ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Context. Impaired flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and increased carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) are the antecedent forms of atherosclerosis. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate vascular structural and functional changes in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (APHPT), and whether biochemical alterations, related with PHPT and oxidative stress marker serum advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), may have influence on vascular alterations. Design. This is a cross sectional clinical study. Subject and Methods: Thirty-four patients with APHPT and 29 sex- and age and cardiovascular risk factors matched control cases were included in this study. Endothelial function was evaluated by FMD of the brachial artery; CIMT was measured by ultrasonography; in addition serum AOPPs and biochemical parameters were determined. Results. Serum Ca levels were higher in the patient group [10.93±0.60mg/dL vs. 9.45±0.31; p<0.001]. FMD measurement was significantly lower in patients group [0.07 (0.01-0.26) % vs. 0.14 (0.04-0.22) %; p=0.01]. CIMT measurements were comparable between the groups [52 (35- 69) mm vs. 56 (38-70) mm; p=0.821]. AOPPs levels were significantly higher in the patients [136.43 (55.14-1352) mmol/L vs. 84 (53.18-595.48) mmol/L; p=0.026]. There were significant negative correlations between FMD and serum Ca (r=–0.339, p<0.001); and serum AOPPs levels (r=–0.275, p<0.005). Serum Ca (p=0.007, β=–0.353) and AOPPs (p=0.024, β=–0.243) levels and hyperlipidemia (p=0.024, β=–0.288) were the predictors of FMD. Conclusions. Vascular endothelial function is impaired in patients with APHPT. Hypercalcemia, increased oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia may have role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in patients with APHPT.

Context. High heritability of body composition variables is well-known, however, longitudinal effect of genes is still unclear. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of longitudinal changes in anthropometric variables in a small cohort of twins. Design. Longitudinal classical twin study, performed in 2009 and in 2011 on the same twin pairs. Subjects and Methods. Eighteen healthy adult Hungarian twin pairs (13 monozygotic [MZ], 5 dizygotic [DZ]; mean age 54.0 ± 15.2 years; average body mass index 24.4±5.4 kg/m2 in 2009 and 25.1±4.7 kg/m2 in 2011, respectively) recruited from the Hungarian Twin Registry underwent bioimpedance analysis (OMRON). Results. Significant, higher positive intrapair correlations were detected in the longitudinal change in weight (p<0.05), body fat mass (p<0.01), non-fat mass (p<0.01), and body mass index (p<0.01) in MZ compared to DZ twins, suggesting the possibility of longitudinal genetic determinants. Negative associations were observed with regard to the two-year change in waist and hip circumferences, suggesting the longitudinal role of environmental factors in these phenotypes. Conclusions. The findings of the present human twin study suggest that weight, body fat mass, non-fat mass, and body mass index are determined genetically and longer exposure to pathologic environmental factors is necessary to elicit alterations in the regulation of these parameters. Longer-term confirmation in a larger sample is required to confirm these results.

A 54 years old man, who had undergone a cystectomy and urinary diversion surgery 31 years previously, complained of progressive generalized bone pain, muscle weakness and walking abnormality for six months. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated alkaline phosphatase, high serum chloride level and metabolic acidosis. Osteomalacia was suspected due to clinical and laboratory findings. Osteomalacia due to hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis is a complication of urinary diversion. Regular monitoring of pH, chloride, bicarbonate, and calcium-phosphorus metabolism is therefore essential for early diagnosis and treatment.

Apart from endocrine and reproductive disturbances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) clusters several cardiovascular risk factors, mainly insulin resistance, obesity and dyslipidemia. In addition, androgen excess\r\nsignificantly contributes to enhanced vascular risk. Several mediators of endothelial dysfunction have been characterized lately in patients with PCOS, emerging as independent\r\npredictors of vascular abnormalities and potentially useful biomarkers of endothelial impairment in PCOS.

COVID-19 is a viral disease that is recognized now as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. It is known that some viral infections may trigger autoimmune diseases. It has been revealed that COVID-19 may also lead to the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 DM (T1DM) and autoimmune thyroid diseases. Here, we aimed to present a young female patient with COVID-19, who we followed up in our clinic, who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and developed Hashimoto’s disease during the treatment process. In order to emphasize that COVID-19 may trigger the emergence of T1DM, that it may mask nonspecific DKA symptoms like nausea and vomiting, that it may cause delay in diagnosis of DKA, and also to emphasize the importance of evaluating other autoimmune diseases accompanying COVID-19, we found it appropriate to present this case.

Objective. We aimed to reach a diagnosis for patients with pituitary failure (PF) with more detailed multifaceted examination, to obtain new gains in this way and to apply this experience to our future patients. Patients and Method. The study included 72 patients with pituitary failure diagnosis. Patients were divided into two groups of 32 female patients with Sheehan syndrome (SS) and 40 non-Sheehan syndrome patients (20 female and 20 male). Results. The mean age of the 32 patients with Sheehan syndrome was 56.1±11.7 years with mean disease duration 20.3±8.3 years and mean age at disease onset 34.3±7.6 years. For the 40 non-SS pituitary failure patients mean age was 46.5±16.6 years, mean disease duration was 4.7±5.1 years and mean age at disease onset was 41.8±18.2 years. The prolactin response (PRL) on the TRH test was found to be significantly lower in SS patients compared to non-SS patients(p<0.05). Both patient groups had low basal pituitary hormones, with mean PRL level in SS patients 4.9±4.0 ng/mL which was significantly low compared to non-SS patients with 36.8±84.7 ng/mL(p=0.022). Conclusion. Pituitary failure patients may present with a broad range of clinical symptoms and findings. Early diagnosis and timely replacement treatment have vital importance for SS patients.

