Search

We investigated the effect of short-term telmisartan usage in addition to lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise on insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, and serum adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).A total of 36 hypertensive patients with MetS were randomized to telmisartan and control groups in an open-labeled prospective study.There were significant decreases in anthropometric variables of patients according to baseline measurements in both groups at the end of the study. Serum insulin level and insulin resistance assessed by homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance were decreased significantly in the telmisartan group (P = 0.040 and P = 0.034, respectively) compared with the controls, while there was no statistically significant change in the lipid profiles of the two groups. Serum adiponectin level was increased by 19.1% ± 41.7% in the telmisartan group, but intergroup analysis revealed no significant change. There was also no significant change in serum TNF-α level in either group.It has been observed that even short-term telmisartan treatment had favorable effects on insulin resistance and glucose metabolism compared with lifestyle changes alone. The fundamental effect of telmisartan treatment on insulin resistance renders it a good therapeutic option for hypertensive patients with MetS.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important health problem that should be treated efficiently because of its high prevalence and high morbidity and mortality due to its complications. In patients with DM, the application of a treatment which provides physiologic insulin secretion as such in healthy individuals is directly related with the prevention of diabetes complications. Insulin analogs, which were developed in recent years and shown to have pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic superiority to human insulin, have made it possible to obtain natural insulin pattern in the body. In addition to development of insulin analogs, introduction of insulin application method of “continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion” (insulin pump) has led a new era in the treatment of DM. In this review, treatment of type 1 and 2 DM patients with insulin analogs, particularly insulin aspart, applied with insulin pump was discussed in the light of the current literature.

Context: Although patients with acromegaly may have an increased risk of developing several types of cancers, the degree of risk for malignancy in these patients is unresolved. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the potential genotoxic effects of acromegaly on the cell cycle in peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures. Design: This was a single center, crossover, case-control study conducted on the acromegalic patients in Turkey. Setting: The study was conducted in the outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Patients: Seventy-one consecutively screened acromegalic patients and 56 controls participated in the study. Intervention: Patients were included, regardless of the disease activity status and their treatment duration before the study. Main Outcome Measures: The primary end point was the frequency of micronucleus (MN) in the peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures, and the secondary end point was its clinical correlations. Results: The MN level was 3.82 ± 1.49 in the control group and 18.00 ± 6.13 in the acromegalic group (P < .01), whereas the nuclear division index (NDI) was 1.79 ± 0.12 in the control group and 1.68 ± 0.07 in the acromegalic group (P < .01). Neither MN nor NDI was correlated with age, GH, IGF-I, initial GH, initial IGF-I, duration of the remission period, and initial tumor size. Only the MN level was positively correlated with the duration of disease (r = 0.323, P = .014). Conclusion: Our results indicated that acromegalic patients had genotoxic damage at a substantial level, and there was a positive correlation between the duration of disease and genotoxicity level.

To compare once- versus twice-daily insulin detemir added on OADS therapy in insulin-naive type 2 diabetes patients in terms of efficacy and safety.An open-label study performed at a single center, comprised a randomized, crossover 24 week with insulin-naive type 2 diabetes patients. Insulin detemir was initiated with mean 0.12 U/kg in all patients (Group I once-daily, Group II twice-daily) and titrated for 24 week.A total of 50 patients completed the study (Group I n:25, Group II n:25). With use of once- and twice-daily insulin, HbA1c values were decreased by 1.8% (±2.0) and 1.5% (±1.4) within the first 12 weeks (p0.01), whereas increased by 0.21% (±0.7) and 0.14% (±0.8) in the second 12 weeks (p0.05). The increases in the insulin doses were found as 0.22 U/kg and 0.35 U/kg with once- and twice-daily insulin use, respectively (p:0.04). Although minor hypoglycemic events were similar in both groups in the first 12 weeks, 2-fold increase was found in the patients shifting from once- to twice-daily dose. Within the first and second periods, the body weight of the patients was observed an increase of 0.4 and 1.6 kg with once-daily dose, whereas a decrease of 0.1 and 2.1 kg in the twice-daily dose, in the same period.Once-daily use of insulin detemir up to 0.4 U/kg was found to have similar efficacy and safety as twice-daily use. Twice dose use of insulin did not provide a prominent glycemic control advantage on 1.5-fold higher use of insulin.

