Interactions among thyroid hormone (FT), chemokine (MCP-1) and neurotrophin (NGF-β) levels studied in Hungarian postmenopausal and obese women.

Thyroid dysfunction is more frequent in postmenopause and metabolic syndrome characterized by increased proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα), insulin resistance and overweight. Serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) chemokine and nerve growth factor-β (NGF-β) and their effects were studied on thyroid hormone levels in 133 Hungarian women (postmenopausal 66, obese 32, control 35). MCP-1 and NGF-β levels were measured with enzyme-linked, and thyroid hormones with chemiluminescence immunoassays.

Effect of antithyroid drugs on the occurrence of antibodies against type 2 deiodinase (DIO2), which are involved in hyperthyroid Graves' disease influencing the therapeutic efficacy.

Graves' disease is an organ-specific autoimmune disease with hyperthyroidism, diffuse goiter and autoantibodies against TSH receptor, thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and/or thyroglobulin (Tg). Graves' hyperthyroidism is characterized by T dominance due to the conversion of T into T through type 1 and 2 deiodinase enzymes (DIO1, DIO2). Methimazole (MMI) and propylthiouracil (PTU) therapies inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis blocking the activity of deiodinase and TPO enzymes.

Hyperthyroidism in Patients with Graves' Ophthalmopathy, and Thyroidal, Skeletal and Eye Muscle Specific Type 2 Deiodinase Enzyme Activities.

Graves' ophthalmopathy is characterized by hyperthyroidism, which is associated with higher serum T levels than T due to deiodinase enzymes.The effect of Graves' patient's sera (n=52) with elevated thyroid hormone and TSH receptor or thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) levels was investigated on thyroidal, skeletal and eye muscle type 2 deiodinase enzyme (DII) activities. DII activities were measured with I-T substrate, while thyroid hormone and antibody levels with immunoassays.

High prevalence of increased interleukin-17A serum levels in postmenopausal estrogen deficiency.

Objective: Postmenopausal estrogen deficiency is associated with chronic inflammatory events that cause cardiovascular and osteoporosis diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between interleukin (IL)-17 and serum estradiol levels, age, and postmenopausal duration, as well as bone loss.

Methods: The relationship between serum IL-17A and estradiol levels was studied in 72 postmenopausal women and 22 premenopausal women.

Autoantibodies to novel membrane and cytosolic antigens of the lachrymal gland in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a prototypical systemic autoimmune disease, where autoimmune processes lead to the dysfunction of the exocrine glands. The key feature of the disease is autoimmune exocrinopathy, causing reduced tear secretion and subsequent keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between the presence of autoantibodies to lachrymal gland antigens and the reduced tear production in patients with primary SS.

[What is the role of allergic sensitization in Graves' disease?].

Introduction: Recent data supported the presence of T helper 2 dominance in the immune processes of Graves' disease and allergic diseases. A common role of regulatory T cells in the antigen- (or allergen-) specific immune responses was also demonstrated.

Aims: To study whether allergic events may play a role in the initiation or progression of autoimmune Graves' disease.

The balance shift in Th1/Th2 related IL-12/IL-5 cytokines in Graves' disease during methimazole therapy.

Th1 and Th2-like cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease. The shift in balance in IL-12/IL-5 cytokines was applied in judging the immunological events in 74 patients with Graves' disease (50 had ophthalmopathy) during methimazole therapy and in 15 controls. The serum levels of IL-12 and IL-5 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all Graves' patients.

Immunohistochemical studies using immunized Guinea pig sera with features of anti-human thyroid, eye and skeletal antibody and Graves' sera.

Type 2 5' deiodinase enzyme was observed in both thyroid and eye muscle tissues, highlighting its possible role as a common antigen in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. Sera of 105 Graves' patients and 40 controls, and immunized guinea pig sera against TCSS peptide, showing homology to the amino acid sequence from 132 to 152 of type 2 5' deiodinase, were investigated to demonstrate the binding effects to human thyroid, eye and skeletal muscle tissues. Twenty-two Graves' patients were positive for anti-TCSS peptide antibodies, of whom 18 cases had ophthalmopathy.

Decreased nerve growth factor levels in hyperthyroid Graves' ophthalmopathy highlighting the role of neuroprotective factor in autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Nerve growth factor (NGF), which is a neurotrophic factor, is involved in autoimmune and inflammatory processes. Serum NGF levels were investigated in 131 patients with autoimmune (95 with Graves' disease, of whom 57 had ophthalmopathy, 19 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and nonimmune thyroid diseases (17 with toxic nodular goitre), and 20 controls. NGF levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

[Cardiovascular consequences of thyroid diseases, their prevalence and treatment, particularly in cases with subclinical hyper- and hypothyroidism].

Cardiovascular consequences of thyroid diseases, their prevalence and treatment, particularly in cases with subclinical hyper- and hypothyroidism. The aim of the study was to draw attention to an association between the thyroid and cardiovascular diseases. The main topic was to lay emphasis on the importance of cardiovascular diseases caused by subclinical hyper- and hypothyroidism in the relation to the practice.

Inhibition of type 2,5'-deiodinase by tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and interferon gamma in human thyroid tissue.

The effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon gamma (IFNgamma) were studied on the activity of type 2,5'-deiodinase and on the binding of [125I] T(4) to proteins in human thyroid cytosolic (supernatant) and membrane (pellet) fractions. The activity of thyroid type 2,5'-deiodinase was measured by iodothyronine outer ring deiodinase assay. The binding of [125I] T(4) to the proteins of thyroid cytosolic and membrane fractions was determined by autoradiography.