Endocrine Abstracts

Radioactive isotopes of copper are of interest in the development of imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET) and companion therapeutics. The synthesis of a ligand, 5-(8-methyl-3,6,10,13,16,19-hexaaza-bicyclo[6.6.6]icosan-1-ylamino)-5-oxopentanoic acid (MeCOSar), designed to form stable complexes with radioactive copper isotopes that can be tethered to tumour targeting peptides and antibodies will be presented.The MeCOSar ligand has been con...

Introduction: Confirmation of permanent isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) during childhood with subsequent adult transfer is important since such patients may benefit from adult GH replacement.Methods: A chance encounter with a former patient experiencing symptoms of adult GHD but untreated prompted us to review the final diagnosis and follow-up status of our GH-treated patients with IGHD between 1970 and 2000. Case records were examined for init...

Introduction: There has recently been a suggested link between central adrenal insufficiency and the high rate of sudden death in children and adolescents with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). This finding has important implications for PWS management, since steroid cover could exacerbate the existing tendency towards obesity. We have retrospectively examined our data for both mortality and pituitary–adrenal axis status in subjects attending the dedicated PWS clinic at t...

Background: With advances in radiological technology, the detection of incidentally discovered pituitary abnormalities is increasing, 90% being secondary to pituitary adenomas. Patient morbidity increases when these lesions are large enough to cause hormone insufficiency or visual field defects, highlighting the importance of appropriate management.Aim: To evaluate management of patients with pituitary incidentaloma in accordance with national guidelines...

The Prader Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex, neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from absence of expression of imprinted genes in the 15q 11–13 region, usually due to deletion in the paternal chromosome (pd15q) or disomy of the maternal chromosome 15 (upd). Prompt diagnosis of PWS is beneficial for counselling families, managing the hypotonia and poor feeding that characterise the perinatal period and facilitating early interventions that may improve body composition a...

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is produced by the ovarian granulosa cells in immature follicles from around week 36 of gestation to the menopause. Expression is highest in pre-antral and early antral follicles. AMH has a generally inhibitory effect on early follicle development and possibly on the responsiveness of growing follicles to FSH. Serum AMH is markedly elevated in women with PCOS and increased concentrations have also been reported in the healthy prepubertal daughters ...

The Metabolic Syndrome (insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, hypertension) amplified by visceral obesity resembles Cushing's but plasma cortisol levels are not usually elevated. To explain this paradox altered tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids has been invoked. 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11b-HSD1) reactivates cortisone to cortisol, thus amplifying local glucocorticoid action. An adipose-selective increase in 11b-HSD1 may underlie the Metabolic S...

11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD-1) is a key enzyme which amplifies intracellular levels of active glucocorticoids within specific tissues, including the brain. The hippocampus highly expresses both corticosteroid receptors and 11beta-HSD-1, making it a prime target for glucocorticoid actions. This brain region plays an important role in fear/anxiety behaviours and learning and memory. We examined the anxiety-related behaviours (elevated plus maze and ope...

Adrenal incidentalomas are common and guidelines recommend testing to exclude functioning lesions and malignancy. Their increasing prevalence results in a number of investigations usually conducted in the Endocrinology clinic.In 2011 we audited the prevalence and management of adrenal incidentalomas identified on abdominal CT imaging over one calendar month in our centre. Consequently, a decision pathway for new adrenal lesions was introduced in the Radi...

Background: Hyperthyroidism is a significant medical condition in paediatric patients with serious health consequences. Optimal treatment remains debatable.Objective: To review 23 years’ experience of paediatric hyperthyroidism in the West of Scotland.Methods: Case notes of patients treated for thyrotoxicosis in Glasgow, Paisley, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire from 1987 until 2009 inclusive were retrospectively reviewed. Patients wi...