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in elderly populations, and is thought to be an important risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in this age group.The study included 104 patients aged over 60 years who were followed-up for type 2 diabetes for at least 6 months, in addition to 44 controls. Glycemic parameters, microangiopathic complications, microalbumin elimination, and the Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE) scores were used as indicators of cognitive function.The SMMSE scores of diabetic patients were significantly lower than the control group (p 0.05). The average SMMSE score for normoalbuminuric diabetic patients was 22.36 ± 4.66, compared with 22.61 ± 4.90 for the microalbuminuria patients (p = 0.84). A positive correlation was found between SMMSE scores and patients' hemoglobin values and education levels, whereas a negative correlation was noted between SMMSE scores and systolic and diastolic blood pressures and hemoglobin A1c levels (p 0.05). Patients with diabetic neuropathy, a microvascular complication of diabetes, were found to have significantly lower SMMSE scores (p = 0.011).Elderly diabetic patients showed decreased cognitive function compared to volunteers. No relationship was established between microalbuminuria and cognitive functions, although diabetic neuropathy was found to be related to decreased cognitive function.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of some clinical and pathological features of prolactinomas on tumour behaviour. Material and methods: The study included 113 patients with prolactinoma (27 male, 86 female), with a mean age at diagnosis of 34.4 ± 10.0 years (40.3 ± 12.6 in males, 32.6 ± 8.3 in females). Patients were grouped as invasive or non-invasive according to radiological imaging findings. Ki-67 levels were evaluated if possible. Results: The mean adenoma size (longest dimension) was 38.6 ± 21.6 mm and 10.8 ± 9.4 mm in male and female patients. Pre-treatment serum levels of prolactin were defined as mean 1,926 ± 6,662 ng/mL in all, 124.8 ± 63.4 and 4,675 ± 10,049 ng/mL in the noninvasive and invasive groups (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the serum levels of prolactin and tumour size. The rate of patients with Ki-67 ≥ 0.03 was 37.5% and 47.8% in the noninvasive and invasive groups. The reduction rates were 60.8% and 80.4% in tumour sizes and 81.1% and 93.8% in prolactin level in the noninvasive and invasive groups, respectively, (p < 0.05). Conclusions: We found a strong correlation between prolactin levels and invasiveness in male patients compared to females. Ki-67 index was not found to have a place in defining the prognosis.

Pituitary tumors usually originate as benign sporadic adenomas and develop into invasive and aggressive tumors such as prolactinomas, which are common functioning pituitary adenomas. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the tumor behavior in prolactinomas and the p16(CDKN2A) gene polymorphism occurring at the 3′-untranslated region of exon 3 (C540G). A total of 104 patients with prolactinoma were included and assigned to two groups based on invasive vs. non-invasive tumor behavior. Ki67 indices were recorded according to histopathology results. Genotypic analysis of the p16(CDKN2A) C540G polymorphism was carried out using a modified polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The corresponding frequencies for CC, CG and GG genotypes in non-invasive vs. invasive tumors were 61.5, 30.8, 7.7 and 64.1, 28.2, 7.7%, respectively (not significant). The observed CG genotype frequency was higher compared with previous studies. In addition, the patients with giant adenomas or a high Ki67 index had a higher frequency of the CG genotype as compared with the other subgroups, although the differences were not significant (46.2 and 42.9%, respectively). In conclusion, a higher frequency of the C540G CG genotype of the CDKN2A gene was found among patients with prolactinoma in comparison with previous studies. These frequencies were also higher in the subgroups with elevated Ki67 or giant adenomas. Further studies are required to improve the definition of the role of the CG genotype in the development and progression of tumors in prolactinomas.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of female sexual function and related factors in Turkish women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 93 female patients diagnosed with T2DM (age 48.0 +/- 7.2 years (Mean +/- SD) were included. Data on age, diabetes age, HbA1c level, educational level, diabetes treatment, diabetes-related complications, co-morbid disorders and concomitant medications were recorded, as were the scores obtained using a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Sexual dysfunction was noted in 55.9% of patients including problems related to desire (60.2%), arousal (52.7%), lubrication (55.9%), orgasm (51.6%) and satisfaction (58.1%) as well as pain during sexual intercourse (54.8%). Total scores were correlated negatively to age (r = -0.329, p = 0.001) and duration of diabetes (r = -0.246, p = 0.018), while significantly higher in patients with than without hypertension (19.6 vs. 22.4, p = 0.012) and with than without insulin therapy (20.0 vs. 23.7, p = 0.050). Our findings indicate the adverse effects of T2DM on sexual function in 55.9% of women in all domains of sexual response cycle, although this seems to be associated with older age, longer duration of diabetes, insulin and antidepressant therapy, presence of hypertension as well as end-organ complications of neuropathy and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Aims: To evaluate the potential of urinary miR-451 as a biomarker at different stages of diabetic nephropathy. Methods: A total of 45 subjects having stage 3 chronic kidney disease (n=15) or stage 5 chronic kidney disease (n=15) and 15 healthy volunteers were included. Data on patient demographics, laboratory findings [creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, urinary protein excretion] target genes and functions of the selected MicroRNAs associated with diabetic nephropathy and fold differences in the level of MicroRNA expression in blood and urine and the correlation of urine and plasma MicroRNA expression with estimated glomerular filtration rate were recorded. Results: MiR-195 expression level among stage 3 chronic kidney disease patients was higher in plasma samples compared to the control group, while it was significantly lower in the urine samples (p=0.036). In the stage 5 chronic kidney disease patient group, while the expression level was significantly higher in the plasma samples (p=0.005), urine sample expression was lower but not significantly different than the control group. Compared to the controls, miR-451 expression level was higher in the plasma samples of stage 3 chronic kidney disease patients, but significantly lower in the urine samples (p=0.019). Among the stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients, there was significantly higher level of expression in plasma samples (p=0.007) and significantly lower expression in urine samples (p=0.022) than the control group. Conclusions: Our study is original with its investigation of MicroRNA expressions at different stages of chronic kidney disease. Especially the statistically significant changes in the expression of miR-195 and miR-451 make these MicroRNAs come forward as good noninvasive biomarker candidates.

