Endocrine Abstracts

The role of ghrelin in the pathogenesis of acromegaly is doubtful. Ghrelin also regulates glucose and adipose tissue metabolism. It has not been demonstrated whether it contributes to the development of metabolic complications of acromegaly.Aim: The aim of the study was to assess: (1) whether serum concentrations of total and acyl ghrelin in patients with acromegaly differ in relation to coexisting metabolic complications (hypercholesterolemia, hyperinsu...

Introduction: Ghrelin is known to strongly stimulate growth hormone release from the pituitary. It was also found to be produced locally in hypothalamus and anterior pituitary and in different types of pituitary adenomas. It’s been suggested that ghrelin synthesized locally in hypothalamo–pituitary area or within pituitary tumours can be an important factor contributing to pituitary tumorogenesis.Aim: The aim of the study was the immunohistoche...

Introduction: Topoisomerase II alpha is regarded as the important marker of cellular proliferation. Pituitary tumours are usually benign, but some of them are characterized by rapid growth, high recurrence rate and local invasiveness. Proliferation marker Ki-67 most commonly used in pituitary tumours is not entirely reliable as the indicator of the aggressive growth of the lesion. Topoisomerase II alpha expression assessment may be a valuable tool for identification such pitui...

Introduction: Postoperative thyroglobulin (TgPO) has a well established position as the prognostic factor for the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) after total thyroidectomy. However, the presence of thyroid remnants after surgery may diminish predictive value of TgPO.The aim of the study is to evaluate prognostic value of stimulated postablative thyroglobulin level (TgPA) measured after 6–9 months after radioacitve iodi...

Introduction: The correct 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level plays a key role in the proper supply of vitamin D for the organism. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to an increased risk of development of various neoplasms, including papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Aim: Evaluation of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with PTC and analysis of the relation between 25(OH)D levels and age, sex, place of living, severity of the disease, and pre...

Introduction: The incidence of the thyroid carcinoma (TC) is relatively low, although its increase has been observed in the last 20 years.Aim: A comparative clinical and epidemiological analysis of two cohorts of patients surgically treated for the thyroid diseases in the Endocrine Surgery Department in Cracow during two five-year periods: 1982–1986 and 2000–2005.Material and methods: Two subsets of patients, who underwen...

Graves’ (GD) hyperthyroidism induces accelerated bone turnover that leads to diminished bone mineral density (BMD). Recent studies indicate the associations between VDR gene and autoimmune diseases. The role of VDR allelic variants in predisposition to primary osteoporosis is also recognized. The authors analyzed if VDR polymorphisms: BsmI, ApaI, TaqI and FokI may predispose women with Graves’ hyperthyroidism to BMD reduction. The subjects were 7...

Introduction: The etiology of this autoimmune disorder results from the presence of stimulating antibodies binding to TSH receptor. The disease has a strong genetic background associated with HLA and CTLA-4 genes.The aim of study: The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of polymorphic variants of ESR1 gene on the bone mineral density in young premenopausal women with Grave’s disease (GD).Material and methods...

Introduction: Results of many studies indicate that BsmI polymorphism in VDR gene may influence bone tissue metabolism and may be useful in identifying patients at greater risk of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.Aim of the study: To determine frequency of polymorphic variants of VDR gene (BsmI) and its relationship to phenotypic features characterizing bone status (BMD and metabolic bone turnover).Material and methods: Followin...

Introduction: Only several cases of co-existing meningiomas and pituitary tumours secreting growth hormone (GH) have been described so far in patients not treated previously with irradiation.Aim: The aim of the study was to describe two cases of co-occurrence of acromegaly and meningioma and to discuss their relationship.Case reports: Case 1. 52-year old female complained of visual disturbances. She was diagnosed with pituitary mic...