Endotelina-1, proteína C reactiva ultrasensible y actividad antioxidante en pacientes con hipotiroidismo subclínico y en eutiroideos con autoinmunidad tiroidea. Efectos del tratamiento con levotiroxina / Endothelin-1, high sensitivity C reactive protein and antioxidant activity in subclinical hypothyroid patients. Effects of levothyroxine treatment

RESUMEN La Endotelina-1 (ET1) y Proteína C Reactiva ultrasensible (PCRus) como marcadores de disfunción endotelial (DE) e inflamación vascular en hipotiroidismo subclínico (HS) han mostrado resultados controvertidos. El rol del estrés oxidativo y defensa antioxidante (TRAP) es motivo de discusión. Objetivos Establecer si el HS y la autoinmunidad tiroidea (AIT), excluyendo otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular, pueden causar DE e inflamación vascular, evaluadas a través de ET1 y PCRus, respectivamente. Establecer si TRAP juega algún rol. Evaluar cambios en ET1 y PCRus luego del tratamiento con levotiroxina (LT4). Material y métodos Se evaluaron prospectivamente 70 pacientes divididos en 3 grupos: HS: 41 pacientes (T4 normal,TSH >4,2 y <10 mUI/L), AIT: 10 pacientes eutiroideos (TSH <4,2 mUI/L) con aTPO y/o aTg (+) y Control: 19 pacientes eutiroideos sin AIT. Se excluyeron otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Se midió basalmente ET1, PCRus y TRAP plasmáticos, y en HS bajo LT4 (n = 24): ET1 y PCRus. Resultados No hubo diferencias significativas en edad, IMC, perfil lipídico y TRAP. ET1 y PCRus fueron significativamente mayores en pacientes con HS (media ± DS 1,77 ± 0,85 pg/ml y 1,5 ± 0,6 mg/l vs. controles (0,8 ± 0,3 pg/ml y 0,5 ± 0,2 mg/l) p <0,0001 y <0,008 respectivamente. Del mismo modo en AIT (1,4 ± 0.4 pg/ml y 2,3 ± 1,3 mg/l) vs controles p <0,0001 y <0,034, respectivamente. La TSH fue mayor en el grupo AIT vs. Control 2,57 ± 0,88 vs. 1,64 ± 0,5 mUI/L; p = 0,002. En HS bajo LT4 (8,7 ± 3,8 meses) se observó descenso de ET1 (p <0,001). ET1 correlacionó con TSH (r = 0,5 p <0,0001). El punto de corte de ET1 mediante curva ROC fue 1,32 pg/ml (Sensibilidad 81,6%-Especificidad 75%). Conclusiones ET1 y PCRus resultaron marcadores útiles para evaluar DE e inflamación vascular asociadas a HS. La defensa antioxidante no ejercería un rol en estos mecanismos. El tratamiento con LT4 produjo una significativa caída de ET1, pudiendo necesitarse un período más largo de eutiroidismo para normalizarla. En AIT, niveles de TSH >2,5 mUI/L podrían sugerir un mínimo grado de hipotiroidismo justificando la elevación en ET1 y PCR, sin descartar el rol de la AIT "per se".

ABSTRACT The measurement of endothelin-1 (ET1) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) as markers of endothelial dysfunction (ED) and vascular inflammation in subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) has shown controversial results. The role of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense (TRAP) is a matter of discussion. Objectives To establish if SH and thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), excluding other cardiovascular risk factors, may cause ED and vascular inflammation, evaluated through the measurement of ET1 and hsCRP respectively. To determine if TRAP could have some role. Additionally, changes in these parameters after treatment with levothyroxine (LT4) will be evaluated. Material and methods: 70 patients were prospectively evaluated. They were classified into: SH Group: 41 patients (normal T4, TSH> 4.2 and <10 mIU/L), TAI Group: 10 euthyroid patients (TSH <4.2 mUI/L) with positive aTPO and/or aTg and Control Group: 19 euthyroid patients without TAI. Other cardiovascular risk factors were excluded in patients and controls. Plasma ET1, hsCRP and TRAP were measured basally, and ET1 and hsCRP under LT4 therapy in the HS Group. Results There were no significant differences between the 3 groups in age, BMI, lipids and TRAP. ET1 and hsCRP were significantly higher in patients with SH (mean ± SD 1.77 ± 0.85 pg/ml and 1.5 ± 0.6 mg/l) vs. controls (0.8 ± 0.3 pg/ml y 0.5 ± 0.2 mg/l) p <0.0001 y <0.008 respectively. Similarly, in TAI patients (1.4 ± 0.4 pg/ml y 2.3 ± 1.3 mg/l) vs controls, p <0.0001 and <0.034, respectively. TSH was higher in the TAI patients versus control group (2.5 ± 0.88 versus 1.64 ± 0.5 mIU/L, p = 0.002). Twenty-four patients with SH showed a significant decrease in ET1 (p <0.001) under treatment with LT4 (8.7 ± 3.8 months). ET1 had a highly significant correlation (p <0.0001) with TSH (r = 0.5). The cut-off level of ET1 established by ROC curve was 1.32 pg/ml (Sensitivity 81.6%-Specificity 75%). Conclusions ET1 and hsCRP were useful markers to evaluate ED and vascular inflammation associated with SH. There were no differences in TRAP levels between patients and controls, so it does not appear that oxidative stress would have played any role. Treatment with LT4 produced a significant drop in ET1. Probably, a longer period of euthyroidism might be necessary to normalize ET1 levels. In TAI Group, TSH levels >2.5 mUI/L could suggest a "minimal degree" of hypothyroidism justifying the elevation in ET1 and hs CRP. The role of the TAI "per se" couldn't be completely ruled out.

