Plasma Levels Of Hormone Research Articles

Liturgy affects the parameters of gas discharge visualization, acupuncture points and neuro-endocrine-immune complex

Background. The impact of religion on the human body has been the subject of a number of studies, including ours. The proposed article is a continuation of them. Purpose of the study: to detect in the supervised observation the characteristic effects of the Liturgy on some biophysical and physiological parameters of healthy people. Materials and methods. Under a observations were 10 healthy men by age 26-56 years. In the morning in basale condicions registered parameters of Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV), electroskin conductivity of Points Acupuncture (CPA), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Leukocytogram, phagocytic function of neutrophils as well as anxiety and plasma levels of main adaptive hormones: Cortisol, Triiodothyronine and Testosterone. After testing, one volunteer went to a chapel to attend a half-hour Liturgy, and another volunteer was in the park nearby, serving as a control. After that, both participants returned to their duties, and after 1 hour all tests were repeated. Results. The characteristic effects of the Liturgy are: minimization the decrease in CPA TR(X) and G8Dg on the right, reactive anxiety, cortisolemia and one marker of vagal tone; limitation the increase in the area of the GDV in the frontal projection and the intensity of phagocytosis; initiation an increase in plasma testosterone, entropy of the leukocytogram and the proportion of rod-core neutrophils, as well as reversion the decrease in the tone of the vagus and the decrease of the energy of the virtual seventh chakra, which takes place in the control group. Conclusion. Liturgy affects the parameters of gas discharge visualization, acupuncture points and neuro-endocrine-immune complex in healthy men.

Use of biologically active food supplements for menstrual disorders

Introduction. Gynecological morbidity in adolescents and young women is presented predominantly by functional disorders that do not have a distinct organic substrate and develop as response to stress factors. Objective: to evaluate the response of the menstrual cycle to the cyclic intake of vitamins and plant extracts in adolescents and young women with stress-dependent menstrual disorders. Materials and methods: The observational study included 40 women aged 16–28 years with anovulatory normogonadotropic ovarian dysfunction that clinically manifested as abnormal uterine bleeding (n = 7), oligomenorrhea (n = 29), or amenorrhea (n = 4). The subjects were recommended a 12-week administration of Time Factor vitamin-plant complex as a food supplement. The examination included the assessment of clinical parameters, hormonal blood profile and autonomic balance, ultrasound monitoring before use and in the 3rd cycle of Time-Factor complex administration. Results: the autonomic dysfunction symptoms reversed to an acceptable level in 62.5% of patients, the average score of autonomic dysfunction decreased from 33.8 ± 11.7 to 16.8 ± 3.87 points (p < 0.001) in 12 weeks’ time. The menstrual intervals reduced from 51.2 ± 11.5 to 32.5 ± 16.2 days (p < 0.01) in 65% of women. Ovulation in the final complex administration cycle was reported in 25% of women. Positive dynamics of folliculogenesis, endometrial thickness and hormone levels in plasma were also observed. Conclusion. The use of Time Factor biologically active complex in adolescents and young women with stress-dependent menstrual disorders improves autonomic balance, quality of life and has a positive effect on the menstrual cycle characteristics. The method is effective for oligomenorrhea-type menstrual disorders and should not be used as the only remedy in patients with amenorrhea or abnormal uterine bleeding.

Anhedonia induced by high-fat diet in mice depends on gut microbiota and leptin

ABSTRACT Objectives: Imbalanced nutrition and obesity are risk factors for depression, a relationship that in rodents can be modeled by depression-like behavior in response to high-fat diet (HFD). In this work, we examined the role of the intestinal microbiota and the adipocytokine leptin as potential mediators of the effects of HFD to induce anhedonia-like behavior and reduce self-care in mice. Methods: Male mice were fed a control diet or HFD (60 kJ% from fat) for a period of 4 weeks, after which behavioral tests and molecular analyses (gut microbiome composition, intestinal metabolome, fecal fatty acids, plasma hormone levels) were performed. The role of the intestinal microbiota was addressed by selective depletion of gut bacteria with a combination of non-absorbable antibiotics, while the implication of leptin was examined by the use of leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. Results: Antibiotic treatment reduced the HFD-induced weight gain and adiposity and prevented HFD-induced anhedonia-like behavior and self-care reduction. These effects were associated with a decrease in fecal fatty acids and intestinal microbiota-related metabolites including short-chain fatty acids, glucose and amino acids. Gut microbiota depletion suppressed the HFD-induced rise of plasma leptin, and the circulating leptin levels correlated with the anhedonia-like behavior and reduced self-care caused by HFD. The anhedonic effect of HFD was absent in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice although these animals gained more weight and adiposity in response to HFD than wild-type mice. Discussion: The results indicate that anhedonia-like behavior induced by HFD in mice depends on the intestinal microbiome and involves leptin as a signaling hormone.

