A Hidden Link between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Depression: A literature Review

The association between Subclinical hypothyroidism and Depression is recognised. It is found that patients with Thyroid disorders are more prone to develop depressive symptoms and depression may be accompanied by various subtle thyroid abnormalities. The most commonly documented abnormalities are elevated T4 levels, Low T3, elevated rT3, a blunted TSH response to TSH, Positive anti thyroid autoantibodies and elevated CSF TRH concentrations. It is also found that thyroid hormone supplements appear to accelerate and enhance the clinical response to antidepressants. It is found out that Depression is associated with changes in Hypothalamic-pituitary axis as thyroid hormones act on the central nervous system. Mild thyroid dysfunction causes depression in younger patients (<60 years old) diagnosed by depressive scale. It was found that differences in age group may cause depressive episodes. Depressive episodes such as anxiety and the risk of committing suicide are considerable factors that differ according to the age of the individuals.SCH was found to be associated with depression in the younger adults (<60 years old). The only difference between SCH and normal thyroid function is TSH.In depressive disorder and subclinical hypothyroidism sex differences have also been recognised. Association between subclinical hypothyroidism and Depression is assessed by various depressive scores such as Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton depression rating scale. As Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with low mood, Serum levels of TSH, FT3, FT4 and Hamilton depression, treatment with Levothyroxine showed significant decrease is TSH levels and Hamilton scores were decreased. Since the prevalence of depressive symptoms in hypothyroidism is high TSH cut-off levels is used,TSH cut off value for hypothyroidism is based on associated symptoms,TSH cut-off value is 2.5 MIU/L is optimal

A Hidden Link between Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Depression: A literature Review

The association between Subclinical hypothyroidism and Depression is recognised. It is found that patients with Thyroid disorders are more prone to develop depressive symptoms and depression may be accompanied by various subtle thyroid abnormalities. The most commonly documented abnormalities are elevated T4 levels, Low T3, elevated rT3, a blunted TSH response to TSH, Positive anti thyroid autoantibodies and elevated CSF TRH concentrations. It is also found that thyroid hormone supplements appear to accelerate and enhance the clinical response to antidepressants. It is found out that Depression is associated with changes in Hypothalamic-pituitary axis as thyroid hormones act on the central nervous system. Mild thyroid dysfunction causes depression in younger patients (<60 years old) diagnosed by depressive scale. It was found that differences in age group may cause depressive episodes. Depressive episodes such as anxiety and the risk of committing suicide are considerable factors that differ according to the age of the individuals.SCH was found to be associated with depression in the younger adults (<60 years old). The only difference between SCH and normal thyroid function is TSH.In depressive disorder and subclinical hypothyroidism sex differences have also been recognised. Association between subclinical hypothyroidism and Depression is assessed by various depressive scores such as Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton depression rating scale. As Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with low mood, Serum levels of TSH, FT3, FT4 and Hamilton depression, treatment with Levothyroxine showed significant decrease is TSH levels and Hamilton scores were decreased. Since the prevalence of depressive symptoms in hypothyroidism is high TSH cut-off levels is used,TSH cut off value for hypothyroidism is based on associated symptoms,TSH cut-off value is 2.5 MIU/L is optima

The Local Neuropeptide System of Keratinocytes

Neuropeptides have been known for over 50 years as chemical signals in the brain. However, it is now well established that the synthesis of this class of peptides is not restricted to neurons. For example, human skin not only expresses several functional receptors for neuropeptides but, also, can serve as a local source of neuroactive molecules such as corticotropin-releasing hormone, melanocortins, and β-endorphin. In contrast, an equivalent of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in the oral mucosa has not been well characterized to date. In view of the differences in the morphology and function of oral mucosal and skin cells, in this review I surveyed the existing evidence for a local synthesis of hypothalamic-pituitary, opiate, neurohypophyseal, and neuroendocrine neuropeptides in both epidermal and oral keratinocytes.

