Assessment of body composition of adult Bulgarian patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus by bioelectrical impedance analysis.

The aim of this study was to investigate how type 1 diabetes mellitus affects adult Bulgarians' body composition.

A clinical case of identical twins with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, primary empty sella syndrome and identified rare gene variant.

Key Clinical Message: Empty sella syndrome is a complex syndrome with a diverse clinical presentation. The combination with functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is a real challenge for the clinician. Mutations in the CHD7 gene could be a possible, yet unproven, cause of "empty sella" syndrome.

Serum levels of leptin and adiponectin in patients with autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Introduction: Adipose tissue is immunologically and hormonally active, and these effects are mediated largely by adipocytokines. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism and organ function, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune disease affecting thyroid function.

Aim: To evaluate the levels of the adipocytokines leptin and adiponectin in patients with autoimmune HT, and to perform a comparative intragroup analysis in patients with different stages of gland functional activity, and in a control group.

In search of dermatophytes - frequency and etiology of fungal infections in patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

Onychomycosis is a frequent nail disorder, accounting for up to 50% of all nail problems. Treatment of onychomycosis is expensive and requires a long time of antifungal medications. Consequently, a proper and faster diagnosis is necessary.

Serum selenium concentration in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Abstract.

Vitamin D and Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases - a Review.

The essential biological action of vitamin D is regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism and preserving bone health. In recent years there have been reports about the extraskeletal actions of vitamin D and its role in the regulation of immune system. Vitamin D supplementation appears to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and infections and be able to reduce all-cause mortality.

Serum Levels of Incretin Hormones - GLP-1 and GIP in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and the glucose- dependent Insulinotropic peptide (GIP) are natural incretin hormones, which are secreted respectively by the L- and K-cells of the intestinal mucosa in response to the physiological gastrointestinal glucose absorption. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the incretin effect is reduced, whereas the results in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are heterogeneous, in some patients normal incretin response is observed.

Aim: Comparative analysis of the basal serum levels of the incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP in patients with type 1 DM and in individuals without carbohydrate disorders.

Association between Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity and Key Immunological Components of IgE-mediated Inflammation.

Background: Changes in lifestyle and obesity in recent decades have brought about a dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and allergic diseases. Clinical and epidemiological studies associate obesity with epidemics of allergic diseases. The link between obesity and DM2 with immunological components of IgE-mediated allergic inflammation is not yet conclusively established.

Pathophysiological Role of Adiponectin, Leptin and Asymmetric Dimethylarginine in the Process of Atherosclerosis.

Adipose tissue is recognized as a rich source of proinflammatory mediators that may directly contribute to vascular injury, insulin resistance, and atherogenesis. Many studies have shown that adiponectin has antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Adiponectin acts not only as a factor increasing insulin sensitivity, and the protective effect may result from its ability to suppress production of proinflammatory cytokines.

Adipokines and soluble cell adhesion molecules in insulin resistant and non-insulin resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Introduction: Insulin resistance (IR) is closely associated with increased atherogenic risk.

Objective: To investigate leptin, adiponectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) levels and their relationship with each other and metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: The study included 76 PCOS women divided into insulin resistant and non-insulin resistant.

Differentiation of obese patients at moderate or higher Findrisc score based on their atherogenic index.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to reveal different subgroups of patients with at least moderate risk of developing diabetes in the next 10 years, based on clustering of cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: We performed a one-center cross-sectional study of adult patients (n = 109, median age 45 years) with Findrisc score of above 11 out of 26 maximum. We included in the cluster analysis anthropometrics, lipid and carbohydrate parameters obtained in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin, C-peptide, creatinine, C-reactive protein, liver enzymes, beta-cell function, insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance (HOMA calculations).

Chronic Treatment with Opiate Agonists in Bulgaria - Assessing the Quality of Life Using SF 36 v. 2.