Estado proinflamatorio en niños obesos / Proinflammatory state in obese children

INTRODUCCIÓN: La presencia de un estado de inflamación de bajo grado en niños obesos, se debería, entre otros factores, a que el tejido adiposo de los obesos produce moléculas proinflamatorias que contribuyen al desarrollo de aterosclerosis. OBJETIVO: Determinar en una población de niños obesos los niveles séricos de ligando CD-40 soluble (sCD40L), proteína quimioatractante de monocitos 1 (MCP-1), interleuquina 6 (IL-6), Factor de Necrosis tumoral a (TNF-a) y Proteína C Reactiva ultrasensible (PCR-us), comparados con un grupo control y analizar la correlación de estas moléculas con las variables antropométricas y metabólicas. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Estudio transversal de 37 niños obesos de 8 a 12 años y 20 niños con peso normal. A todos los pacientes se les realizó una historia clínica consignando edad, peso, talla, IMC, circunferencia de cintura, estadios de Tanner y antecedentes familiares. Se determinaron los niveles séricos de sCD40L, MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-a y PCR-us mediante ELISA, PCR-us por quimioluminiscencia, glucemia, insulina plasmática, perfil lipídico y se calculó el índice HOMA. Los datos se expresaron como la mediana y rango intercuartil y se utilizó el coeficiente de Spearman para investigar las correlaciones entre variables. RESULTADOS: Los niños obesos presentaron valores significativamente mayores de sCD40L, MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-a, PCR-us que los niños controles. El índice de masa corporal y la circunferencia de cintura se correlacionaron positivamente con sCD40L y MCP-1. CONCLUSIÓN: Los niveles elevados de las moléculas estudiadas sugieren la presencia de inflamación de bajo grado asociada a obesidad en esta población.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a chronic disease that affects adults as well as children and is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. One of the reasons for the presence of low-grade inflammation in these patients could be that adipose tissue of the obese produces proin flammatory molecules that favor the development of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine serum levels of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-Α) and high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), in an obese chil dren population compared to a control group, also to analyze the correlation of these molecules with the anthropometric and metabolic variables. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out on 37 obese children, aged 8 to 12 years, and 20 children with normal weight. Serum levels of sCD40L, MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-Α and hsCRP were determined. Data were expressed as the median and interquartil range and Spearman coefficient was used to investigate correlations between variables. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, obese children presented significantly higher values of sCD40L, MCP-1, IL-6, TNF-Α, and hsCRP than control group. Body mass index and waist circumference correlated positively with sCD40L and MCP-1. CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of the studied molecules studied suggest the presence of low-grade inflammation associated with obesity in this population.

Inflamacion subclinica en diabetes tipo 1 infanto-juvenil / Subclinical inflammation in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes / Inflamação subclínica em crianças e adolescentes com diabetes tipo 1

En ninos y adolescentes con diabetes tipo 1 (DT1) puede aparecer precozmente un estado de inflamacion subclinica. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar los niveles plasmaticos de moleculas proinflamatorias en una poblacion infanto-juvenil con DT1, sin evidencias clinicas de complicaciones vasculares y correlacionar estos parametros entre si y con el grado de control glucemico y tiempo de evolucion de la enfermedad. Se estudiaron 42 pacientes con DT1 (21M/21F), de 10 a 13 anos, que se compararon con un grupo control. Se evaluaron: recuento de leucocitos, formas solubles de E-selectina (sE-S) y molecula de adhesion celular vascular 1 (VCAM-1), mieloperoxidasa (MPO), TNF-á, Fibrinogeno (Fg) y uPCR. Los datos se expresaron como mediana y rango intercuartil. Los diabeticos presentaron niveles aumentados de: sE-S [108 (69-150) vs. 68 (52-86) ng/mL, p=0,003], VCAM-1 [785 (732-835) vs 712 (658-758) ng/mL, p=0,04], uPCR [1,00 (0,67-1,70) vs. 0,20 (0,18-0,87) mg/L, p=0,01]. No se observaron diferencias en las moleculas estudiadas segun el grado de control glucemico y tiempo de evolucion de la enfermedad. La uPCR se correlaciono con glucemia en ayunas, HbA1c, sE-S y VCAM1. Los niveles elevados de uPCR, sE-S y VCAM-1 sugieren un estado proinflamatorio asociado a activacion endotelial en ninos con DT1, potenciando el riesgo de enfermedad vascular.

