Hormone Levels In Patients Research Articles

The correlation between biochemical abnormalities in frontal white matter, hippocampus and serum thyroid hormone levels in first-episode patients with major depressive disorder

BackgroundPrevious neuroimaging studies found evidence of potential brain biochemical abnormalities in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Abnormal serum thyroid hormone levels were also found in MDD patients, which may correlated with the abnormal biochemical metabolism of brain. However, they rarely excluded the compounding effects of medication, and brain degeneration. This study sought to investigate the relationship between the biochemical metabolism and the serum thyroid hormone levels in first-episode, treatment-naive, non-late-life patients with MDD. Methods26 first-episode, treatment-naive, non-late-life patients with MDD and 13 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Participants underwent two-dimensinal multivoxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) [repetition time (TR)=1000ms; echo-time (TE)=144ms] at 1.5T to obtain bilateral metabolite levels from the white matter in prefrontal (WMP) lobe, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and hippocampus. The ratios of N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) and choline containg compounds (Cho)/creatine (Cr) were calculated. Morning serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4), total triiodothyronine (T3), total thyroxin (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured before antidepressant treatment. ResultsOn the comparison of brain biochemical changes, MDD patients had a significantly lower NAA/Cr ratio in the left WMP, and lower NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios in the right WMP when compared to the controls. There were no significant differences in the metabolite ratios in the bilateral ACC, and hippocampus. On the comparison of serum thyroid hormone levels, MDD patients had a significantly decreased T3 and TSH levels. On the comparison of correlation of brain biochemical changes and serum thyroid hormone levels in patients with MDD, the NAA/Cr ratio in the right WMP was positively correlated with the level of TSH. ConclusionThese findings suggest that biochemical abnormalities and thyroid dysfunction may emerge early in the course of MDD. Dysfunction of neuronal function in the WMP may correlate with the abnormal TSH in patients with MDD, which may be related to the neuropathology of depression.

Type II deiodinase polymorphisms and serum thyroid hormone levels in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

We investigated type II deiodinase (DIO2) polymorphisms and serum thyroid hormone levels in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a Uygur population. We studied the DIO2 Thr92Ala (rs225014) and ORFa-Gly3Asp (rs12885300) polymorphisms of 129 unrelated MCI cases and 131 matched controls. All subjects were genotyped using SNaPshot SNP genotyping assays. Serum thyroid hormone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Levels of serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine in the MCI group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Genotype and allele frequencies in the DIO2 gene between the MCI and control groups were not significantly different. There was no association in genotype and allele frequencies of Thr92Ala between genders in both groups. ORFa-Gly3Asp genotype and allele frequencies were significantly different in patients and controls by gender. The Asp allele was less frequent among male MCI patients compared to controls (odds ratio = 0.471, 95% confidence interval = 0.261-0.848). However, female Asp carriers were more frequent among MCI patients than among controls (odds ratio = 2.842, 95% confidence interval = 1.326-6.09). Serum levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine were lower in individuals of the Ala/Ala genotype than in those with the Thr/Thr or Thr/Ala genotype. Serum levels of triiodothyronine were lower in male Gly/Gly carriers than in Gly/Asp or Asp/Asp carriers. Decreased serum levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine may influence the incidence of MCI in the Uygur population. DIO2 gene polymorphisms may play a role in the incidence of MCI in male patients.

