Polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity do not affect vascular parameters related to early atherosclerosis in young women without glucose metabolism disturbances, arterial hypertension and severe abnormalities of lipid profile.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity on vascular parameters related to early atherosclerosis (VP-EA) [brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid arterial compliance (CAC)] in women with minor cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs). Twenty-five young women with PCOS and 23 eumenorrheic women matched for body mass index (BMI) were studied. The women were subdivided according to BMI and PCOS status, and comparisons were done between PCOS and Control group, regardless of BMI, and between Obese and Lean group, regardless of the presence of PCOS. Insulin resistance was higher in PCOS-group than in control-group and in obese-group than in lean-group. The median of all VP-EA evaluated were similar between PCOS-group and Control-group [FMD: 6.6 versus 8.4% (p = NS); CIMT: 48.0 versus 47.0 mm.10-2 (p = NS); CAC: 6.2 versus 5.6N-1.m4.10-10 (p = NS)] and between obese-group and lean-group [FMD: 7.8 versus 6.6% (p = NS); CIMT: 48.0 versus 47.0 mm.10-2 (p = NS); CAC: 5.7 versus 6.3N-1.m4.10-10 (p = NS)]. These results suggest that PCOS and obesity do not affect VP-EA in women with minor CVRFs.

Metabolic disturbance in PCOS: clinical and molecular effects on skeletal muscle tissue.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal disorder affecting the reproductive and metabolic systems with signs and symptoms related to anovulation, infertility, menstrual irregularity and hirsutism. Skeletal muscle plays a vital role in the peripheral glucose uptake. Since PCOS is associated with defects in the activation and pancreatic dysfunction of ß-cell insulin, it is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance in PCOS. Studies of muscle tissue in patients with PCOS reveal defects in insulin signaling. Muscle biopsies performed during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp showed a significant reduction in glucose uptake, and insulin-mediated IRS-2 increased significantly in skeletal muscle. It is recognized that the etiology of insulin resistance in PCOS is likely to be as complicated as in type 2 diabetes and it has an important role in metabolic and reproductive phenotypes of this syndrome. Thus, further evidence regarding the effect of nonpharmacological approaches (e.g., physical exercise) in skeletal muscle of women with PCOS is required for a better therapeutic approach in the management of various metabolic and reproductive problems caused by this syndrome.

Influence of Phenotypes on the Metabolic Syndrome of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome over a Six-Year Follow-Up in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: We followed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women with metabolic syndrome (MS) over a six-year treatment period and evaluated the influence of PCOS phenotypes on MS and on the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: This was an observational study of 457 PCOS women, whose demographic, clinical, hormonal, and metabolic data underwent analysis. The PCOS women were divided into four groups per NIH recommendations. RESULTS: After a follow-up of a mean of six years (1-20 years), 310 patients were selected to assess the development of T2DM and MS. The clinical and biochemical parameters, along with the Rotterdam phenotypes, were evaluated. Data were analyzed using Student's t- and the Pearson chi-square tests for data variation and group proportions, respectively. Additionally, multivariate analysis was applied to evaluate the effect of PCOS phenotypes on the risk for MS and T2DM. Patients of the four PCOS phenotypes did not differ in age, body mass index, total testosterone, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, but phenotype A patients showed the highest risk for T2DM. A decrease in androgen levels was not followed by an improved metabolic profile; instead, there was a significant increase in the number of T2DM cases. CONCLUSION: Phenotype A women are at the highest risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The Presence of Clitoromegaly in the Nonclassical Form of 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency Could Be Partially Modulated by the CAG Polymorphic Tract of the Androgen Receptor Gene.

