Hormone Levels Research Articles

Effect of a GnRH injection on kisspeptin levels in girls with suspected precocious puberty: a randomized-controlled pilot study.

Kisspeptin plays a major role in the onset of puberty by stimulating the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GnRH inhibits kisspeptin secretion via a negative feedback mechanism and potential associations between kisspeptin levels and other hormones of importance for pubertal onset. Thirteen girls with suspected central precocious puberty underwent a GnRH stimulation test twice in a randomized, placebo-controlled manner. Blood was sampled up to 150 min after an IV injection of either Relefact LHRH® or saline. The levels of kisspeptin, acylated ghrelin, ultrasensitive oestradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin and glucose were analysed. Baseline kisspeptin levels ranged from 9.9 to 201.6 pg/mL. Neither area under the curve for kisspeptin levels nor peaks were significantly lower after the GnRH injection compared to placebo. Baseline kisspeptin and glucose levels tended to be associated (rho=0.55, p=0.051) but no other associations were found between kisspeptin and other hormones. Basal levels of kisspeptin vary widely in young girls. We found no evidence of a negative feedback mechanism of GnRH on kisspeptin in this small pilot study. The suggested association between kisspeptin and glucose levels needs further investigations.

Integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vivo experiments to elucidate the extenuative mechanisms of ginseng polysaccharide against Toxoplasma gondii-induced testicular toxicity.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) causes obvious reproductive toxicity in male by inducing inflammation and apoptosis in testicular tissue. Ginseng polysaccharide (GP) is an active compound in ginseng, known for its remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GP against T. gondii-induced testicular injury by integrating network pharmacology and in vivo experiments. Totally 9 core targets were identified, and PI3K/AKT1 signaling pathway were enriched via the network pharmacology analysis of GP against T. gondii-induced testicular injury, and molecular docking indicated that TLR4-related inflammatory pathways and Bax-related apoptotic pathways were also involved. In vivo experiments showed that GP (100 or 200mg/kg) mitigated the histopathology damage, enhanced spermatogenic capacity of the testis, and increased the levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicular-stimulating hormone in the serum. Proteins related to testosterone biosynthesis, StAR, P450scc and 17β-HSD, were significantly up-regulated. GP also inhibited the levels of inflammatory factors, by inhibiting the TLR4-P2X7R/NLRP3 inflammatory pathway in the testicular tissue. In addition, GP remarkably decreased testicular cell apoptosis rate, activated the PI3K/AKT pathway, and remarkably inhibited the apoptosis-associated PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling pathway. In conclusion, the extenuative mechanisms of GP against T. gondii-induced testicular toxicity were comprehensively identified through integrating network pharmacology with in vivo experiments, it suggested that GP alleviates T. gondii-induced testicular toxicity by inhibiting the TLR4-P2X7R/NLRP3 inflammatory and PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP ER stress signaling pathways. This study provides new evidence for further development of ginseng as healthcare products to improve male reproductive function in T. gondii-infected patients.

Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Jiedutongluo Tiaoying Formula in Treating Hyperthyroidism Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vivo Experiments in Mice.

Background: "Jiedutongluo Tiaoying Formula" (JDTLTYF) TCM prescriptions can effectively treat hyperthyroidism and effectively improve the condition of patients. Methods: The main active ingredients of JDTLTYF were collected from the TCMSP database and the target was predicted. Genes related to hyperthyroidism were identified using DisGeNET, GeneCards and OMIM databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and interaction network of "formula-herb-active ingredient-target genes" was constructed. Mass spectrometry was used to identify the components. The binding of key components to the target was verified by molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A hyperthyroidism mouse model was established using levothyroxine sodium tablets, and the hormone and expression levels of inflammatory factorswere examined by ELISA and western blot. Results: The key genes of JDTLTYF in the treatment of hyperthyroidism were TNF and AKT1. The results of mass spectrometry also showed that quercetin was one of the main components. The results of molecular docking and MD simulation showed that the binding free energy between AKT1 and quercetin was the lowest and the binding was stable. In vivo experimental results showed that gastric lavage with JDTLTYF could target AKT1 and TNF-α, effectively alleviate the pathological features of hyperthyroidism in mice and reduce inflammation response. Conclusion: This study elucidated the key small molecule compounds and their action targets of JDTLTYF in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. It provides a direction for the development of new drugs for clinical hyperthyroidism.

