Selenium and inflammation : potential use and future perspectives

The essential trace element selenium (Se) is constitutively incorporated as selenocysteine, in proteins, among others in antioxidative selenoproteins, such as glutathione peroxidase(s) and thioredoxin reductase. Since chronic inflammation is thought to deplete Se stores in the body, Se supplementation should be considered in prolonged inflammatory states, Se being the trace element the most affected in chronic or low-grade inflammation. Se administration might also be beneficial in bacterial and viral diseases as well as metabolic and autoimmune diseases. In order to maintain a Se steady state, or "selenostasis", Se supplementation, via either diet or compounds, is required to preserve the activity of selenoproteins in antioxidative and redox processes. Importantly, Se could play a pivotal role in the maintenance of homeostasis in infected tissues by inhibiting the proinflammatory toll-like receptor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathway and counteracting proinflammatory cytokine action. Finally, while Se status shows considerable promise as a valid marker of inflammatory and autoimmune disease, new functional Se nanoparticles and highly bioavailable selenomethionine compounds will in all probability provide a more efficacious and reliable intervention tool in both preventive and therapeutic disease management

Wykrywanie obecności genomu rynowirusa w popłuczynach nosowych u chorych na astmę

Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are one of the nine genera belonging to a large family of Picornaviridae. They are responsible for the most cases of common cold, as well as one third to one half of upper respiratory tract (URT) infections. However, HRV are also associated with more severe illnesses, like acute otitis media, sinusitis and some lower respiratory tract diseases such as pneumonia, wheezing in children and exacerbations of asthma. Viral infections are associated with the majority of asthma exacerbations both in children (80-85%) and adults (75-80%), and about 60% of these are caused by HRV. However, the exact mechanism of HRV-induced exacerbations of the disease is not well understood, which makes it difficult to establish the effective treatment. There have already been many attempts to develop a sensitive and specific method of HRV detection in clinical samples. Some of them were based on virus cultures followed by acid lability test, whereas others implemented the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and amplification of conserved sequences of the rhinoviral genome. As numerous of these sequences are common to both rhinoviruses and enteroviruses (EVs), further analyses were necessary, which made those methods laborious, time-consuming and too difficult to use in routine diagnostics. Steininger et al. established an RT-PCR based sensitive and specific method of rhinovirus detection in clinical samples, which was tested to amplify 87 different tissue-culture-grown serotypes of HRV. The aim of this study was to evaluate a modified RT-PCR based method of HRV detection in clinical samples obtained from patients with asthma exacerbaions. We collected 41 nasal lavages from patients with asthma exacerbations who received hospital treatment either following an admission or in an out-patient clinic. HRV was found in 22 cases (54%), which corresponded well with the published data

Radiological and hormonal improvements in a 22-year-old patient with lymphocytic hypophysitis — the watchful waiting approach

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NEN — the role of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in clinical setting

Detection of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) and monitoring of their response to therapy is still challenging due to huge heterogeneity of that group of tumors. Actually, NENs visualization is mainly based on molecular imaging while in the past it was relied on less effective structural imaging including CT and MRI. Molecular imaging techniques in combination with structural imaging (hybrid imaging), especially in patients with well-differentiated NENs, in addition to morphological provide the functional information about tumor which benefits in a more accurate patient management, including more sensitive visualization of primary tumors, more precise staging and better therapy follow-up. Overexpression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR) on NENs’ cell membrane was a basis for development of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) using single photon emission tomography SPECT, which is today a well-established standard in molecular imaging of NENs, and further imaging improvement in the field of positron emission tomography (PET). Use of hybrid imaging (SPECT/CT, PET/CT) increased sensitivity of examination, mainly resulting in better detection of small lesions. Generally, somatostatin receptor imaging with PET/CT is an emerging technique, although still with limited access, but due to several advantages over SSTR SPECT/CT, should be used if available. It is worth mentioning, that both SSTR PET/CT and SSTR SPECT/CT have some limitations, such as relatively low detection rate of benign insulinomas, poorly differentiated GEP-NETs and liver metastases. For that reason further improvement of NETs imaging is necessary. The most promising new tracers’ families are based on SSTR antagonists, 64Cu-radiolabeled ligands and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) imaging. Finally, in case of poor-differentiated neuroendocrine cancers 18F-FDG PET/CT may be beneficial in comparison with molecular imaging based on somatostatin receptor modalities

Radioiodine ablation of thyroid remnants in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) following administration of rhTSH - a comparison with L-thyroxine withdrawal