Modulation of glutamate levels and Na+,K+-ATPase activity contributes to the chrysin memory recovery in hypothyroidism mice

Abnormalities in the thyroid hormones, like in hypothyroidism, are closely related to dementia and Alzheimer's disease demonstrating the main symptom of these disorders: memory deficit. In this study we evaluated the effect of chrysin on deficit spatial and aversive memories and the contribution of glutamatergic, cholinergic pathways and Na+, K+-ATPase activity on hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in hypothyroid adult female mice C57BL/6. Hypothyroidism was induced by the continuous exposure to 0.1% methimazole (MTZ) in drinking water for 31 days. The exposure to MTZ was associated to low plasma levels of thyroid hormones (TH) compared to the control group on the 32nd. Subsequently, euthyroid and MTZ-induced hypothyroid mice received (intragastrically) either vehicle or chrysin (20 mg/kg) once a day for 28 consecutive days. After treatments mice performed the following behavioral assessments: open-field test (OFT), morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance test. Additionally, plasma TH levels were measured again, as well as glutamate levels, Na+,K+-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were analyzed in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice. Mice with hypothyroidism showed a deficit of spatial and aversive memory and chrysin treatment reversed these deficits. It also reduced the levels of glutamate and decreased Na+,K+-ATPase activity in both cerebral structures in the hypothyroid mice compared with the euthyroid ones, with the exception of glutamate in the hippocampus, which was a partial reversal. AChE activity was not altered by treatments. Together, our results demonstrate that chrysin normalized hippocampal glutamate levels and Na+,K+-ATPase activity, which could be involved in the reversal of memory deficit.

Vegetative and endocrine predictors of individual immune responses to adaptogenic balneotherapy

Background. Earlier four variants of the immune responses to adaptogenic balneotherapy have been identified. All four variants of immune responses are virtually unmistakably predicted by a set of 20 predictors including 12 immune blood parameters and one saliva parameter, 4 information parameters, 2 fecal microbiota parameters as well as erythrocyturia. The purpose of this study is to search for predictors of immune responses among the registered parameters of the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems. Material and methods. The object of observation were 34 men and 10 women aged 24-70 years old, who came to the Truskavets’ spa for the treatment of chronic pyelonephritis combined with cholecystitis in remission. We determined them the HRV parameters and plasma levels of principal adaptation Hormones: Cortisol, Testosterone and Triiodothyronine. Results. Discriminant analysis revealed that constellation 8 HRV and 5 Endocrine parameters as well as Gender of the patient predicts the nature of the immune response with an accuracy of 90,9%. Conclusion. The previously revealed variety of immune responses to adaptogenic balneotherapy is quite strictly conditioned by the initial state of the neuroendocrine-immune complex and microbiota as well as the sex of patients.

Effects of treatment with haloperidol and clozapine on the plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones in rats.

Psychoactive drugs are group of compounds used to treat severe mental problems, including psychosis, as well as other conditions. This study assessed clinically relevant side effects of haloperidol and clozapine on the thyroid hormones. Haloperidol (0.05 and 2 mg/kg) or clozapine (0.5 and 20 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to male Wistar rats for 28 days. The control group received 2 ml of physiological saline. A chemiluminescent immunoassay was used to measure the plasma levels of thyroid hormones. Plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) in rats treated with high-dose (2 mg/kg) of haloperidol decreased significantly compared to the control group (p=0.001). However, both low (0.5 mg/kg) and high clozapine (20 mg/kg) doses did not have a significant effect on the plasma concentrations of T4 and triiodothyronine (T3) (p>0.05). Neither of the compound had a significant effect on T3 plasma concentration levels (p>0.05). Haloperidol and clozapine act via different mechanisms and may have dissociable effects on thyroid hormones. Following treatment with haloperidol, significant changes in T4, but not in T3, serum levels were observed. Haloperidol and clozapine had different effects on the thyroid hormone levels. These results indicate that antipsychotic treatment can contribute to the thyroid dysfunction. Therefore, greater caution should be applied to the antipsychotics use. The thyroid function of the patients should be closely monitored, while using these drugs.

