ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Abstract Objective. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of methimazole (MTZ) and propylthiouracil (PTU) treatments on osteopontin (OPN) and oxidative stress in Graves’ disease (GD). Material and Methods. The study included 60 cases with GD in hyperthyroid state and taking no antithyroid treatment, and 30 healthy volunteers. GD patients were randomly separated into two groups; 30 of them took PTU, and the other 30 took MTZ treatments. Blood samples were taken from the patients with GD before the treatment, and three months after the treatment was begun, when they were in the euthyroid state; blood samples of the healthy control subjects were also taken at these times. Results. TAS and OSI levels before treatment were significantly higher in the GD group, when compared to the control group (p<0.001, for each). GD subjects taking PTU treatment had significantly higher TAS levels (p=0.001), and significantly lower TOS and OSI levels (p=0.008 and p=0.001, respectively). TAS levels significantly decreased in the patients taking MTZ treatment (p=0.029), but TOS and OSI levels did not change significantly (p>0.05). Pretreatment OPN levels were significantly higher in GD patients, when compared to the control group (p=0.014). OPN level significantly decreased in the GD group taking PTU treatment; however OPN levels in the group taking MTZ treatment did not change significantly when compared to the pretreatment value. Conclusion. PTU treatment is more effective in decreasing OPN and oxidative stress in GD patients, when compared to the MTZ treatment.

Ectopic lingual thyroid is a rare developmental abnormality caused by aberrant embryogenesis during thyroid migration. Even though, most patients are asymptomatic, uncommonly the mass can be enlarged and cause dysphagia, dyspnea, upper airway obstruction, dysphonia, hypothyroidism. We report a very rare case of ectopic lingual thyroid presenting with massive hematemesis.

Context. Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that acts by binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) found in many tissues. According to the long-term mechanism, vitamin D causes the proliferation and differentiation of muscle cells by gene transcription. Objective. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between muscle strength and serum vitamin D levels in elderly men. Design. Cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods. Male patients over age 50 were included in the study. Study population was divided into 2 groups with handgrip strength according to body mass index, either as subjects with weak or with normal handgrip strength test (HGST). Vitamin D levels and other variables compared between weak and normal groups. Results. Vitamin D level of weak and normal groups were 7.5 (3-19.9) μg/L, and 11.6 (11.6-34.9) μg/L, which means significant reduced vitamin D levels in weakness group (p=0.01). Vitamin D levels were significantly correlated with HGST levels (r:0.362, p=0.001). Vitamin D levels were found to be an independent predictor of weakness according to HGST in logistic regression analysis (OR: 0.453, 95% Cl:0.138-0.769, p=0.05). Conclusions. Low vitamin D level is an independent risk factor for muscle weakness in men aged more than 50 years. Therefore, vitamin D levels should be screened and early replacement should be initiated for the sake of improvement of muscle strength in elderly subjects that vulnerable for frailty.

Context. Inflammation-related markers may predict cardiovascular diseases. Objective. In this study, it was aimed to assess pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) levels and its relationship with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Design. Prospective cross-sectional study Methods. This study included 60 patients (aged 30-60 years) with subclinical hypothyroidism and 30 healthy volunteers as controls. The demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were performed in all patients and controls. In addition, sonographic carotid artery examination, thyroid functional tests, lipid profile, hsCRP, and PTX-3 levels of the participants were investigated. Results. The PTX-3, hsCRP levels and CIMT were higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism when compared to controls (p=0.008, p=0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The PTX-3 level was strongly correlated with hsCRP (r=0.865; p<0.001), but no such correlation was detected with CIMT (r=-0.255; p=0.50). In binominal logistic regression analysis, it was found that CIMT and serum uric acid levels were independent parameters associated with subclinical hypothyroidism. In ROC analysis, a cut-off value of >3.75 ng/mL for serum PTX-3 level predicted subclinical hypothyroidism with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 60.7% (AUC: 0.672, p=0.004). Conclusion. Showing inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, the PTX-3 may be a helpful marker in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Context. Radioactivity has been known to be a causative factor for thyroid cancer. Objective. To answer whether the Chernobyl nuclear accident had any harmful effect on the rate of thyroid cancers after a wait-and-see period. Background. The Chernobyl accident in 1986 was chosen as a milestone because of its close proximity to the geographical area studied. Design. The time periods chosen were: I. 1990-1996 (latent period), II. 1997-2003 (sensitive period), III. 2004-2015 (control period). Subject and Methods. A retrospective study was conducted in a teaching and reference state hospital. The statistical analysis of the data of 4251 patients was made by chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Results. A total of 4251 patients were operated on because of thyroid diseases between 1990-2015. The number of patients in regard to the three time periods were 817, 1141 and 2293, respectively. Statistically significant rise of thyroid cancer and significant geographic vulnerability among different parts of the country were detected between the first two periods, but not between the second and third. The rising rates of malignancy were 1.71% (14/817), 6.83% (78/1141) and 8.59%(197/2293). The mean ages of malignant cases were 51.07 years, 46.2 years and 41.8 years although the mean ages of benign cases were 47.91,60.2, and 61.3 years according to groups, respectively. Conclusion. The Chernobyl nuclear accident seemed to have harmful effect on the rate of thyroid cancer or at least contributed to its increase.