ABS TRACT Objective: Pre o pe ra ti ve pre pa ra ti on of hyperth yro id pa ti ents is ex tre mely im por tant to avo id comp li ca ti ons du e to se ve re thyro to xi co sis during surgery. We in ves ti ga ted the ef fects of lu gol’s so lu ti on (LS) with or wit ho ut thi o na mi des in the ra pid pre pa ra ti on of the patients for thy ro id sur gery and com pa red the ef fect of LS in pa ti ents with Gra ves’ di se a se (GD) and to xic mul ti no du lar go i ter (TMNG). Material and Met hods: Da ta we re col lec ted ret ros pec ti vely from 44 pa ti ents with hyperth yro i dism who we re fol lo wed up in our cli nic. Twenty-two pa ti ents with GD, 19 pa ti ents with TMNG and three pa ti ents with so li tary to xic ade no ma we re en rol led in to the study. To res to re euth yro i dism be fo re sur gery, 27 pa ti ents we re tre a ted with LS (gro up 1) whi le 17 pa ti ents re ce i ved LS and thi o na mi des (gro up 2). Re sults: Me an da ily to tal do sa ge of LS and du ra ti on of tre at ment to res to re euth yro i dism we re not sta tis ti cally dif fe rent bet we en gro ups 1 and 2. When the two tre at ment gro ups we re com pa red, the re was no sig ni fi cant dif fe ren ce in ba se li ne pa ra me ters and per cen ta ge of chan ges of se rum fT4 and fT3 le vels. Du ra ti on of LS tre at ment and do sa ges of LS and thi o na mi des we re al so si mi lar in pa ti ents with GD and TMNG. Per cen ta ge of chan ges in se rum fT4 and fT3 le vels af ter LS tre at ment we re not sta tis ti cally dif fe rent in two gro ups of pa ti ents. All pa ti ents we re cli ni cally euth yro id be fo re sur gery. Conc lu si on: LS tre at ment, ei t her alo ne or to get her with an tith yro id drugs, is a sa fe and ef fec ti ve cho i ce for the ra pid pre pa ra ti on of hyperth yro id pa ti ents for thyro i dec tomy, in de pen dent from the eti o logy of hyper th yro i dism.

Although the effects of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism on weight have clearly been demonstrated, data regarding the effects of relatively minor defects in thyroid function are limited. In the present study, the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and alterations in thyroid function within the normal range was investigated in obese patients. Three hundred fifty-seven euthyroid, obese patients (309 female and 48 male; mean age, 42 years) were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on a BMI threshold value of 40 kg/m(2). Thyroid function, BMI, and the epidemiologic characteristics of the patients were retrospectively evaluated. No statistically significant difference was detected between the groups with respect to gender, place of birth, place of residence, smoking habits, and family history. Severely obese patients with a BMI >= 40 kg/m(2) were older and had a lower serum-free thyroxine level (fT4) than obese patients with a BMI < 40 kg/m(2) (P < 0.01). In patients with normal thyroid function, a negative correlation between fT4 and BMI existed. No statistically significant association was detected between BMI and epidemiologic characteristics in euthyroid, obese patients.

Objective: To evaluate the usage of duplex power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) for the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: We prospectively examined 77 thyroid nodules in 60 patients undergoing ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Each nodule was described according to size, inner structure, borders, parenchymal echogenicity, peripheral halo formation, and the presence of calcification (B-mode ultrasound findings). Vascularity as determined by PDUS imaging was defined as non-vascular, peripheral, central, or of mixed type. For each nodule, the pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) values were obtained. Results of FNAB and surgical pathological examination (if available) were used as a proof of final diagnosis to categorize all nodules as benign or malignant. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to establish cut-off, sensitivity, and specificity values associated with RI-PI values. Results: A significant relationship was observed between malignancy and irregular margins, microcalcifications, and hypoechogenicity on ultrasound examination (p < 0.05). The pattern of vascularity as determined by PDUS analysis was not a statistically significant criterion to suggest benign or malignant disease in this study (p > 0.05). The central, peripheral, and mean RI-PI values were higher in malignant nodules when compared to the other cytologies (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Vascularity is not a useful parameter for distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules. However, RI and PI values are useful in distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules.

Type 2 diabetes is an endocrine and metabolic disorder appearing with insulin resistance and impaired beta cell secretory function. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, which leads to absolute insulin deficiency. Diabetic ketoacidosis is considered a cardinal feature of type 1 diabetes. A number of studies have demonstrated that diabetic ketoacidosis also occurs in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Such patients are classified as idiopathic type 1 diabetes, type 1B diabetes, Flatbush diabetes or ketosis-prone type 2 diabetes. The aim of our study was to present two patients, who were diagnosed with ketosis-prone type 2 DM, as well as to discuss the subject in the light of the extant literature and to be able to make general recommendations. Turk Jem 2009; 13: 56-9

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of metformin on markers of endothelial function, vascular inflammation and factors of thrombosis in obese type 2 diabetic patients. Twenty-four type 2 diabetic patients (15 female, 9 male) previously under medical nutrition treatment (MNT)+regular exercise programme (REP) without chronic micro or macrovascular complications with the mean age of 50.5+/-1.5 years, diabetes duration of 17.9+/-6.3 months and body mass index (BMI) of 31.7+/-0.8 kg/m(2) were enrolled in the study. In the first 4 weeks, all the patients continued MNT+REP. In the following 12 weeks, metformin (mean daily dosage of 1381+/-85 mg) was added. After the first period with MNT+REP, BMI, waist circumference, fat percentage, blood pressure and HDL cholesterol decreased significantly. After metformin addition, there was a significant decrement in BMI, waist circumference, fat percentage, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1C, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and increment in beta cell reserve values of the patients. Our results indicated that, metformin addition had beneficial effect on VEGF and PAI-1 levels in obese type 2 diabetic patients under MNT+REP, independent from its' favourable effects on BMI and glycemic control.