In children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), clinical manifestations of vascular complications are uncommon; however, endothelial disturbance and a pro-inflammatory state can emerge early. The objectives of this work were: I) to determine plasma levels of proinflammatory molecules in a T1D pediatric population with no clinical evidence of vascular complications; II) to correlate these parameters with each other, and with glycemic control degree and disease duration. Forty-two patients with T1D (21 M/21W), aged 10 and 13 years and an evolution time not more than 6 years were compared with a control group. The biochemical parameters evaluated were: WBC, sE-S and VCAM-1, MPO, TNF-á, hsCRP and plasma Fg. Glycemic control was performed by determining fasting glucose and HbA1c. Data were expressed as the median and interquartile range. Increased levels of sE-S [108 (69-150) vs. 68 (52-86) ng/mL, p=0.003], VCAM-1 [785 (732-835) vs. 712 (658-758) ng/mL, p=0.04], hsCRP [1.00 (0.67-1.70) vs. 0.20 (0.18- 0.87) mg/L, p=0.01] were found in diabetic patients compared with the control group. No differences in the studied molecules were observed when diabetic patients were grouped according to glycemic control degree and evolution of the disease. hsCRP correlated with fasting glucose, HbA1c, sE-S and VCAM-1. High hsCRP, sE-S and VCAM-1 levels suggest a proinflammatory state associated with endothelial activation in children and adolescents with T1D, potentiating the risk of vascular disease.

Em crianças e adolescentes com diabetes tipo 1 (DT1), um estado de inflamação subclínica pode aparecer de forma precoce. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar os níveis plasmáticos de moléculas pró-inflamatórias em uma população infanto-juvenil com DM1 sem evidências clínicas de complicações vasculares e correlacionar estes parâmetros, entre si com o grau de controle glicêmico e tempo de evolução da doença. Foram estudados 42 pacientes com DM1 (21M/21F), de 10 a 13 anos, que foram comparados com um grupo controle. Foram avaliadas a contagem de leucócitos, formas solúveis de E-selectina (sE-S) e molécula de adesão celular vascular 1 (VCAM-1), mieloperoxidase (MPO), TNF-á, fibrinogênio (Fg) e PCRus. Os dados foram expressos como mediana e intervalo interquartil. Os pacientes diabéticos apresentaram níveis aumentados de SE-S [108 (69-150) vs. 68 (52-86) ng/mL, p=0,003], VCAM-1 [785 (732-835) vs. 712 (658-758) ng/mL, p=0,04], PCRus [1,00 (0,67-1,70) vs. 0,20 (0,18-0,87) mg/L, p=0,01]. Não foram observadas diferenças nas moléculas estudadas segundo o grau de controle glicêmico e tempo de evolução da doença. O PCRus foi correlacionado com glicemia em jejum, HbA1c, sES e VCAM1. Os níveis elevados de PCRus, sE-S e VCAM-1 sugerem um estado pró-inflamatório associado com a ativação do endotélio em crianças com DM1, aumentando o risco de doença vascular.

C-reactive protein concentration in obese children followed in a pediatric/adolescent obesity clinic: changes over 12 months / Concentração de proteina C reativa em crianças obesas acompanhadas em Clínica de Obesidade Pediátrica e para Adolescentes: variações em 12 meses