Introduction: Drug addictions to psychoactive substances are disorders with a complex bio-psycho-social genesis, which are characterized with chronic relapses. Substance addiction causes multifactorial damage to the normal functioning of individuals and requires a multicenter approach for the treatment process.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life of patients undergoing chronic treatment with the opiate agonist methadone using a standardized questionnaire method in Bulgarian.

Postpartum thyroid dysfunction in women with autoimmune thyroiditis.

Introduction: Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is a predisposing factor for developing postpartum thyroid dysfunction (PPTD).

Aim: To study the characteristics of PPTD in women with AIT.

Methods: Thirty-eight women with pre-existing AIT were included in the study.

Expression of leptin, NGF and adiponectin in metabolic syndrome.

Adipose tissue secretes a variety of adipokines involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and insulin resistance. Metabolic syndrome corresponds to a clinical condition in which white adipose tissue is characterized by an increased production and secretion of inflammatory molecules which may have local effects on adipose tissue physiology but also systemic effects on other organs. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of leptin, NGF and adiponectin in women with metabolic syndrome compared to healthy controls.

Serum melatonin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Unlabelled: There has been a surge of interest in recent years in studying the changes of serum melatonin concentrations in disorders that are associated with insulin resistance such as diabetes mellitus type 2 and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Aim: The present study was designed to investigate the day-time and night-time levels of serum melatonin and the cortisol rhythm in women with PCOS and compare them with those of healthy women.

Patients And Methods: This is a case-control study which included 30 women with PCOS and 25 healthy women.

Effect of transdermal testosterone or alpha-lipoic acid on erectile dysfunction and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Unlabelled: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to develop and/or maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in diabetic men is 28-75%, this percentage rising with patient's age and duration of diabetes. The AIM of the present study was to investigate erectile dysfunction and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after treating them with transdermal testosterone or with alpha-lipoic acid.

Adipose tissue hormones and appetite and body weight regulators in insulin resistance.

Impaired sensitivity to insulin (the so called insulin resistance, IR) occurs in a number of genetic and acquired conditions, including obesity, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and metabolic syndrome (MS). In this review we discuss the correlation between IR, the adipose tissue hormones and appetite and body weight regulators. Leptin acts as a major adipostat: it suppresses food intake and activates catabolic pathways associated with increased energy production.

Adipocytokines, neuropeptide Y and insulin resistance in overweight women with gynoid and android type of adipose tissue distribution.

Unlabelled: The AIM of the study was to compare the levels of certain adipose tissue hormones in women with the two main morphological types of obesity - android and gynoid obesity.

Materials And Methods: The study included 2 groups of age- and weight-matched women with android (n = 32) and gynoid (n = 27) type of obesity, and a group of age-matched healthy women (n = 24) with normal weight and body constitution. Leptin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), neuropeptide Y (NPY), glucose and insulin were measured.

Bone mineral density and fracture risk in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Unlabelled: Diabetes affects an estimated 6-8% of the population worldwide. This widespread disorder is often associated with changes in bone health which are still little studied. To date, there has been no generally accepted definition of diabetic osteopathy.

Serum ghrelin level in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and its relationship with endocrine and metabolic parameters.

Aims: To compare ghrelin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy subjects and to evaluate the relationships between circulating ghrelin and the heterogeneity of clinical and biochemical manifestations of PCOS women.

Methods: Forty-five women with PCOS and 20 controls were included in the study. Serum levels of ghrelin, leptin, testosterone, immune-reactive insulin (IRI), sex hormone-binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured.

Characteristics of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome in a Bulgarian population.

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the percentage occurrence of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a Bulgarian population, and their clinical, biochemical and hormonal characteristics.

Methods: The study included 70 women with PCOS, diagnosed according to the European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine criteria. The women were divided into four phenotypes: hyperandrogenism (HA) + oligo-/anovulation (OA) + polycystic ovaries at ultrasound (PCO) (full-blown syndrome, phenotype A); HA + OA (former National Institutes of Health definition, phenotype B); OA + PCO (phenotype C); and HA + PCO (phenotype D).