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.

Female Hyperandrogenism in Elite Sports and the Athletic Triad

Essential hyperandrogenism seems to be overrepresented in female elite athletes. This applies to mild forms such as polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as rare differences/disorders of sex development (DSD). The reason is likely a selection bias since there is increasing evidence that androgens are beneficial for athletic performance by potent anabolic effects on muscle mass and bone mass, and stimulation of erythropoiesis. XY DSD may cause a greatly increased production of testosterone in the male range, that is, 10 to 20 times higher than the normal female range. The established regulations concerning the eligibility of female athletes with severe hyperandrogenism to compete in the female classification remain controversial. The most common cause of menstrual disorders in female athletes, however, is probably an acquired functional hypothalamic disturbance due to energy deficiency in relation to energy expenditure, which could lead to low bone mineral density and increased risk of injury. This condition is particularly common in endurance and esthetic sports, where a lean body composition is considered an advantage for physical performance. It is important to carefully evaluate endocrine disturbances and menstrual disorders in athletes since the management should be specific according to the underlying cause.

Pituitary Apoplexy, Meningitis and Cerebral Infarction - A Perplexing Trifecta

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a clinical diagnosis comprising a sudden onset of headache, neurological deficits, endocrine disturbances, altered consciousness, visual loss, or ophthalmoplegia. However, clinically, the presentation of PA is extremely variable and occasionally fatal. While meningitis and cerebral infarcts are themselves serious diseases, they are rarely seen as manifestations of PA and are exceedingly rare when present together.We present the case of a 20-year-old male with a rapid progression of symptoms of meningitis, PA and stroke. The present article seeks to emphasize a rare manifestation of PA with an attempt to understand the intricacies of its evaluation and management.

CORRELATION OF THYROID HORMONES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an international public health problem affecting about 5–10% of the population. It is the ninth leading cause of death. A trend towards increased incidence and prevalence is being reported worldwide with epidemic proportions in many countries. CKD is associated with variety of endocrine disturbances among which thyroid dysfunction is most common. This is probably due to reduce circulating hormone levels, altered binding of hormone to carrier protein or due to reduced peripheral metabolism of hormone. Materials and Methods: The study included 100 patients diagnosed with CKD. Both male and female patients aged between 30-70 years were selected for the study. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) was calculated using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Total T3, Total T4, TSH levels were measured by CLIA methodology. Results: Statistically significant alteration in TSH (p<0.01) values were seen with eGFR suggesting that alteration in the eGFR may lead to thyroid hormone resistance. Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD), Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD)

Candidate genes of empty sella

Empty sella (ES) is a condition characterized by arachnoid herniation into the sellar fossa which leads to flattening of the pituitary gland against the sellar floor. Besides endocrine disturbances, patients with ESS may also have neuropsychiatric symptoms such as headache, dizziness, seizures, schizophrenia. Typically, ES is not inherited. However, due to the advent of new methods of brain imaging and molecular genetics, the perspective on the genetics of ESS has been changing. The aim of this study is to analyze genome-wide association studies of candidate genes related to the development of ESS in humans. Based on the available studies which have been analyzed, all candidate genes of ESS were divided into 4 groups: group 1 - candidate genes related to ESS, group 2 - candidate genes related to pathways of ESS, group 3 - candidate genes related to cellular components of ESS, group 4 - candidate genes related to biological processes of ESS.

Complications and Comorbidities of Acromegaly—Retrospective Study in Polish Center

IntroductionIn acromegaly, chronic exposure to impaired GH and IGF-I levels leads to the development of typical acromegaly symptoms, and multiple systemic complications as cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, endocrine, and bone disorders. Acromegaly comorbidities contribute to decreased life quality and premature mortality. The aim of our study was to assess the frequency of acromegaly complications and to evaluate diagnostic methods performed toward recognition of them.Materials and MethodsIt was a retrospective study and we analyzed data of 179 patients hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Isotope Therapy in Wroclaw Medical University (Poland) in 1976 to 2018 to create a database for statistical analysis.ResultsThe study group comprised of 119 women (66%) and 60 men (34%). The median age of acromegaly diagnosis was 50.5 years old for women (age range 20–78) and 46 for men (range 24–76). Metabolic disorders (hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and prediabetes) were the most frequently diagnosed complications in our study, followed by cardiovascular diseases and endocrine disorders (goiter, pituitary insufficiency, osteoporosis). BP measurement, ECG, lipid profile, fasting glucose or OGTT were performed the most often, while colonoscopy and echocardiogram were the least frequent.ConclusionsIn our population we observed female predominance. We revealed a decrease in the number of patients with active acromegaly and an increase in the number of well-controlled patients. More than 50% of patients demonstrated a coexistence of cardiac, metabolic and endocrine disturbances and only 5% of patients did not suffer from any disease from those main groups.

Endocrine changes in SARS-CoV-2 patients and lessons from SARS-CoV

Coronavirus infection outbreaks have occurred frequently in the last two decades and have led to significant mortality. Despite the focus on reducing mortality by preventing the spread of the virus, patients have died due to several other complications of the illness. The understanding of pathological mechanisms and their implications is continuously evolving. A number of symptoms occur in these patients due to the involvement of various endocrine glands. These clinical presentations went largely unnoticed during the first outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002–2003. A few of these derangements continued during the convalescence phase and sometimes occurred after recovery. Similar pathological and biochemical changes are being reported with the novel coronavirus disease outbreak in 2020. In this review, we focus on these endocrine changes that have been reported in both SARS coronavirus and SARS coronavirus-2. As we battle the pandemic, it becomes imperative to address these underlying endocrine disturbances that are contributing towards or predicting mortality of these patients.

SEX STEROIDS AND ADIPOKINES IN MEN WITH PROSTATE CANCER AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH OBESITY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the world and in Poland it is the second cause of death in men suffering from cancer. Recent evidence suggests that obesity is associated with prostate cancer. Increased BMI correlates with aggressive disease and with higher risk of recurrence and mortality in prostate cancer patients. Obesity can promote the progression of prostate cancer through endocrine disturbances, mainly in sex steroids, through chronic inflammation resulting in altered production of adipokines, peripheral insulin resistance with hyperinsulinemia and oxidative stress. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome can be used in the global assessment of prognosis in patients with prostate cancer. The aim of the paper is to present current state of knowledge about connections between obesity, metabolic syndrome, sex steroids and adipokines in men with prostate cancer.