WOS: 000362601700003 Purpose: This open-label, single-arm, phase 4 study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of intensive insulin glargine titration in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients for 6 months to reach good glycaemic control. Material and Method: Two hundred-forty one insulin-naive T2DM patients were included. The primary efficacy variable was the glycaemic control (HbA1c level of

Background. Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 is suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy by activating and recruiting monocytes to the glomerulus via regulation of adhesion molecule expressions. The aim of this study was to test potential associations between serum concentrations of MCP-1, monocyte expression of Mac-1 and LFA-1 and nephropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods. Serum MCP-1 levels and expression of monocyte adhesion molecules in 51 type 1 diabetic patients with and without diabetic nephropathy were compared with matched 15 healthy control subjects. Concentrations of serum MCP-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays whereas monocyte expression of adhesion molecules Mac-1 and LFA-1 was measured by flow cytometry. Results. Serum MCP-1 levels and expression of Mac-1, but not LFA-1, were significantly higher in diabetic patients compared with controls. The mean serum MCP-1 level was 137.2 +/- 71.4 pg/mL in control patients, whereas it was 246.2 +/- 114.9 pg/ml in diabetic patients (p = 0.002). Serum MCP-1 levels were positively correlated with HbA1c and plasma fasting glucose levels. There was no difference in serum levels of MCP-1 and expression of monocyte adhesion molecules between type 1 diabetic patients with and without diabetic nephropathy. Conclusions. In type 1 diabetic patients, the levels of circulating MCP-1 concentration and expression of Mac-1 is mostly influenced by glycemic control rather than the existence of diabetic nephropathy.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy is of little value in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid follicular neoplasms. In this study, we investigated clinical and histopathologic characteristics of cytologically indeterminate thyroid follicular lesions (ITFL) in attempt to predict malignancy as determined by histopathologic examination. Fifty-seven patients diagnosed with ITFL underwent thyroidectomy. The mean patient age was 50.4 +/- 13.4 years. Based on the histopathologic findings, cases were classified into 3 categories: nonfollicular lesion (NF), follicular adenoma (FA), and follicular carcinoma (FC). The NF group contained 19 subjects with nodular colloidal goiter (NCG), 3 with Hashimoto thyroiditis. and one with granulomatous thyroiditis. The FA group contained 7 classic follicular and 8 Hurtle cell adenomas. The FC group contained 6 classic follicular, 8 Hurtle cell, and one insular carcinoma. The mean nodule size was significantly larger in the FC group than in the FA and NF groups (4.2 +/- 2.4 cm vs 2.2 +/- 0.9 cm and 2.5 +/- 1.3 cm, respectively, P < 0.05). Using a value of nodule size of 3 cm, the sensitivity and specificity for solvent malignant histology are 66.7% and 83.3%, respectively. These data show that nodule size of ITFL is predictive of malignancy. A nodule size greater than 3 cm is associated with a higher probability of malignancy and suggests total thyroidectomy as an initial therapeutic intervention.

