The relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and serum levels of uric acid and creatinine in children aged 2–14 years

PURPOSE: Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome that can lead to elevated levels of serum creatinine and uric acid by causing impaired renal function. Although many studies have been carried out on the relationship between overt hypothyroidism and renal function, few studies have been conducted on subclinical hypothyroidism and renal function, especially in pediatric patients. For this reason, we studied this issue in children, so as to provide a background for more useful research and future education. METHODS: This case-control study was performed on 107 children aged 2–14 years, 56 children with subclinical hypothyroidism in the case group, and 51 healthy children in the control group presenting to Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan and private clinics of Zanjan city. Thyroid stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, creatinine, and uric acid were measured in both groups of children after obtaining the necessary criteria for entering the study. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism had higher levels of creatinine (P=0.003), while serum uric acid levels in subclinical hypothyroid children was not significantly different from those in the control group (P=0.200). CONCLUSIONS: In subclinical hypothyroidism in children, creatinine was higher than in euthyroid patients, but uric acid was not different.

Combined effects of synbiotic and sitagliptin versus sitagliptin alone in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sitagliptin with and without a synbiotic supplement in the treatment of patients with NAFLD. METHODS: In total, 138 NAFLD patients aged 18-60 years were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized to one of the following treatments for 16 weeks: Group I (n=68), sitagliptin 50 mg daily plus placebo (one capsule per day) or group II (n=70) sitagliptin 50 mg daily plus synbiotic (one capsule per day). Changes in fasting blood glucose (FBS), liver enzymes, lipid profile, and body mass index were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean change in FBS with sitagliptin-placebo from baseline was -10.47±5.77 mg/dL, and that with sitagliptin-synbiotic was -13.52±4.16 mg/dL. There was a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.001). The mean change in cholesterol (Chol) was -8.34±28.83 mg/dL with sitagliptin-placebo and -21.25±15.50 mg/dL with sitagliptinsynbiotic. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.029). The administration of sitagliptin-placebo induced an increase of 6.13±27.04 mg/dL in low density lipoprotein (LDL), whereas sitagliptin-synbiotic induced a decrease of 14.92±15.85 mg/dL in LDL. A significant difference was observed between the two groups (P < 0.001). On the other hand, in the sitagliptin-synbiotic group, there was significant improvement in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level compared to the sitagliptin-placebo group (P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Sitagliptin-synbiotic produced greater improvement in FBS, AST, Chol, and LDL compared to sitagliptin alone in patients with NAFLD.