RESUMO
BACKGROUND: A recent clinical trial has shown a beneficial effect of the antioxidant agent selenium in Graves' orbitopathy (GO). In order to shed light on the cellular mechanisms on which selenium may act, this study investigated its effects in cultured orbital fibroblasts. METHODS: Primary cultures of orbital fibroblasts from six GO patients and six control subjects were established. Cells were treated with H2O2 to induce oxidative stress, after pre-incubation with selenium-(methyl)selenocysteine (SeMCys). The following assays were performed: glutathione disulfide (GSSG), as a measure of oxidative stress, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, cell proliferation, hyaluronic acid (HA), and pro-inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: H2O2 induced an increase in cell GSSG and fibroblast proliferation, which were reduced by SeMCys. Incubation of H2O2-treated cells with SeMCys was followed by an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity, one of the antioxidant enzymes into which selenium is incorporated. At the concentrations used (5 µM), H2O2 did not significantly affect HA release, but it was reduced by SeMCys. H2O2 determined an increase in endogenous cytokines involved in the response to oxidative stress and GO pathogenesis, namely tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, and interferon gamma. The increases in tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma were blocked by SeMCys. While the effects of SeMCys on oxidative stress and cytokines were similar in GO and control fibroblasts, they were exclusive to GO fibroblasts in terms of inhibiting proliferation and HA secretion. CONCLUSIONS: Selenium, in the form of SeMCys, abolishes some of the effects of oxidative stress in orbital fibroblasts, namely increased proliferation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. SeMCys reduces HA release in GO fibroblasts in a manner that seems at least in part independent from H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Some effects of SeMCys are specific for GO fibroblasts. These findings reveal some cellular mechanisms by which selenium may act in patients with GO.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Fibroblastos/efeitos dos fármacos , Oftalmopatia de Graves/tratamento farmacológico , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Selênio/farmacologia , Selenocisteína/análogos & derivados , Idoso , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Citocinas/efeitos dos fármacos , Citocinas/metabolismo , Feminino , Dissulfeto de Glutationa/efeitos dos fármacos , Dissulfeto de Glutationa/metabolismo , Glutationa Peroxidase/efeitos dos fármacos , Glutationa Peroxidase/metabolismo , Oftalmopatia de Graves/metabolismo , Humanos , Ácido Hialurônico/metabolismo , Peróxido de Hidrogênio/farmacologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Órbita/citologia , Oxidantes/farmacologia , Selenocisteína/farmacologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Intravenous (iv) glucocorticoids (GC) (ivGC) are used for active Graves orbitopathy (GO), but factors affecting GO outcome are poorly understood. We performed a retrospective study to investigate the variables affecting GO after ivGC. METHODS: We evaluated 83 consecutive GO patients treated with ivGC but not orbital radiotherapy (ORT) and re-examined them after a median of 47 months. The endpoints were the relationships between GO outcome or additional treatments with age, sex, smoking habits, thyroid volume, thyroid treatment, time since thyroid treatment, antithyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (TRAb), GO duration, GO features, and follow-up time. RESULTS: GO features improved after treatment, resulting in moderate and marked amelioration in ~75% and ~41% of patients respectively. By multivariate analysis, a moderate GO improvement correlated with diplopia at first observation, which was more severe in responders. A marked GO improvement correlated with time between first and last observation and time after thyroid treatment, which were longer in responders. This likely reflected the combination of an early effect of GC and a late, spontaneous improvement of GO, as shown by analyses of GO outcome at various time points. Additional treatments after ivGC correlated by multivariate analysis with eyelid aperture, diplopia and NOSPECS score (NOSPECS stands for no GO signs [N], only eyelid sign [O], soft tissue involvement [S], proptosis [P], extraocular motility restriction [E], corneal involvement [C], and sight loss [S]) at first observation, which were more severe in responders. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that response to ivGC increases with time, likely reflecting the known tendency of GO to improve spontaneously, and is more pronounced when GO is more severe to begin with, which is associated with more additional treatments. ABBREVIATIONS: ANOVA = analysis of variance CAS = clinical activity score GC = glucocorticoids GO = Graves orbitopathy 131I = radioactive iodine iv = intravenous ivGC = high-dose intravenous glucocorticoid pulse therapy MMI = methimazole OD = orbital decompression ORT = orbital radiotherapy TRAb = antithyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies.