Electrolyte Imbalance in Patients with Sheehan's Syndrome

BackgroundWe investigated the prevalence of electrolyte imbalance and the relationship between serum electrolyte and anterior pituitary hormone levels in patients with Sheehan's syndrome.MethodsIn a retrospective study, we investigated 78 patients with Sheehan's syndrome. We also included 95 normal control subjects who underwent a combined anterior pituitary hormone stimulation test and showed normal hormonal responses.ResultsIn patients with Sheehan's syndrome, the serum levels of sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, magnesium, and inorganic phosphate were significantly lower than those in control subjects. The prevalence of hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypophosphatemia in patients with Sheehan's syndrome was 59.0% (n=46), 26.9% (n=21), 35.9% (n=28), 47.4% (n=37), and 23.1% (n=18), respectively. Levels of sodium and ionized calcium in serum were positively correlated with levels of all anterior pituitary hormones (all P<0.05). Levels of potassium in serum were positively correlated with adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and growth hormone (GH) levels (all P<0.05). Levels of inorganic phosphate in serum were positively correlated with levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and GH (all P<0.05), and levels of magnesium in serum were positively correlated with delta ACTH (P<0.01).ConclusionElectrolyte imbalance was common in patients with Sheehan's syndrome. Furthermore, the degree of anterior pituitary hormone deficiency relates to the degree of electrolyte disturbance in patients with this disease.

Serum Preptin and Amylin Values in Psoriasis Vulgaris and Behçet's Patients.

Insulin resistance is found in both psoriasis and Behçet's disease. No study has yet explored whether preptin and amylin, two hormones associated with insulin resistance, are involved in the insulin resistance observed in patients with psoriasis and Behçet's disease. We aimed to explore how the amounts of preptin and amylin change in psoriasis and Behçet's disease and whether they are involved in the etiopathology of these two diseases, by comparing hormone levels in patients and healthy controls. The study registered 30 patients with psoriasis, 30 patients with Behçet's disease, and 30 healthy volunteers (as a control group). Fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, HDL, total cholesterol, HbA1c, C-peptide, insulin, and serum preptin and amylin levels were measured in all subjects. Serum preptin and amylin levels were significantly lower in the patients with psoriasis and Behçet's disease than in the control group (P < 0.001, P = 0.004, and P = 0.008, respectively). A comparison of the serum preptin and amylin levels between the patients with psoriasis and Behçet's disease did not reveal a statistically significant difference. Serum insulin level and The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were significantly lower in the psoriasis patient group relative to the control group (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively), while the values for the Behçet's disease group did not differ significantly from those for the control group Serum levels of preptin and amylin were significantly lower in patients with psoriasis and Behçet's disease, indicating that these hormones may be a factor for development of metabolic syndrome in these two diseases.

Abstract 15844: Plasma Parathyroid Hormone is Independently Related to 24-Hour Pulse Wave Velocity in Patients With Primary Hyperparathyroidism - Insights fFom The EPATH Study

Introduction: Accumulating evidence indicated that high parathyroid hormone (PTH) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The impact of PTH on vascular structure and function is, however, still unclear. We evaluated the relationship between pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a novel index of arterial stiffness and circulating levels of PTH in patients with PTH-excess (primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT)). Methods and Results: We analyzed baseline data of the ongoing randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled “Effect of Eplerenone on Parathyroid Hormone Levels in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism” (EPATH) study. Inclusion criteria were age of at least 18 years and a diagnosis of pHPT according to international guidelines. Standardized blood sampling was performed after an overnight fast and 24h PWV was measured by a validated non-invasive device for ambulatory hemodynamic monitoring (Mobil O Graph, I.E.M., Stolberg, Germany). Our analysis comprised 92 pHPT patients with a mean age of 68.5 +/- 9.7 years (71 % females) and a median PTH of 102 (IQR 81 - 132) pg/ml. Mean 24h PWV was 9.8 +/- 1.8 m/s, mean daytime and mean nighttime PWV were 10.0 +/- 1.7 m/s and 9.6 +/- 1.8 m/s, respectively. In multivariate linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, mean systolic and mean diastolic 24h blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, type 2 diabetes, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum calcium, intake of cinacalcet and fasting serum cholesterol PTH emerged as a strong predictor of mean 24h PWV (ß=0.30, p=0.012), daytime PWV and nighttime PWV (ß=0.30, p=0.011 and ß=0.30, p=0.019, respectively). Conclusion: In a selective cohort of patients with pHPT plasma PTH was strongly related to 24h PWV. These data strengthen the notion that PTH may impact on vascular function. Interventional and mechanistic trials are needed to evaluate modulatory effects on vasculature in patients with high PTH.