BACKGROUND: In the nonclassical form (NC), good correlation has been observed between genotypes and 17OH-progesterone (17-OHP) levels. However, this correlation was not identified with regard to the severity of hyperandrogenic manifestations, which could depend on interindividual variability in peripheral androgen sensitivity. Androgen action is modulated by the polymorphic CAG tract (nCAG) of the androgen receptor (AR) gene and by polymorphisms in 5α-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2) enzyme, both of which are involved in the severity of hyperandrogenic disorders. OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether nCAG-AR and SRD5A2 polymorphisms influence the severity of the nonclassical phenotype. PATIENTS: NC patients (n = 114) diagnosed by stimulated-17OHP ≥10 ng/mL were divided into groups according to the beginning of hyperandrogenic manifestations (pediatric and adolescent/adult) and CYP21A2 genotypes (C/C: homozygosis for mild mutations; A/C: compound heterozygosis for severe/mild mutations). METHODS: CYP21A2 mutations were screened by allelic-specific PCR, MLPA and/or sequencing. HpaII-digested and HpaII-undigested DNA samples underwent GeneScan analysis to study nCAG, and the SRD5A2 polymorphisms were screened by RLFP. RESULTS: Mean nCAG did not differ among pediatric, adolescent/adult and asymptomatic subjects. In the C/C genotype, we observed a significantly lower frequency of longer CAG alleles in pediatric patients than in adolescent/adults (p = 0.01). In patients carrying the A/C genotype, the frequencies of shorter and longer CAG alleles did not differ between pediatric patients and adolescent/adults (p>0.05). Patients with clitoromegaly had significantly lower weighted CAG biallelic mean than those without it: 19.1±2.7 and 21.6±2.5, respectively (p = 0.007), independent of the CYP21A2 genotype's severity. The SRD5A2 polymorphisms were not associated with the variability of hyperandrogenic NC phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, we observed a modulatory effect of the CAG-AR tract on clinical manifestations of the NC form. Although the NC form is a monogenic disorder, our preliminary data suggested that the interindividual variability of the hyperandrogenic phenotype could arise from polygenic interactions.

GLUT4 translocation is not impaired after acute exercise in skeletal muscle of women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of acute exercise on insulin signaling in skeletal muscle of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls (CTRL). METHODS: Fifteen women with obesity and PCOS and 12 body mass index-matched CTRL participated in this study. Subjects performed a 40-min single bout of exercise. Muscle biopsies were performed before and 60 min after exercise. Selected proteins were assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: CTRL, but not PCOS, showed a significant increase in PI3-k p85 and AS160 Thr 642 after a single bout of exercise (P = 0.018 and P = 0.018, respectively). Only PCOS showed an increase in Akt Thr 308 and AMPK phosphorylation after exercise (P = 0.018 and P = 0.018, respectively). Total GLUT4 expression was comparable between groups (P > 0.05). GLUT4 translocation tended to be significantly higher in both groups after exercise (PCOS: P = 0.093; CTRL: P = 0.091), with no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A single bout of exercise elicited similar GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle of PCOS and CTRL, despite a slightly differential pattern of protein phosphorylation. The absence of impairment in GLUT4 translocation suggests that PCOS patients with obesity and insulin resistance may benefit from exercise training.

[Falsely elevated testosterone in a type 1 diabetes patients with acne and chronic renal failure on dialysis]. / Testosterona falsamente elevada em uma paciente diabética tipo 1 com acne e insuficiência renal crônica em diálise.

The purpose of this report is to present the case of a patient with type 1 diabetes with acne and chronic renal failure on dialysis admitted to the hospital with high total total and free testosterone (612 ng/dL, normal < 90 ng/dL; 255 pMol/L, normal: 20-45 pMol/L). On clinical evaluation, she presented facial acne, and no other signs of hyperandrogenism. As this result was confirmed, she underwent adrenal and ovary morphological assessment (adrenal CT and pelvic ultrasound), which yielded normal results. Due to divergence between clinical and laboratory findings, we considered other possibilities that could explain the elevation of testosterone, including the presence of comorbidities (diabetes and chronic renal failure) and failure of the testosterone assay. Testosterone levels were determined again by high performance liquid chromatography, as a preparative method, and tandem mass spectrometry, yielding normal results (21 ng/dL), which were compatible with a falsely elevated total testosterone level caused by the presence of factors that intereferred with the assay.