Ameliorative Effect of Combined Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells plus Platelet-rich Plasma on Polycystic Ovarian Model in Rats: A Biochemical and Histological Study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of infertility in women, characterized by metabolic and hormonal irregularities. We investigated the effects of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PDMSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), as well as their combination on follicular development, hormonal profile, inflammatory parameters, and insulin resistance in a model of PCOS. In this study, 25 female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups: Sham (given a dose of 1 mL of a 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solution), PCOS (administered 1mg/kg of letrozole (LTZ) dissolved in CMC for 21 days), PDMSC (treated with a single intraovarian dose of PDMSCs), PRP (treated with a single intraovarian dose of PRP), and a combined PDMSC and PRP-treated group. After two weeks, serum and ovarian samples were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. Our results demonstrated that the simultaneous administration of PDMSCs and PRP had a synergistic effect compared to monotherapy, leading to an increase in estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) serum levels, a decrease in luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels, as well as inflammatory factors. Moreover, the combined therapy was associated with significantly lower levels of the homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin (FINS), and blood glucose (FBG) compared to monotherapy. The combined treatment also caused a significant reduction in cystic follicles and an elevated number of corpus luteum, primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles. In conclusion, the combination of PRP and PDMSCs may have an ameliorative effect on modifying metabolic abnormalities and accelerating ovarian regeneration in PCOS.

Host Manipulations Within Mutualisms: Role of Plant Hormones in Selective Resource Allocation.

In some mutualisms involving host plants, photoassimilates are provided as rewards to symbionts. Endophagous organisms often manipulate host plants to increase access to photoassimilates. Host manipulations by endophagous organisms that are also mutualists are poorly understood. We show host plant manipulations by symbionts and the role of phytohormones, i.e. the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and the cytokinin trans-zeatin (tZ), in the brood-site pollination mutualism between fig trees and pollinator fig wasps. In this interaction, pollinator wasps pollinate Ficus flowers within an enclosed inflorescence called a syconium, in exchange for flowers that develop into galls nourishing pollinator offspring. To examine host manipulation by pollinator galls by affecting host fitness through seed reduction, we compared growth hormones released by syconial occupants within three experimentally produced treatment groups of syconia: S (containing only seeds), G (containing only pollinator galls) and SG (containing seeds and pollinator galls). We harvested syconia from each treatment in early and mid-phases of syconial maturation when maximal growth occurs and measured hormone levels. Hormones were reduced by mid-phase in general; however, their levels were mostly sustained in G syconia in the mid-phase, suggesting that galls manipulate the host to continuously access resources. We found no difference in IAA and tZ levels of S and G syconia. IAA concentrations were higher in SG syconia. From the perspective of the maintenance of mutualism, syconium volume and hormone concentrations were highest when both seeds and galls were present (SG treatment), indicating that both partners control allocation of resources to syconia.

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A causes reproductive damage in F1 male rabbits due to inflammation and oxidative stress.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used extensively in producing industrial chemicals such as plastic products, resin, and paper coatings. Concerns have been expressed regarding its possible detrimental consequences, especially on the reproductive system of mammals. Despite extensive study in this domain, there has been no targeted examination of the impact of BPA on F1 generation rabbits. BPA exposure model was developed in pregnant female rabbits to examine the effects of BPA on reproductive hormones, cellular apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and tissue integrity in weaning rabbits. The results indicated that BPA exposure triggered an inflammatory response and oxidative stress, consequently impacting the reproductive system of weaned rabbits and altering reproductive hormone levels. By modulation of the Nrf2 and NF-κB axes, BPA could influence the expression of antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory mediators in the rabbit reproductive system, leading to cell apoptosis and tissue damage. These results underscore the importance of monitoring BPA exposure during pregnancy and emphasize the necessity of implementing measures to mitigate its potential effects on the reproductive health of offspring.

