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Purpose The present study aimed to determine the serum level of asprosin, a novel glucogenic and orexigenic hormone, in NAFLD and hypothyroidism patients.Methods This is a case–control study that included three groups of age and sex-matched subjects: hypothyroid patients with NAFLD (n = 26), hypothyroid patients without NAFLD (n = 25) and normal control subjects (n = 27). A detailed clinical history was obtained, and an examination was performed. Laboratory tests included fasting plasma glucose and insulin, lipid profile, TSH, free T4, AST, ALT, albumin, and asprosin. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score was calculated. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to calculate the hepatorenal index and define participants with NAFLD. The data were statistically analyzed.Results There was a statistically significant difference between the three groups regarding serum asprosin concentration (p

Background SARS-CoV-2, was identified as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization a few months after the first epidemic. It penetrates host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors and spreads by respiratory droplets. Testes are among the several tissues that have high expression levels of ACE-2 receptors. The current study aimed to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis integrity among Egyptian post-COVID-19 patients.Methods This is a cross-sectional study that included patients with a history of COVID-19 infection, at least 3 months from the onset of COVID-19. A detailed clinical history was obtained, and a thorough examination was performed. Laboratory tests included FBG, total testosterone, free testosterone, bioactive testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, E2, albumin, and SHBG. Testicular ultrasonography was performed. The data were statistically analyzed.Results Eighty male patients were evaluated with a mean age of 35.53 ± 10.35 years. The mean serum total testosterone was 5.48 ± 1.65 ng/ml. Low testosterone was detected in 2.8% of the patients. High LH levels were detected in 17/80 patients (21.3%). High FSH levels were detected in 4/80 patients (5%). Six patients had elevated serum E2 level. The mean serum prolactin value was 10.90 ± 5.66 ng/ml. Fourteen patients had elevated prolactin levels. The mean serum T/LH ratio was 3.28 ± 1.52. The ratio of T/LH was decreased in eight COVID-19 patients (10%). In COVID-19 patients, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between age and free testosterone (FT) (r=-0.381, p

Abstract Background The COVID-19 outbreak has increased awareness of vitamin D's (Vit-D) potential advantages for both prevention and treatment. Adequate vitamin D levels are necessary for health of the immune system, which can help with cellular response and protection against the severity of microbial infection. Purpose To evaluate Vit-D levels and their association with illness severity in Egyptian COVID-19-infected individuals. Methods This case–control investigation was performed at the Alexandria Main University Hospital on 80 subjects divided into 2 groups: 40 COVID-19 patients and 40 healthy persons to measure the Vit-D levels of the Egyptian cohort. Results There was a statistically insignificant difference in the Vit-D serum levels of the studied groups (P = 1.000). The age of the Vit-D insufficient patients was significantly higher than that of Vit-D sufficient patients (P = 0.006). There was a statistically insignificant rise in the CRP level in the Vit-D insufficient patients (P = 0.862) compared to patients with sufficient Vit-D. Also, the D-dimer levels in Vit-D-insufficient patients were considerably higher (P = 0.015). Patients with sufficient Vit-D exhibited significantly lower levels of IL-6 than Vit-D insufficient patients. (P = 0.037). Patients in the Vit-D-insufficient subgroup needed substantially more breathing support than those in the Vit-D-sufficient group (P = 0.020). Conclusion Although there was no association between both levels of Vit-D and the COVID-19 infection risk, insufficiency of Vit-D was related to more severe infection.