Iranian Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism
Year:2024 | Volume:25 | Issue:6|Papers Count:6

Introduction: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is becoming the fastest-growing thyroid cancer type worldwide. Therefore, finding effective biomarkers for early screening of PTC is urgent. In this study, we aimed to investigate circulating PTC metabolites in plasma samples using an untargeted NMR-based metabolomics approach. A systematic literature review was also conducted to compare our results with studies regarding PTC metabolic perturbation using NMR-based metabolomics. Materials and Methods: Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) was used to assess the major metabolic alterations in plasma samples from PTC patients concerning healthy subjects. Multivariate and univariate analyses revealed the significantly altered metabolites, including orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), enrichment and pathway analyses, and student t-tests. Besides, a literature search with publication dates from 2014 to 2024 was conducted. After removing duplicates, unrelated articles, and reviews, ten studies met the eligibility criteria. Results: Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis indicated that three metabolites, glutamine, choline, and succinic acid, significantly differed between PTC and healthy groups. The reduction in glutamine plasma levels was likely related to the high risk of PTC tumorigenesis (Odds ratio 0.90; 95% CI 0.83–0.97; P=0.011). Receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis corroborated this, which indicated that glutamine could discriminate PTC from healthy subjects (area under ROC curve value, AUC=0.98). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the NMR-based metabolomics profiling approach has the potential to provide considerable insight into the identification of diagnostic biomarkers for the early detection of PTC patients.

Introduction: Considering the inconsistent data on the relationship between vitamin D (VD) and autoimmune thyroid diseases, we aimed to investigate associations of VD with anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb). Materials and Methods: For this study, 695 subjects, including 369 women, were enrolled. TPOAb status was compared between different categories of VD deficiency (VDD), and correlations between TPOAb and VD were estimated. Multiple logistic regression analysis investigated the associations between VD status and TPOAb positivity. Results: The prevalence of VDD was 82%. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of TPOAb positivity among different VD groups (p-value=0.18), a finding that did not change when TPOAb titer was considered a continuous variable. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed no significant relationships between VD status and TPOAb positivity. Regarding thyroid function, a weak negative correlation between 25(OH) D and TSH in men and a weak positive correlation between 25(OH) D and FT4 in women was demonstrated. Conclusion: Our study in a population with a high prevalence of VDD revealed no statistically significant associations between serum VD levels and either TPOAb levels or TPOAb positivity.

Introduction: Cardiomyopathy is one of the complications of diabetes that increases the risk of death in patients. The present study aimed to compare the effect of aerobic and resistance training on the inflammatory and metabolic sensors of heart tissue in male diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two male rats with weight (179±22) gr were divided into four groups: healthy, diabetic sham, diabetic with aerobic training, and diabetic with resistance training. Moderate-intensity aerobic training by running on a treadmill and resistance training by climbing a ladder with certain weights were performed 6 weeks and 5 days a week. The amount of SIRT-1 and NF-κB protein was measured by the western blot method, and the ANOVA, Paired-Sample T-test, and covariance analysis statistical methods were used at the P≤0.05 level. Results: Reduction of blood sugar in the diabetic group with aerobic training from (377±131) to (249±81) mg/dL (P=0.036) and resistance training from (468±70) to (246±83) mg/dL was significant (P=0.040), and the effect of resistance training was greater (P=0.037). NF-κB protein had a significant decrease in aerobic training (1.18±0.007) and resistance training (1.17±0.04) compared to the diabetic sham group (1.88±0.09), (P≤0.001). The effect of both types of training on SIRT-1 protein was not significant. Conclusion: Resistance training, like aerobic training, has a similar effect on reducing inflammation in the heart and has a better effect on reducing blood sugar. The effect of both types of physical activities on inflammation was more effective than the metabolic factor. Resistance training can be a suitable alternative to aerobic training to reduce blood sugar and inflammation caused by diabetes.

Introduction: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation and is recognized as a key biomarker for inflammation. Elevated CRP levels in the blood indicate the onset of an inflammatory response in the body, which can result from various factors, including infection, tissue damage, and chronic inflammatory conditions. This study aims to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1205 and rs3093068 in the CRP gene with serum CRP levels in the Tehran Cardiometabolic Genetic Study (TCGS) adult population. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 639 individuals from the Tehran Cardiometabolic Genetic Study, with a mean age of 48±16 years (range: 20-87), were selected. Genotyping was performed using the HumanOmniExpress-24-v1-0 chip. Statistical analysis was carried out using R software. Results: The genotype frequencies followed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of the CC genotype for both studied polymorphisms was significantly higher in individuals with a body mass index (BMI) above normal. Additionally, this genotype was more frequent in individuals with CRP levels above the normal range (CRP≥3000 ng). Conclusion: This study's findings suggest an association between the genotypes of the rs1205 and rs3093068 polymorphisms in the CRP gene and elevated serum CRP levels in the Tehran population under investigation.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women, the main factors of which are insulin resistance and obesity. This study aimed to determine the effect of resistance training on glycemic indices and lipid profile in women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: A systematic search of English and Farsi articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, Civilica, Scopus, Sid, and Magiran databases was conducted until April 2024. The present meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of resistance training on glycemic indices and lipid profile in PCOS. A random effect model calculated the mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test, and publication bias was evaluated by visual analysis of the funnel plot and Egger's test. Results: The results of 8 studies with 159 subjects showed that resistance training caused a significant change in glucose [WMD=-1.398 mg/dl (1.720 to -4.516), P=0.379], Insulin [WMD=-1.245 mg/dl (2.570 to -0.079), P=0.065], HOMA-IR [WMD=-0.134 mg/dl (0.296 to 0.565), P=0.542], LDL [WMD=-0.476 mg/dl (0.426 to -1.377), P=0.301], HDL [WMD=-0.235 mg/dl (0.215 to -0.685), P=0.306] and TG [WMD=-0.588 mg/dl (0.457 to -1.632), P=0.270] Compared to the control group, women were not diagnosed with PCOS. Conclusion: Lifestyle modification and training is a preferred treatment strategy in women with PCOS. However, collecting the results of limited resistance training studies did not positively affect the desired biochemical indicators.

Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCAD) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder that affects mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. This report concerns a 7-year-old girl who initially presented with Myotonia (precisely, an inability to open her eyes after closing them). Electromyography, nerve conduction velocity, and genetic testing confirmed acetazolamide-responsive Myotonia and a mutation in the ACADM gene indicative of MCAD. However, due to the absence of MCAD-related symptoms, treatment for this disorder was not initiated, and the patient was managed with carbamazepine and acetazolamide. She was later admitted to Mofid Children's Hospital with recurrent seizures, anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hypoglycemia following pneumonia. Metabolic screening and genetic testing via whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing confirmed MCAD. Treatment with L-carnitine and corn starch, in addition to acetazolamide and carbamazepine, was started. This case highlights the importance of identifying metabolic disorders like MCAD in children with hypoglycemia, acidosis, neurological symptoms, and abdominal pain. Metabolic disorders caused by enzyme deficiencies require early emergency intervention to prevent irreversible damage. Careful monitoring and timely management are essential to prevent severe metabolic crises in such cases.