Gut Microbiota-Bone Axis.

Knowledge of the complex interplay between gut microbiota and human health is gradually increasing as it has just recently been a field of such great interest. Recent studies have reported that communities of microorganisms inhabiting the gut influence the immune system through cellular responses and shape many physiological and pathophysiological aspects of the body, including muscle and bone metabolism (formation and resorption). Specifically, the gut microbiota affects skeletal homeostasis through changes in host metabolism, the immune system, hormone secretion, and the gut-brain axis. The major role on gut-bone axis is due to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). They have the ability to influence regulatory T-cell (Tregs) development and activate bone metabolism through the action of Wnt10. SCFA production may be a mechanism by which the microbial community, by increasing the serum level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), leads to the growth and regulation of bone homeostasis. A specific SCFA, butyrate, diffuses into the bone marrow where it expands Tregs. The Tregs induce production of the Wnt ligand Wnt10b by CD8+ T cells, leading to activation of Wnt signaling and stimulation of bone formation. At the hormonal level, the effect of the gut microbiota on bone homeostasis is expressed through the biphasic action of serotonin. Some microbiota, such as spore-forming microbes, regulate the level of serotonin in the gut, serum, and feces. Another group of bacterial species (Lactococcus, Mucispirillum, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium) can increase the level of peripheral/vascular leptin, which in turn manages bone homeostasis through the action of brain serotonin.

Endocrine and molecular regulation of seasonal avian immune function.

Birds have evolved seasonal adaptations in multiple aspects of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Seasonal immunological adaptations are crucial for survival in harsh environmental conditions and in response to increased prevalence of acute and chronic diseases. Similar to other vertebrates, birds exhibit remarkable plasticity in cytokine production, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and inflammation across the year. In this review, we provide a comparative perspective on seasonal rhythms in bird immune function. We describe advances in our understanding of annual changes in immune cells and responses to innate and adaptive immune challenges. Then, the role of glucocorticoids, sex steroids, thyroid hormones (THs) and melatonin to act as immunomodulators is described. We then discuss the impact of a major and emerging disease, the high pathogenicity avian influenza, as one of the most critical seasonal diseases with significant implications for poultry and wild bird populations. The review identifies the need to enhance our knowledge of annual rhythms in immune cells and tissues in birds, at molecular, cellular and hormonal levels across the year. Moreover, there is a significant absence of information on sex-specific seasonal variation in immune function. Understanding seasonal immune system dynamics will aid in addressing the negative impacts of pathogenic diseases, minimize global economic losses and aid conservation efforts.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Circadian rhythms in infection and immunity'.

Parathyroid hormone levels following denosumab vs. zoledronic acid therapy for osteoporosis.

The objective of this retrospective, database study was to characterize the rate, magnitude and timeline of increases in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels post-denosumab (DMAb) vs. zoledronic acid (ZA) injection in patients with osteoporosis and near normal baseline PTH. Included were osteoporotic females, ≥50 years, initiating treatment with 60 mg DMAb or 5 mg ZA. PTH levels within 6-months post-DMAb or 12-months post-ZA injection were extracted from the electronic database of a 4.5 million-member health maintenance organization. The indication for PTH measurements was unknown. Exclusion criteria were creatinine >2 mg/dL, vitamin D < 50 nmol/L or parathyroid hormone level > 1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN). Among 3317 women, 1992 received DMAb and 1325 ZA. The DMAb group was older (73.3 ± 8.5 vs. 69.8 ± 8.6 years, p < 0.001) and more patients treated with DMAb compared with patients treated with ZA had prior non-vertebral fractures (7.7 % vs. 5.2 %, p < 0.01) and had previously been treated with osteoporosis medication (56.3 % vs. 50.3 %, p < 0.001). Among the patients, 14.9 % had at least one post-treatment PTH > 1.5 ULN. Of 7273 post-treatment PTH tests, 62.6 % were within normal limits, while 24.8 % were mildly elevated at 1.01-1.5 ULN. Two-months after both treatments, >1.5 ULN PTH levels peaked at ~20 %. Elevated PTH was associated with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and comorbidities. In conclusion, most PTH levels post-DMAb or ZA in osteoporotic patients with baseline PTH < 1.5 ULN, were within normal range. PTH increased to >1.5 ULN in 14.9 % of patients; peaking in the first 2-months post-treatment and declining thereafter. Elevated PTH may be related to anti-resorptive effects and is not medication specific. PTH measurements in the first few months post-DMAb and ZA therapy should be limited.

