Changes in insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] and insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 [IGFBP-3] in relation to age and pubertal development in children

The present study was carried out to determine the changes in the values of both insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] and insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 [IGFBP-3] in healthy children and adolescents in different ages and in both sexes. The results of the present study revealed that IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations increased slowly with age with a steep increase near the age of puberty. No difference was observed for IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels between males and females in the studied age groups. A significant increase in both IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 was noted with an advancement in the pubertal stage. A significant positive correlation was noted between age and both IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 as well as between both analytes and body mass index [BMI]. A significant correlation was encountered between IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 suggesting a common regulatory mechanism

Critical evaluation of thyroid function in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus

Sera of 77 patients diagnosed as chronic hcv patients were subjected to a battery of in vitro tests of thyroid function and detection of thyroid autoantibodies. Sera of fifteen patients demonstreated low values for total and or free hormone levels falling within the hypothyroid category. Comparison between patients with thyroid abnormality and all HCV cases revealed significant lower values for T4, T3, FT4 and FT3 in the hypothyroid cases. The decreased T3 and FT3 in HCV was similar to the known low T3 syndrome. The possible mechanisms underlying such finding were discussed. Autoantibodies to thyroid tissue were demonstrated in 7.8% of chronic have patients, 50% of them were euthyroid and 50% were in the hypothyroid category