Endocrine Abstracts

Menopause is a special period in women’s life when various physiological changes occur, for example, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and decrease of BMD. During menopause, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis develop simultaneously. This period is typically characterized by increasing frequency of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction. The risk factors including atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, smoking, low physical activity are common for the developme...

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in asymptomatic, nonsmoking members of families with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH). We investigated the association between these cytokines and selected risk factors for atherosclerosis, markers of insulin resistance and inflammation.Methods: Eighty-two members of 29 FCH families were divided into two groups: HL (prob...

Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is mainly responsible for the high mortality and morbidity in type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of CVD in type 2 diabetes.Methods: A total of 752 patients were included. History and physical examination were recorded. Laboratory tests included fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin, lipid profile, uric acid, serum creatinine and microalbuminuria. In pati...

Background and aim: Iron overload and inflammation might participate in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in community. The improvement of insulin resistance in hemodialysis (HD) patients is frequently seen after correction of anemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of recobinant humam erythropoietin (Epo) treatment on insulin resistance in non-diabetic HD patients.Patients and methods: We investigated the effects of 6 months-...

Objectives: Glucocorticoids may affect cardiovascular risk. Polymorphisms in the glucocorticoid receptor (GlucR) gene have been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether the common Bcl1 polymorphism of the GlucR gene (associated with increased sensitivity to glucocorticoids) may be associated with early markers of atherosclerosis.Methods: Two hundred and fourteen middle aged apparently healthy subjects (age &#8230...

Background: Increased leptin levels are revealed in obese patients and known to predict the development of the ischemic heart disease, but the information about leptin’s effects on the course of the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is scarce.Aim: To assess plasma leptin levels in patients with AMI and MetS and to study the relationships between leptin and early complications of AMI.<p class="abstex...

Abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome are known to increase in prevalence from premenopause to postmenopause in women. Both are well recognized predictors of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in women.The objective of this study was to assess the presence of obesity and metabolic syndrome during the menopausal transition in women from Serbia.Methods: Our results present a part of the National epidemiological cross-sectional st...

Background and aims: Previous studies have documented environmental risk factors for the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT); however, few have examined genetic risk factors for the progression of carotid IMT and none has specifically examined subjects with type 2 diabetes. This study examined the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene and the progression of carotid IMT in patients with type 2 diabetes.<p class="abstext"...

Objective: The metabolic syndrome (MS), which includes obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertension, is a major public health problem. The prevalence of MS among women in postmenopausal period is nearly 24%. In postmenopausal period the accelerated bone loss, contributing to the development of osteoporosis begins. Obesity or increased body mass index (BMI) is known to have a protective effect against osteoporosis. However, recent studies demonstrated tha...

Background: The increased incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the causes of expansion of Type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Persons with Mets have higher chance of suffering a cardiovascular disease and dying from this cause that people without this disorder.The MetS is characterized by glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, obesity and hypertension. In certain populations has a high prevalence rate, exceeding 20%.<p class="abstext...

Introduction: Serum thyroid hormone levels have been described in several systemic non-thyroideal illnesses, among them acute heart diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between thyroid functions and widespread of ACS, and to evaluate the potential changes in thyroid hormone profile in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) at the time of diagnosis and compare them between two groups, based on therapeutic implications and distinct prognoses: unstable angi...

Sex differences in the metabolic syndrome and the associated cardiovascular risk profile are attributed to sex-specific sex steroid profiles, but the effects of sex steroid treatment remain incompletely understood.We evaluated the impact of low doses of sex-steroids on cardiovascular risk parameters in 41 young (age range 19–46 years), healthy, nonobese (BMI <29), transsexual subjects. 30 male-to-female (M–F) transsexuals received transderm...

Introduction: Several population-based studies have shown that hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance could be an independent predictive factor for development of coronary artery disease (CAD).Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze insulin secretion in patients with proven coronary artery disease.Methods: We have analyzed 151 consecutive patients (35–79 years old, men 68%, women 32%) referred for coronary a...