Features of the HRV, endocrine and metabolic parameters in persons whose immune status is susceptible or resistant to chronic stress

Background. In the previous studies, we compared the individuals who were almost identical to the average value of LF/HF ratio and its dispersion, but with opposite deviations from the norm of immunity. Two profiles of EEG have been created that reflect the differences between the two clusters. The first profile contains the parameters that in stress-sensitive individuals are in the zone of narrowed norm, whereas in stress-resistant individuals they are to some degree elevated, or at least exceed those in stress-sensitive individuals. The second profile contains EEG parameters, each of which in stress-resistant individuals is lower than that of stress-sensitive individuals. The purpose of this study is to clarify the features of the HRV, endocrine and metabolic parameters in persons whose immune status is susceptible or resistant to chronic stress. Materials and Methods. The object of observation were 32 men and 8 women with chronic pyelonephritis in remission. The criterion for inclusion was the magnitude of the sympathico-vagal balance index LF/HF which exceeded the age norm by 0,5 σ. We determined spectral parameters of HRV, plasma levels of principal adaptation Hormones, plasma and daily urine levels of the Electrolytes and Nitrous metabolites as well as plasma Lipoproteines spectrum. Results. Discriminant analysis revealed that Testosterone is the main factor that conditioning the sensitivity of immune status to sympathotonic shift in autonomic regulation in chronic stress. Sensitizing (immunosuppressive) factors are also Ca/K-ratio of plasma and total Cholesterol, instead LD LP Cholesterol, Creatininuria, P/Ca-ratio of urine, spectral power of VLF band HRV as well as entropy of HRV are desensitizing (immunoprotective) factors. Conclusion. The susceptibility or resistance of the immune status to the stress sympathotonic shift of autonomic regulation is conditioned by the combination of EEG, HRV, endocrine and metabolic parameters.

Normal Testosterone but Higher Luteinizing Hormone Plasma Levels in Men With Hypersexual Disorder.

IntroductionHypersexual disorder as suggested to be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 integrates aspects of sexual desire deregulation, impulsivity, and compulsivity. However, it is unknown how it affects gonadal activity and the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in hypersexual men compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, we investigated associations between epigenetic markers and hormone levels.MethodsBasal morning plasma levels of testosterone, LH, and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) were assessed in 67 hypersexual men (mean age: 39.2 years) compared with 39 age-matched healthy controls (mean age: 37.5 years). The Sexual Compulsivity Scale and the Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale were used for assessing hypersexual behavior, the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Scale-self rating was used for depression severity, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used for assessing history of childhood adversity. The genome-wide methylation pattern of more than 850 K CpG sites was measured in whole blood using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip. CpG sites located within 2,000 bp of the transcriptional start site of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) and HPG axis–coupled genes were included.Main Outcome MeasuresTestosterone and LH plasma levels in association with clinical rating and a secondary outcome was the epigenetic profile of HPA and HPG axis–coupled CpG sites with testosterone and LH levels.ResultsLH plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with hypersexual disorder than in healthy volunteers. No significant differences in plasma testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, and SHBG levels were found between the groups. There were no significant associations between DNA methylation of HPA and HPG axis–coupled genes and plasma testosterone or LH levels after multiple testing corrections.ConclusionsSubtle dysregulation of the HPG axis, with increased LH plasma levels but no difference in testosterone levels may be present in hypersexual men.Chatzittofis A, Boström AE, Öberg KG, et al. Normal Testosterone but Higher Luteinizing Hormone Plasma Levels in Men With Hypersexual Disorder. Sex Med 2020;8:243–250.

