severe headache while exercising, associated with nausea and vomiting. He had no visual or other neurological symptoms. The pain settled with analgesics in ED. He reported four transient similar episodes during the preceding 18 months. There were no symptoms suggestive of pituitary or other endocrine dysfunction, including hyperprolactinaemia. Clinical examination was unremark...

Background: An adrenal incidentaloma (AI) is an adrenal lesion found on imaging performed for an indication other than adrenal disease. The current European Society of Endocrinology guidelines recommend that all AIs are discussed in a dedicated adrenal multidisciplinary meeting.Method: We evaluated the outcomes of AI cases referred to the Adrenal Radiology Meeting (ARM) at Heartlands Hospital between January 2021 and Dec...

Background: Incorporating the ideas and views of children and young people (CYP) with endocrine conditions from early stages in the research life cycle will increase the benefit for patients and contribute to high impact research.Methods: We conducted two days of patient and public involvement (PPI) sessions with patients from a tertiary endocrine centre who are living with Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia (CAH). We explore...

Background: Screening algorithms for the identification of growth-disorders are routinely used in several countries. In the UK, the use of the Coventry consensus for the referral of children with suspected growth-disorders performs poorly compared to more sophisticated screening mechanisms used elsewhere. We aimed to test an algorithm developed to screen for growth-disorders in 2- to 8-year-old UK children.Methods: The a...

Background: Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI NETs) are subdivided into grades (G) G1-G3 based on Ki-67 proliferation index (%) (G1<3%, G2 3-20%, and G3 >20%) or mitotic rate, with tumor grade informing prognosis and treatment. Grade progression (GP) over time in GI and pancreatic NETs has recently been identified, with low(G1/2)-to-high(G3) grade progression (L-to-H) the most clinically relevant form. L-to-H is associated with worse survival, yet the timefram...