Bu çalışma, 26 Nisan 2003 tarihinde Lyon[Fransa]'da düzenlenen 6. European Congress of Endocrinology'de bildiri olarak sunulmuştur. To examine serum leptin concentrations in obese and lean patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to assess whether the changes in leptin levels are due to obesity or hormonal alterations. Controlled clinical study. Academic research environment. Obese and lean women with PCOS. Blood samples were collected before and after food consumption. Serum leptin and insulin levels. Serum leptin concentrations were significantly correlated with body mass index (r = 0.649) and also with HOMA (r = 0.535). However, after controlling for body mass index in a partial correlation analysis, no significant correlation was found between serum leptin levels and HOMA or hyperinsulinemia. While lean patients with PCOS had a significant correlation between leptin concentrations and obesity parameters, they did not show any significant correlation with insulin resistance parameters. Although leptin concentrations in women with PCOS correlate with insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, this is related only to obesity.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of polyurethane stent placement in adults with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Polyurethane stents were placed under fluoroscopic guidance in 52 eyes of 49 patients (mean age, 43 years) with severe epiphora due to idiopathic nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The obstruction was complete in 44 eyes and partial in eight. Clinical success was defined as complete resolution of or great improvement in the symptoms of epiphora and the patency of the lacrimal system to irrigation. Mean follow-up was 23 months (range, 14-44 months). RESULTS. Stent placement was technically successful in 50 eyes (96%). The mean fluoroscopy screening time was 2.2 min (range, 0.2-5.8 min). Two patients were lost to follow-up. Clinical success was obtained in 33 (69%) of 48 eyes. Lacrimal symptoms developed in 23 (70%) of these 33 eyes at least once during the follow-up, but these patients responded well to topical drug treatment and lacrimal irrigation. External dacryocystorhinostomy was performed in 13 eyes after failure of the stents. At surgery, lacrimal sacs were shrunken, hyperemic, and fragile in all eyes, making it difficult to anastomose with nasal mucosa. Histologic examination showed granulation tissue and chronic inflammation of the sac epithelium. CONCLUSION. The success rate of the nasolacrimal stent decreases as follow-up lengthens. After stent treatment, lacrimal symptoms frequently develop, even if the stent remains patent, and require multiple office visits and therapy. The polyurethane stent may induce a chronic inflammatory response in the lacrimal sac, which can interfere with subsequent dacryocystorhinostomy.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of some clinical and pathological features of prolactinomas on tumour behaviour.The study included 113 patients with prolactinoma (27 male, 86 female), with a mean age at diagnosis of 34.4 ± 10.0 years (40.3 ± 12.6 in males, 32.6 ± 8.3 in females). Patients were grouped as invasive or non-invasive according to radiological imaging findings. Ki-67 levels were evaluated if possible.The mean adenoma size (longest dimension) was 38.6 ± 21.6 mm and 10.8 ± 9.4 mm in male and female patients. Pre-treatment serum levels of prolactin were defined as mean 1,926 ± 6,662 ng/mL in all, 124.8 ± 63.4 and 4,675 ± 10,049 ng/mL in the noninvasive and invasive groups (p0.05). A positive correlation was found between the serum levels of prolactin and tumour size. The rate of patients with Ki-67 ≥ 0.03 was 37.5% and 47.8% in the noninvasive and invasive groups. The reduction rates were 60.8% and 80.4% in tumour sizes and 81.1% and 93.8% in prolactin level in the noninvasive and invasive groups, respectively, (p0.05).We found a strong correlation between prolactin levels and invasiveness in male patients compared to females. Ki-67 index was not found to have a place in defining the prognosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in relation to vascular and neurogenic correlates.A total of 116 males including T2DM patients [n=68; mean age, 56.7 (5.8) years] and age-matched healthy controls [n=48; mean age, 57.0 (6.6) years] were included in this cross-sectional single-center study. Data on anthropometrics, blood biochemistry, concomitant hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery disease (CAD) were recorded in each subject along with measurement of carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) and evaluation of erectile dysfunction (ED) via International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire. A univariate analysis was performed to determine the relationship of cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes-related complications to ED.Patient and control groups were similar in terms of percentage patients with hyperlipidemia (51.5% and 39.6%, respectively) and CAD (33.8% and 22.9%, respectively), whereas concomitant hypertension was more common (P=0.05) and CIMT values were significantly higher (P=0.020) in patients with T2DM compared with controls. Polyneuropathy was noted in 46.2% of patients, nephropathy in 30.8%, and retinopathy in 33.8%. ED scores were significantly lower in patients than controls [14.3 (7.3) vs. 18.2 (6.3), P=0.004] with a significantly higher percentage of patients than controls in the category of severe dysfunction (29.4 vs. 10.4%, P=0.014). Univariate analysis revealed that diabetic polyneuropathy was the only factor to be associated with higher likelihood (93.3% in the presence and 60.0% in the absence of neuropathy) and severity (43.3% in the presence and 14.3% in the absence of neuropathy) of ED (P=0.004).Findings from the present cross-sectional single-center study revealed the prevalence of ED to be considerably higher in patients with T2DM than age-matched healthy controls, with identification of diabetic polyneuropathy as the only risk factor associated with higher likelihood and more severe forms of ED.

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by sudden onset of headache and vomiting, accompanied by visual disturbance or ocular motility impairment and pituitary insufficiency. Pituitary apoplexy presenting with these symptoms is seen in approximately 3% of patients with surgically treated pituitary adenomas. In acromegalic patients, apoplexy can be related to some provocating factors and rarely may be spontaneous. We present the case of an acromegalic patient with spontaneous remission after apoplexy. A 39-year-old male patient had transsphenoidal microsurgery for acromegaly in 1994 but remission was not achieved. After a 10-year period without follow-up, he experienced severe headache, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and visual disturbance in July 2005 and scheduled an appointment with an ophthalmologist. His complaints ceased spontaneously within weeks. In October 2005, sellar MRI examination revealed a 3x2.5 cm mass of adenomatous tissue with necrosis. On admission to our clinic in November 2005, visual acuity, visual fields, and ocular motility, were normal; but results of laboratory tests revealed panhypopituitarism. He was thought to have apoplexy of a growth hormone secreting tumor, and hormone replacement therapy was initiated for panhypopituitarism. Because his symptoms had regressed, surgery was not considered. On rare occasions, acromegaly spontaneously remits after apoplexy, resulting in improved control of the functional adenoma without surgical intervention. Turk Jem 2008; 12: 80-2