Introduction: The literature provides limited information on the relationship between inflammation and obesity in the pediatric/adolescent population. Aim: To describe the changes in CRP concentration over a 12-month period and investigate whether CRP concentrations are associated with the components of MS in obese children and adolescents followed in an outpatient obesity clinic. Methods: Children and adolescents undergoing clinical treatment for obesity were studied. Assessment included anthropometric evaluation and determination of arterial blood pressure, waist circumference, lipid profile, fasting glucose and insulin, and CRP concentration at three time points: study entry (baseline), 6 months, and 12 months. Results: We evaluated 27 children and adolescents with a median age of 10.3 years. Media CRP values at the three time points were: 1.67 mg/L (0.53-3.99 mg/L), 1.42 mg/L (0.34-2.49 mg/L) and 0.97 mg/L (0.18-2.03 mg/L) (p = 0.083). We observed a reduction in blood pressure level fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HOMA and MS components, however without statistical significance. Individuals with the most marked drop in CRP also improved their lipid profile (p = 0.09) and increased HDL-c (p = 0.028). For the remaining variables, no correlation or only a weak one with the MS was observed. Conclusion: In this study with obese children and adolescents the median CRP concentration decreased over 12 months, however without statistical significance. The percentage of patients with moderate and severe inflammation also decreased. Despite the improvement in HDL and dysplipidemia in individuals with the most marked drop in CRP, an association between hsCRP and MS components was not observed.

Adiponectina, índice TG/c-HDL y PCRUS: Predictores de insulinorresistencia / Adiponectin, TG/HDL chol index and CRPhs: Predictors of Insulin resistance

El disturbio inicial de la insulinorresistencia (IR) parece centrarse en el tejido adiposo que es un órgano dinámico involucrado en muchos procesos fisiológicos y metabólicos. Expresa y secreta una gran variedad de péptidos activos, adipocitoquinas. En el presente estudio se propuso determinar la relación entre el índice TG/col-HDL, marcadores del metabolismo del tejido adiposo (Adiponectina) y de inflamación (PCRus) con la IR en una población urbana del interior del país. Se evaluaron 176 empleados de los 2 hospitales públicos de Posadas-Misiones, 117 mujeres y 59 hombres, con edades 49,01 ± 9,33 años. Se excluyeron los individuos que presentaban diabetes, hipotiroidismo o hipertiroidismo, enfermedad infecciosa, renal, hepática o neoplasias y embarazadas. Se les realizó una extracción sanguínea con 12 h de ayuno. Se determinó: Glucemia y triglicéridos (método enzimático colorimétrico final según Trinder), c-HDL (método homogéneo), Insulina (ensayo inmunométrico quimioluminiscente en fase sólida en un equipo Immulite 2000-Siemmens), Adiponectina (anticuerpos monoclonales ALPCO immunoassays) y PCRhs (ensayo inmunométrico quimioluminiscente en fase sólida en un equipo Immulite 2000 Siemmens). Todas las muestras se procesaron con calibradores, controles comerciales normal y patológico y control de calidad interno y externo. Se utilizó para el análisis de los datos el programa Epi Info 6.04d. El 17,2 % fue IR y el 45,7 % de la población presentó un descenso de adiponectina. La IR se asoció de forma significativa con Adiponectina (p < 0.001), PCRus (p = 0.02) y TG/colHDL (p = 0,02). Pero el parámetro que mejor se relacionó con la IR fue la concentración de Adiponectina en suero. Podríamos concluir entonces que la medición de esta hormona puede ser una herramienta útil para mejorar las estimaciones de riesgo actuales.

The initial disturbance of insulin resistance appears to focus on adipose tissue which is a dynamic organ involved in many physiological and metabolic processes. Expresses and secretes a variety of active peptides, adipocytokines. The aim of this study was in urban population of the countryside, represented by employees of two public hospitals in the province of Misiones, to determinate the relationship between circulating levels of TG/HDL-c index, adipose tissue metabolism (adiponectin) and inflammatory markers (hsCRP) with insulin resistance metabolism. We evaluated 176 employees of 2 public hospitals in Posadas, Misiones, 117 women and 59 men, aged 49.01 ± 9.33 years. The exclusion criteria were subjects with diabetes, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, infectious disease, renal or hepatic neoplasms and pregnant women. They performed a blood sample with 12 hours of fasting. Blood glucose (cv = 2.43 %) and triglycerides (cv = 2.45 %): were measured by enzymatic colorimetric method according to Trinder. HDL-c (cv = 3.41 %) by homogeneous method. Insulin (cv = 4,2 %) and the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (cv = 2,1 %) were determined by a chemiluminescent immunometric assay on a solid phase Immulite 2000-Siemmens. Adiponectin with monoclonal antibodies (ALPCO immunoassays). All samples were processed with calibrators, trade controls normal and pathological and control of internal and external quality. Statistic analysis was made by Epi Info 6.04d, with a 95 % confidence level and a significance level of < 0.05. 17.2 % of sample were IR and 45.7 % had decreased concentrations of adiponectin. We found that IR was associated with the Adiponectin (p < 0.001), hsCRP (p = 0.02) and TG/HDL-c index (p = 0.02). The parameter that best explained the event IR was serum adiponectin concentration. We can conclude that hormone‘s determination may improve a new opportunity current risk estimates.