Moderately elevated body iron stores may be associated with several components of the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). Elevated serum ferritin levels (Fer) independently predicted incident type 2 diabetes in prospective studies in apparently healthy men and women.Aims: To analyze the association between Fer and components of MetSyn in transsexuals before and after 2-year cross-sex treatment (CST).Methods: Before starting the CST in 90 ...

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (FABP4) is emerging as a novel risk marker for metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis. In this context we recently showed that FABP4 released by human adipocytes suppresses cardiomyocyte contraction, thus suggesting a pathogenic role for FABP4 in the cardiac dysfunction in obesity. Since a new FABP4 inhibitor which competitively inhibits the binding of endogenous fatty acids to FABP4 was effective in the treatment of atherosclerosis and dia...

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of premature mortality throughout the western world and a major cause of disability. Most cases of CVD are related to lifestyle behaviors, biochemical and physiological factors modifiable. The modification of cardiovascular risk has shown its ability to reduce mortality and morbidity from CVD, particularly in high-risk subjects.Objective: Measuring cardiovascular risk at 5 and 10 years in a work...

Objective: Acromegaly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, mostly due to cardiovascular complications. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness in acromegaly patients.Methods and results: We evaluated 25 consecutive patients with acromegaly (15 females, 10 males, mean age 44.5±10.1 years), and 22 age-matched control subjects (12 females, 10 males, mean age 37.40±7.5 years...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) reduces thioredoxin in heart failure patients, whereas adrenomedullin, acting as an antioxidant, protects rat cardiomyocytes from infarction and mouse vascular smooth muscle cells from angiotensin II (AII) oxidative effect. Besides AII, aldosterone (Aldo) is also an activator of ROS. Aim of the study was the investigation of the eventual antioxidant effect of ANP...

Context and objective: GH and IGF1 both have neuroprotective and regenerative effects in experimental stroke. Our aim was to investigate whether the endogenous serum-IGF1 (s-IGF1) levels were correlated to recovery of functional independence in stroke patients.Subjects and methods: The analysis of s-IGF1 was performed in 400 patients of both sexes, aged 18–69 years old, and 40 controls previously included in the Sahlgrenska Academy Study on Ischemic...

Objectives: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone that is known to play an essential role in regulation of blood pressure and vascular endothelial function. However, the metabolic regulation of ANP is not fully understood. In patients suffering from metabolic syndrome hypertension, hyperinsulinemia and postprandial hyperglucagonemia are common features. It was the aim of the present study to evaluate the impact of glucagon on proANP and the possible mechanisms ...

Objective: Osteopontin (OPN) is a proinflamatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Adiponectin (ADP), an adipocyte-derived vasoactive and insulin-sensitizing peptide, exerts anti-inflamatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects on endotheliocytes. We aimed at determining in type 2 diabetes patients the relationship between serum OPN, serum ADP and either lower-limb atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or mediacalcinos...

What happens if the prescribed medication makes the patient ‘worse’ than he was before comint to the doctor? Putting aside the world wide accepted JNC clasiffication of hypertension, we colud consider the following:The ‘cat-walk’ (moderate) hypertension (<150/95 mmHg) 2. Pts with serious hypertension with symptoms 3. Pts with seerious hypertension without symptoms.Having moderate hypertension and no side eff...

Receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) signalling, crucial for diabetic macroangiopathy, is also highly suspected to be involved in atherogenesis in the setting of preserved glucose metabolism.Aim: To determine the relationships between peripheral blood concentrations of RAGE agonists, namely amfoterin (HMBG1) and carboxy-methylo-lisine (CML) as well as RAGE inhibitor Endogenously Secretory RAGE (esRAGE), and the severity of atherosclerosis ...

Objectives: Endothelial dysfunction has been described as a predictor of cardiovascular complications. Most important cause for early mortality in acromegaly is cardiovascular involvement, cut-off nadir GH <2.5 ng/ml predicting longer survival The aim of our study was to determine the correlations between endothelial dysfunction and GH oversecretion, associated or not with other cardiovascular risk factors.Design and method: Cross-sectional study inc...

Aim: Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), an HDL-associated enzyme has been shown to possess antioxidant properties that protect against atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate serum paraoxanase activities, lipid profiles and carotid intimae media thickness (CIMT) as an early marker of atherosclerosis in healthy man and women.Method: Four hundred healthy volunteers (F/M: 250/150, 19–23 years) included in the study. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase...