This cross-sectional, observational pilot. study was designed to investigate the frequency of different endpoints of genotoxicity (sister-chromatid exchange, total chromosome aberrations, and micronucleus formation) and cytotoxicity (mitotic index, replication index, and nuclear division index) in the peripheral lymphocytes of patients with type-2 diabetes treated with different oral anti-diabetic agents for 6 months. A total of 104 patients who met the American Diabetes Association criteria for type-2 diabetes were enrolled in the study. Of the 104 patients, 33 were being treated with sitagliptin (100 mg/day), 25 with pioglitazone (30 mg/day), 22 with rosiglitazone (4 mg/day), and 24 with medical nutrition therapy (control group). The results for all the genotoxicity endpoints were significantly different across the four study groups. Post hoc analysis revealed that the genotoxicity observed in the sitagliptin group was significantly higher than that observed in the medical nutrition therapy group, but lower than that occurring in subjects who received thiazolidinediones. All of the three cytotoxicity endpoints were significantly lower in patients treated by oral anti-diabetic agents compared with those who received medical nutrition therapy. However, the three indexes did not differ significantly in the sitagliptin, rosiglitazone, and pioglitazone groups. Taken together, these pilot data indicate that sitagliptin and thiazolidinediones may exert genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in patients with type-2 diabetes. Further investigations are necessary to clarify the possible long-term differences between oral anti-diabetic drugs in terms of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity, and how these can modulate the risk of developing diabetic complications in general and cancer in particular.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of G870A gene polymorphism of CCND1 on the formation and behavioral features of prolactinomas. One hundred and thirteen patients with prolactinoma and 108 age and gender matched control were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as noninvasive and invasive tumors. CCND1 G870A gene polymorphism was compared in patients/control and invasive/noninvasive groups. A and G allele frequencies were found as 41.7% and 58.3% in the controls, and 61.1% and 38.9% in the patients (p

Previous studies have suggested an influence of vitamin D receptor alleles on bone metabolism and on susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus in different ethnic populations. We aimed to investigate the distribution of vitamin D receptor (VDR) alleles in relation to biochemical bone turnover parameters and bone densitometry measurements in a group of Turkish type 1 diabetic patients. One hundred and seventeen patients (M/F 57/60, 27.6 +/- A 7.3 y duration of diabetes 8.1 +/- A 6.3 y) and 134 healthy controls (M/F 61/73, 26.2 +/- A 5.3 y) were included in the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) polymorphisms FokI, Bsm1, Apa1, and Taq1 were examined using a PCR-based restriction analysis. Serum levels of calcium, phosphor osteocalcin, intact parathyroid hormone, and C telopeptide were measured. Vitamin D receptor Bsm1 Fok1, Apa1, and Taq1 genotype distributions were not different between patient with diabetes and control groups. BMD was 0.77 +/- A 0.2 g/cm(2) vs. 0.97 +/- A 0.2 g/cm(2) (P = 0.0001) for the femur, 1.0 +/- A 0.1 g/cm(2) vs. 1.13 +/- A 0.1 g/cm(2) (P = 0.001) for type 1 diabetic patients and controls. Bone turnover markers were significantly lower in type 1 diabetic group. BMD measurements and bone metabolic markers were not different between the genotypes in either the patient with diabetes or the controls. The VDR gene polymorphisms, Bsm1, Fok 1, Apa1, and Taq1 showed no influence on bone metabolism in our group of type 1 diabetic patients. Turkish Diabetes Foundation

Aim Sitagliptin is not associated with weight gain and has neutral effects on body weight. It is unclear whether sitagliptin treatment alters serum ghrelin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Methods Forty-four subjects with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to receive sitagliptin or medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for 12 weeks. Changes in anthropometric variables, glycemic control, insulin resistance, lipid parameters, and total ghrelin levels were evaluated at baseline and following 12 weeks of treatment. Results Significant decreases in body weight and body mass index were observed over the entire study period in both treatment groups. Glycosylated hemoglobin and postprandial plasma glucose levels were statistically significant decreased in the groups receiving sitagliptin compared with baseline values ( p = 0.021 and p = 0.021, respectively), while they were unchanged in the groups receiving MNT. There was a significant decrease in total ghrelin in the groups receiving sitagliptin ( p = 0.04) compared with baseline values but not in the groups receiving MNT ( p = 0.46) at the end of the 12 weeks. Conclusions In this study of patients with type 2 diabetes, treatment with sitagliptin was associated with a significant decrease in serum ghrelin levels. These results suggest that the neutral effect of sitagliptin on weight might be associated with the suppression of fasting serum ghrelin levels.

Low levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) have been associated with the occurrence of vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Preliminary evidence has suggested that thiazolidinediones have the ability to modulate circulating levels of this molecule in the hyperglycemic milieu. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the differential effect of 2 different thiazolidinediones—pioglitazone and rosiglitazone—on plasma levels of sRAGE in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Sixty type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects were randomly assigned to receive pioglitazone (30 mg/d, n = 19), rosiglitazone (4 mg/d, n = 20), or placebo (medical nutrition therapy, n = 21) for 12 weeks. Changes in plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and sRAGE were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, the pioglitazone (P < .001) group had a significant increase from baseline in sRAGE values that was not seen in the medical nutrition therapy and rosiglitazone groups. We conclude that, in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, pioglitazone—but not rosiglitazone—significantly raised sRAGE, which may contribute to its antiatherogenic effects.

Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the common features of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and recent studies indicate the possible role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of IR and glucose metabolism. Aim of this study was aimed to determine the effect of vitamin D replacement therapy on glucose metabolism, insulin, and androgen levels in obese, insulin-resistant women with PCOS. Eleven women with PCOS were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 23.6+/-5.7 yr, body mass index 33.9+/-5.1 kg/m(2). Six patients (54.5%) had acantosis nigricans and 10 (90.9%) oligoamenorrhea. The mean Ferriman Gallwey score was 14.1+/-4.6. Only 2 women were within the normal limits of vitamin D levels as >20 ng/ml. Three weeks after the administration of the single dose of 300,000 units of vitamin D3 orally, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 significantly increased from 16.9+/-16 ng/ml to 37.1+/-14.6 ng/ml (p: 0.027) and only 2 women were detected to have vitamin D3 levels

