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Scientists a step closer to improved steroid therapy
The study describes a new treatment that may help those unable to produce corticosteroids.


Study reveals corticosterone has fewer side effects

People unable to replace essential steroids in their bodies may soon benefit from improved therapy, thanks to research by the University of Edinburgh.


Published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the study describes a new treatment that may help those unable to produce corticosteroids.


Scientists say the treatment has fewer side effects and could help provide a safer alternative for treatments like Addison’s disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Corticosteroids are a class of steroids that help to regulate metabolism and blood pressure. They also help the body to cope with physical stress.

People who suffer from disorders of the adrenal gland need steroid treatment to avoid the risk of potentially fatal illness during physical stress.


Usually, therapy involves replacing one of the steroids they cannot replace - cortisol - with a medication. But this method affects fat tissue and can lead to excessive weight gain, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

In the study, researchers from the University of Edinburgh’s British Heart Foundation (BHF) Centre for Cardiovascular Science examined cortisol - another steroid that is naturally produced by the body.


The team found that, when tested on mice, the effects of corticosterone on fat cells were reduced compared with cortisol. They discovered this was because fat cells have a pump that removes corticosterone. 


Testing the therapy in a small group of Addison’s patients, the team found that corticosterone was just as effective as cortisol. Yet it had reduced effects on fat cells.


“These findings suggest that corticosterone could provide a safer alternative to traditional cortisol replacement therapy for conditions such as Addison’s disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia,” said professor Brian Walker, head of the BHF centre for Cardiovascular Science.

The researchers hope that, with further research, their findings may lead to improved therapies for other conditions that respond to steroid treatment, like rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.