Diagnostic value of fasting insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in girls with central precocious puberty.

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) provocation test is crucial for diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP). However, due to its invasion and high cost, it is essential to find a simpler biomarker. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of fasting insulin (FINS) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) as potential biomarkers for diagnosing girls with CPP and to analyze their effects on puberty development. From May 2023 to June 2024, we retrospectively analyzed 145 girls in the growth clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, including 80 CPP girls as the case group and 65 normal growth and development girls as the control group. Collect their growth and development parameters and blood samples. The levels of FINS, IGF-1, and sex hormones were detected and compared between the two groups. Compared with the control group, girls in the CPP group showed higher levels of FINS, IGF-1, and IGF-1 standard deviation score (IGF-1 SDS) (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of CPP increased with the increase of FINS, IGF-1, and IGF-1SDS levels [OR=1.141, 95 % CI=(1.029-1.265), p<0.05; OR=1.062, 95 % CI=(1.011-1.116), p<0.05; OR=1.610, 95 % CI=(1.029-2.520), p<0.05]. The areas under the curve of FINS, IGF-1, IGF-1SDS, and their combination in the diagnosis of CPP were 0.759, 0.716, 0.707, and 0.777, respectively. Elevated FINS and IGF-1 levels in girls with CPP indicate their potential as effective biomarkers for early screening and diagnosis of CPP.

Disrupting effects of neonicotinoids and their interaction with metals on thyroid hormone, an evidence of children in a rural area, South China.

Neonicotinoids exposure was found to induce thyroid dysfunction. However, there lack of direct evidence between neonicotinoids exposure and thyroid hormone (TH) disruption in population study, especially in children, which limits the understanding on their health hazard. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a cross-sectional study on children of a rural area in South China (n = 88), and analyzed urinary ten neonicotinoids (including metabolites), serum TH, thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Based on linear regression, generalized additive model, and Bayesian kernel machine regression, neonicotinoids levels were found to be correlated with TH, TBG, and TSH levels, with stronger effects for metabolites than parent compounds in most cases. Mixture exposure of neonicotinoids had significantly positive effect on free triiodothyronine (T3). N-desmethyl-acetamiprid (N-dm-ACE) was negatively associated with T3 for female, which corresponded to much lower T3 levels for female than for male. Also, N-dm-ACE was found to non-monotonic associated with free thyroxine for male. Some neonicotinoids had interactive effects with lead and cadmium on TH disruption. The results provide an evidence on TH disruption of neonicotinoids in children, and highlight the need to explore TH disruption of neonicotinoids and safeguard the health of children.

Presentation and Surgical Outcomes of Primary Hyperparathyroidism After Radioactive Iodine Therapy.

