Associations between bone, fat tissue and metabolic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

To investigate the relationship between bone-derived osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor NF-ĸB ligand (RANKL), and fat tissue-derived leptin and adiponectin with a clinical outcome of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children and adolescents.

METHODS

78 patients (43 girls and 35 boys), aged 11.5±4.3 years with T1DM and 11 age- and BMI-matched controls were included into the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to HbA1c level, I - below 7% [53 mmol/mol], II - 7-9% [53-75 mmol/mol] and III - above 9% [75 mmol/mol]. Blood samples for biochemical measurements were drawn at 8.00 AM, when the patients were in a fasting state. HbA1c was measured by the standardized IFCC method. OC, OPG, RANKL, leptin and adiponectin were measured by ELISA. ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Significant differences in leptin and osteocalcin levels between groups with different HbA1c values were observed (p=0.03, p=0.04). Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age showed that serum OC and leptin negatively correlated with HbA1c levels (r=-0.22, p=0.004 and r=-0.27, p=0.0001, respectively). In contrast, serum OPG correlated positively with HbA1c (r=0.26, p=0.02) as well as with adiponectin (r=0.26, p=0.02) and RANKL (r=0.27, p=0.02) levels. The correlation of OC with HbA1c was the strongest in group I - patients with good metabolic control of DM (r=-0.43, p=0.03). In that group, in multiple regression analysis adjusted for age and BMI leptin correlated positively with daily dose of insulin (r=0.52, r=0.009). In group II and III in multiple regression analysis adjusted for age and BMI OC correlated negatively with leptin (r=-0.37, p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest significant relationships between bone, fat tissue and glucose metabolism in pediatric patients with T1DM. The results can confirm that poor metabolic control is associated with reduced bone formation. On the other hand fat and bone tissue can influence glucose metabolism, potentiality in insulin-dependent manner. From these data leptin or OC may be potentially used as additional therapeutic agents for T1DM.

Cerebral salt wasting in a postoperative period

Cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSW-cerebral salt wasting) was first described in 1950 by Peters. This syndrome can occur in patients who have sustained damage to the central nervous system (e.g. patients with subarachnoid bleeding, bacterial meningitis or after neurosurgery). Patients present with excessive natriuresis and hyponatremic dehydration. Differentiating this syndrome with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH-syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion), which may occur in the same group of patients, is necessary in order to administer the correct treatment which consists of fluid restriction and sodium replacement in SIADH and fluid and sodium replacement as well as occasional mineralocorticoid therapy in CSW.

Generalized seizures as the first manifestation of multihormonal pituitary hormone deficiency causing normovolemic hyponatremia

Patient: Female, 14

Final Diagnosis: Multiple pituitary hormone deficiency

Symptoms: Hyponatremia

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Endovascular embolectomy

Specialty: Endocrinology and Metabolic

Objective: Patient complains/malpractice

FGF23 contributes to insulin sensitivity in obese adolescents - preliminary results

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a hormonal regulator of circulating phosphate and vitamin D levels. Recent investigations revealed that besides a key role in the pathogenesis of calcium-phosphorus disorders, in some patients FGF23 may be an indicator of cardiovascular complications. As a 'hormone-like' factor, it may also be involved in some metabolic processes, especially in the metabolism of glucose and fat. Its potential contribution to metabolic syndrome (MS) development has not been confirmed yet.

OBJECTIVE

The study was to examine the possible correlations between FGF23 serum levels and body composition, blood pressure and selected parameters of glucose, insulin and fat metabolism in adolescents with simple obesity.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN

In 68 (35 female) adolescents (mean age 13·9 years) with simple obesity [mean BMI SDS 4·9 (95% CI 4·4-5·4)], the levels of FGF23, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Standard oral glucose tolerance tests were performed with the assessment of fasting and after 120' postload glucose and insulin levels; the insulin resistance index HOMA-IR was calculated.