Pregnant rats exposed to low-level methylmercury exhibit cerebellar synaptic and neuritic remodeling during the perinatal period.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent neurotoxic chemical, and gestational exposure to MeHg is known to cause developmental impairments in fetuses. Although it is well established that fetuses are extremely susceptible to MeHg toxicity, limited studies have investigated the effect of low-level MeHg exposure on mothers. In this study, we demonstrated that exposure of pregnant rats to low-level MeHg (1ppm in drinking water) induced cerebellar synaptic and neuritic remodeling during the perinatal period between gestational day 20 and postnatal day (PND) 1. MeHg-induced neurodegeneration, for example, cerebellar granule cell death, was not detected and fetuses were delivered normally and exhibited normal development. The maternal cerebellar synaptic and neuritic changes were restored by PND 21. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying these perinatal changes in MeHg-exposed pregnant rats, we investigated proteins related to synapse formation and neurite outgrowth. We identified suppression of the tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) A pathway and reduced activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) expression in MeHg-exposed pregnant rats during the perinatal period, mirroring the decreased expression of synaptic and neuritic proteins. MeHg-exposed pregnant rats also exhibited increased perinatal plasma corticosterone levels and decreased estradiol levels compared to vehicle-exposed pregnant rats. Similar to the synaptic and neuritic changes, TrkA pathway activity, Arc expression, and plasma hormone levels were subsequently normalized. These results suggest that exposure of pregnant rats to low-level MeHg affected perinatal cerebellar synaptic and neuritic remodeling through modulation of the TrkA pathway and Arc expression which may be caused by MeHg-induced hormonal changes.

Sub-chronic exposure to Kalach 360 SL, Glyphosate-based Herbicide, induced bone rarefaction in female Wistar rats

We investigated the effects of Kalach 360 SL (KL), Glyphosate (G)-based herbicide, on bone tissue in different groups of female Wistar rats. Group 1 (n = 6) received a standard diet and served as a control, groups 2 and 3 (n = 6 each) received 0.07 ml (D1: 126 mg/Kg) and 0.175 ml (D2: 315 mg/Kg) of KL dissolved in the water for 60 days. The plasma was used to examine the metabolic balance markers (calcium, phosphorus, phosphatase alkaline (PAL), and vitamin D (vit D) and hormonal status (oestrogen and thyroid hormones). As a result, sub-chronic exposure to KL induced a perturbation of bone metabolism (calcium and phosphorus) and hormonal status disturbance. The histological and immunohistochemical study of the thyroid gland revealed a disturbance in morphological structure and thyroid cells function. Moreover, the KL disrupting eff ;ect on thyroid function was investigated by measuring changes in plasma levels of thyroid hormones. Free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroxine (FT4) were decreased in female rats breast-fed from rats treated with D and D2 of KL. This eff ;ect was associated with an increase in the plasma level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Thus, that KL leads to hypothyroidism. Decrease in levels of oestrogen and thyroid dysfunction led to a disruption in the skeletal bone. The histological study and SEM in bone results allowed us to observe, in rats exposed to KL, the thinning and discontinuity of bone trabecular with a significant decrease in the number of nodes (intertrabecular links).In conclusion, KL sub-chronic exposure caused an aspect of osteoporosis.

Growth hormone and ghrelin status in autistic children

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with multifaceted etiology; with the hormonal imbalance playing an important role. Recent evidence suggests that plasma levels of Growth Hormone (GH) and ghrelin are altered in autistic children. Both hormones play a role in mucosal integrity which is crucial in immune tolerance. Ghrelin also modulates neuroinflammatory and apoptotic processes, thus both may have an impact on pathogenesis of autism. Aim To study the GH and ghrelin status in children with ASD and their relation to anthropometry and clinical phenotype. Patients and Methods This is a cross-sectional case-controlled study that included 45 children (30 males and 15 females) diagnosed with ASD compared to 30 age, sex and pubertal stage matched clinically normal controls. Psychometric evaluation including DSM 5, IQ, and CARS were done for the patients, while serum Acyl ghrelin, GH levels and anthropometric measurements were done for both the patients and controls. Results Compared to controls, patients had significantly higher weight and BMI (19.07 ± 4.56 kg versus 23.66 ± 11.44 kg, p 0.004) and (16.20 ± 0.89 kg/m2versus 17.94 ± 4.22 kg/m2, p 0.003) respectively. Ghrelin levels were significantly lower in our cases (7.04 ± 3.95 versus 1.90 ± 0.82, p 0.000) with significant positive correlation to the age. GH levels were also significantly lower in our cases (5.86 ± 2.21 versus 2.99 ± 1.51, p 0.000) with significant negative correlation to their CARS score. Conclusion Children with ASD have lower levels of ghrelin, GH compared to their normal counterparts. These findings support the hypothesis that hormones may modulate pathogenesis of autism, thus may play a key role in diagnosis and treatment response.

