Aumento de la lipocalina orosomucoide-1 (ORM1) en sujetos con hiperaldosteronismo primario / Increase of lipocalin ORM1 in primary aldosteronism

El hiperaldosteronismo primario (HAP) es la causa más común de hipertensión arterial secundaria. A pesar de la prevalencia del HAP (6-10%) y sus consecuencias, los mecanismos que median los efectos deletéreos renales y extrarenales originados por la aldosterona más allá de la hipertensión arterial (ej. inflamación renal, alteraciones cardiacas y disfunción vascular), siguen siendo poco conocidos. Estudios previos sugieren que el exceso de aldosterona aumentaría proteínas sensibles a la activación del receptor de mineralocorticoides (MR), como las lipocalinas LCN2 (NGAL) y ORM1. OBJETIVO: Determinar la concentración de las lipocalinas ORM1, NGAL y NGAL-MMP9 en sujetos HAP. SUJETOS Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte transversal en sujetos adultos (similares en sexo, edad e IMC) separados en controles normotensos (CTL), hipertensos esenciales (HE) y con screening positivo de HAP (aldosterona ≥9 ng/dL y ARP < 1 ng/mL*h acorde a las guías internacionales de HAP). Se determinó la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) y diastólica (PAD), aldosterona plasmática, actividad renina plasmática (ARP) y la relación aldosterona / actividad de renina plasmática (ARR). Se determinó la concentración de NGAL, NGAL-MMP9 y ORM1 en suero por ELISA. RESULTADOS: Detectamos mayores niveles de ORM1 en sujetos HAP. No se detectaron diferencias en NGAL ni NGAL-MMP9 entre los grupos. Detectamos una asociación positiva de ORM1 con ARP (rho= -0,407, p=0,012) y con ARR (rho= 0,380 p= 0,021). CONCLUSIÓN: La mayor concentración de ORM1 en sujetos HAP y las asociaciones de ORM1 con aldosterona, ARP y ARR, proponen a esta proteína como un potencial biomarcador de HAP y de utilidad en el desarrollo de algoritmos diagnósticos de HAP.

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Despite the prevalence of PA (6-10%) and its consequences, the mechanisms that mediate the deleterious renal and extrarenal effects caused by aldosterone beyond arterial hypertension (eg renal inflammation, cardiac alterations and vascular dysfunction), remain barely known. Previous studies suggest that excess aldosterone would increase proteins sensitive to activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), such as lipocalins LCN2 (NGAL) and ORM1. AIM: To determine the concentration of the lipocalins ORM1, NGAL and NGAL-MMP9 in PA subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in adult subjects (similar in sex, age and BMI) grouped as normotensive controls (CTL), essential hypertensive (HE) and subjects with positive PA screening (aldosterone ≥ 9 ng/dL and PRA <1 ng/mL*h, according to international PA guidelines). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, plasma aldosterone, plasma renin activity (PRA), and plasma aldosterone renin ratio (ARR) were determined. The concentration of NGAL, NGAL-MMP9 and ORM1 in serum was determined by ELISA. RESULTS: We detected higher levels Recibido: 03-09-2021 of ORM1 in PA subjects. No differences in NGAL or NGAL-MMP9 were detected between the groups. We detected a positive association of ORM1 with ARP (rho = -0.407, p < 0.05) and with ARR (rho = 0.380 p <0.05). CONCLUSION: The high levels of ORM1 in PA subjects and the associations of ORM1 with aldosterone, ARP and ARR, suggest ORM1 is a potential biomarker of PA, and useful in the development of a diagnostic algorithm for PA.

