BACKGROUND: Growing evidence has shown a biochemical link between increased oxidative stress and reduced bone density. In our previous study, alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA), a thiol antioxidant, suppressed both osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, and also prevented TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of osteoblast lineages. The effects of alpha-LA were investigated on bone metabolism in rats with a low bone mass. METHODS: An ovariectomy (OVX) or Talc injection (inflammation-mediated osteopenia, IMO) was performed in 12 week old female Sprague-Dawley rats. Diets containing either 0.3%, 0.5% or 1.0% alpha-LA were administered to the OVX rats for 16 weeks, and to the IMO rats for 21 days. The bone mineral densities (BMD) of the anterior-posterior lumbar spine and total femur were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 4500-A), with small animal software. The plasma bone specific alkaline phosphatase activity (BSAP) and urinary free deoxypyridinoline concentration (DPD) were determined using enzyme immunoassay methods. RESULTS: The body weights were significantly decreased in the OVX rats on the diets containing 0.3 and 0.5% alpha-LA than in the OVX control. No significant differences in the BMD at either site were noted between rats administered the diets with or without alpha-LA. However, the administration of various doses of alpha-LA noticeably decreased the level of urinary DPD in both the OVX and IMO rats. High doses of alpha-LA (0.5% and/or 1.0%) also decreased the levels of plasma BSAP in both models. CONCLUSION: Although no increase in BMD was demonstrated by the administration of alpha-LA, these results suggest that alpha-LA suppresses the rates of bone turnover in rats with a low bone mass
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Apoptosis ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Bone Resorption ; Diet ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Metabolism* ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoporosis ; Ovariectomy ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spine ; Talc ; Thioctic Acid*

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance is a central feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and hyperinsulinemia contributes to anovulation, oligo or amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism and infertility in women with PCOS. The use of insulin sensitizers, such as metformin or thiazolidinedione, in PCOS is becoming increasingly accepted. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of metformin and rosiglitazone on the metabolic and reproductive derangement, and find parameters predicting their therapeutic efficacy in Korean PCOS women. METHODS: Sixty-two women with PCOS were recruited. The baseline characteristics, including BMI, glucose tolerance test, lipid profiles, sex hormones and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp test, were assessed. After the administration of the insulin sensitizer (metformin 1.5g/day or rosiglitazone 4mg/day) for 3 months, the insulin sensitivity was reassessed. A drug response was defined as menstrual restoration or pregnancy. RESULTS: Of the 62 women with PCOS, 36 gained restored regular menstruation, and a further 5 conceived (a drug response rate of 66.7%). There were no significant clinical differences between responders and nonresponders. Twelve weeks after taking the drugs, the insulin sensitivity was significantly improved (M-value 4.7+/-0.2 vs. 5.5+/-0.4mg/kg/min, P<0.05), and the free testosterone levels(72.5+/-39.9 vs. 45.8 +/-3.8pmol/L, P<0.05) were significantly decreased, without significant weight reduction. CONCLUSION: Metformin and rosiglitazone restored menstruation in 66.1% of women with PCOS. Hyperandrogenemia and insulin sensitivity were significantly improved with the use of the two drugs. However, metabolic or hormonal markers for predicting the drug response could not be found.
Amenorrhea ; Anovulation ; Female ; Glucose Clamp Technique ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Hyperinsulinism ; Infertility ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Menstruation ; Metformin* ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Pregnancy ; Testosterone ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: Radioiodine treatment is effective for the removal of remnant thyroid tissues after thyroidectomy in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. To induce the elevation of serum TSH level which facilitates the uptake of radioiodine into remnants, a 4 to 6 week interval between thyroidectomy and radioiodine administration has been established. During the period of preparation, most patients have experienced overt symptoms of hypothyroidism which have led to the development of alternative strategies. Some reports have suggested that the interval could be reduced to about 3 weeks with less symptoms. We reevaluated the adequate time needed for the elevation of serum TSH level above 30microU/mL after thyroidectomy. METHODS: Forty five patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma were investigated. Serum TSH and free T4 levels were measured one or more times within 3 weeks after operation(total 97 blood samples). Eighty nine blood samples were obtained within 15 days. RESULTS: In 41 patients (91.1%) serum TSH levels increased to 30 microU/mL until 15 days after operation. Until postoperative 21 days, serum TSH levels in all the other patients reached 30microU/mL. In linear equation, the daily increment of serum TSH levels was 2.62microU/mL for the first 8 days after operation and 5.34micorU/mL for the next 7 days. The half-life of serum free T4 levels showed marked individual variations. CONCLUSION: Measurement of serum TSH level at about 15 days after total thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma may be useful in determining the time of radioiodine administration.
Half-Life ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy ; Thyrotropin

