ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Context. With more studies investigating effects of high serum lipid levels, new findings are emerging regarding the damage these biomolecules may cause. Aim. In this study we aimed to find a relation between neuropathy and hypertriglyceridemia in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). Material and methods. One hundred and twenty subjects (Ninety subjects with metabolic syndrome and 30 healthy controls) were included in the study. Subjects with MS were divided into three groups. HbA1C levels of the subjects were < 5.7% in group A, ≥ 5.7% - < 6.5% in group B, and ≥ 6.5% - < 8.0% in group C. Pin-Prick test and Semmes- Weinstein Monofilament were used for neurological examination. Electromyography was performed to patients with neuropathy to support the diagnosis. Results. Neuropathy prevalence was found to be higher in the subjects with metabolic syndrome compared to control group. (9.9 %; 16.65 %; 23.31 % vs. 3.3%; in group A, group B, group C vs. healthy control group respectively) (p=0.003 for group A, p=0.0002 for group B, p=0.0002 for group C). There was an association between triglyceride levels and neuropathy in group C. Conclusion. Patients with MS may have more neuropathy risk than we estimate.

Polycystic ovary is a common cause of infertility due to anovulation. Objective. The aim of this study was to improve maturation of oocyte in cultures of follicles derived from mouse polycystic ovary by hydrostatic pressure. Subjects and Methods. Female NMRI mice 12-14 days old were injected daily with testosterone enanthate 1 mg/100g body weight dissolved in sesame oil (PCO group), for inducing polycystic ovary (PCO) while non-PCO group were injected only with vehicle for 2 and 4 weeks. The ovaries were fixed and then were used for histological studies. The isolated preantral follicles were cultured for 12 days. Follicles with good quality have been induced using human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for in vitro maturation. Then follicles from each group either were transferred to pressure chamber and subjected to 20 mmHg pressure for 30 min or no treated by hydrostatic pressure. Follicles from two groups were cultured for 24 and 48 h and the in vitro maturation of oocytes was assessed. Results. Testosterone enanthate treatment causes the histological changes in mouse ovary and significantly increased the percentage of cystic follicles and decreased the percentage of preantral and antral follicles in PCO group, in comparison to non-PCO group after four-week treatment) (P<0.05). (The in vitro maturation rate in hydrostatic pressure treated follicles was higher than in those not treated by hydrostatic pressure (P < 0.05). Conclusions. This study demonstrated that hydrostatic pressure can improve maturation of oocyte in cultures of follicles derived from mouse polycystic ovary.

Introduction. Thyroid diseases may cause endothelial dysfunction. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with thyroid dysfunction were analyzed by few studies.\r\nAim.We aimed to compare ADMA levels in patients with hyperthyroidism in a cohort free of cardiovascular risk associates such as diabetes or chronic renal failure with further comparison with healthy control subjects.\r\nMaterials and methods. The study took place in Duzce University Medical Faculty, Cardiology and Internal Medicine\r\nDepartment during the year 2010. The study group consisted of patients with hyperthyroidism (overt and subclinical). The patients with renal failure, diabetes and severe\r\nhypertension were excluded.\r\nResults. Mean ADMA level was 1.04 ? 0.43 &#956;mol/L in the hyperthyroid group and 0.68 ? 0.21 &#956;mol/L in the control group (p&#8804;0.001). The comparison of patients with hyperthyroidism according to the etiology (three groups as Graves?, multinodular goiter and thyroiditis) did not show any significant difference.\r\nConclusion. Asymmetric dimethylarginine increases in patients with hyperthyroidism regardless of the etiology.\r\nThe increase of ADMA levels is independent of known major cardiovascular risk factors. It may reflect the possible counteraction of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in hyperthyroidism beyond the known cardiovascular risk factors.

