Endocrine Abstracts

The cardiac effects of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH i.e. increased circulating TSH with normal T4) have been documented. While overt hypothyroidism causes increased central arterial stiffness (CAS) and augmentation gradient (AI) 1, there are only limited data in SCH. We have measured CAS, AG and augmentation Index (AI) (AG/Pulse pressure x 100) in patients with SCH before and after L-thyroxine (synthroid) therapy.Peripheral pulse pressure w...

ObjectiveThyroid replacement therapy needs careful titration, and recently there has been discussion regarding the bioavailability of different thyroxine preparations [1]We have taken the opportunity of comparing thyroid function in 18 females who were enrolled in a trial studying the effects of thyroxine therapy on subclinical hypothyroidism [SCH].MethodsThese patients (at entry to tri...

ObjectiveDoes subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH)cause increased cardiovascular risk and how does treatment affect cardiac and vascular function in patients with SCH?MethodsCardiac function and central arterial stiffness(CAS)were measured in 20 females (mean age 50.1 plus/minus 4.1 years)with SCH (mean free T4 12.2 plus/minus 0.2 picomol per litre [normal range 9.8-22.1],median TSH 8.8 milliunits per litre[norma...

Activation of complement factor 5 (C5) produces the anaphylatoxin C5a and the proinflammatory cytolytic complex C5b-9. Recent studies have shown that C5a receptor (C5aR) deficiency leads to improved systemic and white adipose tissue (WAT) insulin sensitivity. This phenotype is considered to be due to the potent inflammatory potential of signalling through C5aR; however, the pleiotropic functions of C5 in inflammation and metabolism remain to be elucidated. We investigated the ...