Context. The metabolic effects of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) causing increased cardiovascular morbidity have begun to gain importance in medical science, and the number of studies investigating glucose metabolism disorders in asymptomatic PHPT patients is rare. Objective. To evaluate the relationship between glucose metabolism disorders and calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone concentrations in asymptomatic PHPT patients. Subjects and Methods. Fifty-five asymptomatic PHPT patients were included into the study. Control group consisted of 55 normocalcemic cases. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) of 75 g was performed with patients and controls. Insulin resistance was calculated by HOMA index. Results. No significant difference was present between groups regarding fasting plasma glucose, basal insulin and HOMA levels. Glucose levels measured at minutes 30, 90 and 120 after OGTT were higher in patients than in controls (p=0.041, p=0.025 and p=0.001, respectively). No individuals in both groups were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. While impaired glucose tolerance was detected in six patients with asymptomatic PHPT, no impaired glucose tolerance was determined in controls. A positive correlation was found between serum calcium levels, and fasting plasma glucose and OGTT glucose levels were measured at minutes 60, 90 and 120. Mean fasting plasma glucose was significantly higher in patients with serum calcium levels ≥ 10.5 mg/dL than those with serum calcium levels <10.5 mg/dL (p=0.008). No significant correlation was detected between serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone levels, and glucose levels were determined in OGTT and HOMA index. Conclusion. Increased levels of serum calcium affect glucose metabolism, so leading to glucose intolerance.

Background. Insulin degludec/aspart (IDegAsp) is a co-formulation with IDeg and IAsp. Different insulin regimens may be switched to IDegAsp. In this study, we aimed to find out the effect of switch to IDegAsp on glycemic control and whether the basal characteristics and treatment modalities of the patients affect the change in glycemic control brought by switch to IDegAsp. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 78 patients whose insulin therapies (basal+bolus, premixed analogues or basal only) were switched on a 1:1 unit basis to IDegAsp±bolus insulin. Oral antidiabetic agents (OADs) given were recorded. At the end of 12th and 24th week, total insulin doses of patients and HbA1c were compared to the baseline. Results. There was a statistically significant decrease at HbA1c at 12 weeks (1.4%; p<0.001). There was not a significant difference in HbA1c between the OAD added group and the group with no new OADs(p=0.1). Basal insulin dose was not statistically different from baseline, whereas bolus insulin dose was significantly lower (p=0.007). At the end of 24 weeks the decrease in HbA1c level from baseline was preserved. Conclusion. Regardless of the baseline insulin regimen, diabetes type and oral antidiabetic drugs given, HbA1c is significantly lowered after switching to IDegAsp.

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Context. Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality. Objective. We report a patient who presented with hyponatremia and diagnosed as small cell lung cancer metastatic to hypothalamus and pituitary. Case report. A 68 year old male patient was admitted with fever and cough and pneumonia was considered. Serum sodium level was 113 mmol/L. Syndrome of in appropriate ADH (SIADH) is considered. Thyroid function tests and cortisol levels pointed out a central deficiency in both axes. Pituitary MRI was performed and a hypothalamic and pituitary mass were observed. Prednisolone therapy was started followed by L thyroxine replacement. A chest computer tomography (CT) was taken 2 weeks later revealed a mass lesion. Bronchoscopic biopsy was performed and histopathological diagnosis of the tumor was reported as small cell lung cancer. Result. Many mechanisms were considered as the cause of hyponatremia in our patient. SIADH, secondary adrenal insufficiency and secondary hypothyroidism due to pituitary metastasis are possible causes. Conclusion. The reason of hyponatremia is sometimes complex. When the underlying causes of hyponatremia are not evaluated in detail, many diagnoses can be missed.

Background. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) positivity is usually determined in vasculitis of medium and large arteries. In literature, data related to the prevalence of ANCA positivity and the development of antibodies after antithyroid therapy in Graves’ disease are quite rare. Aim. To investigate the titers of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA and proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA in Graves’ patients treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) and to determine the factors that may contribute to ANCA positivity. Subjects and Methods. Fifty-two Graves’ patients treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) were included into the study. The control group consisted of 37 healthy subjects. MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA titers were measured in both groups. Results. Mean titer of PR3-ANCA in Graves’ group was significantly higher than in controls (p=0.025), but no significant difference was found in the titer of MPOANCA between two groups (p=0.060). A positive correlation was observed between PR3-ANCA titer, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody and anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels in Graves’ patients (p=0.001, r=0.447 and p=0.030, r=0.310, respectively). PR3-ANCA titer in anti-thyroglobulin antibody positive patients was higher than those with negative antibody (p=0.018). A positive correlation was detected between the duration of treatment and PR3-ANCA titer (p=0.024, r=0.314). Both MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA were positive in two Graves’ patients, while only MPO-ANCA was positive in two patients. No signs of vasculitis in ANCA positive patients were observed. Conclusion. Propylthiouracil (PTU) may cause ANCA positivity, but no vasculitis may develop in most of the cases. A correlation was determined between PR3- ANCA titer, and thyroid autoantibodies and the duration of treatment.