Association of Loop Diuretic Use With Higher Parathyroid Hormone Levels in Patients With Normal Renal Function

Elevations in parathyroid hormone (PTH) level have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and mortality.1,2 Loop diuretics have been linked to increased PTH levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD),3,4 but this association has not been investigated in the general population. We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)5,6 to test the hypothesis that loop diuretic use associates with elevated PTH in adults with preserved renal function.

Effect of renal transplantation on multiple hormone levels in patients of chronic kidney disease: A single center study

AimTo assess the level of hormones in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and the effect of renal transplantation (RTx) on these hormones. Materials and methods17 patients enrolled and levels of 11 hormones i.e. FT3, FT4, TSH, FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone, PTH and insulin were measured in every patient before and at 1st, 3rd and 6th month after RTx with correlation to serum creatinine. Patients with underlying endocrine disorders were excluded. ResultAt 1st and 3rd month of follow up after RTx, there was no statistical significant change in the hormones level except in PTH, which normalised (Pre transplant levels: 262.542 ± 239.706 and 1 month levels: 101.412 ± 66.615 p = 0.024 at 3rd month level: 113.02 ± 95.960 p = 0.036). At 6th month, along with PTH, LH level decreased significantly (LH level pre-RTx 8.387 ± 4.536 and 3.091 ± 2.139 at 6th month p = 0.024). Levels of other hormones also normalised. Mean serum creatinine at 6th month had increased from its nadir level post RTx (1.149 ± 0.164 mg/dl to 1.386 ± 0.323 mg/dl p = 0.034), due to rise of serum creatinine in 4 patients. FT3, cortisol, prolactin and insulin levels also increased in parallel with serum creatinine, however insulin level correlated significantly (r = 0.759 with 95% CI = 0.015–0.962). ConclusionRTx corrects most of the hormonal disturbances in CKD patients, particularly abnormalities in PTH and LH levels in early post transplant period. Even mild allograft dysfunction significantly affects the hormonal levels in a manner which is similar to the changes seen in CKD.

Event-related brain potentials to emotional images and gonadal steroid hormone levels in patients with schizophrenia and paired controls.

Prominent disturbances in the experience, expression, and emotion recognition in patients with schizophrenia have been relatively well documented over the last few years. Furthermore, sex differences in behavior and brain activity, associated with the processing of various emotions, have been reported in the general population and in schizophrenia patients. Others proposed that sex differences should be rather attributed to testosterone, which may play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia. Also, it had been suggested that estradiol may play a protective role in schizophrenia. Surprisingly, few studies investigating this pathology have focused on both brain substrates and gonadal steroid hormone levels, in emotional processing. In the present study, we investigated electrocortical responses related to emotional valence and arousal as well as gonadal steroid hormone levels in patients with schizophrenia. Event-Related Potentials (ERP) were recorded during exposition to emotional pictures in 18 patients with schizophrenia and in 24 control participants paired on intelligence, manual dominance and socioeconomic status. Given their previous sensitivity to emotional and attention processes, the P200, N200 and the P300 were selected for analysis. More precisely, emotional valence generally affects early components (N200), which reflect early process of selective attention, whereas emotional arousal and valence both influences the P300 component, which is related to memory context updating, and stimulus categorization. Results showed that, in the control group, the amplitude of the N200 was significantly more lateralized over the right hemisphere, while there was no such lateralization in patients with schizophrenia. In patients with schizophrenia, significantly smaller anterior P300 amplitude was observed to the unpleasant, compared to the pleasant. That anterior P300 reduction was also correlated with negative symptoms. The N200 and P300 amplitudes were positively correlated with the estradiol level in all conditions, revealing that the N200 and the P300 were reduced, when estradiol level was higher. Conversely, only the P300 amplitude showed positive correlation with the testosterone level.