[Difficulties and pitfalls in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome]. / Dificuldades e armadilhas no diagnóstico da síndrome dos ovários policísticos.

The polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrinopathies, affecting approximately 7% of women of reproductive age. Although it was described in 1935, only in 1990 was published the first Consensus regarding it its diagnosis. Today, the syndrome is also considered a cardiovascular risk factor, with a high prevalence of metabolic disorders. Reflecting this new vision of the syndrome, several documents, including Consensus, Statement and Guidelines have been published, addressing different aspects of the syndrome. This review is an analysis of documents obtained through a survey in the PubMed database, using the keywords "polycystic ovary syndrome", "hyperandrogenism" and "hirsutism", separately, taking as limiting the term Type of Article (Practice Guideline, Consensus Development Conference, Guideline) without limitation of time, language and age, having been selected only those documents prepared under the sponsorship of Medical Entities and with more than one author.

Influence of LH and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) on metformin response in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To search for predictors of metformin response in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through a detailed analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters. STUDY DESIGN: We designed a prospective study to investigate clinical and laboratory parameters to search for predictors of metformin response in women with PCOS. A total of 53 PCOS patients were given metformin 850 mg twice a day for 6 months, after which patients were classified as responders or non-responders. Parameters analyzed for comparison between the two groups were: plasma fasting insulin glucose/insulin ratio; oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with insulin (120 min); HOMA and QUICKI tests; total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides; LH, FSH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, 17-OH progesterone, and DHEAS. RESULTS: From all patients, 30 (56.6%) were responders and 23 (43.3%) were non-responders. Multinomial analysis showed that the positive response to metformin was associated with higher levels of basal LH (p=0.038) and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p=0.015). CONCLUSION: In weight-matched PCOS subjects, laboratory markers might predict the metformin response. Higher levels of basal LH and lower levels of HDL-C are correlated with a positive response to metformin treatment in PCOS subjects.

Testosterona falsamente elevada em uma paciente diabética tipo 1 com acne e insuficiência renal crônica em diálise / Falsely elevated testosterone in a type 1 diabetes patients with acne and chronic renal failure on dyalisis

Descrevemos uma paciente com diabetes tipo 1 com acne e insuficiência renal crônica, em diálise, que apresentou uma dosagem de testosterona total e livre elevada (612 ng/dL, normal < 90 ng/dL e 255 pMol/L, normal: 20-45 pMol/L, respectivamente). Na avaliação clínica, além da acne facial não havia qualquer outro sinal de hiperandrogenismo. Após ter esse resultado confirmado, ela foi submetida à avaliação morfológica de adrenal e ovários (tomografia computadorizada de adrenal e ultrassom pélvico), cujos resultados foram normais. Na ausência de quadro clínico de virilização, foram consideradas outras possibilidades que pudessem explicar a elevação da testosterona, entre as quais a presença de comorbidades (diabetes e insuficiência renal crônica) e falha do método de dosagem. Uma nova determinação da testosterona total, por meio da cromatografia líquida de alta performance como método preparativo e espectrometria de massa em tandem, resultou normal (21 ng/dL), compatível com uma concentração de testosterona total falsamente elevada pela presença de interferentes com o método de dosagem.

The purpose of this report is to present the case of a patient with type 1 diabetes with acne and chronic renal failure on dialysis admitted to the hospital with high total total and free testosterone (612 ng/dL, normal < 90 ng/dL; 255 pMol/L, normal: 20-45 pMol/L). On clinical evalua­tion, she presented facial acne, and no other signs of hyperandrogenism. As this result was confirmed, she underwent adrenal and ovary morphological assessment (adrenal CT and pelvic ultrasound), which yielded normal results. Due to divergence between clinical and laboratory findings, we considered other possibilities that could explain the elevation of testosterone, including the presence of comorbidities (diabetes and chronic renal failure) and failure of the testosterone assay. Testosterone levels were determined again by high performance liquid chromatography, as a preparative method, and tandem mass spectrometry, yielding normal results (21 ng/dL), which were compatible with a falsely elevated total testosterone level caused by the presence of factors that intereferred with the assay.