Radioactive iodine (RAI) is a common treatment for various thyroid diseases. Previous studies have suggested susceptibility of parathyroid glands to the mutagenic effect of RAI and the development of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). We tested the possible link between prior RAI treatment, disease presentation, and treatment outcomes. A retrospective analysis of 704 individuals who underwent parathyroidectomy for PHPT at a tertiary care center between the years 2015 and 2023 was performed. Preoperative and postoperative parameters, including demographic characteristics, biochemical markers, imaging data, and surgical and pathology findings were collected and analyzed to compare differences in patients who had previous RAI treatment and those who did not (non-RAI). Univariate statistical analyses were performed. Twenty-nine patients had a history of RAI treatment. Indications for RAI treatment included hyperthyroidism (n=18), papillary thyroid cancer (n=6), subacute thyroiditis (n=1), follicular cancer (n=1), and toxic goiter (n=1). Average latency time between RAI exposure and development of PHPT was 18.4ys. On comparison of the two groups, there was no difference in age, sex, race/ethnicity, day of surgery body mass index, preoperative parathyroid hormone, calcium, glomerular filtration rate, creatinine, vitamin D, or phosphate levels. There was also no difference in preoperative diagnosis of osteoporosis or nephrolithiasis. Postoperatively, there was no difference in parathyroid hormone, calcium, or creatinine levels, or in rate of cure. There was significantly higher chance of unilateral exploration in the operating room (75.9% RAI, 54.1% non-RAI, P=0.02) and increased rate of single-gland disease in the RAI group, although the latter finding was not statistically significant (79.3% RAI, 65.2% non-RAI, P=0.12). There was no difference in adenoma size as noted on the pathology report (greatest dimension 1.7cm RAI, 1.7cm non-RAI, P=0.28). Subgroup analysis of the RAI group based on reason for RAI treatment (cancer versus hyperthyroidism) showed no statistically significant differences in the examined demographic or clinical data. There does not seem to be a relationship between prior RAI treatment and the clinical presentation of PHPT. Additionally, differences in RAI dose do not appear to be associated with a change in clinical presentation. Our study revalidates that age and latency are inversely related, which is a previously shown finding. Clinicians may be reassured that patients with prior RAI history may not have differences in clinical characteristics, disease presentation, or treatment outcomes.

A new approach for hemodynamics of varicoceles: blood flow patterns based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound

BackgroundHemodynamic alterations in the spermatic vein are implicated in infertility among patients with varicocele (VC). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), a powerful tool for hemodynamic analysis, remains unexplored for VC. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using CEUS to evaluate spermatic vein hemodynamics in patients with VC and establish a clear correlation between specific hemodynamic patterns and impaired semen parameters. This study included 165 patients with left-sided VC and 50 healthy volunteers. All participants underwent CEUS of the spermatic veins, along with maximum venous diameter and testicular volume measurements and serum sex hormone levels and routine semen analyses. The sperm DNA fragmentation index was measured in 146 patients with VC and 37 healthy controls.ResultsThe analyses revealed four distinct blood flow patterns of the spermatic vein: steady flow, intermittent stasis, intermittent reflux, and filling defect. In healthy spermatic veins, the predominant blood flow patterns included steady flow and intermittent stasis. Spermatic veins with VC exhibited a significant increase in the intermittent reflux and filling defect patterns, with the proportion rising as the clinical grade increased. The four patterns were further grouped into the “steady flow & intermittent stasis” and “intermittent reflux & filling defect” patterns for logistic regression analyses; the intermittent reflux & filling defect pattern was revealed as an independent risk factor for impaired sperm concentration, total sperm counts, progressive motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation index.ConclusionsThis study validated the feasibility of CEUS for assessing the hemodynamics of the spermatic vein and established the intermittent reflux & filling defect pattern as an independent predictor of impaired semen parameters.

Variability of anti-Müllerian hormone and folliculotropic hormone levels in women of reproductive age in relation to normal or impaired ovarian function

Variability of anti-Müllerian hormone and folliculotropic hormone levels in women of reproductive age in relation to normal or impaired ovarian function

