Metformin therapy in pregnancy [Zastosowanie metforminy w ciąży].

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), i.e. a carbohydrate metabolism disorder at pregnancy, is one of the most common metabolic complications that occur during this period.

[Endocrine abnormalities in patients with chronic renal failure - part II].

The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis of fluids and electrolytes, acid-base balance, and volume regulation. In subjects with chronic renal failure, particularly at its later stages, these adaptive responses are impaired and some of these alterations are of clinical relevance. The ways in which chronic renal failure affects function of endocrine organs include impaired secretion of kidney-derived hormones, altered peripheral hormone metabolism, disturbed binding to carrier proteins, accumulation of hormone inhibitors, as well as abnormal target organ responsiveness.

[Endocrine abnormalities in patients with chronic renal failure - part I].

The kidney plays an important role in synthesis, metabolism and elimination of a plethora of hormones. In subjects with chronic renal failure, particularly at its later stages, these adaptive responses are impaired and some of these alterations are of clinical relevance. Endocrine disturbances which are the most characteristic for chronic renal failure include: secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis dysfunction and impaired growth.

Eplerenone mimics features of the alternative activation in macrophages obtained from patients with heart failure and healthy volunteers.

Alternative activation of macrophages plays protective role in cardiac remodelling in heart failure and the activity of mineralocorticoid receptor may determine the phenotype of these cells. We examined the influence of eplerenone, aldosterone, and IL-4 on descriptors of alternative activation in blood monocytes collected from 19 patients with heart-failure and 20 healthy volunteers. “Heart failure” macrophages in comparison with “healthy” macrophages had increased mineralocorticoid activity, NO and reactive oxygen species production, expression of iNOS mRNA and protein, but decreased expression of arginase I and mannose receptor proteins, and activity of MnSOD and CuZnSOD.

[Endocrine abnormalities in HIV-infected patients].

HIV infection is associated with a number of adverse consequences, including endocrine disorders. The endocrine changes associated with HIV infection have been studied in depth and, as the results of so far carried out studies suggest, their aetiology is usually multifactoral. Their pathogenesis includes direct infection of endocrine glands by HIV or opportunistic organisms, infiltration by neoplasms and adverse effects of drugs.

[Hypoaldosteronism].

Hypoaldosteronism is a clinical condition characterized by a deficiency of aldosterone or its impaired action at the tissue level. The disorder may result from disturbances in renal renin production and secretion, conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, adrenal aldosterone synthesis and secretion, or from abnormal responsiveness of the target tissues to aldosterone. Hypoaldosteronism has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic hyperkalemia to life-threatening depletion of fluid volumes.