Dificuldades e armadilhas no diagnóstico da síndrome dos ovários policísticos / Difficulties and pitfalls in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome

A síndrome dos ovários policísticos é uma das endocrinopatias mais comuns, afetando aproximadamente 7 por cento das mulheres na idade reprodutiva. Embora tenha sido descrita em 1935, somente em 1990 foi elaborado o primeiro consenso com relação ao seu diagnóstico. Hoje, a síndrome é considerada também um fator de risco cardiovascular, com uma alta prevalência de distúrbios metabólicos. Como reflexo dessa nova visão da síndrome, vários documentos, entre Consensos, Posicionamentos e Orientações, têm sido publicados, abordando diversos aspectos da síndrome. O objetivo desta revisão é uma análise crítica desses documentos, obtidos mediante um levantamento na base PubMed, por meio dos unitermos polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperandrogenism e hirsutism, separadamente, tendo como limitador o termo Type of Article (Practice Guideline, Consensus Development Conference, Guideline), sem limitação de data, língua e idade. Foram selecionados apenas os documentos elaborados sob patrocínio de Entidades Médicas e com mais de um autor.

The polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrinopathies, affecting approximately 7 percent of women of reproductive age. Although it was described in 1935, only in 1990 was published the first Consensus regarding it its diagnosis. Today, the syndrome is also considered a cardiovascular risk factor, with a high prevalence of metabolic disorders. Reflecting this new vision of the syndrome, several documents, including Consensus, Statement and Guidelines have been published, addressing different aspects of the syndrome. This review is an analysis of documents obtained through a survey in the PubMed database, using the keywords "polycystic ovary syndrome", "hyperandrogenism" and "hirsutism", separately, taking as limiting the term Type of Article (Practice Guideline, Consensus Development Conference, Guideline) without limitation of time, language and age, having been selected only those documents prepared under the sponsorship of Medical Entities and with more than one author.

Critérios diagnósticos das formas näo-clássicas de hiperplasia adrenal congênita / Diagnostic criteria of non-classic forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

A hiperplasia adrenal congênita (HAC) resulta de deficiência herdada em uma das várias enzimas necessárias para a síntese do cortisol. Deficiência na produçao de cortisol é comum a todas as formas de HAC, em decorrência da deficiência enzimática. Devido à existência de um mecanismo de feedback negativo entre a hipófise anterior e a supra-renal, ocorre aumento da secreçao de ACTH. Dependendo da severidade da deficicência enzimática, a concentraçao sérica de cortisol pode ou nao ser normalizada; porém sempre acompanhado de elevaçao dos esteróides precursores, resultando, nas formas clássicas de HAC, de alteraçoes bioquímicas e fenotípicas. O grau do bloqueio determina qual precursor estará elevado, enquanto que a severidade da deficiência enzimática determinará a extensao do comprometimento clínico. A forma nao-clássica da HAC diferencia-se da forma clássica pelo fato de os indivíduos afetados manifestarem sinais e sintomas de excesso androgênico tardiamente, ma infância ou adolescência, através de um espectro clínico variável, como pubarca precoce, acne, hirsutismo, distúrbio menstrual e infertilidade, podendo até mesmo nao manifestar sintomas, na chamada forma críptica da doença. O diagnóstico da forma nao-clássica de HAC, em geral, nao pode ser feito levando-se em consideraçao apenas a concentraçao basal dos hormônios esteróides, uma vez que estes podem se encontrar normais ou em concentraçao similar à das demais síndromes hiperandrogênicas. A dosagem dos hormônios esteróides após estímulo com ACTH sintético é o método que se impoe para o diagnóstico. Entretanto, os critérios diagnósticos ainda nao se encontram estabelecidos.