Evaluation of ovarian reserve and function in female patients treated with oral isotretinoin for severe acne: an exploratory study

Background: Isotretinoin affects the levels of female hormones and ovaries in patients with severe acne.Objective: This study evaluated the effects of isotretinoin on the ovarian reserve and levels of female hormones in patients with severe acne.Methods: Thirty-two female patients with severe acne were enrolled. All the patients were treated with oral isotretinoin 0.5–2 mg/kg/d. The total cumulative dose for a full course was 120–135 mg/kg. The treatment duration ranged from 5 to 8 months. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) levels and antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volume (OV) were evaluated before and after treatment.Results: After treatment, the mean FSH, LH, and E2 levels were significantly lower than before treatment. In addition, the mean AFC and OV decreased after treatment, although the difference was not significant.Conclusion: The results of this exploratory study do not demonstrate that oral isotretinoin has an impact in ovarian function. In contrast, isotretinoin affects levels of female hormones in patients with severe acne.

High expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptor in testicular tissue of idiopathic azoospermic patients with severe spermatogenic defects

Background Follicle stimulating hormone is necessary for normal reproduction in men. The biochemical actions of follicle stimulating hormone result from binding to the follicle stimulating hormone receptor in the plasma membrane of Sertoli cells. Here, we investigated the expression of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor in different testicular histological phenotypes of patients with idiopathic azoospermia. Methods Fifty-seven cases of idiopathic azoospermia were classified into three groups according to the results of testicular biopsy: patients with hypospermatogenesis, patients with maturation arrest, and patients with Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Thirteen azoospermic patients identified by testicular biopsy as being capable of completing spermatogenesis acted as the control group. Immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were performed in each case, and the serum hormone level was also measured in all patients. Results The serum follicle stimulating hormone level in patients with Sertoli cell-only syndrome was significantly higher than in patients with hypospermatogenesis, maturation arrest, and complete spermatogenesis (P&lt;0.01). The serum follicle stimulating hormone level in patients with maturation arrest was significantly higher than in patients with hypospermatogenesis and complete spermatogenesis (P&lt;0.05). There was no difference in serum follicle stimulating hormone levels in patients with hypospermatogenesis and complete spermatogenesis. The follicle stimulating hormone receptor expression level of testicular samples with Sertoli cell-only syndrome was significantly higher than in those with hypospermatogenesis, maturation arrest, and complete spermatogenesis (P&lt;0.05), but no significant difference was observed among hypospermatogenesis, maturation arrest, and complete spermatogenesis testicular samples. Conclusions Different serum follicle stimulating hormone levels and follicle stimulating hormone receptor expression were found in the different testicular histology phenotypes in azoospermic patients. Differential follicle stimulating hormone receptor expression in testicular tissue of patients with idiopathic azoospermia may be associated with the degree of spermatogenesis.

Correlation between ultrasound parameters and hormone level in patients with polycystic ovary and polycystic ovary syndrome

A total of 104 patients with polycystic ovarian changes on ultrasound were divided into polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and polycystic ovaries (PCO) groups according to their clinical symptoms and endocrine examinations. And 40 women with normal ovulation served as the controls. Ovarian volume (OV), ovarian stroma area (SA), ovarian total area (TA) and SA/TA ratio were measured by transvaginal ultrasonography. Their endocrine hormone levels were determined. Patients with PCOS showed significantly higher OV, SA, TA and SA/TA than those of PCO and control groups. SA/TA was positively correlated with testosterone. The median serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibit B in the PCO group were intermediate between those in control and PCOS groups. AMH and inhibin B of PCOS were higher than the PCO and control groups. It indicated that the levels of AMH and inhibit B were associated with the degree of polycystic ovaries and they could be used to differentiate PCOS and PCO. SA/TA is associated with the elevated serum testosterone of PCO. And SA/TA is an important ultrasonic parameter for diagnosing PCOS. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome; Ultrasonograph, Doppler, color

