ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Background and Aim. The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a seasonal breeder\r\nforming monogamous pairs like majority of the sub-tropical birds. Less is known about its\r\nreproductive endocrinology during different phases of the breeding cycle. In the present\r\nstudy, the house sparrows were analysed to shed light onto their breeding physiology.\r\nMethods. Seasonal changes in body weight, gonad morphology and plasma\r\nconcentration of testosterone and progesterone (by ELISA) were evaluated in 40 males and\r\n40 females respectively, using 10 birds for each season.\r\nResults. Testosterone in males was minimal during the non-breeding phase at 0.41 ? 0.17\r\nng/mL increasing at 2.35 ? 0.12 ng/mL during the onset of the pre-breeding phase,increased in the\r\nbreeding period at 5.65 ? 0.16 ng/mL, while in the post-breeding phase it was 3.83 ? 0.20 ng/mL.\r\nIn females, testosterone levels during the non-breeding phase were 0.11 ? 0.07 ng/mL, which rose\r\nsignificantly during the pre-breeding phase to 0.45 ? 0.10 ng/mL, a level equivalent to the one in\r\nmales during the non-breeding phase. During the breeding phase the values increased to 1.25 ?\r\n0.09 ng/mL, which later decreased in the post-breeding phase to 0.96 ? 0.12 ng/mL.\r\nProgesterone basal levels in females during the non-breeding phase were maintained at\r\n1.80 ? 0.10 ng/mL. A significant increase (p<0.001) is seen with the onset of pre-breeding\r\nphase which continues in the breeding phase at 2.20 ? 0.13 ng/mL and 6.23 ? 0.12 ng/mL,\r\nrespectively. During the post-breeding phase the levels significantly (P<0.001) decreased to\r\n4.73 ? 0.10 ng/mL. In males, the levels of this hormone vary less during all the phases of\r\nbreeding. The progesterone titres during the non-breeding phase were 0.85 ? 0.17 ng/mL\r\nincreasing with the onset of the pre-breeding season at 1.12 ? 0.13 ng/mL and continued to rise\r\nin breeding phase at 2.76 ? 0.16 ng/mL. Later during the post-breeding phase the levels\r\ndecreased significantly 1.45 ? 0.18 ng/mL (p<0.001).\r\nConclusion. The present study reveals cyclicity in the breeding and cyclic changes taking\r\nplace in the titers of the two hormones during different phases of the breeding in both sexes.

The pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes became a history longer and longer. There are 40 years since the immunogenetic theory of type 1 diabetes has been launched. Near this anniversary a challenge of this theory was recently published. We give here our interpretation of primary cause of type 1 diabetes which must be connected with the pathogenesis of other phenotypes of diabetes which has a main similar mechanism: the β-cell dysfunction.

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Background. Myocardial involvement is frequent in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and its early detection assures the prognosis improvement. Objective. To assess the NT-proBNP levels and its correlation with systolic longitudinal performance, during exercise testing in a SLE population Subjects and Methods. The study included 30 SLE patients (80 % females), with a mean age of 44.8 ± 9.91 years. All subjects were submitted to an echo Doppler examination, including the determination of the global longitudinal strain (GLS). Also, they performed a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPE) on cycloergometer, assessing the peak oxygen uptake. Venous blood samples were taken and NT-proBNP levels were determined before exercise, at peak effort and two hours after exercise. Results. The left ventricular ejection fraction was normal but GLS was low in SLE patients ( -16.96 ± 3.12%, vs. -19.5 ± 3.05% normal range) and much lower in those with diastolic dysfunction (-14.5 ± 2.3% vs. - 19.2± 1.85%, p=0.0014). During CPE, the patients performed a mean 71.96% ± 13.9% of predicted VO2 max. The mean values of NT-proBNP were: 186.84 ± 186.8 pg/mL at rest, 221.68 ± 245.76 pg/mL at peak effort and 412.48 ± 400.28 pg/mL post effort. No correlation was registered between GLS and peak VO2. We found a negative correlation between GLS ant NT-proBNP at peak effort (r = -0.508) and post exercise (r=-0.623). Conclusion. The exercise NT-proBNP levels can be used together with GLS for an early detection of systolic dysfunction in SLE patients.

