ABSTRACT
Graves' ophthalmopathy is the most common clinical orbital disease, and T helper (Th) cells play an important role in the development of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Th17 cells are a major subpopulation of Th cells and abnormally highly expressed in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. Th17 cells and the related cytokines interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-21 and IL-23 are involved in regulating the inflammatory response, fibrosis and adipogenesis. Th17 cells are unstable and exhibit a degree of plasticity, and they can differentiate into IL-17A and interferon (IFN)-γ dual-producing Th17.1 cells, which exacerbate the pathogenicity of Th17 cells. In addition, Th17 cells and the relevant factors are strongly associated with disease activity and severity in Graves' ophthalmopathy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cytokines , Th17 Cells , Graves Ophthalmopathy , AdipogenesisABSTRACT
Objective:To analyze the relationship between free androgen index and insulin function in obese young men aged from 20 to 35.Methods:A total of 82 young obese men in Obesity Clinic from February to October 2019 were enrolled in the study. The subjects were divided into 3 subgroups according to free androgen index level tertiles. The blood glucose and insulin levels were tested after oral glucose tolerance test. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment for β cell function (HOMA-β), insulin secretion index, and insulin sensitivity index (Matsuda index) were used to evaluate β cell function in oder to analyze the relationship between free androgen index and insulin function.Results:In young obese men, participants with higher free androgen index levels exhibited less waist circumference, lower body mass index, 1 h postprandial insulin, 2 h postprandial insulin, HOMA-IR level but with a higher total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, and Matsuda index level (all P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the free androgen index and the HOMA-IR ( r=-0.386, P=0.016), and the correlation tended to a linear trend after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and waist circumference ( Ptrend=0.034). Free testosterone was positively correlated with Matsuda index ( r=0.280, P=0.004), but the correlation disappeared after adjustment ( Ptrend=0.623). The results of further regression analysis showed that the level of free testosterone index decreased by 14.1% ( OR=0.869, 95% CI0.767-0.984, P=0.028) for each increase of HOMA-IR after adjustment. Conclusion:The level of free testosterone index is a predictor of insulin resistance in obese young men, but the association between this parameter and insulin sensitivity may be caused by obesity.