Publications by authors named "Sofia Vlachou"

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in the most common and earliest manifestation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1 (MEN1). Epidemiological data have been reported in MEN1 patients but data on long-term follow-up focusing on PHPT are scarce.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included patients diagnosed with MEN1-related PHPT that were under regular follow-up in our institution.

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Objective: To assess the association of common polymorphisms involved in lipoprotein oxidation, platelet activation, and cholesterol and homocysteine metabolism with subclinical atherosclerosis and indices of endothelial function and arterial elasticity in healthy postmenopausal women.

Design: The study investigated 84 healthy postmenopausal women recruited from the Menopause Clinic of the 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital. The following polymorphisms were genotyped: apolipoprotein B 3500, apolipoprotein E (E2/E3/E4), cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase A-204C (CYP A-204C), cholesterol ester transfer protein B1/B2, glycoprotein IIIa leu33pro, integrin beta 3 PLA1/PLA2, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 4G/5G, paraoxonase 1 gln192 arg, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ala222val.

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Background: Leptin and ghrelin are increasingly being recognized as cardiotropic hormones, promoting or inhibiting the atherosclerotic process, respectively. Apoptosis may be one pathway through which the actions of these hormones are mediated. Sex hormones are reported to influence the secretion and action of ghrelin and leptin.

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Background: The cardinal role of chronic inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis is increasingly being recognized. Estrogens may prevent the evolution of atherosclerosis by suppressing immune response. Furthermore, the conflicting reports on the cardiovascular effects of hormone therapy between observational and clinical trials have triggered interest on the effect of alternative therapies on the cardiovascular system.

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Objective: To assess the association between endogenous sex hormones and risk factors for atherosclerosis in healthy postmenopausal women.

Design: Cross-sectional study in a university menopause clinic.

Methods: Serum sex hormones and lipid-lipoprotein profile, arterial pressure, homocysteine and insulin resistance, measured by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), were assessed in 598 healthy postmenopausal women not on hormone therapy.

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The aim of our study was to assess the effect of various regimens and doses of hormone therapy and tibolone on the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP). A total of 519 postmenopausal women attending our menopause clinic were studied in a prospective design. Women with climacteric symptoms were randomly assigned to receive 1 of the following regimens: tibolone 2.

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Objectives: To evaluate the effect of two standard and one low dose continuous hormone therapy regimens on mammography.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-two non-hysterectomized postmenopausal women were randomly allocated either to conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg plus medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg (CEE/MPA, n=38), 17beta-estradiol 2 mg plus norethisterone acetate 1 mg (E2/NETA, n=44) or 17beta-estradiol 1 mg plus norethisterone acetate 0.

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