Estudio de frecuencia y asociación de los polimorfismos RS965513 y RS1867277 del gen FOXE1 con el carcinoma papilar de tiroides y su riesgo de recurrencia en población chilena / Frequency and association of the polymorphisms RS965513 and RS1867277 of the FOXE1 gene with papillary thyroid carcinoma and its risk of recurrence in Chilean population

Introducción: El gen FOXE1 (Forkhead box E1) codifica para un factor de transcripción involucrado en la morfogénesis tiroidea. El cáncer papilar de tiroides (CPT) se ha asociado con polimorfismos (SNP) de FOXE1 rs1867277 y rs965513 en población asiática y europea. Nuestro objetivo fue investigar la frecuencia y asociación de SNP rs1867277 y rs965513 con CPT y el riesgo de recurrencia de CPT en sujetos chilenos. Métodos: Se reclutaron sujetos con y sin CPT, se describieron sus características epidemiológicas y la forma de presentación clínica (AJCC VIII y MINSAL 2013). Se aisló ADN de leucocitos periféricos y evaluó ambos SNP mediante PCR-HRM y secuencia. Se compararon las frecuencias alélicas y genotípicas entre casos CPT y controles, y entre pacientes CPT de distintos riesgos de recurrencia. Se compararon frecuencia y se estimó el riesgo con test de Fisher y cálculo de odds-ratio (OR). Resultados: De los 184 sujetos, 156 (85%) eran mujeres, edad 39,3±12,3 años; 90 con CPT y 94 sin CPT 26 (28,9%) pacientes eran de riesgo muy bajo, 45 (50%) bajo, 16 (17,8%) intermedio y 3 (3,3%) alto según MINSAL 2013. En relación a la frecuencia de alelo menor (MAF) calculada en sujetos control y CPT, fue 31,7% y 24,5% (SNP rs965513), y 36,7% y 30,1% 8 (rs1867277), respectivamente (p NS). Tampoco fueron diferentes las MAF calculados y comparados entre pacientes con CPT de riesgo bajo e intermedio/alto. Sin embargo, la combinación de los genotipos rs1867277GG y rs965513AA se asoció a mayor riesgo de CPT. Conclusiones: En pacientes chilenos, se describe una frecuencia MAF de los SNP rs1867277 y rs965513 cercana a un 30%, las cuales no se asocian a CPT ni riesgo de recurrencia, sin embargo, sujetos con una combinación genotípica particular podrían tener mayor riesgo de CPT.

FOXE1 gene (Forkhead E1 box) codes for a transcription factor involved in thyroid morphogenesis. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has been associated with FOXE1 polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1867277 and rs965513 in Asian and European population. Our aim was to investigate the frequency and the association of SNPs rs1867277 and rs965513 with PTC and the risk of recurrence of PTC in Chilean subjects. Methods: We recruited subjects with and without PTC. In those with PTC, their epidemiological characteristics and clinical features presentation are described according to AJCC VIII and MINSAL 2013 scales. Peripheral leukocyte DNA was isolated and both SNPs were evaluated using PCR-HRM and sequencing. Allelic and genotypic frequencies were compared between PTC cases and controls, and between PTC patients with different recurrence risks. Results: Of the 184 subjects, 156 (85%) were women, age 39.3 ± 12.3 years; 94 (51%) without PTC and 90 with PTC (49%): 26 (28.9%) patients had very low, 45 (50%) low, 16 (17.8%) intermediate and 3 (3.3%) high risk of recurence according to MINSAL 2013. Regarding the minor allele frequency (MAF) calculated on control and PTC subjects, was 31.7% and 24.5% (SNP rs965513), and 36.7% and 30.1% (rs1867277), respectively (p NS). In patients with PTC, MAFs were not different between patients with low and intermediate/high risk PTC. However, the combination of rs1867277GG and rs965513AA genotypes were associated with an increased risk of PTC. Conclusions: In Chilean patients, the MAF frequency of SNPs rs1867277 and rs965513 is near 30%, and they are are not associated with PTC or its risk of recurrence. However, subjects with a particular genotypic combination may have an increased risk of PTC.

