[Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in adolescents after a suicide attempt]. / Dysfunkcja osi podwzgórzowo-przysadkowo-nadnerczowej u mlodocianych po próbach samobójczych.

The subject of the research were two populations: 84 adolescents aged 14-21, after sui cidal attempts (ASA--drug overdose), never treated psychiatrically, and 30 adolescents after accidental intoxication (ACI). The objective of this research was to find whether there is a relation between the observed suicidal behaviors, psychic disorders and dysfunction of the hypothalamo--pituitary--adrenal axis. In each patient the plasma levels of cortisol and ACTH were assessed, and also the Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) was made. It was found that most patients in the ASA group were females. Additionally, in this group statistically higher levels of cortisol after DST were found, comparing to the ACI group. Considering the sex of patients, the differences of serum cortisol levels were significant only in females. We found that higher cortisol levels in ASA were related to diagnosed depressive disorders (mostly in females), presence of psychosocial and environmental problems, and elevated risk level of repeated suicidal attempt.

Circadian variations in plasma melatonin, FSH, LH, and prolactin and testosterone levels in infertile men.

Circadian patterns of plasma melatonin, FSH, LH, prolactin, and testosterone were studied in 10 healthy men, 20 men with oligozoospermia, and 8 men with azoospermia. Circadian rhythms were found in concentrations of melatonin and prolactin, with higher values at night in comparison with daytime levels. In patients with oligozoospermia and azoospermia an elevation in melatonin levels was observed, and an increase in melatonin concentrations occurred before onset of darkness (i.e., at 2000 h). Levels of FSH, LH, and prolactin were elevated in infertile patients. The possibilities that an increase in melatonin concentrations is either the primary feature that leads to the regression of the seminiferous epithelium or is secondary and depends on elevated gonadotropins and/or prolactin levels are discussed.

Positive effect of bromocriptine treatment in Graves disease orbitopathy.

A successful bromocriptine treatment in Graves' disease orbitopathy was described. The mechanism of the positive effect of bromocriptine treatment in Graves' disease orbitopathy does not seem to be clear. Bromocriptine could influence orbitopathy in two ways: by lowering TSH secretion and by suppression of immunocompetent cells.