Hypopituitarism Screening in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury in the Primary Care Setting at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant health issue among veterans and poses a substantial risk for pituitary injury. Consensus guidelines recommend that patients who have sustained a TBI should undergo a baseline pituitary hormonal evaluation after the primary brain insult. Patients with abnormal screening test results or with symptoms of hypopituitarism should be referred to endocrinology for a full assessment. Currently, there are no reported data on the screening rates of hypopituitarism in veterans with TBI. This pilot study was conducted to determine the frequency of screening for hypopituitarism in veterans with TBI in a primary care clinic setting. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients with a diagnosis of TBI who were seen by their primary care physicians at the Minneapolis Veteran Affairs Health Care System over a 1-year period. A random sample was generated using computerized random generator software of patient data, including demographics, TBI-related information, and pituitary hormone levels, which were collected from the panel of primary care providers. We used 2 sets of screening criteria, one by Ghigo etal. published in 2005, and the second by Tan etal. published in 2017, to define hypopituitarism screening adequacy in our cohort of TBI patients. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. None of the 50 patients who met the criteria for screening based on the 2005 recommendations were screened for hypopituitarism. Only 2 of the 26 patients who met the criteria for screening based on the more recent 2017 recommendations were screened for hypopituitarism. We report that the screening rate for hypopituitarism in TBI patients is exceedingly low in the primary care setting, even with the less rigorous newer screening recommendations. Measures should be taken to improve screening of hypopituitarism to decrease morbidity and improve the quality of life in patients with a history of TBI.

18F]BCPP-EF positron emission tomography of rat ovaries for evaluation of mitochondrial function.

The ovary is an important female organ not only for pregnancy but also for the regulation of life activities via hormone release. Ovarian function is measured by blood hormone levels, but the hormone level reflects only the ovarian reserve and no other essential ovarian functions, such as nurturing and expelling follicles. Ovarian fibrosis is related to essential ovarian function; however, the existing methods for evaluating fibrosis are invasive. Ovarian fibrosis has been reported to be associated with mitochondrial function. We hypothesized that positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of mitochondria could be a new, non-invasive method for evaluating essential ovarian function. In this study, we investigated the age-related changes in ovarian fibrosis using the mitochondrial complex-I (MC-I) PET probe, 2-tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-{6-[2-(2-18F-fluoroethoxy)-ethoxy]-pyridin-3-ylmethoxy}-2H-pyridazin-3-one ([18F]BCPP-EF). Aged rats, whose ovary function decline, exhibited a higher uptake of [18F]BCPP-EF in the ovary than young rats, and this high uptake in aged rats was suppressed by mitoquinone, a superoxide scavenger. Increased [18F]BCPP-EF uptake in the ovary was associated with ovarian fibrosis, but not with AMH level which reflects the ovarian reserve. Furthermore, the measurement of MC protein levels showed that the protein levels of MC-I increased with age, whereas those of MC-V decreased. This study demonstrated that [18F]BCPP-EF can detect age-related changes in essential ovarian function evaluated by ovarian fibrosis. Therefore, [18F]BCPP-EF-PET is a useful non-invasive method for evaluating essential ovarian functions and will contribute to basic research on ovarian aging as well as drug discovery targeting ovarian dysfunction.

Metabolomic Changes in Major Depressive Disorder Adolescent Females with or without Suicide Attempts.

The incidence of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is high among adolescent females, and MDD is often accompanied by suicide attempts (SAs), which have a serious negative impact on health. However, changes in lipids, thyroid hormone, and brain metabolism among female adolescents with MDD and the relationships between these three markers and MDD with SA have yet to be elucidated. This study enrolled 71 MDD patients with SA (MDD+SA), 66 MDD patients without SA (MDD-SA), and 47 healthy controls (HCs). We analysed the lipid and thyroid hormone levels and magnetic resonance spectroscopy results of the subjects. Low levels of social support, high levels of life stress, and high levels of suicidal ideation (SI) were risk factors for SA. In MDD patients, 1) thyroid stimulating hormone was positively correlated with triglyceride (TG) and N-acetyl aspartic acid (NAA)/creatinine in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein and the choline/creatinine in the thalamus; 2) free thyroxine was negatively correlated with the choline/creatinine in the thalamus; 3) total cholesterol, TG, low-density lipoprotein, and choline/NAA in the PFC were positively correlated with the severity of SI and suicide risk; and 4) NAA/creatinine in the thalamus was negatively correlated with the severity of SI and suicide risk. In female adolescents with MDD, there are significant synergistic changes in lipids, thyroid hormones, and brain metabolism-related factors, and the changes in these indicators may be related to the pathological mechanism of SA.