Investigation of serum bisphenol A, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common health problem, and associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and diabetes. Growing evidence shows that 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 (25-OH-D) insufficiency and high parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels may be correlated to glucose intolerance, MetS, obesity, and cardiovascular abnormalities similar to OSAS. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor agent which exerts a wide variety of metabolic effects. It has estrogenic activity and its exposure may contribute to weight gain, obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, and the development of diabetes, also similar to OSAS. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between OSAS and serum BPA, 25-OH-D, and PTH levels. This study enrolled 128 subjects, with all of the OSAS patients having been diagnosed by polysomnography. The 128 subjects were divided into three groups: a control (n=43), a moderate OSAS (n=23) (AHI=15-30), and a severe OSAS groups (n=62) (AHI>30). The serum BPA, 25-OH-D, and PTH levels for each subject were analyzed. 25-OH-D was lower in both OSAS groups, and PTH was higher in the OSAS groups than in the control subjects. The BPA levels were higher in the severe OSAS group than the moderate OSAS and control. There was a positive correlation between the BPA and body mass index, and a negative correlation between the 25-OH-D and BPA levels in all of the individuals. OSAS is related to high BPA and PTH levels, and low vitamin D levels. There is a positive association between BPA levels and OSAS, and the severity of OSAS. These results suggest that the BPA levels may have a role in the pathogenesis of OSAS.

Serum paraoxonase-1 activity as a novel marker in the diagnosis and prognosis of hyperthyroidism

Thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism is the clinical syndrome caused by an excess of circulating free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine, or both. It was first diagnosed in 1979 in the US. Since this time, the frequency of this diagnosis has increased. It is common, affecting about 2% of women and 0.2% of men. The most common causes of Thyrotoxicosis are Graves' disease and formation of multinodular goiter and autonomously functioning solitary thyroid nodule. In excessive production of thyroid hormones, the basal metabolic rate can be increased by 100%. Hyperthyroidism also induces a hyperdynamic cardiovascular state that is associated with tachycardia, systolic hypertension, atrial fibrillation and increased cardiovascular mortality. The present study was designed to investigate the relationship among the serum PON-1 activity, lipid profile, and thyroid hormone level in patients with hyperthyroidism. In our research, we have estimated PON 1 activity in hyperthyroidism. We found the PON 1 activity decreased in the hyperthyroid patients (144.89 ± 3.27 U/ml) as compared to controls (214.71 ± 5.46 U/ml) significantly (p &lt; 0.05). The thyroid hormones T3 and T4 also significantly increases (p &lt; 0.001) in hyperthyroidism. In case of lipid profile triacylglycerol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol as well as VLDL cholesterol was also found significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.05) in hyperthyroidism. In our study, we found a decrease in triacylglycerol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol as well as VLDL cholesterol. However, the decrease in HDL, LDL and VLDL cholesterol may also be associated with other disorders. Further, the blood quantity required for lipid profile is large (5 ml) and patients have to be fast for at least 14 hours. Similarly, estimation of lipid profile is time consuming method and hence it is not preferable as a marker. The increase in thyroid hormones T3 and T4 significantly correlates with hyperthyroidism. However, estimation of thyroid hormone also required large (5 ml) quantity of blood sample. Similarly, the sample required should be always fresh. The estimation is carried generally by enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) which is time consuming and costly method. But, on the other hand quantity of blood sample required for estimation of PON 1 activity is very less (1 ml). The estimation of PON 1 activity is easy and the method is chief. The most important thing is that PON 1 activity is decreased only in few disorders. Further, it correlates well with severity of hyperthyroidism. Thus, PON 1 activity is a novel marker in the diagnosis and prognosis of hyperthyroidism.