Introduction: The evidence shows that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increased in patients with hypogonadism. However, much of the data regarding this association comes from the elderly patients with obesity, hypertension or type 2 diabetes. The total testosterone levels alter physiologically in these conditions and thus can falsify the association. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in young adults with hypogonadism who do not have any c...

Introduction: Although testosterone has been suggested to play a protective role against the development of atherosclerosis, studies demonstrating an association between low testosterone, and incident major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) are scanty in the general population and absent in subjects with erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of this study is to investigate whether low testosterone in subjects with ED predict incident fatal or non fatal MACE.<p class="abste...

Objective: To assess the impact of genetic polymorphisms associated with increased cardiovascular risk on the lipid profile in healthy postmenopausal women.Methods: The study population consisted of 84 women between 49–69 years who had been menopausal for at least one year. The genetic polymorphisms examined were the following: Glycoprotein IIIa leu33pro, Apolipoprotein E2/E3/E4, Methylenotetrahydrofolate reductase ala222val, Apolipoprotein B arg350...

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) and, in particular, arteriogenic ED have been proposed as new markers of risk for incident major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Reduced penile blood flow is more common in obese people than in leaner ED subjects. The aim of this study is to explore the interaction of overweight/obesity and penile blood flow in the prediction of incident MACE.Methods: This is an observational prospective cohort study evaluati...

Numerous studies indicate an association between low-grade chronic inflammation and predisposition to type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. IL-12 is a proinflammatory cytokine with proatherogenic properties. IL-12 is a disulfide-linked, 70 kDa (p70) heterodimeric glycoprotein composed of a 40 kDa (p40) subunit and a 35 kDa (p35) subunit. Many data reported higher levels of p40 subunit than total IL-12. The aim of the present study was to estimate serum IL-12 and p40 subunit in ...

Objective: Hypopituitary patients receiving convensional hormone substitution, but without growth hormone (GH) replacement, have an increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the heart rate variability(HRV) in hypopituitary patients with severe GH deficiency.Material and method: Thirty-five patients (20 women, 15 men, aged 23-75 years) with severe GH deficiency, all of 35 patients with low insulin-like gro...

Background: Resistin was originally proposed in animal models as a link between obesity and insulin resistance, but later studies in humans have shown a divergent role. Yet, resistin seems to be involved in the development of atherosclerosis in humans by promoting the formation of foam cells; further, its expression is induced by oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in human macrophages.Methods: We assessed the relationships between resistin and marke...

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy that affects 5–10% of women of reproductive age. It is now recognized as not only a reproductive but also a metabolic disorder with co-morbidities, such as; diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, etc. All these metabolic abnormalities predispose women with PCOS to atherosclerosis. Plasma viscosity is a major determinant of blood flow in microcirculation. Preliminary data indicate that elevated plasma...

Background: Cross sectional studies in type 2 diabetic men have shown the 50% prevalence of hypogonadism. Testosterone deficiency worsens glycaemic control and accelerates the development of cardio-vascular disease. Therefore we investigated the effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on endothelial function in hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes.Patients and methods: Thirty-three hypogonadal patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 35 years or old...

Aim: To evaluate alterations in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels, and their relation to insulin resistance (IR) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with stable and unstable angina with and without type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Patients and methods: CAD patients were recruited into four groups: 16 CAD patients with stable angina and T2DM (SD); 16 CAD patients with stable...

Objectives: The bone-related peptide osteoprotegerin (OPG) was recently found in high concentration inside vascular tissues in diabetic patients. OPG is produced by vascular smooth muscle cells and endotheliocytes, and inhibits progression of advanced plaque by delaying size progression as well as plaque calcification. We aimed at determining in type 2 diabetes patients the relationship between serum OPG and circulating level of angiotensin II (AngII), but also the relationshi...

Introduction: Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) is a novel regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Possible role of FGF-21 in the development of insulin resistance in critically ill patients has not been studied yet.Objective: To study the changes in FGF21 production and adipose tissue and skeletal muscle FGF-21 mRNA gene expression in cardiac surgery patients.Methods: Sixteen patients (16 men, aged 66...

