Endocrine Abstracts

Aldosterone synthase catalyses the synthesis of aldosterone in the adrenal cortex and is encoded by the CYP11B2 gene. Recent studies have shown that CYP11B2 is also expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) but little is known about its regulation. In this study, we have quantitated CYP11B2 expression in the CNS following dietary manipulation of sodium and infusion of angiotensin II.In study 1, 3 groups of male WKY rats (n=6) were fed normal (0.3%), high (3%) or low (0...

Objectives: Aldosterone synthase catalyses the synthesis of aldosterone in the adrenal zona glomerulosa and is encoded by the CYP11B2 gene. Recent studies have shown that the CYP11B2 gene is also expressed in the rat central nervous system (CNS), particularly the cerebellum and hippocampus, suggesting local corticosteroid production. The renin-angiotensin system regulates the expression of the CYP11B2 gene in the adrenal cortex. However, little is k...

The role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in the pathophysiology of PCOS and associated cardiometabolic risks is emerging. Previous studies support increased SNS activity in PCOS, potentially contributing to metabolic features via multiple mechanisms including insulin resistance. Moxonidine is a second-generation imidazoline I1 agonist, acting centrally, inhibiting sympathetic outflow at the level of rostral ventrolateral medulla with known beneficial effects...

Heterotrimeric G proteins mediate signalling from 7 transmembrane domain receptors to a variety of intracellular effectors. Regulators of G protein signalling (RGS) are a novel family of proteins, that act as GTPase activating proteins. In the human myometrium signalling via G proteins may be altered during pregnancy and labour, suggesting a physiological role of G proteins in human gestation. Our aim was to investigate the expression of RGS proteins in the human myometrium. E...

Introduction: Papilar thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid neoplasia. It usually has a good prognose, being lymph node spread common. Distant metastasis are present in 9–10% of cases, worsening prognose. Cerebral metastasis are extremely rare, representing 1% of all metastasic PTC.Case report: A 68-year-old man was sent to the Endocrinology Unit for follow-up of a PTC that had been operated (total thyroidectomy) 2 months before. After ...

Thyroid hormone is long known for its profound effect on body temperature regulation. Patients suffering from hyperthyroidism display elevated body temperature and are sensitive to heat, while hypothyroid patients are cold sensitive. The precise regulation of body temperature by thyroid hormone, however, has been incompletely understood. In our recent studies, we have studied the thermogenic effects of the hormone in a mouse model in detail. We observed that the body temperatu...

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a therapeutic target for obesity and associated metabolic diseases, due to its role in non-shivering thermogenesis. BAT activation is mediated through sympathetic stimulation, but parasympathetic regulation of human BAT has not been demonstrated previously. We undertook RNA sequencing of human white and brown primary adipocytes to identify novel pathways regulating BAT. CHRM2 (encoding the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 2) was the most differen...

Background and AIMS: Obesity can be caused because of reduction in energy expenditure and /or increased caloric intake. Total calorie intake has increased in recent decades, and research and studies on eating behaviour have reported increased intake of foods rich in fats and sugars. Excess calories alone increase body weight and reduce insulin sensitivity, even in healthy individuals who are not obese. In addition, increased consumption of sugars and fats is associated with we...

The female genital tract of the mouse was in vivo transfected using the reporter gene β-galactosidase and the liposome Lipofectamine as gene vector. All animals used were anaesthetised. DNA/Liposome complexes were injected through the infundibulum of the tubes in adult, immature and pseudopregnant females. Females that were at different stages of the ovarian cycle were also used. Transfection was analyzed using histochemical, immunological and molecular (Southern b...

Mutations in the plasma membrane thyroid hormone (TH) transporter, MCT8, are associated with severe global neurological deficits accompanied by abnormal circulating TH levels. We have previously shown that MCT8 over-expression in human neuronal precursor cells (NT2) increases cellular T3 uptake and reduces proliferation.Objectives: To quantify and localise the expression of MCT8 in human fetal CNS and to investigate the role of MCT8 in NT2 neurodifferent...