ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Background Supplementation of Lcarnitine is associated with improvement in some abnormalities present in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Objective. The study aim was to analyze the effect of oral L-carnitine supplementation on endothelial dysfunction (ED), oxidative stress (OS), inflammation and anemia in HD patients. Design. A prospective, longitudinal and observational study was performed in a single dialysis unit. Subjects and methods.We studied 31 HD patients: 21 patients formed the Lcarnitine supplementation group (group 1) and 10 entered the control group (group 2). At baseline and after 3 months of L-carnitine supplementation (500mg/day) we determined endothelial-dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerin induced endothelium independent vasodilatation, involving ultrasonographic brachial artery measurements, serum visfatin, malondialdehyde, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, interdialytic body weight gain, C-reactive protein, albumin, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, ferritin, transferrin saturation, hemoglobin, erythropoietin dose, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), parathormone and Kt/V . Results. In group 1, FMD (8.9 (4.5-12.5) to 10.6 (6.7-18), p=0.04) and Ca (8.4±0.6 to 8.8±0.5 mg/dL, p<0.001) significantly increased after L-carnitine supplementation, while visfatin (1.0 (0.2-1.3) to 0.4 (0-0.9) pg/mL, p=0.03), malondialdehyde (2.8 (2.4- 3.2) to 1.3 (1.2-1.5) nmol/mL, p<0.001) and P (5.6±1.3 to 5.0±1.2 mg/dL, p=0.005) significantly decreased. Albumin increased significantly in both groups (3.9±0.3 to 4.2±0.3 mg/dL, p<0.001 in group 1 and 3.7±0.3 to 4.0±0.3 mg/dL, p=0.02 in group 2). There were no other significant variations of the studied parameters. Conclusions. L-carnitine supplementation reduces ED, visfatin levels and markers of OS, but has no effect on inflammation, nutrition and anemia in HD patients.

Aims. Earlier studies suggested that patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) experience premature mortality, mostly from vascular diseases. The present study aims to identify risk factors associated with mortality in patients with NFPA. Methods. All consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary neuroendocrinology center for pituitary adenoma during 2001-2010 were screened. Only those with a final diagnostic of NFPA were retained. All 196 NFPA subjects (57.7% males, mean age 52.7±0.9 years) were followed-up for allcause mortality until December 31, 2011 (1298 person-years of follow-up). PAMCOMP software was used to calculate standardized mortality ratio (SMR), using the corresponding general population as reference. Cox regression analysis evaluated the independent hazards for mortality. Results. There were 26 deaths among 196 patients as compared to 20 expected. Standard Mortality Ratio (SMR) was 1.2 (95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.83-1.86). Females had a doubled mortality ratio: SMR 2.03 (95%CI 1.01-3.64), but males had a mortality ratio similar with general population: SMR 0.87 (95%CI 0.48-1.44). More patients with hypopituitarism for at least one axis deceased (22/156, 14.10%), as compared with patients without pituitary failure (1/22 patient deceased –2.07%), p=0.03. Prednison replacement for corticotrophin insufficiency (HR 1.46 (95%CI 1.12-1.90)) was correlated to mortality in females, but not in males, and mortality rose progressively with prednison dose (log rank: p=0.01). In males, last known maximal pituitary tumour diameter (HR 1.04 (95%CI 1.001-1.08) and age at baseline (HR 1.1 (95%CI 1.05-1.1) were modestly related to mortality. Conclusions. Females with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas and hypopituitarism had a reduced life expectancy as compared with general population, possibly related to glucocorticoid substitution or a more severe pituitary insufficiency.

Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), is usually observed in women and it is a serious complication of hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic renal failure. CUA is characterized by ischemic tissue loss secondary to progressive vascular degeneration. Although it is rare, it may end up with sepsis and organ failure and can be fatal. Its pathogenesis is not fully understood, but it is thought that it occurs secondary to increased calcification activators such as oxidized LDL, TNF- α, calcitriol, fibronectin, collagen-I, and TGF-1α. The most effective treatment is managing underlying pathology and decreasing serum calcium and phosphorus levels. In this report, we aimed to present an end stage renal failure case with coexisting hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism and calciphylaxis in whom cutaneous manifestations were healed 6 months after parathyroidectomy.

Background. Idiopathic hypercalciuria is a risk factor for nephrolithiasis. Both renal stones and hypercalciuria are associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD), but the relationship between these modifications is not completely understood. Aims. To evaluate some metabolic particularities possibly related to relapsing nephrolithiasis (RN) in young male patients. Methods. We performed a crosssectional study including a group of 30 young male patients with RN and a group of 30 healthy, age and BMI (body mass index) matched controls (CTR). We evaluated calcium and phosphate metabolism, bone remodeling markers alkaline phosphatase (AP) and osteocalcin in serum and 24-hour urine samples, and lumbar and hip BMD. Results. We observed higher values of serum calcium (P<0.05) and 24 hour urinary calcium (P<0.001) in the RN group. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and AP were also higher in the RN group (P<0.01), whereas serum 25OH-D3 was lower (P<0.01). BMD, T and Z scores were lower in the RN group in both the lumbar (P<0.01) and hip (P<0.05) regions. Conclusions. Young male patients with hypercalciuric RN have lower BMD and higher bone turnover. Higher PTH levels related to vitamin D deficiency may contribute to bone demineralization in certain cases.