The association between CYP 2C9 polymorphism and bone health

PurposeThere is a strong scientific rationale to support the view that cytochrome P450 (CYP P450) enzyme-inducing AEDs induce bone loss in patients with epilepsy. However, no study has investigated the association between CYP 2C9 polymorphism and bone mineral density (BMD), 25-hydroxyvitamin D or parathyroid hormone levels in patients with epilepsy. This study sought to determine the association between BMD and CYP 2C9 polymorphism. MethodsNinety-three patients taking phenytoin as monotherapy were examined for CYP 2C9 polymorphism, vitamin D level and parathyroid hormone level and underwent basic chemistry testing. The bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and left femur were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. ResultsThe results indicated that about 18.3% of the patients with epilepsy were positive for CYP2C9*3. Furthermore, bone mineral density was associated with CYP 2C9 polymorphism epileptic patients. Specifically, patients with 2C9 polymorphism had higher T-scores and Z-scores of the femoral neck (p=0.02 and 0.04, respectively), but not of the lumbar spine (p=0.27 and 0.06, respectively). There was also a trend of having higher serum PTH levels and statistically significantly lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with wild type than in those compared with CYP 2C9 polymorphism (p=0.05 and 0.03, respectively). Additionally, the patients with CYP 2C9 polymorphism had higher plasma levels of phenytoin, particularly when compared with those with wild type (p=0.01). However, there was no association between serum levels of phenytoin and low BMD at femoral neck or lumbar spine. ConclusionCYP 2C9 polymorphism is associated with higher BMD, independent of plasma levels of phenytoin.

Impact of Yoga Nidra on Menstrual Abnormalities in Females of Reproductive Age

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Yoga Nidra practice on hormone levels in patients who had menstrual irregularities. The study was a randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj Medical University, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, India. SUBJECTS were divided randomly into 2 groups-an intervention and a control group, with 75 subjects in each group. Of these subjects, 126 completed the study protocol. This study involved 150 subjects with menstrual irregularities; 126 of whom completed the protocol. The intervention was the practice of Yoga Nidra. The yogic intervention duration was 35-40 minutes/day, five times/week for 6 months. An estimation of hormonal profile was done for both groups at baseline and after 6 months. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (p<0.002), follicle-stimulating hormone (p<0.02), luteinizing hormone (p<0.001), and prolactin (p<0.02) were decreased significantly in the intervention group, compared with the control group. The present study demonstrated the efficacy of Yoga Nidra on hormone profiles in patients with menstrual irregularities. Yoga Nidra practice was helpful in patients with hormone imbalances, such as dysmenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and hypomenorrhea.

One-year follow-up of serum antimüllerian hormone levels in patients with cystectomy: are different sequential changes due to different mechanisms causing damage to the ovarian reserve?

To investigate whether the serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels recover within 1 year after cystectomy for endometriomas, and to analyze the pattern of sequential changes in the serum AMH levels. Prospective study. University hospital. Thirty-nine patients undergoing cystectomy for unilateral endometrioma (n = 22) and bilateral endometriomas (n = 17). Serum samples collected 2 weeks before, and 1 month and 1 year after surgery were assayed for AMH levels. Assessment of the ovarian reserve damage based on alterations in the serum AMH levels and the association with parameters of endometriosis and surgery for endometriomas. The median AMH levels were 3.56, 1.90, and 2.10 ng/mL before, 1 month after, and 1 year after surgery, respectively. Twenty patients showed higher AMH levels 1 year after surgery than 1 month after surgery (increase group); 19 patients showed lower AMH levels (decrease group). We found a statistically significant difference in the number of follicles removed by surgery between the two groups. The decrease in the serum AMH levels caused by cystectomy can recover. Our results suggest that removal of ovarian cortex might be involved in the decrease of the ovarian reserve just after surgery, and that a continuous decrease of the ovarian reserve after cystectomy might be attributed to other mechanisms.

