Use of contraception by women treated with leflunomide due to rheumatic arthritis.

A total of 46 premenopausal patients treated with leflunomide (LMF) for rheumatic arthritis (RA) and 107 women of reproductive age free from chronic diseases were investigated to evaluate methods of contraception. Among 31 LMF-treated women using contraception, 48.4% chose oestrogen-progesterone hormonal contraception (E-PHC); 16.1% condoms; 3.2% had an intrauterine device and 32.0% preferred natural methods. These methods differed significantly from women in the control group, who mostly used condoms (56.8%) and E-PHC (35.3%) and rarely, natural methods (3.95%) or progesterone injections (3.95%). As many as 32.6% LMF-treated patients did not use any method of birth control. The choice of contraception among RA patients with LFM therapy was significantly dependent on the experience with methods used prior to the LFM therapy introduction (p < 0.001). Compared with women free from chronic diseases, LMF-treated patients use E-PHC significantly more often but still as many as 33% do not use any contraceptive method, despite strong recommendations.

[Hirsutism--difficult diagnostic and treatment problem]. / Hirsutyzm--trudny problem diagnostyczny i leczniczy.

In the study, in concise way, actual knowledge concerning hirsutism was presented. Its causes, forms, diagnostic proceeding and methods of treatment were discussed.

[Function of the growth hormone axis--insulin-like growth factors--insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in patients with chronic liver diseases]. / Czynnosc osi hormon wzrostu--insulinopodobne czynniki wzrostowe--bialka wiazace insulinopodobne czynniki wzrostowe u chorych z przewleklym uszkodzeniem czynnosci watroby.

Up to date have demonstrated that more and more young people are affected by chronic liver diseased. There is a close relationship between the liver and endocrine system as far as hormone inactivation, synthesis of growth factors, proteins binding hormones and proteins binding growth factors in the liver are related. Impairment of the hepatocyte function may lead to disturbed homeostasis of the endocrine system. Current opinions on growth hormone (GH)--insulin-like growth factors (IGFs)--insulin-like growth factors binding proteins (IGFBPs) axis activity in men with chronic liver diseases are presented.

[Levels of melatonin in serum of patients with retinitis pigmentosa]. / Stezenie melatoniny w surowicy chorych ze zwyrodnieniem barwnikowym siatkówki.

PURPOSE: To elucidate melatonin secretion through the pineal gland in patients with night blindness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood samples for melatonin RIA assay were taken from 14 patients at 8 o'clock a.m. and p.m., before and after 3 weeks therapy with Trental, Cocarboxylase and vitamin B12. RESULTS: Usual rhythm of melatonin secretion was demonstrated. The applied treatment influenced melatonin secretion in the youngest group of patients. CONCLUSION: Damage of the photoreceptors in the retina affects melatonin secretion and its circadian rhythm.

Circadian variations of salivary melatonin levels in women of reproductive and postmenopausal age with gynoid and android obesity.

Circadian variations of salivary melatonin (MEL) were examined in 81 women (48 of reproductive and 33 of postmenopausal age), 16 of them with moderate overweight, 32 showing gynoid obesity (BMI>30 kg/m[^2]; WHR<0.8) and 33 showing android obesity (BMI>30 kg/m[^2]; WHR>0.8). The circadian profiles of salivary MEL in women with moderate overweight were parallel to those of controls. However, mean 24-h salivary MEL levels tended to be higher in all obese patients as compared with controls (mainly due to increase of its daytime levels). In addition, the suppression of MEL rhythmicity was observed in all subjects studied irrespectively of gynoid or android obesity, while nocturnal MEL peak shift was observed predominantly in the case of extreme obesity with android distribution of adipose tissue. Despite of increasing tendencies mean 24 h MEL concentrations and stronger suppression of circadian variations and/or nocturnal MEL peak shift in extremely obese women with android distribution of adipose tissue, no significant correlation was found between the values of BMI index, WHR ratio and circadian MEL concentrations.

Assessment of relationship between secretion of melatonin, activity of thyroid, adrenal cortex as well as testes and chosen markers of collagen metabolism in starved rats.

In starved rats the mutual interrelations were studied between the secretion of melatonin (MEL), thyroid hormones (TT[_4], FT[_4], TT[_3], FT[_3], rT[_3]), corticosterone (B), testosterone (T) and some markers of collagen metabolism: serum concentrations of carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) (determined by RIA method) as well as urine concentration of hydroxyproline (OH-Pr) (determined by colorimetric method). Starved rats were found to have significantly increased serum MEL, B, and rT[_3] concentrations while serum values of TT[_4], FT[_4], TT[_3], FT[_3], T and PICP as well as urinary OH-Pr were significantly decreased. The concentrations of PICP, PIIINP and OH-Pr correlated negatively with MEL and B values, but positively with TT[_4] and FT[_4]. It was concluded that starving may change the collagen metabolism in rats indirectly via a modulating effect of changes in MEL, thyroxine and corticosterone.