Effect of Distance from Target on Hypopituitarism After Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Pituitary Adenomas

IntroductionDelayed hypopituitarism is the most common complication after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for pituitary adenomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the distance from the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to the treatment target and anterior pituitary function preservation after SRS. MethodsBetween 2007 and 2020, consecutive adult patients who underwent single-session SRS for pituitary adenomas with ³6 months of follow-up were included. Distance measurements between hypothalamic-pituitary axis structures and the SRS target volume were quantified on MRI. The primary outcome was anterior pituitary function preservation. Outcomes were compared using multivariable regression and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) analyses. ResultsThe study cohort comprised 224 patients, who were categorized by preservation (n=168) and no preservation (n=56) of anterior pituitary function after SRS. Independent predictors of anterior pituitary function preservation were a greater distance between the center of the pituitary gland and center of the SRS target (OR=1.101 [1.000–1.213], p=0.050), and a shorter clinical follow-up duration (OR=0.985 [0.977–0.993], p<0.0001). The adjusted AUROC for the distance from the center of the pituitary gland and center of the SRS target in predicting anterior pituitary function preservation was 0.595. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in predicting anterior pituitary function preservation at the optimal cut-off distance of 15mm were 30.0%, 88.0%, 89.9% and 26.2%, respectively.ConclusionsGreater distance between the normal pituitary gland and the SRS target is associated with anterior pituitary function preservation and increasing this distance should be a goal of adenoma resection. Larger prospective, multi-center studies are necessary to corroborate this finding and establish the effects of distance on hypopituitarism after SRS for pituitary adenomas.

Pediatric Erdheim-Chester Disease in the Molecular Era: A Multicenter Case Series

Background: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a non-Langerhans cell histiocytic disorder that almost exclusively affects adults. Reports of pediatric-onset ECD are only anecdotal. Additionally, a comprehensive clinical and molecular characterization of pediatric ECD is lacking. Methods: All prevalent and incident cases followed at three ECD referral centers in Italy and France were considered eligible when they had: a) an age &lt;18y at disease onset; b) a clinical presentation consistent with ECD (i.e., at least one of the following localizations: bilateral, sclerotic bone involvement; sclerotic bone lesions of facial sinuses; hairy kidneys; coated aorta; xanthelasma; tumoral atrial involvement); c) pathology consistent with ECD or mixed ECD-Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH); d) available data on molecular studies. Results: Ten patients were included (4 boys and 6 girls); their median age at diagnosis was 4.5 years (IQR 3-9). Bone pain, diabetes insipidus, and exophthalmos were the predominant clinical manifestations at onset. The most commonly involved sites were the hypothalamic/pituitary axis (8/10, 80%), the maxillary/facial structures (8/10, 80%), the bone (6/10, 60%), and the central nervous system (CNS; 7/10, 70%). Other less frequent localizations included the skin (3/10, 30%), the retroperitoneum (2/10, 20%), the lymph nodes (2/10, 20%), the large vessels (1/10, 10%), the heart (1/10, 10%), and the lung (1/10, 10%). The median number of involved sites was four (IQR 4-4). Four patients (of whom three were younger than nine years) had clinical or pathological features consistent with mixed histiocytosis (ECD-LCH). Molecular analysis of tissue biopsies revealed the BRAF V600E mutation in 6 patients (60%). As compared with adult series, the retroperitoneum, the heart, the lungs, and the skin seemed to be less frequently involved. Conversely, hypothalamic/pituitary and maxillary/facial involvement were apparently more frequent in our pediatric cohort. Treatments were heterogeneous. First-line regimens mainly consisted of chemotherapy deriving from LCH-based regimens: six out of the eight treated patients received chemotherapy, but only two of them achieved a transient response. Interferon-alpha was used in five patients (as first-line treatment in two and as a rescue treatment in three), with a partial response in two. Four patients with the BRAF V600E mutation received the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib at some point (partial responses were obtained in all, in one case requiring a combination with cobimetinib). All patients were alive at last follow up (median 94 months, IQR 12-108). Chronic sequelae included end-stage kidney disease in one patient, growth retardation in two, and endocrine abnormalities in seven. Conclusions: The clinical phenotype of ECD differs between children and adults. The hypothalamic/pituitary axis and the maxillary/facial area are frequently involved in pediatric cases, whereas other localizations typically seen in adults (i.e., retroperitoneum, heart, lung, and skin) are rarer. An overlap with LCH is frequent, especially in younger patients. As for LCH, targeted treatments can be highly effective in children carrying the BRAF V600Emutation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Assessment of Neuroendocrine Changes and the Hypothalamo-Pituitary Autoimmunity in Patients With COVID-19