Assuntos
Glucocorticoides/administração & dosagem , Oftalmopatia de Graves/tratamento farmacológico , Metimazol/administração & dosagem , Administração Intravenosa , Adulto , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Feminino , Glucocorticoides/efeitos adversos , Oftalmopatia de Graves/diagnóstico , Oftalmopatia de Graves/radioterapia , Humanos , Masculino , Metimazol/efeitos adversos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prognóstico , Pulsoterapia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: High-dose intravenous glucocorticoid (ivGC) pulse therapy, which is commonly used for Graves' orbitopathy (GO), has been associated with acute liver damage (ALD), resulting in a fatal outcome in a few cases. No certain risk factors for ALD have been established. Consequently, a large retrospective cohort study was performed. METHODS: The relationship between ALD and several potential risk factors was assessed in 1076 consecutive patients with GO given ivGC. ALD was defined as an increase of alanine aminotransferase ≥300 IU/L. RESULTS: Fourteen cases of ALD were recorded, resulting in a morbidity of 1.3%. Thirteen patients recovered and one died, resulting in a mortality of 0.09%. There was a significant, positive correlation of ALD with age and methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) cumulative dose, and ALD was more common (relative risk [RR]=2.8; p=0.05) in patients aged ≥53 years (9/420; 2.14%) than in those aged <53 years (5/656; 0.76%). In patients aged ≥53 years, there was a significant positive correlation of ALD with MPA cumulative dose, and with MPA dose per infusion. Thus, the frequency of ALD in this age group was greater (RR=3.48; p=0.04) in patients with a MPA dose per infusion ≥0.7 g (5/111, 4.5% vs. 4/308, 1.29%). Regardless of age, no cases of ALD were observed for MPA doses per infusion <0.57 g. CONCLUSIONS: Age and MPA dose are significant risk factors for ALD, with the following practical implications. First, the total MPA cumulative dose should not exceed 8.5 g (the average dose in patients without ALD). Second, in patients aged ≥53 years, selection and observation should be quite strict. However, being aged ≥53 years should not be seen as an absolute contraindication to ivGC, especially in patients with severe GO, considering that the risk of ALD, although statistically significant, was relatively low. Third, the MPA dose should not exceed 0.57 g per infusion, a measure to be applied regardless of age.
Assuntos
Doença Hepática Induzida por Substâncias e Drogas/epidemiologia , Glucocorticoides/efeitos adversos , Oftalmopatia de Graves/tratamento farmacológico , Metilprednisolona/análogos & derivados , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Alanina Transaminase/sangue , Fosfatase Alcalina/sangue , Aspartato Aminotransferases/sangue , Bilirrubina/sangue , Doença Hepática Induzida por Substâncias e Drogas/enzimologia , Doença Hepática Induzida por Substâncias e Drogas/etiologia , Estudos de Coortes , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Feminino , Glucocorticoides/administração & dosagem , Humanos , Infusões Intravenosas , Masculino , Metilprednisolona/administração & dosagem , Metilprednisolona/efeitos adversos , Acetato de Metilprednisolona , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Análise de Regressão , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Adulto Jovem , gama-Glutamiltransferase/sangueRESUMO
Medical treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism is based on the use of thionamides; namely, methimazole and propylthiouracil. In the past, methimazole was preferred by European endocrinologists, whereas propylthiouracil was the first choice for the majority of their North American colleagues. However, because of the recent definition of a better side-effect profile, methimazole is nowadays the first choice world while. Although thionamides are quite effective for the short-term control of Graves' hyperthyroidism, a relatively high proportion of patients relapses after thionamide withdrawal. Other possible medical treatments, include iodine and compounds containing iodine, perchlorate, lithium (as an adjuvant in patients undergoing radioiodine therapy), ß-adrenergic antagonists, glucocorticoids, and some new molecules still under investigation. Management of Graves' hyperthyroidism using thionamides as well as the other available medical treatments is here reviewed in detail, with a special mention of situations such as pregnancy and lactation, as well as neonatal and fetal thyrotoxicosis.