The relation between pituitary-thryoid axis and physical development in 42 cases of endemic cretinism in Qinghai province was studied with 38 normal subjects as controls. The crania and the pituitary enlargement in cretins were revealed by CT scan. It was found that in cretins the physical development was retarded, the crania were smaller than those of the controls, and the serum TSH levels were increased, particularly in the myxedematous ones. Statistically there was a positive correlation between pituitary height and serum TSH (r = 0.511, p

Plasma renin activity, angiotensin Ⅱ, Aldosterone and cortisol in 380 healthy subjects were measured by radioim-munoassay at 10, 3700 and 4300 metres above sea level. The results showed as follows: Firstly, no significant difference was noted between Tibetan and Han residents at high altitudes with reference to these four parameters. Secondly, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and adrenocortical function in residents at high altitude revealed hypofunction. Thirdly, the responsiveness of aldosterone to renin declined gradually with increasing altitude, and slope declined as well. These changes might be considered as a chronic adaptive mechanism in residents at high altitude to hyposic environment.It may be suggested that appropriate use of adrenocorticosteroids may be of some clinical value in the prevention and treatment of some altitude-induced diseases.

A randomized crossover study was performed to compare the effects of low glycemic index diets (LGI)and high glycemic index diets(HGI)on blood glucose,lipid profile and control of body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes.Compared with HGI group,the fasting serum insulin,Homa-IR,LDL-C and body weight significantly decreased in LGI group(P