Aldosterona e IL-17 en la génesis de la hipertensión arterial mineralocorticoídea, un estudio ex vivo / Aldosterone and il-17 in the genesis of mineralocorticoid arterial hypertension: an ex vivo study

Background: Treatment of dendritic cells (DC) with aldosterone induces the secretion of IL-6 and TGF-beta. The polarization of naïve T cells to helper 17 T lymphocytes with DCs pre-incubated with aldosterone, has been described in vivo, generating an IL-17 hyper-secreting phenotype, a cytokine associated with cardiac and renal fibrosis. There are mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) in immune cells and their activation may determine the inflammatory (M1) or adaptive (M2) macrophage phenotype. Aldosterone levels could regulate immunogenic gene expression in these cells, modulating the liberation of specific cytokines. Aim: To assess in humans the association of aldosterone levels and IL-17 with inflammatory markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Material and Methods: In blood samples of 176 participants aged 18 to 67 years (61 percent women) with a body mass index of 27.1 +/- 4.8 kg/m2, aldosterone, plasma renin activity (ARP), cortisol, C reactive protein, andIL-17 were measured. mRNA was isolated from PBMCs to measure the expression of MR RAC-1, HO-1, TLR-4, CD-14, NGAL and IL-17 by real time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Aldosterone correlated positively with ARP and the expression of CD-14 in PBMCs. Plasma levels of IL-17 were positively associated with the expression of MR, Rac1a and NGAL. Conclusions: Aldosterone and IL-17 levels were associated with inflammatory activation markers in PBMC, which could activate MRand promote a subclinical inflammatory status inducing hypertension.

Utilidad del PET/CT con análogos de somatostatina marcados con Ga68 en el diagnóstico de síndrome de Cushing secundario a tumor neuroendocrino pancreático / Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor diagnosed with positron emission tomography/ct scan (PET/CT): report of one case

We report a 28 years old woman consulting for weight gain, progressive muscle weakness and appearance of facial plethora. Laboratory showed high cortisol and ACTH levels. Magnetic resonance of sella turcica was normal and an abdominal magnetic resonance showed a pancreatic mass, suggestive of a neuroendocrine tumor. A PET/CT with somatostatin analogues demonstrated an intense over-expression of somatostatin receptors in the tumor. The patient was subjected to a pancreatectomy and the day after surgery, ACTH levels decreased to less than 5 pg/ml. The patological study of the surgical piece showed a neuroendocrine carcinoma. The patient had a good postoperative evolution.

Cateterismo venoso suprarrenal: indicaciones y limitaciones a propósito de dos casos clínicos / Adrenal venous catheterization in primary hyperaldosteronism: report of two cases

Primary hyperaldosteronism is the most prevalent cause of secondary hypertension. Approximately 10 percentof hypertensive patients may be carriers of this condition. Idiopathic bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (HSBI) and aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) are the most common causes of hyperaldosteronism. To diagnose these conditions, adrenal venous catheterization (CVS) is the test of choice to evaluate functional imagingfindings. The aim of this communication is to demonstrate the usefulness of the CVS in the etiological diagnosis of this condition. We report two patients with primary hyperaldosteronism who were subjected to CVS. A male in whom and abdominal CAT scan showed bilateral adrenal growth, that was severest atthe left side. CVS concluded hyper secretion of aldosterone on the right side, but without suppression of the contralateral gland, corresponding to a bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. A 43 years old male in whom an abdominal CAT scan showed a right adrenal tumor measuring 11 x 5 mm. CVS showed a right lateralization of aldosterone secretion, with suppression of the contralateral gland. The conclusion was the presence of an aldosteronoma, which was excised by laparoscopy with excellent clinical outcome.

Hiperplasia suprarrenal no clásica, características clínicas y genéticas / Clinical and genetic features of non classical adrenal hyperplasia

Background: The non classical form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) is increasingly recognized inhyperandrogenic patients, with variable phenotypic expression. Aim: To determine the clinical, hormonal, andgenetic characteristics of a group of patients with NCAH. Patients and methods: The medical records of 57NCAH patients were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis was established by basal or post-ACTH-stimulation 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) levels >7 ng/mL and > 15 ng/mL, respectively. Patients with post-ACTH 17-OHP levels between 10-15 ng/mL, and with one identified allele o without genetic tests, were consideredas heterozygous. Genotyping for 10 mutations was performed by PCR. Results: The average age of diagnosis was 12.4 +/- 0.9 years. Six patients were male. Pubarche and hirsutism were the clinical signs more frequently described in patients below 10 years of age (25/29) and over 10 years of age (11/24), respectively. A basal 17-OHP > 7 ng/mL was observed in 36 patients; the post ACTH 17-OHP was between 10-15 and > 15 ng/mL in 5 and 17 patients, respectively. Genotype analyses were performed in 38 patients. V281L was carried on approximately 68.4 percent of all alleles and 29 percent of patients carried severe mutations. Only one of five possible carrier patients, was diagnosed as NCAH after the genetic test (V281L/ In2splice). Conclusions: Males with NCAH were apparently sub-diagnosed. Pubarche and hirsutism were the more frequently reported signs. The genetic test is complementary in the diagnosis of NCAH. One third of the patients carried a classic mutation and could have an increased risk to have siblings with Classical CAH.