Longitudinal study on the correlations of thyroid antibody and thyroid hormone levels after radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma with radiation‐induced hypothyroidism

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlations of thyroid antibody and thyroid hormone in postradiotherapy (post-RT) patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroperoxidase antibody (anti-TPO), and thyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG) levels of 55 patients with NPC were taken before RT and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after RT. Patients with hypothyroidism at 18 months after RT and those with normal thyroid function were categorized into the hypo and normal groups, respectively. The thyroid antibody levels were compared between the 2 groups, and the correlations of thyroid antibody and thyroid hormone were evaluated for the hypo group. The anti-TPO and anti-TG of the hypo group were higher than the normal group. In the hypo group, there was a positive correlation (r = 0.51) between TSH and anti-TG and a negative correlation between fT4 and anti-TPO (r = -0.55). There were correlations of the thyroid antibody and thyroid hormone levels in patients with radiation-induced hypothyroidism.

The association between BsmI polymorphism and bone mineral density in young patients with epilepsy who are taking phenytoin

This study sought to determine the association between BsmI polymorphism and bone mineral density, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and parathyroid hormone levels in patients with epilepsy. We recruited ambulatory young adults with epilepsy who were taking phenytoin. Data regarding demographics, basic laboratory studies, history of clinical epilepsy, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D levels, as well as BsmI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, were obtained. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and left femur were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Ninety-four patients were included in the study. BsmI polymorphism had a statistically significant lower T-score of the lumbar spine and left femoral neck than patients with wild-type VDR gene (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). In addition, patients with BsmI polymorphism had a statistically significant lower z-score of the lumbar spine and left femoral neck than patients with wild-type VDR gene (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). The 25-hydroxyvitamin D level in patients with wild-type genes was higher than in epileptic patients with BsmI polymorphism (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Parathyroid hormone level in patients with wild-type VDR gene or patients having BsmI polymorphism was not correlated with BMD at either site. In patients with epilepsy taking phenytoin, having BsmI polymorphism was associated with lower BMD.

Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels in Patients with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Objectives. The aim of our study was to examine serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration in ovarian cancer patients in relation to clinicopathological features, such as a pathological subtype of the tumor, (FIGO) stage, grading, and overall 5-year survival. Material and Methods. We enrolled 72 epithelial ovarian cancer patients in our study, aged 45–79 years, who underwent optimal cytoreductive surgery. In all patients, serum AMH concentration was measured using a two-step sandwich type enzyme immunoassay before surgery. As a reference value for women over 45 years we accepted anti-Müllerian hormone concentration below 1 ng/mL. Results. In the whole group of patients with ovarian cancer, median serum concentration of AMH was 0.07 (0.0–0.37) ng/mL, whereas in the group of those with positive AMH values (≥0.14 ng/mL) it was 0.31 (0.15–0.73) ng/mL. No significant correlation was found between serum AMH levels and FIGO stage, histological subtype, or grading (P > 0.05). The analysis of five-year survival rate related to AMH levels showed no statistically significant differences. There were no differences in survival rates between patients with positive or negative serum AMH levels. Conclusion. Measurement of serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels was not useful in predicting clinicopathological features and survival in patients with ovarian cancer.

Electroacupuncture Modulates Reproductive Hormone Levels in Patients with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Results from a Prospective Observational Study

To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on serum FSH, E2, and LH levels, women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) were treated with EA once a day, five times a week for the first four weeks and once every other day, three times a week, for the following two months, and then were followed up for three months. Serum E2, FSH, and LH levels were measured at baseline, at the end of treatment, and during followup. A total of 11 women with POI were included in this prospective consecutive case series study. Compared with baseline, patients' serum E2 increased, FSH decreased, and LH decreased (P = 0.002, 0.001, and 0.002, resp.) after EA treatment, and these effects persisted during followup. With treatment, 10 patients resumed menstruation (10/11, 90.91%), whereas one patient remained amenorrhea. During followup, two patients, including the one with amenorrhea during treatment, reported absence of menstruation. Temporary pain occurred occasionally, and no other adverse events were found during treatment. The results suggest that EA could decrease serum FSH and LH levels and increase serum E2 level in women with POI with little or no side effects; however, further randomized control trials are needed.