Objective. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is involved in the potential pathogenic mechanisms linking thyroid autoimmunity with immune restoration. The objective is to emphasize the emergence of autoimmune thyroid disease in a HIV patient long period after restoration of immune competence, unlinked to the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) occurring shortly after HAART initiation. We report a case of acute autoimmune thyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis in a patient with stage C3 HIV infection, who had been under HAART for more than 7 years. From the beginning there was a good immune response to the regimen, due to a good adherence and compliance (over 90%). Nine months after HAART initiation the viral load was undetectable (under 34 copies/μL) and the CD4 count reached 645 cells/mm3 (within normal range) after one year of treatment. Eight years after HAART initiation, based on clinical and laboratory findings, autoimmune thyroiditis was diagnosed. At this time immune competence with a normal CD4 count and a CD4/CD8 ratio over 1 was achieved. The chronic inflammation status of an HIV infection is the reason that autoimmunity appears outside the IRIS period. Treatment was initiated with antithyroid drugs. Thyroid function should be monitored periodically in HIV patients undergoing HAART. Future observations must be made for HIV related thyroid disorders using new classifications and studies with a larger number of patients.

Introduction. Antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids have protective effects in obesity. Aim. We investigated the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids associated with antioxidant vitamins in obese children. Magnesemia and calcemia were observed in relation with other metabolic parameters, before and after the treatment. Materials and methods. 60 obese children were compared with 35 normal weight children. Each obese child received daily, one pill, containing: 130mg docosahexaenoic acid, 25mg of eicosapentaenoic acid, vitamin A 200μg, vitamin D 1,25μg, vitamin E 2,5mg and vitamin C 30mg for three months. All the participants were instructed not to change their lifestyle. Results. The serum values for these minerals and for 25(OH) vitamin D were lower in obese children. The obese children had insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and an imbalance of serum adipocytokines. In obese children, the body mass index was negatively correlated with calcemia (r=-0.34) and serum 25(OH) vitamin D (r=-0.33). The HOMA-IR was negatively correlated with magnesemia (r=-0.34) and serum adiponectin (r=-0.29). The treatment improved the mineral serum level, the insulin sensitivity and the adipocytokines levels. Conclusion. In obese children, the intake of Omega-3 fatty acids associated with antioxidant vitamins, for three months improved calcemia and magnesemia and increased insulin sensitivity.

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.

Background: The solitary benign thyroid nodules represent one of the most common\r\nabnormalities affecting the thyroid gland. The appearance of solitary thyroid nodules is\r\nvariable and all the patients should be assessed as soon as possible in order to establish the\r\nbenign nature of the lesion and to rule-out malignancy.\r\nThe aim of the present study is to show the histological changes that appear during\r\nevolution of benign solitary thyroid nodules and rapid growing rate along 6 years, in 71\r\npatients (65 women and 6 men).\r\nMethods: All cases were evaluated by clinical, ultrasound, biochemical (at every 6\r\nmonths) and FNA (initially and repeated between 10 months and 4 years afterwards); 26 out\r\nof 71 presented, along evolution, an increase of thyroid nodule (24 women and 2 men) from\r\n1.77 cm diameter (1.4-2 cm) to more than 2.5 cm (2.5-4.3 cm), therefore a radical surgical\r\nattitude was performed.\r\nResults: Histological postsurgery data showed degenerative changes in all cases, with\r\nrepetitive nodular hemorrhage (26 cases), sclerohyalinisation of the interfollicular stroma (4\r\ncases), cholesteatoma (5 cases) and inflammatory infiltrate (8 cases).\r\nIn conclusion, the significant growth of a benign solitary nodule is determined by\r\nrepetitive hemorrhages in the thyroid tissue. The associated sclerosis induces changes in the\r\nnodular firmness and might trigger the thyroid surgery.

Background. Sweet's syndrome (SS) or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis is a dermatological illness that can be described by tender erythematous plaques or nodules and acute onset fever. The etiology is multifactorial and is not fully understood. SS is separated in three subclasses: classical, malignancy-associated, and drug-induced. It was shown that this syndrome can reveal an underlying hematological or solid malignancy. Case presentation. We report the case of a 55-yearold female patient referred to the Urology department for management of pheochromocytoma in the right adrenal gland, revealed by abdominal imaging in another medical unit during the evaluation and diagnosis of multiple mucocutaneous lesions, characterized by erythematousviolaceous plaques and nodules, and painful aphthous ulcers of the tongue. The eruption of each lesion was preceded by low-grade fever and chills. The hormonal profile highlighted the presence of elevated normetanephrines. We performed 3D laparoscopic transperitoneal right adrenalectomy after preoperative treatment with alpha blocker therapy. The clinical outcome was favourable, given that the cutaneous lesions started to heal after the surgery. Conclusions. Sweet’s syndrome in association with pheochromocytoma is a very rare condition, only few cases were described in literature to our knowledge. The multidisciplinary collaboration is extremely important in the management of such cases.

Aim. There is no data for platelet distribution width (PDW) levels as a marker of platelet activation in patients with\r\nmetabolic syndrome (MetS). The present study tested the hypothesis that PDW levels may be elevated in MetS patients. Based on this hypothesis, PDW levels in patients with MetS were compared with those of patients without MetS. The relation between PDW levels and cardiometabolic risk factors was also evaluated.\r\nMaterials and Methods. Two hundred and nineteen non-diabetic MetS patients (MetS group; 155 females, 64 males) and 155 non-diabetic patients without MetS (Control group; 123 females, 32 males) were included consecutively. The primary endpoint of the study was to compare the PDW levels between the groups, while the secondary endpoint was to evaluate the relationship between PDW and cardiometabolic risk factors.\r\nResults. PDW levels were 16.75?1.73%, and 16.89?1.92% in MetS patients and control subjects, respectively (p>0.05). In correlation analysis, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r:0.193, p:0.004, and r:0.215, p:0.001, respectively) were associated with the PDW.\r\nConclusion. Although there is a weak positive correlation between PDW and insulin and HOMA-IR, these findings do\r\nnot support our hypothesis that PDW levels may be elevated in MetS patients.