Aim. To assess the levels of s BGP and BAP and correlate them with the rate of bone remodelling.\r\nPatients and Methods. The study was performed on 74 cases with postmenopausal osteoporosis, divided into two groups, according to the duration of estrogenic deprivation, compared with a control group (n= 20, postmenopausal women without osteoporosis). The serum levels of the discussed markers were measured by ELISA technique. BMD was measured using the DXA technique with the assessment of T score.\r\nResults. In the group I: BGP were 20.12?0.87ng/mL (p<0.03), those of BAP 13.76?0.6&#956;g/mL (p<0.001) and sT spine were -3.63?0.65DS (p<0.001). In the group II: BGP were 15.12?1.55ng/mL (p<0.05), those of BAP 11.88?0.38&#956;g/mL (p<0.001) and sT spine were -3.78?0.36DS (p<0.001). The control group presented: BGP of 16.22?1.62ng/mL, those of BAP of 8.68?0.44&#956;g/mL and sT spine of -1.78?0.11DS. The serum levels of BGP in postmenopausal osteoporosis cases were increased in group I (suggesting an osteoblastic activation) and decreased in group II (probably secondary to the stimulation of osteoblastic apoptosis). The serum levels of BAP are significantly increased\r\nin postmenopausal osteoporosis versus control group, attesting osteoblastic activation.\r\nConclusion. Bone resorption begins gradually to outrun a new bone formation rhythm associated with low BMD.

Background. sRANKL (soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand) and OPG (osteoprotegerin) represent a novel cytokine system with pleiotropic effects on bone remodeling.\r\nAim. The aim of this study was to assess the implications of serum levels of sRANKL, OPG and E2 (estradiol) in the process of bone remodeling of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.\r\nMethods. The study was performed on 74 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis, divided into two groups of patients according to the duration of estrogenic deprivation, compared with a control group (n= 20 postmenopausal women without osteoporosis). The serum levels of the enunciated markers were measured by ELISA technique.\r\nResults. In the group I (n= 48, bellow 15 yrs of estrogenic deprivation) the serum levels of sRANKL were 67.63?3.55 pg/mL (p<0.002), those of OPG were 42.15?0.55 pg/mL (p<0.002) and the levels of E2 were 28.32?1.78 pg/mL (p<0.004). In the group II (n= 26, over 15 yrs of estrogenic deprivation) the serum levels of sRANKL were 49.26?2.85 pg/mL (p<0.003), those of OPG 27.78?1.04 pg/mL (p<0.003) and the serum levels of E2 were 19.66?1.23 pg/mL (p<0.002). In the control group (n=20), the serum levels of sRANKL were 32.48?3.03 pg/mL, those of OPG 38.05?4.89 pg/mL and the serum levels of E2 were 43.07?4.04 pg/mL.\r\nConclusions. The serum levels of sRANKL are significantly higher in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis versus postmenopausal women without osteoporosis, attesting osteoclasts activation. The serum levels of OPG in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were increased in group I, suggesting the osteoblastic activation and decreased in group II, probably secondary to the stimulation of osteoblastic apoptosis.

Central precocius puberty (CPP) is characterized by abnormalities in the setting up of the gonadotropin ?pubertal? release, which occurs earlier. The gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) was used initially to test the pituitary regarding FSH and LH release in both precocious and delayed puberty. Various GnRH superagonists were used for the same purpose, including triptorelin. A triptorelin test was applied to 14 girls with premature thelarche by using the subcutaneous administration of 0.1 mg/sqm and blood sampling at 2, 3 and 4 hours for serum LH and FSH and at 24 hours for serum estradiol. Serum mean levels of LH were >7.8 mIU/ml at all intervals, suggesting a ?pubertal? type of LH release. As concerns the individual levels of LH, only 5 out of 14 girls showed a value greater than 8 mIU/ml, which is the cutoff limit for the diagnosis of precocious puberty. These girls also met the other clinical and radiological criteria necessary for the diagnosis of precocious puberty. It was concluded that soluble triptorelin may be useful in detecting ?pubertal? type of LH release in girls exhibiting premature thelarche. Regarding the FSH and estradiol levels, they were considered irrelevant for the diagnosis.

Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are associated with disturbed mineral homeostasis and serum bone biomarkers. The interplay between T2DM and CKD on serum bone turnover markers (BTM) is unclear. Our aim was to describe the BTM in patients with T2DM, CKD or both. Methods. In this observational, single-centre, prospective study, we included 320 patients over 40 years, divided into four groups: T2DM and normal kidney function (n=142), T2DM and CKD (n=36), CKD and normal glucose metabolism (n=29) and healthy controls (n=113). We excluded patients treated for osteoporosis and with secondary osteoporosis. Patients were compared by age, levels of glycated hemoglobin, PTH, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin (OC), CTx and 25 OH vitamin D. Results. Univariate analysis showed that GFR correlated significantly with PTH (r=0.37), OC (r=0.43) and CTX (r=0.45) in the diabetes group but only with PTH (r=0.34) in the non-T2DM group. Multivariate analysis showed that GFR remained significantly correlated with the same bone markers even after adjustment for age, sex or 25(OH)D levels. Diabetics seem to have lower levels of alkaline phosphatase (68±22.1 U/L) and CTX (0.37±0.24 ng/mL) than those without diabetes (76.7±29.6. U/L and 0.5±0.19 ng/mL, respectively). There was no correlation between BTM and glycated hemoglobin. Conclusions. Bone turnover markers correlate with GFR, particularly in patients with T2DM. However, alkaline phosphatase is lower in T2DM than in non-T2DM.

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Context. The growing use of home monitoring devices during pregnancy has raised concerns about their reliability and psychological impact. From an endocrine perspective, early modulation of maternal stress through the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis may influence fetal neuroendocrine programming. Identifying safe, reassuring tools that stabilize maternal emotional state in early gestation may support healthier endocrine adaptation for both mother and fetus. Objective. To evaluate the feasibility and psychological effects of handheld Doppler use for fetal cardiac monitoring in early pregnancy and to explore correlations between maternal–fetal cardiac coupling and maternal anxiety. Design. Prospective, observational, single-center study conducted between January 2019 and December 2023 at Polizu Clinical Hospital, Bucharest. Subjects and Methods. One hundred women ≤14 weeks’ gestation completed questionnaires evaluating handheld Doppler and pulse oximeter use. 54 received the DASS-21 anxiety subscale online; 26 provided valid responses. Comparative and correlational analyses were performed using IBM SPSS v29. Results. Fetal heart rate was detected in 67% of cases, with higher detection at increasing gestational ages. Women who detected the heartbeat had higher gestational age (10.4 ± 1.8 vs. 8.6 ± 1.9 weeks, p < 0.01). Anxiety scores inversely correlated with gestational age (p = 0.019). Most participants (68%) found the Doppler reassuring. Conclusions. Handheld Doppler monitoring during early pregnancy is feasible and provides emotional reassurance, potentially stabilizing maternal stress responses and supporting maternal–fetal endocrine adaptation.

Aims. This study investigated the relationship between proteinuria levels, clinicopathological features, and renal prognoses in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods. Three hundred patients with T2DM and biopsy-proven DN were enrolled. Patients were stratified by 24-h proteinuria levels: Group 1:≤1g/24h); Group 2:1-3g/24h; and Group 3:≥3g/24h. Renal outcomes were defined as having reached end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The proteinuria level’s influence on the renal outcomes was evaluated using Cox regression analysis. Results. Among subgroups stratified by proteinuria levels, systolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, BUN, cholesterol, DR and hypertension incidence, the incidences of patients who progressed to ESRD were the lowest in group 1 (P<0.05). However, eGFR, serum albumin and hemoglobin were highest in group 1. Patients with higher proteinuria levels had much lower five-year renal survival rates. Univariate analyses revealed that higher proteinuria levels were significant clinical predictors of renal prognosis (P<0.05), although they were not independent risk factors for progression to ESRD in the multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis (P>0.05). Conclusions. The higher the level of proteinuria, the lower the 5-year renal survival rate of DN patients, but there was no significant correlation between proteinuria level and 5-year renal survival rate. Other factors in the proteinuria group may have more significant effects on the 5-year renal survival rate, such as lower baseline eGFR, serum albumin, hemoglobin and higher cholesterol, higher incidences of DR and more severe lesions.