Purpose: The SARS-CoV-2 may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and pituitary dysfunction may occur. Therefore, we investigated neuroendocrine changes, particularly, secondary adrenal insufficiency using a dynamic test and the role of autoimmunity in pituitary dysfunction in the patients with COVID-19.Methods: The single-center, prospective, case-control study included PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. Basal hormone levels were measured and ACTH stimulation test was performed. Anti-pituitary (APA) and anti-hypothalamic antibodies (AHA) were also determined. Results: We examined a total of 49 patients with COVID-19 and 28 healthy controls. The frequency of adrenal insufficiency in patients with COVID-19 was found as 8.2%. The patients with COVID-19 had lower free T3, IGF-1, total testosterone levels, and higher cortisol and prolactin levels when compared with controls. We also, demonstrated the presence of APA in three and AHA in one of four patients with adrenal insufficiency. Conclusions: The COVID-19 may result in adrenal insufficiency, so the routine screening of adrenal functions is these patients is needed. Endocrine disturbances in COVID-19 are similar to those seen in acute stressful conditions or infections. Also, pituitary or hypothalamic autoimmunity may play a role in neuroendocrine abnormality in COVID-19.

The Variations of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Measured between Siemens Immulite, DiaSorin Liaison and IDS iSYS

Introduction/Objective Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) is a biomarker for the evaluation of growth hormone activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The current most common methodology for IGF-1 measurement is automated immunometric assays. In this study, we compared the IGF-1 on Siemens Immulite 2000, DiaSorin Liaison XL and IDS iSYS. Methods/Case Report Residual 30-110 serum specimens were randomly selected from routine hospital orders. IGF- 1 was measured on these three platforms and compared with Passing-Bablok regression. Bias was evaluated using the Bland-Altman method. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Weighted Deming regression analysis showed approximately 80% and 56% positive bias on IDS iSYS and DiaSorin Liaison, compared with Siemens Immulite (iSYS=1.81*Immulite-117.65, r=0.91; Liaison=1.56*Immulite-4.58, r=0.98). There was approximately 8% positive bias on Liaison, compared with iSYS (Liaison=1.08*iSYS+0.56, r=0.99). The Passing-Bablok regression analysis revealed approximately 67% and 54% positive bias (iSYS=1.67*Immulite-75, r=0.91; Liaison=1.54*Immulite-3.44, r=0.91). Approximately 8% positive bias on Liaison was observed, compared with iSYS (Liaison=1.08*iSYS+5.65, r=0.99). The Bland-Altman plot showed the agreement between iSYS and Immulite IGF-1 was on average 129.6±123.3 ng/mL, 98.6±148.8 ng/mL between Liaison and Immulite and 37.0±46.5 ng/mL between Liaison and iSYS. Conclusion Immunoassays rely on the specificity of antibodies. There are wide variations between different immunoassay platforms for IGF-1 measurement. The standardization of IGF-1 assay is lack. It would be a challenge for clinicians to monitor IGF-1 or treat the patients with pituitary disorders, when switching to another platform. The potential impact of the variations in IGF-1 measurement between different immunoassay platforms should be aware.

