Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Recently, Th17 cells and their cytokines were identified to play an important role in the pathogenesis of thyroid autoimmunity. IL-23, produced by antigen presenting cells, is required for survival and differentiation of Th17 cells, and is known to guide T cells toward the Th17 phenotype. Its serum levels are increased in several autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), however, the expression level of IL-23 within thyroid tissue assessed...

Introduction: Th17 cells and their hallmark cytokine IL-17A were reported to be involved in the development of autoimmune orchitis and encephalomyelitis by impairing the integrity of the blood–testis and blood–brain barrier integrity and by inducing local inflammation. However, the role of IL17A in autoimmune thyroid disease is still debatable.The aim of our study was to estimate immunoexpression of IL-17A in the thyroid tissue of patients with...

Introduction: Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 2 (PHA2), also known as Gordon syndrome is a rare inherited form of low-renin hypertension associated with hyperkalaemia and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis in patients with a normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR). PHA2 is the result of mutations in a family of serine-threonine kinases called with-no-lysine kinases (WNK) 1 and WNK4. These enzymes regulate electron channels in the aldosterone sensitive distal nephron, resulting in ...

Introduction and aim: Cytokines play a crucial role in modulating immune response in both Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD). They may contribute to drive the autoimmune response skewing toward the Th17 phenotype and away from Th1 or Th2 phenotypes. Recent studies revealed an essential role of Th17 cells and their cytokines in the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). However, participation of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of GD is ...

Introduction: Low iodine intake during pregnancy may cause thyroid dysfunction, which might result in an inadequate foetal brain development. Although Latvia has been considered iodine replete, newborn TSH screening data suggest some iodine deficiency. In the absence of universal salt iodization programme we conducted a nation-wide study of pregnant women from all regions of Latvia.Methods: The study enrolled 426 pregnant women. They were asked to fill a...

Introduction: Pregnant women are at risk for selenium deficiency, which is known to maintain adequate function of immune system and thyroprotective enzymes. Same, iodine is an essential micronutrient for thyroid hormone synthesis and important endocrine regulator of early brain development. Our previous study revealed that 81% of pregnant women in Latvia have insufficient levels of iodine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate iodine and selenium supply during pregnancy...