Endocrine Abstracts

Circulating levels of prolactin are subject to acute and long-term regulation by many factors including oestrogen and dopamine. We have studied the regulation of prolactin promoter activity in living pituitary cells using transgenic Fischer rats in which reporter gene expression is regulated by the human prolactin gene locus (hPRL-d2EGFP). We have previously identified pulsatile prolactin transcription patterns in living lactotroph cells in fetal tissue, that became stabilised...

A 28-year-old Asian female presented with a 2 year history of abdominal pain and bloating and irregular heavy periods. She had a normal menarche and had 3 uncomplicated pregnancies after conceiving naturally, the last 4 years before presentation. Investigations showed LH 0.7 IU/l (normal range 2-14 IU/l), FSH 8.6 IU/l (2-14 IU/l), oestradiol 2030 pmol/l (80-300 pmol/l), prolactin 346 mU/l, and normal alpha GSU (0.3mcg/l). Ultrasound scanning revealed enlarged multicystic ovari...

Introduction: Thyroid storm, a life-threatening endocrine emergency, requires prompt intervention and treatment to improve outcomes. The diagnosis is made clinically, based on symptoms including hyperpyrexia, tachycardia, nausea, diarrhoea and altered cognition. The Burch-Wartofsky (BW) score is a symptom-based score recommended to determine the likelihood of thyroid storm. This retrospective study aims to determine use of the BW scale and its effect on management.<p class...

Hypoglycaemia is an almost unavoidable consequence of iatrogenic insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes. Recurrent hypoglycaemia (RH) results in suppression of normal counter-regulatory hormonal and physiological responses (CRR) to future episodes increasing the risk of severe hypoglycaemia. The mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon remain unclear but may reflect changes in critical hypothalamic glucose sensing neurons (GSN). We set out to indirectly test the hypothesis that ...

Background: The DHT RIA is often used in the assessment of children with suspected DSD. Affected cases have a history of consanguinity in ≤50% and many may not have a non-Caucasian background (Maimoun et al., JCEM, 2011). We aimed to assess the clinical utility of the DHT RIA in identifying cases of 5-ARD.Methods: All DHT requests in a 5 year period in a major UK tertiary paediatric centre were identified and case notes were retrieved and se...

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia world wide. Accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) has been implicated as a causal factor of AD. Beta secretase (BACE1) catalyses the rate limiting step in the production Aβ and has been postulated as a potential therapeutic target for AD treatment. Environmental factors, including psychological stress, accelerate the development of dementia and AD. This study examined hypothalamic–pituitary...

The incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has doubled over the past decade. Obesity induced insulin resistance is associated with T2DM and the metabolic syndrome (including hypertension, and dyslipidemia). Diets high in saturated fat are largely to blame for the current obesity epidemic. High-fat feeding of animals increases circulating corticosterone levels, in addition to changes in glucose homeostasis. The relationship between insulin sensitivity and abnormal hypothalamic&#15...

Background: Girls with Turner Syndrome (TS) are at increased risk of primary ovarian failure. Previous studies have demonstrated that urinary gonadotrophins (UG) can be used as a non- invasive biochemical marker of pubertal status but their value in monitoring and managing girls with primary ovarian failure is unclear.Aims: To determine the range of UG in girls with Turner Syndrome (TS) and its correlation to serum LH and FSH.Patie...

Circulating levels of prolactin are subject to acute and long-term regulation by many factors including oestrogen and dopamine. We have studied the regulation of prolactin promoter activity in living pituitary cells using transgenic Fischer rats in which reporter gene expression is regulated by the human prolactin gene locus (hPRL-d2EGFP). We have previously identified pulsatile prolactin transcription patterns in living lactotroph cells in fetal tissue, that became stabilised...

We have created transgenic mice in which Cyp11b1, the gene encoding 11β-hydroxylase, has been knocked out. Since mice do not secrete adrenal androgens, this knockout line allows a more detailed investigation of phenotypes associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) without the overwhelming virilisation that characterises patients with CAH. Starting with a BAC containing the mouse Cyp11b1/b2 locus and including flanking up- and downstream sequences, a const...