ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Context. Nesfatin-1 is a novel peptide with both central and peripheral anorexigenic regulatory properties. Besides its effects on food intake, few studies have suggested a possible role for this peptide in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus type 2. Objective. To compare serum levels of nesfatin-1 between healthy, normal-weight persons and three groups including healthy underweight, healthy obese and diabetic subjects. Design. Prospective, case-control study, performed between January 2015 and January 2016. Subjects and Methods. Fasting levels in serum nesfatin-1 were measured in 30 healthy, normal-weight individuals (controls), 30 healthy underweight persons, 30 healthy obese persons, and 30 patients with newly diagnosed diabetes type 2 using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results. The mean serum nesfatin-1 level was significantly higher in controls (2.61 ng/mL) compared to that in obese (1.13 ng/mL) and diabetic (0.99 ng/mL) patients; and significantly lower than that in the underweight group (3.50 ng/mL). The obese and diabetic groups were comparable in this regard. No significant association was found between serum nesfatin-1 level and age, sex, or body mass index. Conclusions. Serum nesfatin-1 is possibly associated with weight-related abnormalities in otherwise healthy subjects and diabetes type 2. Obesity and diabetes type 2 may share a common pathologic point in this regard.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical significance of incidental thyroid 18F-FDG PET/ CT uptake in oncology patients with the focus achieving the most appropriate management of this challenging situation. Materials and method. Two thousand five hundred and eighty 18F-FDG PET/CT studies performed at our institute in the past 4 years were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with incidental FDG uptake in the thyroid gland were further analysed. Results. The prevalence of incidental FDG uptake in thyroid gland was 7.6% (129 patients). 26 patients (20.1%) had diffuse 18F-FDG PET/CT uptake, 103 patients (79.1%) had nodular uptake in thyroid gland. All diffuse uptake patients who were further examined diagnosed to be a benign condition. 53 patients in the nodular uptake group were further examined and the final histopathology examinations revealed an 18.8% malignancy rate. SUV max values ranged from 2 to 21.8 with a significant highness in malignant lesions. Conclusion. 18F-FDG PET/CT uptake in the thyroid gland may be diffuse or nodular. Diffuse uptake needs no further examination as it usually accompanied by benign thyroid disorders. Patients with nodular uptake whose general condition is good should be further examined due to high rates of malignancy.