Wstęp: Grupę pacjentów ze zróżnicowanym rakiem tarczycy leczonych 131I za pomocą stymulacji z zastosowaniem rhTSH (grupa I) porównano z pacjentami leczonymi po endogennej stymulacji TSH (grupa II). Materiał i metody: Grupa I składała się z 66 chorych (śr. wieku 51,7 &#177; 16,2 lat, 58 kobiet, 8 mężczyzn). Grupa II składała się z 76 chorych (śr. wieku 54,8 &#177; 14,7 lat, 67 kobiet, 9 mężczyzn). Leczenie chirurgiczne polegało na całkowitym wycięciu tarczycy i operacji węzłów chłonnych przedziału centralnego, a w razie potrzeby także operacji węzłów szyjnych bocznych. Przed leczeniem 131I oceniano objętość kikutów tarczycy (VT) w badaniu USG oraz 24-godzinny wychwyt 131I nad szyją. Stężenie TSH i Tg oznaczano przed i po stymulacji endoi egzogennej TSH. Oceniano również gromadzenie 131I w scyntygrafii poterapeutycznej całego ciała. Analizę statystyczną przeprowadzono za pomocą statystyki opisowej, testu W Shapiro-Wilka, testu Wilcoxona i testu U Mann-Whitneya. Wyniki: Mediany objętości tarczycy oraz mediany wychwytu 131I w grupie I i II nie różniły się znamiennie statystycznie. Mediany stężeń TSH w surowicy po stymulacji w grupie I i II różniły się istotnie (p < 0,05) i wynosiły odpowiednio 100,0 &#956;j./ml (IQR = 107,3) i 78,8 &#956;j./ml (IQR = 47,7). Mediany stężeń Tg w surowicy po stymulacji w grupie I i II przed leczeniem 131I wynosiły odpowiednio 2,6 ng/ml (IQR = 8,4) i 4,9 ng/ml (IQR = 12,6) i nie różniły się znamiennie statystycznie. Nie obserwowano działań niepożądanych po zastosowaniu rhTSH w porównaniu z leczeniem po odstawieniu L-tyroksyny. Wnioski: rhTSH może być bezpiecznie stosowane do ablacji kikutów tarczycy radiojodem 131I u pacjentów ze zróżnicowanym rakiem tarczycy z grupy niskiego ryzyka. (Endokrynol Pol 2010; 61 (5): 474-479)Introduction: A group of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients receiving post thyroidectomy rhTSH-aided radioiodine treatment (group I) was compared with patients treated with 131I following endogenous stimulation of TSH (group II) after L-thyroxine withdrawal. Material and methods: Group I consisted of 66 patients of mean age 51.7 &#177; 16.2 years (58 females and 8 males). Group II included 76 patients of mean age 54.8 &#177; 14.7 years (67 females and 9 males). All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection and additionally lateral lymph node excision, if required. Prior to radioiodine treatment thyroid volume (VT) and 24-hour 131I uptake were evaluated. TSH and Tg concentrations were measured prior to and after endogenous and exogenous stimulation of TSH. Whole-body post-therapeutic scintigraphy was evaluated. Basic statistics, W Shapiro-Wilk, Wilcoxon, and U Mann-Whitney tests were applied. Results: Median values of VT and of 24-hr 131I uptake in groups I and II were not significantly different. The differences between median values of serum TSH concentration after stimulation in groups I and II were statistically significant (p < 0.05), respective medians being 100.0 &#956;U/mL (IQR = 107.3) and 78.8 &#956;U/mL (IQR = 47.7). Median values of serum Tg concentrations in groups I and II following TSH stimulation prior to radioiodine treatment were 2.6 ng/ml (IQR = 8.4) and 4.9 ng/mL (IQR = 12.6), respectively, the difference not being statistically significant. Following rhTSH treatment no adverse effects were observed compared to LT4 withdrawal. Conclusions: rhTSH may be safely used for 131I thyroid remnant ablation in low-risk DTC patients. (Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (5): 474-479

Beneficial effect of voluntary exercise on experimental colitis in mice fed a high-fat diet : the role of irisin, adiponectin and proinflammatory biomarkers

