Selenium status and over-expression of interleukin-15 in celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid diseases.

In celiac disease (CD), for its multifactorial nature, the target organs are not limited to the gut, but include thyroid, liver, skin and reproductive and nervous systems. Between the extraintestinal symptoms associated with CD, autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) are more evident, underlining as CD-related autoimmune alterations can be modulated not only by gluten but also by various concurrent endogenous (genetic affinity, over-expression of cytokines) and exogenous (environment, nutritional deficiency) factors. In their pathogenesis a central role for over-expression of interleukin-15 (IL-15) is shown, by inhibiting apoptosis, leading to the perpetuation of inflammation and tissue destruction.

[Selenium deficiency in celiac disease: risk of autoimmune thyroid diseases].

The essential trace mineral selenium is of fundamental importance to human health. It is incorporated in the proteome in the forms of the genetically encoded amino acids selenocysteine and selenomethionine, which are the characteristic components of selenoproteins (SeP) such as glutathione peroxidases (GPx), thioredoxin reductases and iodothyronine deiodinase families. Thyroid is especially sensitive to selenium deficiency, because SeP can modify thyreocytes function by acting as antioxidants and modifying redox status and thyroid hormone metabolism.

Risk of osteoporosis in endocrine disorders and celiac disease.

Osteoporosis is characterized by a loss of bone mass; the bones become less dense, fragile and prone to fracturing. It is regulated by endocrine-environmental factors with the genetic component accounting for 70% of an individual's variation in bone mass density (BMD). Pathological conditions such as celiac disease (CD) exacerbate the process of bone loss and the presence of osteoporosis in celiac subjects may be the only sign of undiagnosed CD.

Osteoporosis in celiac disease and in endocrine and reproductive disorders.

As the increase in lifespan brings to light diseases that were previously not clinically detectable, osteoporosis has become an issue of worldwide significance. The disease is marked by a loss of bone mass; the bones become less dense, fragile and more prone to fracturing. Because it is regulated by endocrine and environmental factors, osteoporosis presents a multifactorial etiopathogenesis, with the genetic component accounting for 70% of an individual variation in bone mass density (BMD), the principal determinant, with age, of fracture risk.

[Reproduction, endocrine disorders and celiac disease: risk factors of osteoporosis].

In genetically predisposed individuals, celiac disease (CD) is permanent intolerance to gluten. Besides the overt enteropathy, there are clinical and subclinical forms which appear later in life; target organs include liver, thyroid, skin and reproductive systems. CD interference is related to the different concurrent genetic-environmental factors, showing multifactorial nature.

[Reproductive aspects of celiac disease].

In the past, celiac disease (CD), or intolerance to gluten, was considered a rare disease of infancy characterized by chronic diarrhea with malabsorption and delayed growth. Besides the overt enteropathy, there are other clinic and subclinical forms which appear later in life. Target organs are not limited to the gut, but include liver, thyroid, skin and female and male reproductive systems.

[The clinical and echographic assessment of thyroid function and structure in patients with a chronic inflammatory intestinal disease].

In Crohn's disease (CD) and in ulcerative colitis (UC) data about possible thyroid involvement are lacking. We studied thyroid morphology and function in 41 patients affected by active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (14 UC; 27 CD) before (all) and 45 and 90 days after onset of therapy (23/41), and in 60 normal control subjects. At each time, the following tests were performed: thyroid sonography, hormonal and immunological assays.

Diagnostic items and treatment of Plummer's disease: a study on 180 patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical data of patients who have been undergone to medical, radionuclide, surgical and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) treatment of autonomous "hot nodule", to establish the real value of these therapeutical strategies.

Patients And Methods: The authors analyzed their experience based on 180 Plummer's disease (PD) from January 1990 to December 1997. 49 nodules have been submitted to FNA.

[Graves' disease: ultrasonographic, color Doppler and histological aspects].

The aim of the present work was to study the relationship between thyroid low echogenicity, the thyroid blood flow by color-Doppler (CD) and histological features in patients with Graves' disease (GD). Thyroid ultrasonography and CD was performed on 28 patients with GD. In 5 patients has been compared CD with histology.

[Variations in the anatomy and physiology of the thyroid gland in old age].

Recently, the anatomical and physiological modifications of thyroid gland in the elderly have been undergone to many investigations. However, it does not exist an univocal interpretation about the results. Furthermore, non-thyroidal diseases, in the elderly, can modify TSH, FT3 and FT4 serum levels because of an important inhibition of T3 and T4 peripheric conversion; moreover, many drugs have been reported interactions with hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyroid axis in the senescence.

[Clinical significance of Hürthle cell in the cytology of thyroid disease].

The natural history of Hürthle cell (HC) lesions has been the focus of a considerable debate. The difficulties in defining the malignant potential of HC has led to the current designation of HC tumor, with the implication that it may behave as either a benign or a malignant lesion. The objective of our study was to verify the clinical and prognostic relevance of the cytological diagnosis of HC in the thyroid lesion, 10,950 consecutive patients (F/M = 5.

[Echotomography and color-Doppler in the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma].

Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland is used extensively in the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma: it is easy and rapid to perform and widely available. Ultrasound enables easy identification of the image of disease foci within the gland, especially when high frequency probes (7.5-10 MHz) are used.