[Hashimoto thyroiditis, therapeutic options and extrathyroidal options - an up-to-date overview]. / Hashimoto Thyreoiditis, therapeutische Optionen und extrathyreoidale Assoziationen ­ ein aktueller Überblick.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is one of the most common organspecific autoimune diseases and the most frequent cause of hypothyroidism in areas with sufficient iodine supply. Excessively stimulated T cells CD4+ and their differentiated cells are known to play a key role in the pathogenesis. It is currently accepted that on the one hand genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, existential factors (gender difference) play an important role, on the other hand gut and intestinal microbiota seem to contribute to its development too. Diagnosis requires a detailed medical history, sonography, and blood analysis of thyroid function and thyroid antibodies. In case of an overt or subclinical hypothyroidism long-term or lifelong levothyroxine replacement may be needed, with a special focus on phases with an additional demand like during pregnancy. There are multifactorial reasons for poor response to therapy despite normal TSH levels in blood sampling like co-morbidities (other organspecific autoimmune diseases, psychiatric diseases), lack of vitamin and trace elements. Pharmacogenomic and pharmacokinetic factors may impact on levothyroxine bioavailability, also thyroid hormone resistance and transport- or conversion disorder due to insulin resistance or adrenal insufficiency for example. The relations between thyroid function, mental status and psychiatric disorders seem to be complex and the mechanisms underlying the interactions remain to be clarified. Continuing research in biochemical, genetic and neuroimaging fields are needed.

Efficacy of vitamin E and N-acetylcysteine in the prevention of contrast induced kidney injury in patients with chronic kidney disease: a double blind, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Contrast induced acute kidney injury is one of the most frequent causes of hospital acquired acute kidney injury. The present study aims to investigate the efficacy of vitamin E or N-acetylcysteine as an adjunct to current standard therapy in the prevention of this clinical predicament. We tested the hypothesis that vitamin E or N-acetylcysteine added to standard therapy with 0.45 % saline is superior in preserving renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 1-4 undergoing elective computer-assisted tomography with nonionic radiocontrast agents when compared to 0.45 % saline alone. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, single-center, double-masked, double dummy, placebo-controlled, parallel clinical trial. METHODS: The patients were randomized to either vitamin E (total dose 2160 mg i.v.) or N-acetylcysteine (total dose 4800 mg p.o.) in addition to 0.45 % saline (1 mL/kg/h over 24 h) or saline alone. Serum creatinine change between baseline and 24 h after radiocontrast was the primary outcome. Contrast induced acute kidney injury was defined as a rise in serum creatinine > 25 % over the baseline value within 48 h. RESULTS: Thirty patients (mean age 74.6 years; 17 females; 9 diabetics; all Caucasians; mean serum creatinine 1.35 mg/dL; mean creatinine clearance 56 mL/min) were enrolled. No patient developed contrast induced acute kidney injury. There was no significant difference in serum creatinine change between the three study arms. CONCLUSION: Following radiocontrast administration, neither vitamin E nor N-acetylcystein in addition to saline demonstrated an additional beneficial effect on kidney function when compared to saline alone.