Sex Differences in Metabolic Responses to Chronic Immobilization Stress in Rats

Abstract Background Responses to stress could range from homeostatic variations to life-threatening effects depending on the type, timing and severity of the applied stimulus. Gender is accompanied by variations in oxidative stress, which causes the development of metabolic diseases. Under physiological conditions, females were found to be less susceptible to oxidative stress. Aim of work: This study was conducted to highlight the sex differences in the metabolic responses to chronic immobilization stress in rats, and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods Forty adult Wistar rats of both sexes; were randomly divided into 2 main groups: control group and stressed group, each of which was further subdivided into male and female groups. Stressed groups were exposed to chronic immobilization for 4 weeks. All rats were subjected to determination of body mass index, visceral fat weight, absolute and relative weights of liver and pancreas, plasma glucose, glucose uptake by diaphragm, glucose output by kidneys, lipid profile and plasma levels of insulin, leptin and sex hormones, malodialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and nitrite. HOMA-B and HOMA-IR were calculated. Also, caspase 3 was assessed in pancreas by immunohistochemistry. Results Stressed male rats showed lower BMI, higher relative liver weight, dyslipidemia, fasting hyperglycemia, higher glucose output by kidneys, lower glucose uptake by diaphragm, HOMA-B and plasma levels of insulin, testosterone and TAC and higher plasma estrogen and MDA levels compared to the control male group. Compared to the control female group, stressed female rate exhibited hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, higher plasma sex hormones. Compared to stressed male rats, stressed female group showed significantly higher BMI percentage change and plasma levels of TAC, estrogen and testosterone, but significantly lower absolute liver weight, glucose output by the kidneys, plasma levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, and atherogenic index. Conclusion Chronic immobilization stress imposes greater hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic status in males than in females. The altered sex hormonal pattern and lowered antioxidant defences could be contributory mechanisms

Inclusion of Endogenous Plasma Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Mammographic Density in Risk Prediction Models for Breast Cancer.

Endogenous hormones and mammographic density are risk factors for breast cancer. Joint analyses of the two may improve the ability to identify high-risk women. This study within the KARMA cohort included prediagnostic measures of plasma hormone levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), its sulfate (DHEAS), and mammographic density in 629 cases and 1,223 controls, not using menopausal hormones. We evaluated the area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) for risk of breast cancer by adding DHEA, DHEAS, and mammographic density to the Gail or Tyrer-Cuzick 5-year risk scores or the CAD2Y 2-year risk score. DHEAS and percentage density were independently and positively associated with breast cancer risk (P = 0.007 and P < 0.001, respectively) for postmenopausal, but not premenopausal, women. No significant association was seen for DHEA. In postmenopausal women, those in the highest tertiles of both DHEAS and density were at greatest risk of breast cancer (OR, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-6.3) compared with the lowest tertiles. Adding DHEAS significantly improved the AUC for the Gail (+2.1 units, P = 0.008) and Tyrer-Cuzick (+1.3 units, P = 0.007) risk models. Adding DHEAS to the Gail and Tyrer-Cuzick models already including mammographic density further increased the AUC by 1.2 units (P = 0.006) and 0.4 units (P = 0.007), respectively, compared with only including density. DHEAS and mammographic density are independent risk factors for breast cancer and improve risk discrimination for postmenopausal breast cancer. Combining DHEAS and mammographic density could help identify women at high risk who may benefit from individualized breast cancer screening and/or preventive measures among postmenopausal women.

Targeting PD-L1 Initiates Effective Antitumor Immunity in a Murine Model of Cushing Disease.

Although pituitary adenoma is classified as benign, Cushing disease is associated with significant morbidity due to the numerous sequelae of elevated cortisol levels. Successful therapy for Cushing disease remains elusive due to high rates of treatment-refractory recurrence. The frequent emergence of lymphocytic hypophysitis following checkpoint blockade for other cancers, as well as the expression of PD-L1 on pituitary adenomas, suggest a role for immunotherapy. This study confirms PD-L1 expression on functioning pituitary adenomas and is the first to evaluate the efficacy of checkpoint blockade (anti-PD-L1) therapy in a preclinical model of Cushing disease. Herein, treatment with anti-PD-L1 was successful in reducing adrenocorticotropic hormone plasma levels, decreasing tumor growth, and increasing survival in our model. Furthermore, tumor-infiltrating T cells demonstrated a pattern of checkpoint expression similar to other checkpoint blockade-susceptible tumors. This suggests that immunotherapy, particularly blockade of the PD1/PD-L1 axis, may be a novel therapeutic option for refractory Cushing disease. Clinical investigation is encouraged.

