Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Children with Laron’s syndrome have a classical phenotype which includes extreme short stature and mid facial hypoplasia. It is biochemically characterised by high levels of GH and very low IGF1 levels. These children fulfil the criteria for recombinant IGF1 (rhIGF1, Mecasermin) therapy, however this has to be balanced with possible side effects. This study looked at the short term efficacy and safety profile of six children (five males) with Laron’s sy...

We recently showed that 5α-reduced metabolites of corticosterone (B), namely 5α-dihydrocorticosterone (5αDHB) and 5α-tetrahydrocorticosterone (5αTHB), possess similar anti-inflammatory properties to B, but have lesser metabolic effects. Here, we explored the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of these 5α-reduced metabolites in vitro. Data are mean % suppression/induction, compared by one way ANOVA, *P<0.05 versus vehicle.<p class="...

Introduction and aim: An e-mail based GP advisory service was launched by the authors’ centre in 2005. The PCT commissioned the service in July 2009. Enquiries are handled by specialist registrars with consultant supervision. The charge is £23/enquiry.Pre-commissioning, annual audits demonstrated an efficient and popular service, enhancing communication links between primary and secondary/tertiary care.We re-audited the s...

Obesity is associated with metabolic and vascular dysfunction. Many models have shown insulin resistance reduces endothelium-dependent vasodilation but this is also seen in obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. There is also evidence of increased response to vascular injury in obese animals, although the mechanisms underpinning this are not fully understood. This study used a mouse model of diet-induced obesity (DIO) to address the hypothesis that obesity causes metabo...

Background: Phaeochromocytomas (PHAEO) and paragangliomas (PGGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumours. The traditional ‘10%’ teaching mnemonic has recently been challenged.Methods: Clinical and biochemical/pathological data were collected prospectively. A 24-h urine sample for metanephrine assay was used for postoperative biochemical follow-up.Results: Between ‘Jan 89 and June 10’ 110 patients were operated for PHAEO...

Introduction and Case report: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a heterogenous group of conditions resulting from inborn errors of steroidogenesis, of which over 95% are due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.We present a 15-year-old Nepalese female, who was referred to the endocrine clinic for management of CAH. This diagnosis had been at 11 months of age, whilst resident in Hong Kong, when she presented acutely with vomiting and seizures. She had since...

Background: Visceral fat is a key factor underlying type 2 diabetes. The amount and distribution of body fat is strongly influenced by sex steroids. Androgen receptors (ARs) are present in adipose tissue and are abundant in the detrimental visceral bed. Here, we sought to determine the contribution of the AR in adipose tissue to the pathophysiology of visceral obesity and type 2 diabetes.Methods: Male fat-specific AR-knockout (fARKO) mice (12 weeks; n...

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is commonly diagnosed after the fifth decade of life. Current guidelines suggest that young patients with apparently sporadic PHPT should be screened as potential index cases for the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) syndrome.Aim: To determine the prevalence of mutations in the MEN1 gene in young patients presenting with apparently sporadic PHPT before the age of 40 years.Met...

Introduction: Benign prostatic hypertrophy is common amongst elderly men, and usually treated with the testosterone blocker, finasteride. However, the treatment of such a condition alongside hypo-pituitarism and low testosterone levels presents with a therapeutic dilemma.Case report: An 88-year-old gentleman who was admitted following recurrent episodes of confusion and falls was found to have a serum sodium level of 114 mmol/l, serum osmolality of 258 m...

Introduction: Cerebral ischaemic events in young patients due to patent foramen ovale are rare. A more plausible diagnosis had clouded the initial management and diagnosis of such a case in a young male patient.Case report: A 19-year-old gentleman was admitted with vomiting and profound hyponatraemia of 99 mmol/l. He was diagnosed to have Addison’s disease (with positive adrenal antibodies) following a flat short synacthen test. He warranted ITU adm...