Apart from fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin (FBI), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is also used in calculating insulin sensitivity. During OGTT, insulin secretion may not reflect normal physiological insulin secretion. Based on this idea, hepatic and whole body insulin sensitivity rates were tested during OGTT and mixed meal test (MMT) in obese subjects. Thirty-one women with Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) values below 0.350 and body mass index (BMI) a parts per thousand yen30 were included into the study. OGTT with 75-g glucose and MMT 300 kcal were applied to all cases. Data obtained from OGTT and MMT were used in the assessment of insulin sensitivity with Hemostasis of Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and Matsuda's Composite Whole Body Insulin Sensitivity Index (Matsuda's ISI). Mean BMI, FBG, and FBI were 36.8 +/- A 3.9 kg/m(2), 100.5 +/- A 0.10 mg/dl, 16.2 +/- A 5.3 mu g/ml, respectively. QUICKI was 0.31 +/- A 0.01 and HOMA-IR was 3.71 +/- A 0.88. Matsuda's ISI derived from OGTT was 6.96 +/- A 3.35 and from MMT was 11.32 +/- A 6.61. In analysis, it was demonstrated that there was a correlation between HOMA-IR, QUICKI, and Matsuda's ISIs derived from OGTT and MMT. Comparing the time periods separately, it was detected that despite similar increment in insulin levels, glucose levels were higher in OGTT than MMT at 15 and 30 min. Consequently, Matsuda's ISI was demonstrated to be effectively used with the data of MMT, as used with OGTT. Moreover, MMT was shown to be in parallel to physiologic insulin secretion and reflect pancreatic functions better compared to OGTT.

Ghrelin, a potent gut-brain orexigenic peptide, has a role in stimulation of food intake and long-term regulation of body weight. Metformin and pioglitazone treatment have different effects on body weight. This discrepancy might be related with the effect of these two drugs on plasma ghrelin levels. We investigated the effect of these two drugs on post-prandial acylated and total ghrelin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Eleven patients treated with diet, 12 patients treated with 850 mg/day metformin monotherapy and 12 patients treated with 30 mg/day pioglitazone monotherapy for at least 6 months were enrolled in the study. Plasma acylated and total ghrelin levels were investigated at baseline and at the 60 th , 120 th , 180 th , 240 th minutes after a mixed meal test. There were no differences between groups in any of baseline metabolic and anthropometric parameters, including acylated and total ghrelin levels. Acylated and total ghrelin concentrations were suppressed similarly after food consumption, and we could not determine any significant difference between the groups at any time interval. A prolonged postprandial suppression of acylated ghrelin concentrations was observed in the pioglitazone treatment group compared with baseline values. In conclusion, total and acylated ghrelin levels after a mixed meal test were similar in type 2 diabetic patients treated with metformin, pioglitazone or diet therapy alone. These results suggest that changes in body weight during metformin and pioglitazone treatment are not associated with plasma ghrelin levels.

Oxidative stress-induced DNA damage seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of type-1 diabetes mellitus and its complications. Several in vitro assays have been used to measure the DNA damage produced by oxidative stress. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronuclei (MN) in type-1 diabetes mellitus patients compared with healthy controls. SCE. CA and MN tests were carried out with the blood-cell cultures from 35 type-1 diabetic patients and 15 healthy, age- and sex-matched control subjects. The mean age of the type-1 diabetic patients was 31.89 +/- 10.01 years, with a mean duration of the diabetes of 7.8 +/- 6.02 years. The mean level of HbA1c of the type-1 diabetic patients was 8.37 +/- 1.36%. Only three (8.5%) patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus had an HbA1c level below 7%. Patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus showed a higher frequency of SCE compared with controls (5.44 +/- 1.47 and 2.54 +/- 0.82, respectively, p < 0.001). but there was no significant correlation between the duration of diabetes, HbA1c and SCE. No significant difference was found in CA or MN frequency in type-1 diabetic patients compared with controls. In conclusion, these results suggest that type-1 diabetes mellitus is a condition with genomic instability characterized by an increased level of SCE. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress may be the underlying factor of the increased SCE frequency.

Combinations of insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) are often prescribed instead of insulin alone. In this study, the effects of insulin glargine (IG) in combination with repaglinide or acarbose on glycemic parameters were investigated. Obese Type 2 diabetic patients with fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels >= mmol/l and hemoglobin glycated (A1C) >= 9% under maximal CAD combination therapy were enrolled. Previous therapies were discontinued, and patients were randomized into 2 groups. The combinations of IG and repaglinide were administered to group 1, and of IG and acarbose to group 2 for 13 weeks. Twenty Patients in group 1 and 18 patients in group 2 completed the study. A1C levels were significantly decreased from 10.9 +/- 1.4% to 7.7 +/- 1.1% in group 1 and 11.0 +/- 1.4% to 8.1 +/- 1.4% in group 2. FBG levels were significantly decreased from 11.9 +/- 2.7 to 7.1 +/- 2.3 mmol/l in group 1 and 11.1 +/- 2.5 to 6.8 +/- 1.4 mmol/l in group 2. Post-prandial glucose levels were significantly decreased from 15.3 +/- 3.8 to 10.3 +/- 3.0 mmol/l in group 1 and 14.0 +/- 3.1 to 8.9 +/- 2.2 mmol/l in group 2. Intergroup comparisons indicated no significant differences. More weight gain was detected in group 1, compared to the baseline. Syptomatic hypoglycemia incidence was similar in both groups. Severe hypoglycemic attacks were seen in two patients in group 1. Flatulance incidence was higher in acarbose group. Conclusively, repaglinide and acarbose were equally effective when combined with IG for obese Type 2 diabetic patients controlled inadequately with OAD alone. Furthermore, acarbose seems to have advantages over repaglinide concerning weight gain and severe hypoglycemic attacks.

