Endocrine Abstracts

The pseudo-Cushing’s syndrome that accompanies both acute alcohol ingestion and alcohol withdrawal is an important differential diagnosis of hypercortisolism that is poorly understood. Two isozymes of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) interconvert hormonally active cortisol (F) and inactive cortisone (E). Previously we have shown higher urinary F:E metabolite ratios (a reflection of total body 11βHSD activity) in patients with alcoholic liver disea...

The insulin-like growth factors together with the IGF receptors, IGFBPs and IGFBP proteases are involved in the regulation of somatic growth and cellular proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Our previous studies demonstrated that overexpression of IGFBP-2 in colon cancer cells (Caco-2) was associated with increased cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. The wild-type Caco-2 cells express and secrete IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4, IGF1R and growth hormone receptors but not IGFBP-3. Therefore,...