Growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis, calciotropic hormones and bone mineral density in young patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Introduction: Chronic liver disease caused by HBV and HCV infections, due to its great prevalence and serious medical consequences, is at the present time a significant clinical problem. An impaired liver function can provoke severe disturbances in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, and consequently in the bone metabolism resulting in hepatic osteodystrophy. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are significant differences in bone mineral density (BMD) and/or circadian levels of hormones connected with bone metabolism and bone turnover markers in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

[Quantitative assessment of mRNA TGF-beta1 in liver tissue in connection with serum mean daily level of TGF-1 in chronic hepatitis B patient].

Monitoring of fibrosis process with the use of histopathologic studies on liver's bioptates is limited, so it is attempted to find reliable, obtained with less invasive methods, sensitive and reflecting fibrosis dynamics markers of this process. The aim of the study was simultaneously to assess liver's expression as well as circadian and mean daily TGF-betal concentration in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis type B in comparison to control group. Studies were performed on 50 patients (9 women, 41 men) aged 45.

[Serum adiponectin levels in patients with acromegaly].

Unlabelled: Acromegaly is frequently associated with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. Insulin resistance has been reported to be related to low levels of adiponectin, which is exclusively produced by adipose tissue, as well as to decreased concentration of sex hormone binding globuline (SHBG). Growth hormone (GH) excess is associated with increased muscle mass and decreased fat mass.

Effect of postmenopause and hormone replacement therapy on serum adiponectin levels.

Little is known about the effects of menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on adiponectin production. The objectives of the study were to compare levels of serum adiponectin in post- and premenopausal women, to test whether adiponectin levels are related to endogenous estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, to determine whether HRT influences serum adiponectin, and to investigate relationships of adiponectin levels with cardiovascular risk factors. One hundred four women matched for body mass index were enrolled in this study, and among them were 34 postmenopausal HRT nonusers, 34 postmenopausal HRT users, and 36 premenopausal healthy women with regular menstrual cycles.

[Cardiovascular effects of growth hormone deficiency in adults].

The role of growth hormone (GH) in maintaining normal cardiovascular function and the influence of GH deficiency and GH replacement therapy on cardiovascular risk are presented.