The effects of Origanum onites on endothelial function and antioxidative status were investigated in 48 patients with mild hyperlipidaemia who required no drug therapy. All participants were given lifestyle and low-fat dietary advice, however 32 of the patients (study group) were also prescribed 25 ml of aqueous distillate of Origanum onites to be taken after each meal for 3 months. The remaining 16 patients were the control group. Various biochemical markers and endothelial function parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months. A significantly greater increase in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and significantly greater decreases in low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, apolipo-protein B, lipoprotein(a) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein occurred in the study group compared with the control group over the 3-month study period. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and flow- and nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery showed significantly greater increases in the study group compared with the changes in the control group. In conclusion, consumption of Origanum onites distillate had beneficial effects on lipid profiles, antioxidant status and endothelial function in patients with mild hyperlipidaemia.

Aim: Autoimmune disorders are considered to be associated with a Th1 immune response whereas allergic diseases with a Th2 response. Studies mainly performed on children revealed conflicting results regarding the association of atopy/allergic disease and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of allergic diseases in adult Type 1 diabetic patients. Methods: Eighty-nine Type 1 diabetic patients and 64 controls were enrolled into the study. Skin-prick test and European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire were performed on all cases. Patients who gave at least one positive answer to questions about asthma in the questionnaire underwent pulmonary function test and methacholine challenge test. Results: Patients’ mean age were similar in diabetic patients and controls (28.2±8.9 and 28.1±5.2 yr; respectively). In skin-prick test. the rate of positive response to at least one allergen was not significantly different in diabetes (29.2%) and in the control group (31.3%). In European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire, diabetic patients waked up by an attack of cough more than controls did. The rate of physician-diagnosed asthma was similar in both groups. There was no difference between the 2 groups based on the answers of other questions about asthma and other allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, eczema, and drug allergy. Conclusion: We found that atopy frequencies were similar in an adult population of Type 1 diabetic patients and controls. Although asthmatic symptom prevalence is increased in diabetic patients, the incidence of current asthma was similar in both groups.

Metastases to the thyroid gland are rarely encountered in clinical practice. They may originate from various primary sites, mainly kidney, lung, breast, esophagus and uterus. Prostate cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies in men. It generally has a favorable course, and autopsy series have shown occult prostate cancer in many subjects, especially in aged males. However, prostate cancer sometimes exhibits an aggressive behavior and cases with a poor prognosis have been reported. Occasional reports of metastasis from prostate cancer to the thyroid gland have been documented. We describe the case of a 73-year-old patient presenting with thyroid metastasis from long-standing prostate cancer.

Purpose To evaluate morphologic changes occurring in the retrobulbar region after optic nerve sheath decompression (ONSD) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Design Prospective observational study. Methods This study included 26 eyes of 17 patients (age range, nine to 57 years) with idiopathic intracranial hypertension who underwent ONSD. The surgery was performed through transconjunctival medial orbitotomy and by a dural window excision. After ONSD, the optic nerves were examined with MR imaging by means of 3-dimensional “constructive interference in steady state” (CISS) sequence. Results After ONSD, papilledema resolved in all eyes and visual functions improved in all except one. Early postoperative MR imaging (two to eight weeks after surgery) demonstrated a cyst-like fluid collection adjacent to the dural window site in nine (75%) of 12 eyes and a fibrous tissue formation in three eyes (25%). Late postoperative MR imaging (six to 15 months after surgery) demonstrated a fibrous tissue formation at the decompression site in 25 eyes (96%) and perioptic fluid collection in one eye (4%). Conclusions In early postoperative period after ONSD, a fluid collection adjacent to the decompression site occurs in most eyes; this finding disappears in late period. Early postoperative MR findings support the idea that ONSD functions through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) filtration.

Polyarteritis nodosa is a multisystem disease primarily involving the small and medium-sized vessels. Prognosis depends on the presence and severity of visceral involvement. Thrombosis and aneurysm formation commonly occur in kidney and gastrointestinal tract. Although hepatic involvement is also common, hepatic aneurysmal rupture with intrahepatic or perihepatic hematoma formation is infrequent. Hemobilia secondary to aneurysmal rupture is a very rare condition. We present a case of polyarteritis nodosa accompanied by hemobilia and intestinal hemorrhage secondary to hepatic and mesenteric aneurysmal rupture.

A rare case of thoracoabdominal duplication is reported. Radiological workup including US, CT and MR provided the correct diagnosis. The US revealed the cystic nature of the lesions, whereas CT and MR showed their relationship with the diaphragm and each other. Coronal- and sagittal-plane MR images were helpful in demonstrating the extension of the lesions. The patient was discharged after an uneventful surgery and recovery. The histological evaluation revealed the cyst lined with single-layered columnar epithelium and the cyst wall contained submucosal mucous glands with underlying smooth muscle and also some mature chondroid elements with bronchogenic origin. Radiological findings and differential diagnosis are discussed.