Undetectable levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, nitric oxide and inadequate expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in congenital hypothyroidism.

Objective: To analyse the production of TNF-alpha and NO in euthyroid and hypothyroid newborns.

Patients: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 10 newborns diagnosed with primary congenital hypothyroidism (CH; group A) and 10 euthyroid children (group B).

Results: There were undetectable plasma levels of TNF-alpha and NO in the hypothyroid children, however plasma levels of TNF-alpha (5.

Influence of growth hormone on accretion of bone mass.

Growth hormone (GH) exerts important influences on bone metabolism during lifespan. During childhood, GH is a major determinant of acquisition of bone mass and in adult life, GH partly determines the rate of bone remodelling and therefore influences maintenance of bone mineral density (BMD). Insights into the importance of GH in these respects may be obtained by studies of BMD and indices of bone remodelling in GH deficiency (GHD) of adult-onset and childhood-onset.

The influence of gender on the short and long-term effects of growth hormone replacement on bone metabolism and bone mineral density in hypopituitary adults: a 5-year study.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of GH replacement therapy in hypopituitary adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) on activation of bone remodelling during dose titration and on BMD over a median of 58 months of continuous therapy.

Study Design: Open label study in adult patients with GHD. rhGH was commenced at dose of 0.

Effects of growth hormone replacement on physical performance and body composition in GH deficient adults.

Objectives: Adults with GH deficiency complain frequently of low energy levels resulting in a low perceived quality of life. Body composition is altered, with increased fat mass and decreased lean body mass, and muscle strength is reduced. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of GH replacement on physical performance and body composition in GH deficient (GHD) adults.

Menstrual abnormalities in women with Cushing's disease are correlated with hypercortisolemia rather than raised circulating androgen levels.

Menstrual irregularity is a common complaint at presentation in women with Cushing's syndrome, although the etiology has been little studied. We have assessed 45 female patients (median age, 32 yr; range, 16-41 yr) with newly diagnosed pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome. Patients were subdivided into 4 groups according to the duration of their menstrual cycle: normal cycles (NC; 26-30 days), oligomenorrhea (OL; 31-120 days), amenorrhea (AM; > 120 days), and polymenorrhea (PM; < 26 days).