Thyroid Dysfunction Following Thermal Ablation of Large Solid and Solid-Predominant Thyroid Nodules.

Thermal ablation (TA) is an alternative to lobectomy for thyroid nodules (TNs). While it is believed that thyroid function remains stable after TA for cystic TNs, the impact of TA on solid TNs, especially the large ones, is less explored. This study investigates changes in thyroid hormones after TA in patients with solid-predominant TNs and identifies potential risk factors for thyroid dysfunction after TA. Euthyroid patients with solid-predominant TNs (≥80% solid) were enrolled. The volume, diameter, and cytopathology of TNs were assessed before TA. TA was performed using either microwave or radiofrequency ablation. Thyroid hormone levels were measured at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after TA. 77 euthyroid patients with TNs were included. The euthyroid rate dropped to 70.1% at 1 week after TA but improved to over 90% by 1 month and returned to 100% by 12 months. At 1 week after TA, subclinical hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism were observed, with elevated T4, fT3, fT4, and TGAb levels, along with decreased TSH levels. The diameter and total volume of TNs were positively correlated with thyroid dysfunction, while TSH-baseline was negatively correlated with thyroid dysfunction 1 week after TA. A larger diameter and lower baseline TSH were identified as independent risk factors for thyroid dysfunction. TA may cause short-term thyroid dysfunction, especially in patients with large TNs. Monitoring of thyroid hormone levels is recommended from 1 week to 3 months after TA to manage potential thyroid dysfunction effectively.

Short- and long-term glycemic effects of pasireotide in patients with acromegaly: a comprehensive case study with review of literature.

Pasireotide (PAS), a multireceptor somatostatin analog, has been demonstrated to effectively control hormone levels, including those of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), in patients with acromegaly. However, it induces hyperglycemia by inhibiting insulin secretion via somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5). Despite the extensive literature on the occurrence of PAS-induced hyperglycemia, there is still no consensus on the optimal first-line treatment for this complication. Herein, we present two cases of acromegaly treated with PAS and highlight its short- and long-term effects on glucose metabolism. In the first case, postprandial hyperglycemia manifested rapidly following the commencement of PAS treatment and was effectively managed with dulaglutide under continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). In the second case, long-term PAS therapy resulted in a dose-dependent glycemic response that was controlled by different GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), including semaglutide. CGM facilitated the early detection of significant glycemic fluctuations, underscoring the necessity for close monitoring in patients receiving PAS therapy. These cases demonstrate the efficacy of GLP-1RAs in managing PAS-induced hyperglycemia and highlights the value of CGM in early detection and intervention. Our findings suggest that GLP-1RAs, particularly semaglutide, are a valuable treatment option for this condition. Further research is needed to determine the optimal treatment strategy, particularly in East Asian populations, and to establish a clear consensus on the first-line therapy for PAS-induced hyperglycemia.

Systematic Review of the Impact of Calcium Channel Blockers on Sperm Function.

This study explores the effects of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) on sperm function, a critical aspect of male fertility. Male infertility, responsible for 30-50% of infertility cases, often involves issues with sperm motility and capacitation, both of which are heavily influenced by calcium ions and specific ion channels like CatSper and voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs). CCBs, which are commonly prescribed for cardiovascular conditions, inhibit these calcium channels, potentially disrupting sperm function. A comprehensive literature review showed varied results: some studies demonstrated that CCBs such as nifedipine reduce sperm motility and the acrosome reaction, causing reversible infertility, while others found no significant impact on fertilization rates in IVF treatments. Supporting these findings, animal studies indicated that CCBs impair spermatogenesis and sperm function without necessarily affecting hormonal levels. The research suggests that the impact of CCBs on male fertility might be reversible, emphasizing the need for more extensive in vivo studies to further understand these effects and their clinical significance for patients on CCB therapy.