Is fibroblast growth factor 23 a new cardiovascular risk marker in gestational diabetes?

ABSTRACT Objective This study was designed to compare the serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) among patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and healthy pregnant women, and to evaluate the association between hormonal and metabolic parameters. Subjects and methods A total of 82 pregnant women were consecutively enrolled in the study. Of these, 46 were diagnosed as having GDM; the remaining 36 healthy pregnant women served as controls in a cross-sectional study design. The womens' ages ranged from 22 to 38 years and gestational ages, from 24 to 28 weeks. Serum samples were analyzed for FGF23 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Serum FGF23 levels were increased in patients with GDM compared with controls (median, 65.3 for patients with GDM vs. 36.6 ng/mL for healthy controls; p = 0.019). Mean fasting glucose (105.6 ± 7.4 vs. 70.2 ± 7.2 mg/dL, p < 0.001), HbA1c (5.6 ± 0.5 vs. 4.9 ± 0.5%, p < 0.001), insulin (median, 11.1 vs. 8.7 µIU/mL, p = 0.006) and HOMA-IR (3.0 (1.8) vs 1.4 (0.6), p < 0.001) levels were significantly higher in patients with GDM than in controls. Serum FGF23 level was positively correlated with body mass index (r2 = 0.346, p < 0.05), FPG (r2 = 0.264, p < 0.05), insulin (r2 = 0.388, p < 0.05), HOMA-IR (r2 = 0.384, p < 0.05). Conclusion Serum FGF23 levels were higher in women with GDM compared with controls. The present findings suggest that FGF23 could be a useful marker of cardiovascular disease in GDM.

Serum ghrelin levels in papillary thyroid carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objective Ghrelin plays a role in several processes of cancer progression, and numerous cancer types express ghrelin and its receptor. We aimed to investigate serum levels of ghrelin in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and its association with the prognostic factors in PTC. Materials and methods We enrolled 54 patients with thyroid cancer (7 male, 47 female) and 24 healthy controls (6 male, 18 female) in the study. We compared demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data, and serum ghrelin levels between the groups. Serum ghrelin levels were measured using as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Ghrelin levels were similar between the groups, but plasma ghrelin levels were significantly higher in tumors larger than 1 cm diameter compared with papillary microcarcinomas. Serum ghrelin levels also correlated with tumor size (r = 0.499; p < 0.001). Body mass index, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and HOMA-IR levels were similar between the groups. There were no statistically significant differences regarding average age and other prognostic parameters including lymph node invasion, capsule invasion, multifocality and surgical border invasion between patients with microcarcinoma and tumors larger than 1 cm. Conclusion In our study, no significant difference in serum ghrelin levels was determined between patients with papillary thyroid cancer and healthy controls however, serum ghrelin levels were higher in tumors larger than 1 cm compared to in those with thyroid papillary microcarcinoma.

Transformation of nonfunctioning pancreatic tumor into malignant insulinoma after 3 years: an uncommon clinical course of insulinoma

A 62-year-old man admitted to our outpatient clinic with two months of recurrent life threatening hypoglycemia episodes. He was diagnosed as malignant insulinoma with multiple metastases of liver and peripancreatic lymph nodes. Liver biopsy specimen was demonstrated grade 2 neuroendocrine tumor compatible with clinical and radiological results. He was followed under the treatment of continuous intravenous glucose infusion during the diagnostic procedures. He had a pancreatic lesion history measured 20 x 12 mm in diameter via the abdominal tomography examination approximately two years before the diagnosis. Unusual course of this case suggests the transformation of nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor into functional insulin secreting tumor with metastases. The patient was found inoperable and started on chemotherapy. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2015;59(3):270-2.

Papillary thyroid cancer case masked by subacute thyroiditis / Caso de carcinoma papilar de tiroide mascarado por tireoidite subaguda

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) association with thyroid carcinoma has been rarely reported in the literature. We present a patient with SAT and papillary thyroid cancer that was suspected by ultrasonographic evaluation (US) following SAT treatment. A fifty-four-year old female patient referred to our department due to tachycardia, jitteriness and pain in cervical region for the past one month. SAT diagnosis was established by physical examination, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings. After treatment, control thyroid US revealed regression of the hypoechogenic regions seen in both lobes, and a previously unreported hypoechogenic lesion with microcalcification focus that had irregular borders and was not clearly separated from the surrounding parenchyma located in the posterior aspect of the lobe (Elasto score: 4, Strain index: 7.08). Fine needle aspiration biopsy was taken from this nodule; cytology was assessed to be compatible with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Postsurgical pathology evaluation showed a papillary microcarcinoma. SAT may produce ultrasound changes that obscure the coexistence of papillary carcinoma. We recommend that patients with SAT have ultrasonography after they recover. Hypoechogenic regions bigger than 1 cm that are present in the follow-up post-therapy US should be assessed by biopsy.

A associação da tireoidite subaguda (TSA) com o carcinoma de tiroide foi raramente relatada na literatura. Apresentamos uma paciente com TSA e tumor papilar de tiroide suspeito na ultrassonografia (US) após o tratamento para a TSA. Uma mulher de 54 anos de idade foi encaminhada ao nosso departamento com taquicardia, agitação e dor na região cervical, com duração de 1 mês. O diagnóstico de TSA foi estabelecido pelo exame físico, e pelos achados laboratoriais e ultrassonográficos. Depois do tratamento, o US para controle da tiroide mostrou regressão das regiões hipoecoicas vistas em ambos os lobos e uma lesão hipoecoica anteriormente não observada com focos de microcalcificação, bordas irregulares, não claramente separada do parênquima circundante e localizada na região posterior do lobo. (Escore elástico: 4, índice de deformação: 7,08). Foi feita uma biópsia do nódulo por meio de aspiração por agulha fina. A citologia mostrou-se compatível com um carcinoma papilar de tiroide. A avaliação pós-cirúrgica mostrou um microcarcinoma papilar. A TSA pode produzir alterações ultrassonográficas que obscurecem a coexistência de carcinoma papilar. Recomendamos que pacientes com TSA passem por exame ultrassonográfico após a recuperação. Regiões hipoecoicas maiores que 1 cm encontradas no US para acompanhamento pós-tratamento devem ser avaliadas por biópsia.

Nonadenomatous nonencapsulated thymic parathyroid tissue concomitant with primary hyperparathyroidism due to ectopic parathyroid adenoma / Tecido tímico paratireoidiano não edematoso e não encapsulado concomitante com hiperparatireoidismo devido a adenoma paratireoidiano ectópico

Primary hyperparathyroidism due to ectopic parathyroid adenoma is not infrequent. Primary hyperparathyroidism caused by unusual thymic nonadenomatous nonencapsulated parathyroid tissue has been reported before. Both can cause unsuccessful neck explorations. Here we presented for the first time a patient with hyperparathyroidism due to ectopic parathyroid adenoma concomitant to the presence of thymic nonadenomatous nonencapsulated parathyroid tissue.

O hiperparatireodismo primário devido a adenoma ectópico paratireoidiano não é raro. O hiperparatireodismo primário causado por tecido tímico paratireoidiano não edematoso e não encapsulado incomum já foi relatado anteriormente. Ambos podem levar à exploração cervical malsucedida. Apresentamos aqui, pela primeira vez, uma paciente com hiperparatireoidismo decorrente de um adenoma paratireoidiano concomitante com a presença de tecido tímico paratireoidiano não edematoso e não encapsulado.