Lipodystrophy (LD) and obesity are opposites in terms of a deficiency versus excess of adipose tissue mass, yet these conditions are accompanied by similar metabolic consequences. VAT has not been well quantified in LD. The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic profile and VAT in different kinds of LD. Six-eight adult patients (45 females) referred for LD were classified in four groups: 23 LMNA-mutated patients (LMNA), 14 non-mutated related to the LMNA-...

In our study during the period of 6 months we were monitoring lactate and other biochemical parameters levels in patients with diabetes mellitus and myocardial infarction after introducing Metformin into their treatment protocols.Fifteen persons with the DM 2 (eight males and seven females) were included into the first group. Metformin was administrated in a daily dosage of 1700 mg. Some patients (7/15) were receiving antidiabetic therapy with the sulpho...

The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are decreased in paitents with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). Although testosteron regulates lipoprotein metabolism, the effect of testosterone replacement therapy on HDL metabolism is not clearly shown in HH. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of testesterone replacement on HDL subfractions in young patients with HH. Forty-three cases with HH (mean age 21±2.45 years) were enrolled. Fifty-one healthy volunteer ...

Background: Endocrine hypertension accounts for around 3% of the secondary forms of hypertension and screening of young hypertensive patients for secondary causes is mandatory.Aim: To present difficulties in endocrine assessment of arterial hypertension in people younger than 40 years.Patients and methods: Twenty-two patients (15 M/7 F), aged 27.1±7.7 years (range:16-40 years), with systemic hypertension (systolic blood pressu...

Background: We previously demonstrated plasma BNP to be a valuable biomarker of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Several specific ECG abnormalities related to the right ventricular strain were described in patients with PE.Objective: Assessment of the correlation of plasma BNP levels with ECG signs of RVD in patients with PE.Methods: Seventy patients with confirmed acute PE, 42(60%...

Introduction: No study has ever assessed the possible association of penile blood flow (PBF) and the relational component of sexual function with incident major cardiovascular events (MACE). The aim of this study is to investigate whether severity of erectile dysfunction (ED), PBF and other factors related to a couple’s relationship predict incident (MACE).Methods: A subset of 1687 patients was longitudinal studied. Different clinical, biochemical a...

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and Urocortin 2 (Urn2) are secreted locally in peripheral tissues and play a direct immunomodulatory role as endocrine or paracrine mediators of inflammation. Studies on CRH as well as Ucn2 and vascular endothelial cells suggest that CRH may play a pivotal role in the regulation of vascular endothelial function under normal and pathological conditions. The present study was undertaken to determine whether CRH and Urn2 affect the endothelia...

The structural and functional effects upon arterial vessels of GH and IGF1, chronically elevated in active acromegaly, are risk factors for premature atherosclerosis, but current therapies can normalize GH and IGF1 production.Aims: To evaluate if carotid wall alterations in acromegaly are reversible after disease control.Material and methods: Fifteen patients with controlled acromegaly (CA) after multimodal therapy (45.5±</...

In the reproductive age, it is well-known that males are more sensitive to cardiovascular ischemic disease than females. In our study, we investigated the role of heme-oxigenase synthase (HO), which produce endogenous vascular protective carbon monoxide, in the development of sexual dimorphism in rats. We found that HO synthase enzyme activity, and the expression its HO-1 and HO-2 isoenzyme were increased in female rat aorta and left heart ventricle compared to males. Moreover...

Introduction and aim: Obesity epidemic contributes to the increasing prevalence of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia, which are all known risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). Metabolic syndrome (MS) describes the common clinical finding wherein component CAD risk factors cluster within a single patient. Since obesity shares common clinical characteristics with both metabolic syndrome (MS) and Cushing’s syndrome it is speculated about obeso...

We previously have reported that short-term treatment of mice with recombinant hGH leads to significant increases in bodyweight (BW), lean body mass (LBM) and liver weight, but – unlike in humans – does not robustly increase circulating levels of IGF1. We now tested the hypothesis that formation of neutralizing antibodies in mice treated with rhGH could explain the lack of IGF1 response. Therefore, we intentionally induced antibody formation against hGH in female FVB...