Plasma Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 and Cholecystokinin Responses to Fast Food in Healthy-Weight and Obese Men

Satiety hormones play a role in obesity metabolism. The satiety response to similar nutrients in food in healthy and obese men remains undefined. The research was aimed to determine the satiety response differences by comparing the effect of isocaloric fast-food consumption on reducing appetite-related gut hormones, such as glucagon-like fullness ratings and both GLP-1 and CCK among healthy and obese men. Respondents were given an isocaloric fast food, then GLP-1 and CCK levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Visual analogue scale (VAS) form was used for hunger and fullness ratings of the subjects. The difference level of GLP-1, CCK, and VAS between groups were measured by t-test. The correlation between VAS hunger and fullness rating was measured by Pearson. Plasma hormone levels in 16 obese and 16 healthy-weight respondents were assessed before eating and at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after consumption. In obese men, GLP-1 levels were significantly higher than those in healthy-weight men at 60 and 120 minutes, while healthy-weight men had significantly higher CCK levels than those of obese men over time (all p&lt;0.05). The total area under the curve (AUC) for GLP-1 was significantly higher for obese men than for healthy-weight men, while the AUC for CCK was significantly higher for healthy-weight men than for obese men. Obese men have higher plasma GLP-1 levels and lower plasma CCK than healthy men indicates that those respondents were experiencing glucose intolerance and leptin alteration. The hormonal systems that may contribute to the development of obesity need further investigation.

Opposite effects of photoperiod and temperature on circadian rhythms of pineal arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferas (AANAT) activity and circulating levels of thyroid hormones in airbreathing catfish, Clarias gariepinus

ABSTRACT Effects of different photoperiods (9L-15D, 12L-12D and 15L-9D at a constant temperature 25 ± 1°C) and simulated temperatures (15°C, 25°C and 35°C under a common photoperiod 12L-12D) were investigated on the circadian rhythms of plasma levels of thyroid hormones [thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)] and pineal arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) activity in the fish, Clarias gariepinus during winter and summer seasons. Irrespective of the seasons, plasma levels of thyroid hormones (THs) and pineal AANAT activity exhibited circadian rhythm under all the photoperiodic regimes and simulated temperatures. The levels of THs were found to be directly related to the length of photoperiod as well as temperature. In contrast, pineal AANAT activity was inversely related to the length of photoperiod and temperature. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that photoperiod and temperature jointly regulate the inverse temporal relationship between the circadian rhythms of plasma levels of THs and pineal AANAT activity in C. gariepinus.

Sex hormones and genetic variants in hormone metabolic pathways associated with the risk of colorectal cancer

ObjectiveThe different incidence of colorectal cancer between the sexes suggests that sex hormones may be involved in the susceptibility to colorectal cancer. The association between sex hormones and genetic variants in hormone metabolic pathways and the colorectal cancer risk remains unclear. MethodsWe detected sex hormone levels in plasma from colorectal cancer patients and controls in males by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). We evaluated the clinical significance of sex hormones on colorectal cancer diagnosis with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The role of genetic variants in hormone metabolic pathways in the colorectal cancer risk was assessed by a logistic regression model. The biological functions were detected by luciferase reporter assays and cell behavior experiments. ResultsWe found that 2-methoxyestrone (2-MeO-E1) was highly expressed in cases (PFDR = 3.48 × 10−19). The expression of 2-MeO-E1 in plasma showed improved accuracy for predicting colorectal cancer (AUC = 0.88). In the 2-MeO-E1 metabolic pathway, rs165599 in COMT was significantly associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (P = 0.009). Mechanistically, we found that the rs165599 G allele could decrease the binding ability of miR-22-3p to the COMT 3′-UTR. Furthermore, knockdown of COMT inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase. ConclusionThis is the first study to show that 2-MeO-E1 and a genetic variant in COMT contribute to the susceptibility to colorectal cancer. These results shed light on the different incidence of colorectal cancer between the sexes.