Il craniofaringioma

Craniopharyngioma (CP) is a rare epithelial low-grade tumour that develops in the sellar/suprasellar region of the brain, along the craniopharyngeal duct. It has a bimodal distribution and the first peak occurs in paediatric age almost exclusively consisting of the adamantinomatous subtype. A second peak occurs in adulthood after the fifth decade of life and is more likely to be of the papillary subtype. Therapy is based on surgical removal, so the best approach is the endonasal approach, which is sometimes associated with radiation therapy. Molecular target drugs are a promising novelty, indeed they are already in use in adults and are being tested in children. Although CP is considered a low malignancy tumour, its localization and close relationships with important structures such as the optical pathways, the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and the thalamus burden it with important complications (visual disturbances, central obesity, dysendocrinopathies) that can interfere with the patient’s quality of life.

Endocrine Flawed In COVID-19 Era

The clinical practice and social relationships have been changed since the emergence of COVID-19. It is declared a global pandemic affecting millions of people across the world. SARS-CoV-2 virus while infecting human has been noted to affect several vital organs and biological systems. This can occur directly through virus-induced damage or indirectly due to the host response after virus entry, which produce a negative impact on body systems. Human endocrine system similar fatal effect. Thereafter, the knowledge and clinical expertise about the management of the endocrine pathological consequences of COVID-19 is essential in the current pandemic situation. The need of such clinical proficiency is increasing more demanding as SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is growing towards more devastating phase. The coronavirus enters the human body by using the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2). Other than the pneumocytes, ACE-2 is expressed by several endocrine glands like the pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, thyroid, ovary, and testes. Diabetes has a significant impact on covid 19. Diabetes Mellitus is one of the comorbidities most frequently linked to severity and mortality resulting from COVID-19 infection. Thus, careful management that includes modification of treatment may be needed to protect from the most dangerous outcomes of the virus infection or hospitalization with COVID-19, not only for patients with a known history of diabetes but also those suffering SARS-CoV-2 induced new-onset diabetes. Those suffering from obesity are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 as well as to adverse effects. In order to limit the susceptibility and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection, there needs to be adequate management of nutrition of obese and undernourished patients. Hypothalamic-pituitary axis suppression, adrenal insufficiency, thyroid dysfunction, hypocalcemia, vitamin D lack, and vertebral fractures have also been reported as frequent findings in COVID-19 infected individuals who needed to be hospitalized and often associated with fatal clinical outcomes. Prompt glucocorticoid adjustment is also required in patients with COVID-19 having adrenal insufficiency. Addressing hormonal status may limit further treatment burden for a COVID-19 infected patient. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(5) 2021 p.49-64

Reproduction and the Fetus

The reproductive organs of male and female giraffes are similar to those of all other artiodactyls. Giraffes have 14 pairs of autosomes and a pair of sex chromosomes. A constant testis temperature depends on countercurrent heat exchange between a large pampiniform venous plexus and the testicular artery. The onset of puberty in males and females occurs at ~3 years of age and is marked by enlargement of testes and the onset of oestrous cycles. Oestrus cycles are ~15 days long. Courtship, conception, and pregnancy are delayed until ~5 years of age. The giraffe placenta is polycotyledonous and epitheliochorial. Pregnancy is sustained by progesterone secreted by a single corpus luteum, the placenta and fetal ovaries and testes. Gestation lasts ~450 days and is ended by hormones secreted by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis of a mature fetus. Birth takes ~30 minutes. Daily milk yield ranges between 2.5 L and 10 L. Protein, fat, and lactose are higher than in cow’s milk. Weaning occurs at ~6 months of age. The average calving interval is ~20 months but varies according to the degree of lactational stress itself partly determined by whether a calf survives. Female giraffes have ~8 calves of which ~3 will reach adulthood. Survival of giraffes as a species depends on fewer adults dying each year than the number of calves reaching adulthood.