Endocrine Abstracts

Annexin-1 (ANXA1) is a 37 kDa calcium- and phospholipid-binding protein expressed abundantly in S100-positive folliculostellate (FS) cells in the anterior pituitary gland. ANXA1 is localised both intracellularly and on the cell surface in high density foci appearing at points of contact between the FS cells and the neighbouring secretory cells, where it has been demonstrated to mediate the glucocorticoid-induced negative feedback on the secretion of ACTH from corticotrophs. Gl...

Our initial studies suggested that plurihormonal cells are constantly found in early embryonic stages of human pituitary but are very rare later.Aim: A quantitative evaluation and morphological characterization of these plurihormonal cells.Methods: Pituitaries from therapeutically aborted human fetuses of 8–24 weeks, gestational age were fixed (with ethical permission) by immersion in 4% buffered formaldehyde. One-μm-thic...

Introduction: Pituitary conditions are rare and diagnosis may be slow because symptoms are ambiguous. The treatment may be a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and medication so patients see many healthcare professionals (HCPs). This survey sought to assess patient satisfaction with the information and support they receive from GPs, endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, radiotherapists, specialist nurses, and other agencies (e.g. the pituitary foundation).M...

Introduction: Pituitary conditions are rare and diagnosis may be slow because symptoms are ambiguous. The treatment may be a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and medication so patients see many healthcare professionals. This survey sought to assess patient satisfaction with the information and support they receive from GPs, endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, radiotherapists, specialist nurses, and other agencies (e.g. the pituitary foundation).Method: ...

Generalised resistance to thyroid hormone (GRTH), a subset of the syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH), is characterised by variable reduced target tissue responsiveness to circulating thyroid hormones. Plasma thyroid hormone levels are raised and TSH levels inappropriately non-suppressed. We describe a 54-year-old female with GRTH diagnosed from the finding of raised fT4 and fT3 levels coincidental with non-suppressed TSH levels. A thyrotropin (TRH) test resulted i...

CD38 is an enzyme which catalyses the production of the second messengers cyclic ADP ribose and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate which mobilize calcium from ryanodine-sensitive intracellular calcium stores. Intracellular calcium is well known to be important for mobilisation of secretory granules to the plasma membrane in preparation for exocytosis and CD38 signalling has recently been demonstrated to increase posterior pituitary oxytocin release (Jin et al.</i...

Introduction: Part of the long-term management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is TSH suppression with supraphysiological doses of levothyroxine. Anecdotal experience suggests that GPs often are not aware of the differences in objectives between treating patients with DTC with suppressive doses of thyroxine and treating patients with primary hypothyroidism, thus leading to inappropriate adjustments of the dose of levothyroxine.Object...

Introduction: The aetiology of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is complex and includes genetic and environmental influences. Among potentially controllable risk factors smoking ranks highest. There is strong evidence that smoking cessation benefits patients with GO. The success of secondary prevention strategies depends largely on how the intervention is perceived by patients, especially when it involves lifestyle changes.Objectives: To determine patient p...

Colocalisation of hormones has been demonstrated for growth hormone (GH) and prolactin in the normal adult human pituitary, and for many other hormones in pituitary adenomas. We have investigated whether colocalisation of GH and other hormones occurs earlier, during onto-genesis. Pituitaries from therapeutically aborted male human fetuses of 15–20 weeks gestational age (with ethical approval) were fixed by immersion in 4% buffered formaldehyde and divided in halves, one o...

Pituitary disorders are relatively uncommon conditions which leave patients feeling isolated and distressed. Acromegaly and Cushing’s are associated with obvious and visible differences to appearance, while other pituitary conditions are associated with profound, yet hidden, physical changes which impact significantly on psychological well being.AimTo explore the subjective experiences of patients living with and managing a pi...