BACKGROUND: There have been recent reports that the fat distribution within skeletal muscle and the amount of muscle mass are associated with insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study evaluated the impacts of visceral fat and thigh muscle from patients with T2DM and healthy subjects on atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. METHODS: Forty-two patients with newly-developed T2DM and 11 healthy subjects were selected for the study. The diabetic patients were subdivided into two groups, those under 40 years of age, as the young T2DM (n=21) group, and 40 years-old or greater, as the old T2DM (n=21) group. CT scans were obtained for all patients at the L4-L5 level and at the mid-portion between the greater trochanter and upper margin patella. The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was also measured using high resolution B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: The mean visceral fat area (VFA) in the old T2DM group was 169.4+/-13.2cm2, which was significantly greater than that found in the healthy subjects (67.9+/-7.92cm2, P<0.001) and young T2DM group (127.1+/-10.4cm2, P<0.05). The mean visceral fat to normal density muscle area ratio (VMNR) in the old T2DM group was 1.50+/-0.19, which was greater than in the healthy subjects (0.46+/-0.52, P<0.001) and young T2DM group (1.01+/-0.10, P<0.05). The total thigh muscle areas in the young and old T2DM groups were smaller than that in the healthy subjects, but without statistical significance. VMNR showed a positive correlation with the IMT and HOMA-IR. However, the total thigh muscle area was negatively correlated with the IMT. The normal density muscle area also showed significant negative correlations with the IMT and HOMA-IR. In a multiple regression analysis, age and VMNR were the most important independent risk factors of an increased carotid IMT. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the role of thigh muscle, as well as that of visceral fat, played a very important role in the occurrence of atherosclerosis. VMNR was found to be an especially important independent factor for an increased carotid IMT.
Adult ; Atherosclerosis ; Carotid Arteries* ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Femur ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Patella ; Risk Factors ; Thigh* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is a fat cell-secreted cytokine, which has been reported to improve insulin sensitivity and have antiatherogenic properties. However, it is still unclear whether resistin plays a significant role in the development of insulin resistance in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the adiponectin and resistin concentrations with insulin resistance, metabolic markers and adiposity in healthy and type 2 diabetic subjects. METHODS: Eighty-three type 2 diabetic and 139 healthy subjects were studied. Blood samples were drawn after fasting to determine the fasting plasma glucose, insulin, resistin, adiponectin, total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol levels. The subcutaneous and visceral fat areas were measured at the umbilical level using computed tomography. RESULTS: The serum adiponectin concentrations were significantly lower in the diabetic(6.7+/-2.3microgram/mL) than in the obese(8.2+/-2.4microgram/mL, P<0.01) and non-obese subjects(9.9+/-4.5microgram/mL, P<0.01). The serum resistin concentrations were Similar between the non-obese, obese and type 2 diabetic subjects. From a multiple regression analysis, the fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol and HOMA-IR were found to be independent determinants of the log of the adiponectin level in the diabetes group. In healthy subjects, the gender, BMI, HOMA-IR, visceral fat area and HDL-cholesterol were associated with the log of the adiponectin level. However, the log of the resistin level was not associated with the markers of insulin resistance and obesity. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the serum adiponectin concentration was closely related to the insulin resistance marker in both healthy and type 2 diabetic subjects. However, the resistin concentration was not associated with the markers of insulin resistance and/or obesity.
Adiponectin* ; Adiposity ; Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Obesity ; Resistin* ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides

No abstract available.
Adiponectin* ; Risk Factors*

No abstract available.
Insulin* ; Proteolysis*

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Bone and Bones* ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells*