Objective. Obese people may have nutritional deficiencies, although they are exposed to excessive food intake. We aim to assess relationship of vitamin D, B12, and folic acid levels and dietary vitamin intake and insulin resistance in obese people. Design. This case-control study was performed at the obesity outpatient clinics between March 2014 and April 2015. Subjects and Methods. We included 304 nondiabetic obese subjects in patient group and 150 normal weight individuals in control group. Patients were questioned in detail about their food intake. Results. Mean age of obese patients was 37.3±10.1 years, the mean duration of obesity was 7.9±5.4 years, and the percentage of female patients was 65.8%. Mean vitamin D, B12, and folic acid levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) in 69.7%, vitamin B12 deficiency (<200 pg/mL) in 13.5%, and folic acid deficiency (<4 ng/mL) was found in 14.2% of the patients. BMI negatively correlated with vitamin D, B12, and folic acid levels. B12 levels negatively correlated with duration of obesity. Insulin resistance was found in 55.9% of patients and HOMA-IR levels negatively correlated with vitamin D and B12 levels. While dietary vitamin D and folic acid intakes were inadequate in all of patients, only 28.3% of patients had inadequate vitamin B12 intake. There was no relation between vitamin levels and dietary vitamin intakes. Conclusions. The study reveals that vitamin D, B12, and folic acid levels were low and poor vitamin D and B12 status were associated with insulin resistance in nondiabetic obese patients.

Context. In addition to traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, there are new risk factors with potentially relevant prognostic, such as vitamin D deficiency. Objective. The study aims to analyze the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, in patients who already have at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Design. It is a prospective, observational study. Follow- up time was 24 months. Subjects and methods. A total of 77 patients were included in the study, aged over 18 years, who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Their vitamin D levels were measured and they were monitored for a period of 2 years, in order to see which one developed cardiovascular diseases. Results. Of the 77 patients, 56 (72.7%) had serum deficient levels of vitamin D and the mean serum level was 16 ng/mL (± 8.6 ng/mL). Statistically significant differences were observed only in the case of dyslipidemia (p=0.0334). The evolution to cardiovascular disease occurred in 39 of the cases (50.6%). The only independent risk factors for progression to cardiovascular disease demonstrated in this study were serum vitamin D (OR = 0.9024, 95% CI: 0.83- 0.97 and age (OR = 1.1313, 95% CI: 1.05-1.21). Conclusion. The results shows that patients with cardiovascular risk factors and advanced age are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, if they also have vitamin D deficiency.

Introduction. Biotin treatment causes false-low or false-high results in some immunoassays methods. This phenomenon is called as biotin interference. In the present article, a seven-month-old male, with renal failure and laboratory hyperthyroidism due to biotin interference is presented. Case report. High free T4 (fT4), free T3 (fT3), antithyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG) and low thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were detected in a seven-month-old male patient who has metabolic acidosis, renal failure, and suspected of metabolic disease. Anti-thyroid drug therapy was started. However, when he was re-evaluated due to the absence of euthyroidism with anti-thyroid therapy (methimazole 0.8 mg/ kg /day), it was found that the patient had been given 20 mg/ day biotin for acidosis for two months. Biotin interference was considered in hormone measurement. Thyroid function tests were found to be normal 12 days after discontinuation of biotin therapy. Conclusion. Immunoassay measurements which use biotin should be done 2-7days after the last dose of biotin in patients under biotin treatment, but this time may need be much longer in renal failure patients. During this period or if the biotin therapy cannot be stopped, alternative methods should be preferred for analysis.

Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-dependent effects of prednisolone administration on serum vaspin levels and correlate this with changes in the BMI and lipogenesis in rats. Materials and Methods. Twenty-four albino Wistar male rats weighing between 190–240 g were divided into four groups, three experimental (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 20 mg/kg prednisolone) and one control. The prednisolone groups were given once-daily doses for 30 days, orally. In addition, the rats were weighed, and their height and waist circumferences were measured once a week. At the end of 30 days, vaspin and glucose levels were measured from blood samples. Results. In the prednisolone groups, the vaspin levels significantly increased when compared with the control group. The control group has a serum vaspin level of 155 ± 20.99 pg/mL and this level has been increased by prednisolone administration in a dose dependent manner. In the prednisolone groups, especially the 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/ kg groups, the glucose levels increased in a dose dependent fashion. Conclusion. Prednisolone administration significantly increased serum glucose and vaspin levels in a dose dependent manner, indicating that the increase in the serum vaspin levels could be related to the increase in the serum glucose concentration. Vaspin can be a molecule that is released in response to increased glucose and can be a rebound defense mechanism to modulate the blood glucose concentration. We suggest vaspin as a potential target for the treatment and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disorders.

Objective. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Exercise Physiology Clinic by assessing weight loss profiles of patients who attended the clinic. Study design. The data on 2039 visits performed between April 2010 and March 2011 by 1102 individuals who attended the Exercise Physiology Clinic were assessed. Subjects and methods. Patients who attended two to three visits were classified as Group 1 and those who paid four or more visits were classified as Group 2. Body analyses were performed by bioimpedance technique and Body Mass Indices (BMIs) were calculated and then personal exercise programs were prescribed according to measurements made in each visit. Results. Mean age and mean BMI of the patients at baseline were 47.1±14.0 (16-92 years) and 32.2±6.7 kg/m2 (15.1-63.7 kg/m2), respectively. According to the visit frequency, in patients who visited our clinic two or more times, monthly mean differences in body weight and body fat were calculated as 0.72±0.9 kg and 0.53±0.8 kg/month, respectively. The differences between the baseline and the final measurements of body weight and body fat were higher in Group 2 when compared to Group 1 (p<0.01). While no statistical significance was found between the two groups in terms of weight loss, the change in body fat mass was found to be significantly greater at every visit in Group 2 compared to that of Group 1 (p=0.2 and p=0.05, respectively). Conclusions. A decrease was demonstrated in the body weight and fat mass of the patients who were followed up in our Exercise Physiology Clinic. The results suggested that the increase in the number of exercise physiology clinics will have an important role in preventing metabolic disorders associated with obesity.

Context. Bone mineral density (BMD) loss and progressive bone loss have been detected in patients with untreated\r\nhyperprolactinemia. It is unclear in patients with mild hyperprolactinemia.\r\nObjective. The aim of the study was to evaluate bone metabolism through bone mineral density by using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bone turnover markers in premenopausal women with prolactinoma.\r\nDesign, Subjects and Methods. Twenty five patients newly diagnosed with prolactinoma and treated surgically and/or\r\nmedically, but whose prolactin levels were above the normal limits (PRL > 25 &#956;g/L) and 25 healthy controls were included in the study, which was conducted at the Cerrahpasa Medical School, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism outpatient\r\nclinic. Bone mineral density was measured using the DXA method. Bone turn-over markers such as alkaline phosphatase\r\n(ALP), osteocalcin, Type I collagen Ntelopeptide (NTX) and Type I collagen CTelopeptide (CTX) levels were determined.\r\nResults. The only significant difference in bone density (p=0.02) was in L4 lumbar vertebrae. There were no significant differences between the patient\r\nand the control groups in ALP, osteocalcin, NTX, and CTX levels.\r\nConclusion. There were no significant differences between the patient and the control groups in bone mineral\r\ndensity and bone turnover markers, except in the L4 lumbar vertebrae.