The Effects of Leptin Replacement on Neural Plasticity.

Leptin, an adipokine synthesized and secreted mainly by the adipose tissue, has multiple effects on the regulation of food intake, energy expenditure, and metabolism. Its recently-approved analogue, metreleptin, has been evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of patients with leptin deficiency due to mutations in the leptin gene, lipodystrophy syndromes, and hypothalamic amenorrhea. In such patients, leptin replacement therapy has led to changes in brain structure and function in intra- and extrahypothalamic areas, including the hippocampus.

Association between circulating adipocytokine concentrations and microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled cross-sectional studies.

Background: The adipocytokines leptin and adiponectin have been variously associated with diabetic microvascular complications. No comprehensive clinical data exist examining the association between adipocytokines and the presence of these complications.

Methods: This is a systematic review of cross-sectional studies comparing circulating adipocytokines in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with and without microvascular complications.

TSH levels are associated with increased risk of thyroid carcinoma in patients with nodular disease.

Introduction: Several studies have shown an increased risk of thyroid malignancies in patients with elevated TSH levels, even if these levels fell within the normal range. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between TSH and risk of malignancy in patients with thyroid nodules.

Material And Methods: We included 622 patients with thyroid nodules evaluated by fine needle aspiration and/or thyroidectomy and diagnosed by cytology or histology.

New advances in the treatment of generalized lipodystrophy: role of metreleptin.

Recombinant methionyl human leptin or metreleptin is a synthetic leptin analog that has been trialed in patients with leptin-deficient conditions, such as leptin deficiency due to mutations in the leptin gene, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and lipodystrophy syndromes. These syndromes are characterized by partial or complete absence of adipose tissue and hormones derived from adipose tissue, most importantly leptin. Patients deficient in leptin exhibit a number of severe metabolic abnormalities such as hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hepatic steatosis, which can progress to diabetes mellitus, acute pancreatitis, and hepatic cirrhosis, respectively.

Evaluation of percutaneous ethanol injections in benign thyroid nodules.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules.

Subjects And Methods: We evaluated 120 patients with benign thyroid nodules. Patients underwent evaluation of serum TSH and free T4, cervical ultrasound, and thyroid scintigraphy (in those with suppressed TSH levels).

Decrease in leptin production by the adipose tissue in obesity associated with severe metabolic syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the associations between leptinemia and the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: Fifty-one obese adults (9 men; 36.7 +/- 10.

Cellular immunity before and after leptin replacement therapy.

Background: The few identified leptin-deficient children have immune deficiency.

Aims: To evaluate whether a newly-identified leptin-deficient boy has immune defects; to assess the immune changes during leptin replacement.

Methods: A 5 year-old boy with congenital leptin deficiency was evaluated before, 2 weeks and 6 weeks after the initiation of recombinant methionyl human leptin.

Thiamazole as an adjuvant to radioiodine for volume reduction of multinodular goiter.

Background: Radioiodine ((131)I) is an alternative to surgery for the treatment of multinodular goiter (MNG). Frequently, high activities of (131)I are required for effective thyroid volume reduction (TV), due to the low and heterogeneous radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU). Thiamazole (MTZ) may be used as an adjuvant to (131)I, by increasing RAIU.

Recombinant human thyrotropin in the management of thyroid disorders.

Background: Recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone (rhTSH) is a valuable tool in the management of thyroid diseases. It is useful for radioiodine ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), for their follow-up, and for treatment of selected patients with metastatic or recurrent DTC. More recently, it has been suggested that rhTSH is useful for treatment of multinodular goiter and amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis, as well as for diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism.

Leptin replacement improves cognitive development.

Background: Leptin changes brain structure, neuron excitability and synaptic plasticity. It also regulates the development and function of feeding circuits. However, the effects of leptin on neurocognitive development are unknown.

[Outcome of surgical treatment for acromegaly performed by a single neurosurgeon and cumulative meta-analysis].

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of transsphenoidal surgery in a group of patients with acromegaly who were operated by the same neurosurgeon. Our results were compared to those from a cumulative meta-analysis of 10 series (1,632 patients) published between 1992 and 2005. We followed 28 patients (17M/11F; 44.