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.

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. 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.

-

Background. HDR syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural deafness, and renal dysplasia caused by mutation of the GATA3 gene. Case report. We describe a case of HDR syndrome diagnosed in a 46-yearold male patient. He had hand numbness, intermittent dizziness, and imbalance due to hypocalcemia. Physical examination was slim in appearance, had marfanoid features, and presented the typical apathetic face. He had a narrow rib cage and pectus excavatum deformity. Laboratory findings included serum calcium of 7.4 mg/dL, phosphorus of 4.87 mg/dL, albumin of 4.5 g/dL, intact parathormone (iPTH) of 13.3 pg/mL, 25(OH) D3 vitamin of 16.3 μg/L, daily urinary calcium excretion of 23.4 mg/day. Noncontrast computerized tomography (CT) of the brain showed bilateral basal ganglia calcification. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT showed the absence of renal tissue in the left kidney site and pelvis (left renal aplasia). Audiometry revealed mild sensorineural hearing loss at high frequencies. Conclusions. The patients with HDR syndrome are often diagnosed when they are examined for symptomatic hypoparathyroidism and deafness. To the best our knowledge, the present case is the second case of Barakat Syndrome reported from Turkey. The treatment of HDR syndrome is focused on clinical symptoms. The prognosis of the disease correlates with hypoparathyroidism and the severity of renal disease. HDR syndrome has an autosomaldominant inheritance, screening of family members is recommended for early diagnosis and treatment.