The present study demonstrates changes in the serum osteocalcin concentration after oral administration of calcium in patients with hypercalciuria, nephrolithiasis and primary hyperparathyroidism and the osteocalcin serum concentration as a differential diagnostic value for hypercalciurias. Eight of the control patients showed normal values of the serum osteocalcin during the control period with no calcium administration and the experimental period of OCTT, as follows: X1 = 3.05 ± 0.6 pmol/L and X2 = 3.65 ± l.1 pmol/L. The ninth patient from the control group showed an acute increase of the osteocalcin values-17.8 ± 3.8 respectively 23.9 ± 4.2 pmol/L during the experimental period of OCTT and he has been excluded from the study. The patients with absorptive hypercalciuria and recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis similar to the controls showed an increase of the serum osteocalcin during the experimental period of OCCT from 2.11 ± 0.30 pmol/l to 3.36; ± 0.7 pmol/L, p>0.1, non-significant. Obviously serum osteocalcin level assessment does not contribute to the differential diagnosis in patients with hypercalciuria, but nevertheless it demonstrates the presence of the hormonal statement, involved in the regulation of Ca metabolism. An acute rise of serum osteocalcin levels was found after the oral calcium tolerance test in patients with renal hypercalciuria and osteoporosis. The administration of calcium activates the osteosynthesis processes and the release of high quantities of osteocalcin. The study of the serum osteocalcin gives more possibilities to estimate the status of the bone system when pathological changes such as hyperparathyroidism, renal hypercalciuria and osteoporosis occur.

Background. Iodine deficiency and/or thyroid autoimmunity are the most common causes of hypothyroidism development among pregnant women. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of iodine consumption and thyroid autoimmunity on TSH levels and abortus. The study sample consisted of 104 patients, 79 in abortus and 25 in control groups. TSH, free T4, free T3, anti-TPO, anti-Tg, spot urinary iodine concentrations, and thyroid volumes of the cases were measured by ultrasonography. The spot urine concentration was below 100 μg/L in 93% of the cases included in the study. The TSH levels of the abortus group cases were significantly higher than those of the controls (p=0.025). The percentage of subclinical hypothyroid cases were significantly higher among the cases evaluated due to abortus compared to the control group (p<0.001). Abortus and control groups did not differ statistically with respect to the presence of autoimmune thyroid diseases (p=0.424). Spot urine iodine concentrations of abortus cases with subclinical hypothyroid were significantly lower than those with TSH levels below the defined range (p=0.001). Spot urine iodine concentrations of the cases with subclinical abortus with negative thyroid autoantibodies were also significantly lower than those with TSH levels below the defined range (p=0.017). TSH levels above 1 μIU/mL for the first trimester and 2 μIU/mL for the second trimester may be indicators of iodine nutrition in pregnancy losses.

Background. Aortic dissection is a life-threatening disorder and up to 20% of patients die before receiving medical care. Marfan syndrome is noted in 5–9% of individuals who suffer from aortic dissection. Case presentation. We present the case of a 53 years old woman, with undiagnosed Marfan syndrome, addressed to our clinic complaining about thoracolumbar pain appeared 4 days ago, after a trauma. According to the revised Ghent criteria for the diagnostic of Marfan syndrome she had a positive family history and more than 7 points of systemic findings. She was also diagnosed with extensive aortic dissection and right pneumothorax. Because of the cachexia and important scoliosis, the operative and post operative risk was high and we decided a medical management. She remained haemodynamically stable, with a false lumen partially trombosed, and was discharged home after 23 days. Discussion. The particularity of our case represent the diagnostic of Marfan syndrome after the appearance of a vital risk vascular complication – aortic dissection, the emergency surgical intervention being limited by the clinical and prognostical particularities of these two comorbidities. Conclusion. Aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for interdisciplinary practitioner physicians.

Background. The modifications of blood pressure and lipid metabolism, the decrease of heart contractility and the increase of systemic vascular resistance that accompany hypothyroidism are caused by the decreased action of thyroid hormones. Objective. The purpose of this study is to evaluate, using echocardiography, the changes of the heart functional parameters in patients with untreated thyroid dysfunctions. Pacients and Methods. Study group included 348 patients for an evaluation of cardiovascular and thyroid status. The control of the thyroid condition was conducted using measurements of the FT3, FT4 and TSH levels, echocardiographic measurements defining the parameters of the function of the left ventricle. Results. The study group was divided into subclinical hypothyroidism (SH, 75 cases), overt hypothyroidism (OH, 123 patients) and normal thyroid function (C, 150 patients). TSH values decreased (from 5.8±15 mUI/L to 2.28±0.63 mUI/L in SH and from 20.23±17.33 mUI/L to 4.24±0.24 mUI/L in OH) after one year of treatment while fT4 and fT3 increased. The parameters obtained revealed significant decreases of the E/A ratio in both groups with hypothyroidism. The isovolumetric relaxation time was significantly higher in SH and OH as compared to the control group (C: 112.50±35.45 msec, SH: 118.75±16.52 msec p<0.05, OH: 130±41.83 msec p<0.001). In addition, the tissue Doppler revealed significant decreases of the E’/A’ ratio, measured septally and laterally in the group with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Conclusion. In hypothyroidism the systolic and predominantly diastolic function of the left ventricle are impaired. These dysfunctions are reversible under L-T4 substitutive treatment.