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders exhibited by two major phenotypic forms: Crohn‘s disease and ulcerative colitis. Although the aetiology of IBD is unknown, several factors coming from the adipose tissue and skeletal muscles, such as cytokines, adipokines and myokines, were suggested in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis; however, it has not been extensively studied whether voluntary exercise can ameliorate that disorder. We explored the effect of moderate exercise (i.e., voluntary wheel running) on the disease activity index (DAI), colonic blood flow (CBF), plasma irisin and adiponectin levels and real-time PCR expression of proinflammatory markers in mesenteric fat in mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis fed a high-fat diet (HFD) compared to those on a standard chow diet (SD). Macroscopic and microscopic colitis in sedentary SD mice was accompanied by a significant fall in CBF, some increase in colonic tissue weight and a significant increase in the plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and IL-13 (p &lt; 0.05). In sedentary HFD mice, colonic lesions were aggravated, colonic tissue weight increased and the plasma TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, IL-1β and leptin levels significantly increased. Simultaneously, a significant decrease in the plasma irisin and adiponectin levels was observed in comparison with SD mice (p &lt; 0.05). Exercise significantly decreased macroscopic and microscopic colitis, substantially increased CBF and attenuated the plasma TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, IL-1β and leptin levels while raising the plasma irisin and the plasma and WAT concentrations of adiponectin in HFD mice (p &lt; 0.05). We conclude that: (1) experimental colitis is exacerbated in HFD mice, possibly due to a fall in colonic microcirculation and an increase in the plasma and mesenteric fat content of proinflammatory biomarkers; and (2) voluntary physical activity can attenuate the severity of colonic damage in mice fed a HFD through the release of protective irisin and restoration of plasma adiponectin

Występowanie łagodnych i złośliwych nowotworów u chorych na akromegalię

Introduction: In acromegalic patients, the prevalence of certain benign and malignant neoplasms is higher than that in the healthy population. We retrospectively evaluated the prevalence of tumours in acromegalic patients treated at our department: the regional centre for acromegalic patients for the Małopolskie voivodeship in Poland. Material and methods: During the years 1983-2008, a hundred and one acromegalic patients (30 males and 71 women), of mean age 51.8 &#177; 15.4 years, were diagnosed and treated. Pituitary macroadenoma and microadenoma were stated in 63.4% and 25.7% of these patients, respectively. In 10.9% of these patients no data on tumour diameter were available. The mean observation period was 9.4 &#177; 6.5 years. The median levels of hGH and IGF-1 prior to neurosurgery were 20.2 (IQR = 34.9) ng/ml and 764.5 (IQR = 569.6) ng/ml, respectively. Results: In the studied group of patients, we found the following prevalence of various tumours: nodular goitre - 64/101 patients (63.0%), polyps of the colon - 13/101 patients (13.0%); uterine polyps - 4/101 patients (4.0%); and prostate adenoma - 2/101 patients (2.0%). Among malignant tumours, thyroid cancer, endometrium and cervix cancer were the most frequent, each of these occurring in 3 patients (3.0%). Colon cancer prevalence was 2.0% (in 2 patients). Conclusions: From our retrospective study, we suggest an overall increase of tumour incidence in acromegalic patients. Prospective multicentre studies are required to resolve the significance of this observation. In our study group, the number of malignant neoplasms was significantly higher in patients with long-lasting uncontrolled disease (over 5 years), compared to patients with controlled disease. (Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (1): 29-34)Wstęp: Pacjentów z akromegalią charakteryzuje częstsze niż w zdrowej populacji występowanie nowotworów zarówno łagodnych, jak i złośliwych. Autorzy ocenili retrospektywnie częstość występowania schorzeń nowotworowych u pacjentów z akromegalią leczonych w Klinice Endokrynologii w Krakowie, małopolskim ośrodku regionalnym leczenia akromegalii. Materiał i metody: W latach 1983&#8211;2008 diagnozowano i leczono 101 pacjentów z akromegalią (30 mężczyzn i 71 kobiet), średnia wieku 51,8 &#177; 15,4 lat. U 63,4% chorych stwierdzono obecność makrogruczolaka w przysadce, u 25,7% mikrogruczolaka, a u 10,9% chorych brak danych określających wielkość guza. Mediana stężenia hGH i IGF-1 przed operacją wynosiła odpowiednio: 20,2 (IQR = 34,9) ng/ml i 764,5 (IQR = 569,6) ng/ml. Wyniki: W analizowanej grupie chorych stwierdzono występowanie: wola guzowatego - u 64/101 pacjentów (63%), polipy jelita grubego - u 13/101 pacjentów (13%), polipy macicy - u 4/101 pacjentów (4%), gruczolaka prostaty - u 2/101 pacjentów (2%). Spośród nowotworów złośliwych najczęściej występowały: rak tarczycy, rak endometrium i szyjki macicy, każdy u 3 chorych (3%). Raka jelita grubego stwierdzono u 2 pacjentów (2%). Wnioski: Na podstawie przeprowadzonego badania retrospektywnego autorzy sugerują częstsze występowanie guzów nowotworowych u pacjentów z akromegalią. Potrzebne są badania prospektywne większych liczebnie grup pacjentów, żeby określić znaczenie tych obserwacji. W badanej grupie pacjentów nowotwory złośliwe występowały znamiennie częściej u pacjentów z długotrwałą niekontrolowaną akromegalią (> 5 lat), w porównaniu z osobami, u których kontrolowano przebieg choroby. (Endokrynol Pol 2010; 61 (1): 29-34