Análisis de un Programa Universitario de Formación de Postgrado en Endocrinología, luego de 24 años de su inicio / Analysis of a university training program in endocrinology

The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile has a two decades experience in training endocrinology specialists. This communication explains the operation of the training program and the results of a survey, answered by 90 percent of Endocrinologists that were trained at the center. This survey covers different aspects of the program such as the strengths and weaknesses of the academic teaching and the present position of the trainees. Questions about the working environment and the relationship with their teachers during the application of the program are also included. These results can be useful for other University centers that are planning a training program in endocrinology and for those physicians that are planning to become endocrinologists.

Características de presentación del microcarcinoma papilar del tiroides. Experiencia retrospectiva de los últimos 12 años / Pathological characteristics of thyroid microcarcinoma. A review of 402 biopsies

Background: Thyroid microcarcinoma is a tumor of 10 mm or less, that should have a low risk of mortality. However, a subgroup of these carcinomas is as aggressive as bigger tumors. Aim: To describe the pathological presentation of these tumors, and compare them with larger tumors. Material and methods: All pathological samples of thyroid carcinoma that were obtained between 1992 and 2003, were studied. In all biopsies, the pathological type, tumor size, the focal or multifocal character, the presence of lymph node involvement and the presence of lymphocytic thyroiditis or thyroid hyperplasia, were recorded. Results: One hundred eighteen microcarcinomas and 284 larger tumors were studied. The mean age of patients with microcarcinoma and larger tumors was 42.7±14 and 49.3±16 years respectively (p <0,001) and 83% were female, without gender differences between tumor types. Mean size of microcarcinomas was 8.6 mm and 116 (98%) were papillary carcinomas. Of these, 109 (94%) were well differentiated and seven (6%) were moderately differentiated. Thirty six (31%) were multifocal and in 10 (8,6%), there was lymph node involvement. The mean size of larger tumors was 23.8 mm and 241 (85%) were papillary carcinomas. Of these, 200 (83%) were well differentiated, and 41 (17%) were moderately differentiated. Eighty five (35%) were multifocal and in 44 (18%) there was lymph node involvement. The prevalence of thyroiditis and hyperplasia was significantly higher among microcarcinomas than in larger tumors (15 and 2.5%, respectively, p <0.001, for the former; 32.4 and 1.7%, respectively, p <0.001, for the latter). Conclusions: In this series, one third of microcarcinomas were multifocal and 10% had lymph node involvement. Therefore, the aggressiveness of these tumors is higher than what is reported in the literature and they should be treated with total thyroidectomy.

Microcarcinoma tiroideo de evolución agresiva: Report of one case / Thyroid microcarcinoma with an aggressive evolution

The treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma of less than 10 mm diameter is a matter of controversy. The incidental finding of papillary microcarcinomas in autopsies is frequent and some authors postulate that these tumors are biologically inactive and should only be observed. We report a 21 years old woman with a papillary thyroid cancer of 6x5x5 mm and bilateral paratracheal metastases, that was subjected to a total thyroidectomy. She received 200 mCi of radioiodine. Two years after surgery, a new nodule of 9.6 mm diameter was detected by ultrasound, that was treated with a new dose of 200 mCi of radioiodine. One year later a suprasternal mass of 2 cm diameter and 3 enlarged lymph nodes were detected. She was subjected to a surgical lymph node dissection of the neck and the biopsy confirmed the presence of cancer. She received a new dose of 300 mCi of radioiodine. The mother of the patient had a 7 mm thyroid nodule that was also a papillary carcinoma.

