Rare coincidence: Macro-thyroid-stimulating hormone and multiple manufacturer-specific interferences in thyroid hormone immunoassays.

Immunoassays are widely used for laboratory assessment of endocrine functions including thyroid hormones. While usually adequate for patient evaluation, they are known to potentially suffer from interference from a variety of factors. We report the case of a 44 year-old male patient without clinical symptoms of thyroid disease who presented for specialist evaluation after pathological thyroid function tests prompted a transferal by his primary care practitioner.

Growth hormone treatment adherence in prepubertal and pubertal children with different growth disorders.

Background/aims: Treatment of children with growth disorders with recombinant human growth hormone is necessary for improved outcomes, including final height.

Methods: Adherence data from the Observational Study Saizen®-online, recorded with the easypod™ device collected between October 2009 and May 2011, were analyzed in pediatric patients receiving recombinant human growth hormone treatment for a variety of growth disorders.

Results: Data from 75 children (46 boys, 29 girls) with different growth disorders were analyzed over a period of 343 ± 201 (SD) days.

Association of COLIA1 Sp1 polymorphism with the effect of subcutaneously injected recombinant hGH in GH-deficient adults.

Objective: Collagen type I is a common structural protein in bone and skin. Similar to its association with the mechanical properties of the skeleton and, thus, bone-fracture risk, the collagen type I alpha (COLIA)-1 specific protein (Sp)-1 polymorphism may be related to variations in the collagen type I-containing subcutaneous tissue and its biological properties. In this study, we analyzed a possible influence of the COLIA1 Sp1 polymorphism on the effect of subcutaneously injected recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) in GH-deficient adults.

Effect of rosiglitazone treatment on soluble CD40L in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease.

Background: Interaction of CD40L with its receptor CD40 is critically involved in inflammatory cell activation in atherogenesis. In addition, serum levels of soluble CD40L are elevated in acute coronary syndromes and have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk in healthy subjects, thus making sCD40L an intriguing target to modulate the inflammatory response in the vasculature. PPARgamma-activating thiazolidinediones, novel insulin-sensitizing antidiabetic agents, have recently been shown to exhibit antiinflammatory effects in the vessel wall.

Antidiabetic PPAR gamma-activator rosiglitazone reduces MMP-9 serum levels in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are critically involved in the development of unstable plaques. Although arteriosclerotic lesions in patients with diabetes mellitus are more unstable than those of nondiabetic subjects, nothing is known about serum levels of MMPs in these patients or about mechanisms to modulate MMP levels. We investigated MMP levels in diabetic and nondiabetic coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and performed a clinical trial to assess the effect of the PPARgamma-activating, antidiabetic thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone on MMP levels in diabetic CAD patients.

Intravenous zoledronic acid in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density.

Background: Bisphosphonates are effective agents for the management of osteoporosis. Their low bioavailability and low potency necessitate frequent administration on an empty stomach, which may reduce compliance. Gastrointestinal intolerance limits maximal dosing.