Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common liver disease in children and young people. NAFLD can progress to cirrhosis and is associated with cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality, often requiring liver transplant. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) expends energy for thermogenesis when activated by pharmacological agents, e.g. β3-adrenergic receptor agonists, or environmental signals such as cold exposure. We hypothesise that intermittent cold...

Disruption of the gut-liver axis contributes to metabolic syndrome and the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Bile acids (BAs) are potent antimicrobials that support gastrointestinal health and dysregulation of BA homeostasis in NAFLD is thought to contribute to gut dysbiosis. Furthermore, an increase in hydrophobic (cytotoxic) BA species may directly affect gut health. We have previously shown that bile acid synthesis enzyme, 5β-reductase (AKR1D1),...

Introduction: Obesity-associated psychopathological co-morbidities have a negative impact on quality of life. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) has been shown to ameliorate psychological health, however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Changes in gastrointestinal and central neuroendocrine signalling have been postulated as mediators of psychological and eating behaviour changes following RYGB. Here we assess the impact of subcutaneous infusions of th...

The calcium-sensing-receptor (CaSR) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that plays a fundamental role in extracellular calcium homeostasis, but is also implicated in non-calcitropic disorders including colon cancer and asthma. In addition, CaSR is highly expressed in pancreatic islets where it has a role in insulin secretion. Patients with gain-of-function CaSR mutations, and mice (referred to as Nuf) with a gain-of-function CaSR mutation (Leu723Gln), develop autosomal dominant hy...