Trastornos del ánimo, psicofármacos y tiroides / Mood disorders, psychopharmacology and thyroid hormones

For more than 40 years thyroid hormones and mood disorders have been associated. Some psychiatric symptoms are produced by thyroid illnesses and there is a frequent association of thyroid dysfunction with mood disorders. Therefore, routine thyroid function assessment in patients with mood disorders and the treatment of sub-clinical thyroid dysfunctions is recommended. The usefulness of adding thyroid hormones to antidepressive treatment in euthyroid patients to obtain a potentiation effect has been probed repeatedly. The most common strategy is potentiation with T3, but high doses of T4 have been also used in patients with resistant depression. Thyroid hormones exert their action in the central nervous system through a variety of mechanisms: modulation of gene expression of several groups of proteins, some of them with known physiopathological implications in mood disorders and the influence over serotonin and noradrenergic neurotransmission, known to be one of the modes of action of antidepressants. Finally, it is also important to stress the complex relationship between psychiatric drugs, deiodinases and thyroid hormones, that can potentially help to understand the mechanisms of action of these drugs.

Nifedipina reduce el aumento de calcio intracelular en el hiperparatiroidismo primario: rol de los canales de calcio y de PTH / Nifedipine reduces the increase of intracellular calcium in primary hyperparathyroidism: role of calcium channels and PTH

Free intracellular calcium is increased in primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and may related to the higher incidence of hypertension in this disease. This elevation returns to normal when primary HPT is corrected. In essential hypertension, an alteration in calcium channels allows a intracellular accumulation of calcium. Aiming to assess if a similar mechanism operates in primary HPT, we measured intracellular calcium concentrations using QUIN-2-AM, before and after a 10 mg sublingual dose of nifedipine, in 9 subjects with primary HPT, 12 subjects with essential hypertension and 17 normal controls. Intracellular calcium was higher in subjects with primary HPT and with essential hypertension than in normal controls (276 ñ 56,343 ñ 50 and 113 ñ 12 nM respectively). Among patients witj primary HPT, intracellular calcium correlated with plasma PTH (r=0.82). Nifedipine reduced intracellular calcium to 173 ñ 36 nM in subjects with primary HPT and to 188 ñ 35 nM in those with essential hypertension. In the latter, the decreased in intracellular calcium and blood pressure correlated significantly (r=0.65 p<0,03). We conclude that increased intracellular calcium in primary HPT and essential hypertension seems to depend on an increased inflow through specific channels. However in primary HPT, this alteration is related to PTH levels

Importancia del déficit de inhibidores de la cristalización en la etiopatogenia de la urolitiasis / Importance of crystallization inhibitors deficit in the etiopathogenic of urolithiasis

Background: five percent of consultations at the emergency room of Catholic University Hospital are due to nephrolithiasis. The causes of this high frequency remain unknown. Aim: to know the main metabolic and anatomic factors involved in the genesis of nephrolithiasis. Patients and methods: 41 patients (31 male) were studied presenting with a renal colic were studied as soon as the acute episode subsided and without diet modifications. Fasting blood calcium and creatinine and 24 h urine calcium, uric acid, citrate, magnesium and pH were measured and an intravenous pyelogram was performed. 21 subjects without a history of nephrolithiasis were used as controls. Results: Patients with nephrolithiasis did not differ from controls in urinary calcium (159 ñ 67 and 172 ñ 67 mg/24 h respectively), uricosuria (417 ñ 171 and 431 ñ 121 mg/24 h respectively) or urinary magnesium (55 ñ 19 and 62 ñ 21 mg/24 h respectively, whereas urinary citrate was lower (219 ñ 172 vs 319 ñ 179 mg/24 h in controls p <0.05). All patients had a normal renal functions, urinary acidification and intravenous pyelogram. Seven percent of patients with nephrolithiasis had hypercalciuria, 2.4 percent had hyperuricosuria, 68.3 percent had a low urinary citrate and 44.4 percent had low urinary magnesium. Conclusions: in this sample, there is a strong association of nephrolithiasis with low levels of crystallization inhibitors in special with urinary citrate, a crystallization inhibitor