Effect of low-dose acitretin treatment on pituitary hormones in psoriasis vulgaris: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that retinoids may lead to hormonal alterations. AIM: In this retrospective study, we aimed to study the effect of acitretin on pituitary hormones in psoriasis patients. METHODS: Out of 50 patients intended to be studied, blood samples of 43 patients could be tested before and after 3 months of acitretin therapy (0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg/day). RESULTS: Patients mean ± standard deviation ages and female/male ratio were 46 ± 17 years and 19/24, respectively. After treatment with acitretin, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased significantly (P < 0.05). After treatment, total protein, free thyroxine (T4) levels decreased significantly (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between before-after acitretin treatment regarding pituitary hormone levels in psoriasis patients (P > 0.05). LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature of the study, inability to retest blood samples of 7 patients at 3 months post treatment, low dose and short duration of acitretin treatment were limitations of this study. CONCLUSION: This study showed that pituitary hormones were not affected except free T4 (thyroid hormone) by acitretin treatment. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to clarify the effect of acitretin on pituitary hormones.

Evaluation of Oxidative Damage and Antioxidant Mechanisms in COPD, Lung Cancer, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative damage is a major contributing factor to carcinogenesis and obstructive disorders in lungs. Current evidence suggests that the inflammatory processes yield to oxidative mechanisms, which underlie COPD, lung cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative damage in these diseases by evaluating the oxidative and antioxidant biomarkers. METHODS: Malondialdehyde, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, and coenzyme Q10 levels were evaluated in the blood samples of subjects with COPD, lung cancer, and OSAS by high-pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: A total of 111 participants (35 females, 76 males) with OSAS (n = 29), COPD (n = 26), and lung cancer (n = 28) and healthy controls (n = 28) were included in the study. The malondialdehyde and coenzyme Q10 levels were significantly higher in all 3 diseases when compared with controls (P < .01), whereas 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were only significantly higher than in healthy controls in subjects with lung cancer (P = .005). The highest levels of malondialdehyde and coenzyme Q10 were determined in subjects with OSAS and lung cancer, respectively. The highest 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were also observed in subjects with lung cancer, but the differences of this biomarker with other diagnoses were not statistically significant (P = .56). CONCLUSION: Oxidative damage was observed in all 3 diagnoses, and, as a response to oxidative stress, antioxidant mechanisms were also active in these diseases. Malondialdehyde and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine were found to be efficiently usable in the evaluation of oxidative damage in chronic respiratory diseases. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT02406053.).

Mood and metabolic consequences of sleep deprivation as a potential endophenotype' in bipolar disorder.

It has been commonly recognized that circadian rhythm and sleep/wake cycle are causally involved in bipolar disorder. There has been a paucity of systematic research considering the relations between sleep and mood states in bipolar disorder. The current study examines the possible influences of sleep deprivation on mood states and endocrine functions among first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorder and healthy controls. Blood samples were taken at two time points in the consecutive mornings at predeprivation and postdeprivation periods. Participants simultaneously completed the Profiles of Mood States at two time points after giving blood samples. Plasma T3 and TSH levels increased after total sleep deprivation in both groups. Sleep deprivation induced TSH levels were reversely associated with depression-dejection among healthy controls. A paradoxical effect was detected for only the first-degree relatives of the patients that changes in plasma cortisol levels negatively linked to depression-dejection and anger-hostility scores after total sleep deprivation. Plasma DHEA levels became correlated with vigor-activity scores after sleep deprivation among first-degree relatives of bipolar patients. On the contrary, significant associations of depression-dejection, anger-hostility, and confusion-bewilderment with the baseline plasma DHEA levels became statistically trivial in the postdeprivation period. Findings suggested that first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorder had completely distinct characteristics with respect to sleep deprivation induced responses in terms of associations between endocrine functions and mood states as compared to individuals whose relatives had no psychiatric problems. Considering the relationships between endocrine functions and mood states among relatives of the patients, it appears like sleep deprivation changes the receptor sensitivity which probably plays a pivotal role on mood outcomes among the first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorder.

Serum cytokines and bone metabolism in patients with thyroid dysfunction.

Hyperthyroidism is associated with increased bone turnover. Besides the hormones of calcium metabolism, locally produced factors are important in maintaining normal bone metabolism. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), in particular, has a major influence on bone turnover. In this study, serum IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels, as well as bone turnover markers and relationships between them, were investigated in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. A total of 20 female patients with hyperthyroidism, 15 with subclinical hyperthyroidism, 16 with hypothyroidism, and 15 with subclinical hypothyroidism constituted the patient groups. In all, 15 age-matched healthy female volunteers were recruited as controls. When compared with controls, serum TNF-alpha levels showed no significant difference in any of the patient groups (P>.05). In the groups with hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism, IL-6 levels were significantly higher compared with control group values (P<.05). Hyperthyroid patients showed higher levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin, and a higher urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine ratio, compared with controls (P<.05). In subclinical hyperthyroidism, only ALP was found to be higher compared with control values. No significant correlations were made in any group between serum IL-6 or TNF-alpha level and bone turnover markers. Results suggest that serum IL-6 level and markers of bone turnover rate seem to be increased in hyperthyroidism. This finding may support the role of IL-6 in induction of bone turnover in hyperthyroid states.