Doenca adrenal auto-imune / Autoinmune adrenal disease

A doença de Addison tem sido descrita em associaçao com hipoparatireoidismo deabetes mellitus tipo I, doença tireoideana auto-imune e outras endocrinopatias, assim como com outras doenças de provável etiologia auto-imune ou associadas com distúrbios imunológicos. Estes pacientes têm sido classificados como portadores da síndrome poliglandular auto-imune (SPA). Segundo esta classificaçao, a SPA tipo I está presente em pacientes com pelo menos duas manifestaçoes da tríade doença de Addison, hipoparatireoidismo e candidíase mucocutânea crônica; a SPA tipo II está presente em pacientes que apresentam doença de Addison com doença tireodeana auto-imune e(ou) diabetes mellitus tipo I, mas na ausência de hipopapatireoidismo e candidíase, enquanto que a associaçao de doença tireoideana auto-imune com outras endocrinopatias, exceto doença de Addison, pode ser designada SPA tipo III. Uma expressao aberrante dos antígenos maiores da histocompatibilidade tipo II em células corticais adrenais, assim com um defeito de linfócitos T, têm sido implicados na patogenia da SPA. Independente da patogenia, anticorpos antiadrenais têm sido detectados no soro de pacientes com SPA, podendo ser considerados marcadores para o desenvolvimento da insuficiência adrenal. Por outro lado, evidências suportam o conceito que a doença de Addison na SPA tipos I e II apresenta diferentes bases genéticas e possivelmente diferentes mecanismos patogênicos. Menos freqüentemente, anticorpos que bloqueiam a açao do hormônio adrenocorticotrópico têm sido implicados na etiologia da doença de Addison, assim como anticorpos estimuladores da adrenal na etiologia de algumas formas de síndrome de Cushing familiar. A detecçao de anticorpos antimedulares da adrenal em pacientes com diabetes mellitus tipo I evidencia um possível comprometimento da zona medular por um processo auto-imune, cujo significado funcional necessita ser avaliado. (AU) que

Diabetes e transplante de pâncreas / Diabetes and pancreas transplant

Os autores fazem uma revisão sobre transplante de pâncreas em pacientes diabéticos

Hipotireoidismo no idoso / Hypothyroidism in aged

O diagnóstico de hipotireoidismo deve ser lembrado em todo paciente idoso que apresente sintomas vagos e inespecíficos, devendo-se considerar a possibilidade de screening através da dosagem de TSH como rotina, levando em consideraçäo sua incidência nesta faixa etária, especialmente em mulheres. A semelhança do que ocorre em pessoas jovens, a doença de Hashimoto é a etiologia mais importante do hipotireoidismo primário, assumindo, porém, particular relevância outras causas, principalmente as decorrentes do tratamento da doença de Graves com drogas antitireoidianas, iodo radioativo ou tireoidectomia. O tratamento é feito através da administraçäo de tiroxina numa dose inferior à comumente utilizada em adultos jovens, iniciando-se com uma dosagem de 12,5 mug, com incrementos semanais de 12,5 mug. O objetivo consiste na normalizaçäo de T3, T4 e TSH, evitando-se a supressäo deste último.

Avaliaçäo da funçäo endócrina e estudo dos anticorpos antiinsulínicos na hemocromatose / Evaluation of endocrine function and study of anti-insulin antibodies in hemochromatosis

Foram estudados três pacientes do sexo masculino com hemocromatose, diagnosticada pelas evidências de aumento de ferro corporal, na ausência de doenças hematológicas e ingestäo excessiva de ferro, com antígeno de histocompatibilidade (HLA) A3 presente. A avaliaçäo da funçäo endócrina demonstrou, nos três pacientes, comprometimento da funçäo pancreática endócrina semelhante à encontrada no diabete melito idiopático. Dois pacientes apresentaram quadro clínico e laboratorial de hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico. As demais funçöes endócrinas apresentaram-se íntegras. Níveis elevados de anticorpos antiinsulínicos foram detectados nos três pacientes, sendo que, no doente submetido a flebotomias semanais, houve melhora do controle do diabete e queda significativa dos níveis de anticorpos antiinsulínicos