Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: AGEs, compounds formed by the transformation of proteins, are increased in conditions of oxidative stress and promote inflammation by interacting with their receptor (RAGE) on cell membrane. By contrast, the soluble receptor for AGE (sRAGE), that is proteolytically cleaved from cell surface receptor via matrix metalloproteinases, sequester RAGE ligands and act as a cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory agent. AGEs/sRAGE interaction play a role in the pathogenesis of ...

Background: Changes of the gut microbiota may impact on the mechanisms of immune tolerance in Graves’ disease (GD) and Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). Probiotics, which contain live micro-organisms, can modify the composition of the gut microbiota.Aims: We tested in a double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial whether the administration of a well-characterized, commercially available, probiotic would 1) modify the microbiota composition in GD/G...

Background: Graves’ disease (GD) is a common autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of autoantibodies targeting the thyroid, leading to hypothyroidism. It is widely accepted that B lymphocytes play a significant role in GD as they are the source of autoantibodies (TRAb) against the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR). Previously, we reported that B cells infiltrate the thyroid tissue of GD patients, and in this study we observed that the percentage of...

Introduction: The autoimmune polyglandular syndrome is a complex, heterogeneous disease in which autoimmune diseases of endocrine and non-endocrine organs can occur. There are 4 subgroups: the early-onset APS I develops due to the mutation of the gene AIRE and characterized by the presence of Addison’s disease (AD), mucocutan candidiasis and hypoparathyroidism; the APS II is defined by the appearance of AD and autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) and/or diabetes mellitus; ...

Exertional symptoms, dyspnea, and impaired effort tolerance are common in patients with Graves’ disease. Proposed explanations include high-output left heart failure, ineffective oxygen utilization, and respiratory muscle weakness. In addition, cases of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with Graves’ disease have been reported. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is produced by thyroid follicular epithelial cells in response to stimulation of the...

Introduction: Grave’s orbitopathy (GO) is the main extra-thyroid manifestation of Graves’ disease (GD) and the leading cause of exophthalmia in adults. Its clinical presentation is extremely heterogeneous, ranging from mild ocular discomfort to sight-threatening disease. The aim of our study was to specify the clinical and paraclinical characteristics, as well as the therapeutic modalities of GO.Patients and methods: Descriptive retrospective s...

Introduction: Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease accounting for the majority of hyperthyroidism cases.Aim: We aimed to assess the interrelationships between cardiovascular risk factors, autoimmunity, insulin resistance and treatment in Graves’ disease.Material and methods: We measured free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), TSH, thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb), anti-thyroglobulin and anti-TPO antibodies, thyro...

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunction has been associated with cardiovascular events since it worsens atherogenesis, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Thyroid hormones and adipokines interact with each other to regulate metabolism. The impact of thyroid dysfunction on adipokines serum levels remains controversial.Objective: To evaluate the interrelations between thyroid function and cardiovascular risk factors as insulin resistance, lipid profile, inflamm...

Introduction: The interrelationship between autoimmune thyroiditis, Graves’ disease and plasma adipokines levels remains elusive.Aims: We aimed to compare the levels of adiponectin, resistin and PAI-1 levels in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and Graves’ disease.Subjects and methods: We recorded thyroid function tests, BMI, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein...

Introduction: Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disease occurring in 25–50% cases of Graves’ disease (GD). It is associated with poor clinical outcomes, impaired quality of life and socio-economic status. Genetic, environmental and immunological factors are considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of GO, but the effects of neutrophil, lymphocyte counts as well as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on the pathophysiology of GO are still ...

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been proposed to play a role in development and course of Graves’ disease (GD). Muscle weakness and fatigue are shared features of GD and vitamin D deficiency. We aimed to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation would improve restoration of muscle performance and thyroid-related quality of life (QoL) in GD.Methods: In a double-blinded clinical trial, hyperthyroid patients with a first time diagnosis of GD w...

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy of different doses of rituximab (RTX) in patients with active moderate-severe Graves’ Orbitopathy (GO).Methods: Overall 40 patients, 5 M/35 F; mean age (± S.D.) 58±11 years were treated with RTX; 21 were smokers. The patients received the following treatment: 14 patients (group 1) a single 100 mg dose; 15 patients (group 2) a single 500 mg dose and 11 Patien...