Ectopic Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting atypical thymic carcinoid tumor.

Cushing's syndromes (CS) due to thymic carcinoids are rarely seen. In this text, a case with CS due to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secreting atypical thymic carcinoid tumor is presented. A 50-year-old Turkish male patient was admitted to our emergency department with typical CS features. Basal hormone profile, low- and high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests, and inferior petrosal sinus sampling results were consistent with ectopic ACTH secretion. Thorax computerized tomography showed an upper mediastinal mass, and trans-thoracic biopsy showed atypical thymic carcinoid with positive ACTH staining. Since the vascular invasion was detected, tumor was accepted inoperable; somatostatine receptor analogs, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were planned. Ectopic CS can be derived from atypical thymic carcinoid. In this case, ACTH staining was used to confirm ACTH secretion from thymic tissue, and positive staining was detected. ACTH staining routinely was not performed for extra hypophyseal tissue tumors. In suspicious and difficult cases, ACTH staining can be helpful to confirm the presence of ACTH in tumor tissues.

Can YKL-40 be an Inflammatory Biomarker in Vitamin D Deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with several non-homeostatic conditions and/or diseases like inflammation, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and mortality. YKL-40 is a glycoprotein, secreted by macrophages, neutrophils and different cell types and it is also associated with inflammation and pathological tissue remodeling. In this study, we aimed to evaluate relationship between the proinflammatory biomarkers YKL-40 and hs-CRP levels and vitamin D deficiency. Our study group includes 45 subjects with vitamin D deficiency (Group 1) (20 M, 25 F; mean age 37.72 ± 7.70 years) and 40 age and sex-matched healthy subjects with normal serum levels of vitamin D (Group 2) (19 M, 21 F; mean age 39.26 ± 7.41 years). Plasma 25 (OH) vitamin D levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Plasma YKL-40 analysis was performed by ELISA. Serum hs-CRP levels were measured by nephelometric method. Plasma vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL were accepted as vitamin D deficiency. Although we could not find any significant differences by means of serum hs-CRP levels between Group 1 and Group 2 (2.21 (0.27-11.70); 1.79 (0.16-9.85) mg/L, p = 0.247), plasma YKL-40 levels were significantly higher in group 1 than group2 (70.47 (17.84-198.50); 47.14 (4.80-135.48) ng/mL, p = 0.047). In literature, vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammation. In our study, we found similar hs-CRP levels between groups and higher YKL-40 levels in group 1. Vitamin D deficiency may be related to high YKL-40 levels in terms of causing chronic inflammation.

Sleep quality and risk factors of atherosclerosis in predialysis chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have more frequent sleep disorders and cardiovascular disease than normals. Since arterial stiffness as a risk factor of atherosclerosis can be evaluated with pulse wave velocity (PWV), we aimed to investigate the prevalance of sleep quality (SQ) and the relationship between SQ and risk factors of atherosclerosis and whether there is a relationship between SQ and PWV (the indicator of arterial stiffness) in predialysis CKD patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in CKD patients followed at the Nephrology Department in Konya, Turkey, between November 2014 and March 2015. A total of 484 CKD patients were screened. Of the 484 patients, 285 patients were excluded. The remaining 199 CKD patients without cardiovascular disease at stage 3, 4, and 5 (predialysis) were included in the final study. The SQ of the patients was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). PWV was measured by using a single-cuff arteriography device (Mobil-O-Graph PWA, a model pulse wave analysis device; IEM). RESULTS: A total of 199 predialysis CKD patients were included in the study, 73 of whom (36.7 %) were 'poor sleepers' (global PSQI >5). Patients with poor SQ were older than those with good SQ (p = 0.077). SQ was worse in female patients compered to male patients (p = 0.001). SQ was worse in obese patients. As laboratory parameters, serum phosphorus, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides levels correlated positively with SQ (respectively; r = 0.245, p&0.001; r = 0.142, p = 0.049; r = 0.142, p = 0.048). The indicator of arterial stiffness, PWV, was higher in patients with poor SQ (p = 0.033). Hyperphosphatemia and female gender are determined as risk factors for poor SQ in multivariate analysis (p = 0.049, ExpB = 1.477; p = 0.009, ExpB = 0,429, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed for the first time that there is a relationship between SQ and risk factors of atherosclerosis in predialysis CKD patients.

Serum total oxidant/anti-oxidant status, ischemia-modified albumin and oxidized-low density lipoprotein levels in patients with vitamin D deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative damage may be responsible for the pathogenesis and complications of many diseases. Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested as a potential mediator of various extra-skeletal pathologies. However, there are limited data on anti-oxidant properties of vitamin D. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one subjects with vitamin D deficiency and 30 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. The levels of total anti-oxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fibrinogen were measured in both groups. The measurements were repeated in 17 patients after the replacement of vitamin D. RESULTS: Serum IMA and TOS levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001 and p = 0.035, respectively), while TAS levels were significantly lower in patients, compared to controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, fibrinogen was significantly higher in patients than controls (p = 0.003), while ox-LDL and hs-CRP levels were similar between two groups. After the replacement of vitamin D, TAS level significantly increased (p = 0.037), and TOS and fibrinogen levels significantly decreased (p = 0.043 and p = 0.010, respectively). Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with IMA and fibrinogen levels (r = -0.500, p < 0.001 and r = -0.391, p = 0.002, respectively), although positively correlated with TAS levels (r = 0.430, p < 0.001). No correlation was found between vitamin D levels, and the TOS, ox-LDL and hs-CRP levels. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, while serum IMA, TOS and fibrinogen levels were increased, TAS levels were seen to be decreased in patients with vitamin D deficiency. These results suggest that oxidative/anti-oxidative balance shifts in favours of oxidative status in vitamin D deficiency.