Assessment of Adrenotoxicity Induced on Prenatal Exposure to Bacterial Endotoxin Lipopolysaccharide: an Age-Related Study in Mice

Preclinical and clinical studies have reported that psychiatric illness stems from exposure to infection during early life. Infection-induced increase in proinflammatory cytokines and further activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis are considered the main factors behind mental illness. The present study elucidated the impairment of HPA axis of female mice prenatally challenged with bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The impairment was evaluated through detailed investigation of adrenal histopathology, the end target endocrine gland of HPA axis, plasma levels of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT). In view of the role of pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) in modulation of HPA axis under infection, plasma level of PRL was also assessed. The evaluation was done at three different life stages of adulthood, i.e., postnatal day (PND) 85, PND 120 and PND 200. Distinct histopathological alterations in adrenal were revealed: distorted arrangement of zona fasciculata cells, localized cytoplasmic vacuolization and accumulation of lipid droplets were some of the disruptions of the adrenal cortex. Medulla showed distinct vascular congestion and disruptions of chromaffin cells with pyknotic nuclei. Plasma levels of ACTH and CORT were significantly elevated, but PRL was lowered. Bacterial endotoxin LPS might have interfered at different levels of hypothalamus, pituitary and directly on adrenal as well acting through its receptors to induce adrenotoxicity. An age-dependent HPA axis impairment was noted; the persistence of the adrenal toxicity was to a greater degree at PND 200 than PND 120 and PND 85 suggesting the reason for the susceptibility of old age to mental illness.

Renal Function and Plasma Renin activity as Potential Factors Causing Hyperkalemia in Patients with Thyroid Carcinoma Undergoing Thyroid Hormone Withdrawal For Radioactive Iodine Therapy

Objective: Hypothyroidism is not commonly considered a cause of hyperkalemia. We previously reported that hyperkalemia was observed mainly in elderly patients treated with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) inhibitors when levothyroxine treatment was withdrawn for the thyroidectomized patients with thyroid carcinoma to undergo radioactive iodine treatment. Here, we investigated whether acute hypothyroidism causes hyperkalemia in patients who were not treated with RAS inhibitors. We also investigated factors influencing potassium metabolism in hypothyroid patients. Methods: We conducted a single-center, prospective cohort study of 46 Japanese patients with thyroid carcinoma undergoing levothyroxine withdrawal prior to radioiodine therapy. All patients were normokalemic before levothyroxine withdrawal. Blood samples were analyzed 3 times: before, and at 3 and 4 weeks after levothyroxine withdrawal. We investigated factors that may be associated with the elevation of serum potassium levels from a euthyroid state to a hypothyroid state. Results: None of the patients developed symptomatic hyperkalemia. The mean serum potassium level was significantly higher at 4 weeks after levothyroxine withdrawal compared to baseline. The serum sodium levels, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the plasma renin activity (PRA) decreased significantly as hypothyroidism advanced. In contrast, the plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, aldosterone, and antidiuretic hormone were not changed, while serum thyroid hormone decreased. At 4 weeks after their levothyroxine withdrawal, the patients' serum potassium values were significantly correlated with the eGFR and the PRA. Conclusion: Acute hypothyroidism can cause a significant increase in the serum potassium level, which may be associated with a decreased eGFR and decreased circulating RAS. Abbreviations: ACTH = adrenocorticotropic hormone; ADH = antidiuretic hormone; ATPase = adenosine triphosphatase; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; HbA1c = glycated hemoglobin; K+ = potassium; Na+ = sodium; PRA = plasma renin activity; RAS = renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; T4 = thyroxine; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone.

The copper content in the blood plasma of children with different types of short stature

The aim: to investigate the copper content in blood serum of children with different short stature types. Materials and methods: In the first stage, a comprehensive survey of 258 school children aged 7-11 was carried out in Chernivtsi to assess the prevalence of short staturechildren of school-age. In the second stage, a comparative study of 42 children aged 3 to 15 years with different types of short stature was conducted. Research: anthropometry, determination of growth hormone, TSH, IGF-1, and copper level in blood plasma. Results: The largest growth rate in children with somatotropic insufficiency, the syndrome of a biologically inactive growth hormone ranged from 4.1 cm/year to 1.6 cm/year, the ones with a family constitutional low-growth - from 5.7 cm/year to 3.3 cm/year. In 57 cases, that makes 1% of children with short stature, the blood plasma level of copper made less and rated 0.89 ± 0.04 μg / ml, which is believed to be lower (pу0,001) the average copper in children of the control group - 1.07 ± 0.02 μg / ml. Indices of copper in blood plasma in children with somatotropic insufficiency were the lowest and averaged 0.75 ± 0.03 μg / l, p<0.05. Conclusions: The lack of copper in the blood plasma is observed in most children with short stature, which indicates the need for appropriate correction.