Myxedema is the nonpitting edema caused by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in subcutaneous and other interstitial tissue that occurs in hypothyroid patients. It is most often present in long-standing or severe primary hypothyroidism. While pericardial effusion appears to be a frequent occurrence in patients with myxedema, the development of cardiac tamponade in hypothyroid patients is distinctly unusual because of the slow formation of the pericardial effusion and the ability of the pericardium to distend. Recently we experienced a case of myxedema with pericardial effusion. The patient was 39-year-old female who was admitted due to aggrevated dyspnea for 1 month. She was obese and myxedematous. Chest X-ray revealed marked cardiomegaly. Two-dimensional echocardiography imaged massive pericardial effusion, especially left ventricular posterior wall and right ventricular side. The thyroid function test showed an obvious hypothyroid state. The patient was intubated and given controlled ventilation because of labored breathing, hypoxemia, and hypercapnea. After one half liter of straw-colored fluid was removed by pericardiocentesis, and she was given thyroid hormone replacement therapy, progressive clinical improvement was noted over course of next few weeks. We report this case with reviews of the literatures.
Adult ; Anoxia ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Cardiomegaly ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Edema ; Female ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Myxedema* ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Pericardiocentesis* ; Pericardium ; Respiration ; Thorax ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Ventilation

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is the most sensitive marker reflecting thyroid function. TraditionaUy, TSH concentration was measured by the method of RadioImmunoAssay (RIA) with the detection limits around 1 to 2 mIU/L, which was unable to differentiate hyperthyroid status. Since 1980s, owing to the sensitive assay for TSH, immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), it has been possible to detect low concentration of TSH by 0.001 mlU/L. TSH is composed of two glycopeptide subunits, a-subunit and B-subunit. Monoclonal antibodies, directed against two different sites of the TSH peptides, are used in IRMA. One antibody is directed toward the specific B-subunit of TSH molecule and is used to extract it from serum, a second antibody labelled with a radioactive material is then attached to the separated TSH to form "sandwhich" molecule that can be measured. Generally, mouse monoclonal antibodies are used as capture and detection antibodies. Infrequently, when there is heterophilic antibody, i.e. human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA), TSH can be measured as spuriously elevated, since HAMA may form a link between the signal and capture molecules. We report a case of inappropriately elevated TSH concentration due to heterophilic antibody, later diagnosed as Graves disease. A 41-year-old woman visited our clinic with the chief complaints of hand tremor, hyperphagia, weight loss for 3 months. Two years earlier, she underwent total colectomy due to colon cancer and had treat on multiple chemotherapies. The results of thyroid function test shows that TSH was 0.77 mIU/L, free T was 7.1 ng/dL (0.8~1.9), free T was 11.3 pg/mL (0.2~5.5). Thyroid specific auto- antibody results were anti-Tg-Ab 21.3 m/mL(0 100), anti-TPO-Ab 87.9m/mL(0100), TBIAb 7.8% (-15/15). Thyroid scan showed that radioactiveiodine uptake was increased and thyroid gland wasenlarged diffusely. Because TSH level was elevated, further evaluations were performed to differentiate with TSH producing pituitary tumor and pituitary resistance to thyroid hormone. Sellar MRI was normal, TRH stimulation test showed flat response. Since spurious elevation of TSH is possible at the presence of hetrophilic antibody, we rechecked TSH concentration after adding mouse monoclonal antibody to the patients serum with result of TSH less than 0.05 mIU/L. She was able to be diagnosed as Graves disease, and started with methimazole. Three months later, thyroid function test showed that TSH was 10.5 mIU/L, free T4 was 1.0 ng/dL, free T3 was 4.0 pg/mL. TSH level after removal the effect of heterophilic antibody with mouse monoclonal antibody was 0.71 mIU/L. Neutropenia was developed 5 months after methimazole therapy, to stop antithyroid medication. With the plan of radioactive iodine therapy if she relapses, she is being followed with periodic thyroid function test. We report a case of Graves disease with spuriously elevated TSH due to the effect of heterophilic antibodies.
Adult ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Colectomy ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Graves Disease* ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Iodine ; Limit of Detection ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methimazole ; Mice ; Neutropenia ; Peptides ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Radioimmunoassay ; Recurrence ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotropin ; Tremor ; Weight Loss