Serum total oxidant/anti-oxidant status, ischemia-modified albumin and oxidized-low density lipoprotein levels in patients with vitamin D deficiency

Objective Oxidative damage may be responsible for the pathogenesis and complications of many diseases. Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested as a potential mediator of various extra-skeletal pathologies. However, there are limited data on anti-oxidant properties of vitamin D.Materials and methods Forty-one subjects with vitamin D deficiency and 30 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. The levels of total anti-oxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fibrinogen were measured in both groups. The measurements were repeated in 17 patients after the replacement of vitamin D.Results Serum IMA and TOS levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001 and p = 0.035, respectively), while TAS levels were significantly lower in patients, compared to controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, fibrinogen was significantly higher in patients than controls (p = 0.003), while ox-LDL and hs-CRP levels were similar between two groups. After the replacement of vitamin D, TAS level significantly increased (p = 0.037), and TOS and fibrinogen levels significantly decreased (p = 0.043 and p = 0.010, respectively). Vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with IMA and fibrinogen levels (r = -0.500, p < 0.001 and r = -0.391, p = 0.002, respectively), although positively correlated with TAS levels (r = 0.430, p < 0.001). No correlation was found between vitamin D levels, and the TOS, ox-LDL and hs-CRP levels.Conclusions In this study, while serum IMA, TOS and fibrinogen levels were increased, TAS levels were seen to be decreased in patients with vitamin D deficiency. These results suggest that oxidative/anti-oxidative balance shifts in favours of oxidative status in vitamin D deficiency.

Assesment of oxidative status and its association with thyroid autoantibodies in patients with euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis.

Oxidative stress results from either overproduction of free radicals or insufficiency of several anti-oxidant defense systems. It leads to oxidation of main cellular macromolecules and a resultant molecular dysfunction. Thyroid hormones regulate oxidative metabolism and, thus, play a role in free radical production. Studies evaluating oxidative stress in patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism have been encountered in recent years; however, oxidative status in patients with euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) was not investigated previously. Thirty-five subjects with euthyroid AIT and 35 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum oxidative status was determined by the measurement of total anti-oxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), and oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) levels. Serum TAS levels were significantly lower (p<0.001), while serum TOS levels and IMA levels were significantly higher (p<0.001 and p=0.020, respectively) in patients compared to controls. In both groups, ox-LDL levels were similar (p=0.608). Serum TAS levels were negatively correlated with anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) levels (rho=-0.415, p=0.001 and rho=-0.484, p<0.001, respectively). Serum TOS was positively correlated with anti-TG levels (rho=0.547, p<0.001). Further, TAS was positively correlated with free T4 levels (r=0.279, p=0.043). No correlation was observed between thyrotropin, free T3 levels, and TOS and TAS levels. These results suggest that oxidants are increased, and anti-oxidants are decreased in patients with euthyroid AIT, and oxidative/anti-oxidative balance is shifted to the oxidative side. Increased oxidative stress might have a role in thyroid autoimmunity.

Frequency of nodular goiter and autoimmune thyroid disease in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and nodular and autoimmune thyroid diseases are frequently seen disorders. Previous studies reported conflicting results regarding possible association between PCOS and thyroid disorders. In this study, we investigated the frequency of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and nodular goiter in patients with PCOS. Seventy-three PCOS patients and 60 age-matched controls were enrolled in the study. In PCOS group, body mass index values (27.45 ± 5.73 vs. 22.55 ± 3.78 kg/m(2), p < 0.001, respectively), systolic [110 mmHg (90-130) vs. 100 mmHg (90-140), p = 0.016, respectively] and diastolic (72.67 ± 6.52 vs. 66.42 ± 8.88 mmHg, p < 0.001, respectively) blood pressure, waist circumference (86.27 ± 14.41 vs. 78.78 ± 8.87 cm, p < 0.001, respectively), and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels (2.96 ± 2.11 and 1.77 ± 0.83 p < 0.001, respectively) were higher than controls. However, thyroid nodule frequency was similar in both groups [22 (30.1 %) vs. 12 (20 %)], also thyroid gland volume was not significantly different [9.23 ml (3.08-32.40) vs. 8.52 ml (4.28-50.29)] among groups. The percentages of patients with thyroid parenchymal heterogeneity, positive anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-thyroglobulin, and AITD were similar. Cases were reclassified according to the presence of thyroid nodule in which similar HOMA-IR levels were detected (median 2.39 and 1.89, p = 0.093, respectively) despite the fact that the group with nodules had higher mean age (26.5 (18-37) vs. 21 (18-34), p = 0.013, respectively). Similar ratios of thyroid nodule and AITD were found in patients with PCOS and controls.