RESULTS

Regardless of gender, there was a significant inverse correlation between FGF23 and fasting insulin level (r = -0·3), as well as HOMA-IR (r = -0·29). Multiple regression model showed the independent association between FGF23 and HOMA-IR.

CONCLUSION

FGF23 seems to be a novel factor contributing to insulin sensitivity. Further investigations are needed to define its role in the development of MS.

A decrease in fasting FGF19 levels is associated with the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese adolescents

AIM

Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) is a hormone released from the small intestine; recently, it has emerged as an endocrine regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of FGF19 in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

PATIENTS

This study included 23 (17 boys) obese adolescents (mean age of 14.1 years) with NAFLD. The control group consisted of 34 (13 boys) obese peers with normal ultrasonographic imaging and normal liver function tests.

METHODS

The definition of NAFLD was based on clinical criteria: elevated alanine aminotransferase (>35 U/L) and liver steatosis features on ultrasound imaging. Serum FGF19 levels were measured in a fasting blood sample. The definition of insulin resistance was based on the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) threshold: >2.5.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between mean FGF19 levels in patients with NAFLD and controls (142.2 vs. 206 pg/mL, p=0.04). Mean fasting FGF19 levels were decreased in insulin-resistant patients in comparison with the non-insulin-resistant group (155.0 vs. 221.0 pg/mL, p=0.05). There was an inverse correlation between FGF19 and alanine aminotransferase levels (R=-0.3, p<0.05) and triglycerides (R=-0.27, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

A decrease in fasting FGF19 is associated with the development of NAFLD in obese adolescents. A decrease in fasting FGF19 levels may be a new important risk factor for NAFLD and the metabolic syndrome in adolescents. Further studies are needed to explain whether exogenous delivery of FGF19 might be therapeutically beneficial.

A case of recurrent labial adhesions in a 15-month-old child with asymptomatic non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency

Labial adhesions (synechia vulvae) are a relatively common disorder of the external genitalia in prepubertal girls. They usually occur between 3 months and 6 years of age, with a peak between 13 and 23 months of life. In the majority of cases, labial adhesions are asymptomatic and noticed by the parents or a physician during a routine physical examination. Frequently, they cause recurrent urinary tract infections. This report presents the case of a 15-month-old girl with recurrent labial adhesions and urinary tract infections. She was followed-up by a urologist from the age of 3 months, treated topically (estriol cream 1 mg/g and emollients) and surgically. No signs of androgenization were seen apart from advanced bone age. Urinary steroid profile and molecular analysis confirmed the diagnosis of non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. In the described case, a coincidence of NCCAH and labial adhesion cannot be excluded particularly in view of the resolving of urinary tract infections at the same time as resolving of labial adhesions. However, it seems that in cases of recurrent labial adhesion/synechia that require repeated surgical interventions in view of ineffectiveness of conservative treatment - as it was observed in the presented case - one should consider searching for NCCAH. This may allow not only for the causal treatment of labial adhesions but, above all, NCCAH and, in consequence, the prevention of intensification of virilization, hirsutism, menstrual cycle, and fertility disturbances that are observed starting from puberty.

The association of FGF23 levels in obese adolescents with insulin sensitivity

BACKGROUND

The fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is the most important hormonal regulator of circulating phosphate levels. Apart from this essential role, it may also act as a 'hormone-like' factor involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. It is believed to have a potential role in the development of insulin resistance.

AIM

The aim of the study was to compare FGF23 levels between two groups of obese adolescents: insulin resistant and non-insulin resistant.

PATIENTS

The study included 36 obese, insulin-resistant adolescents (21 boys and 15 girls) of pubertal age (mean age, 13.95 years; Tanner stage IV or V). The control group consisted of 21 obese peers with normal HOMA-IR values.

METHODS

FGF23 levels were measured in a fasting blood sample by Human Intact FGF-23 ELISA Kit (Immunotopics Inc., San Clemente, CA, USA). A standard oral glucose tolerance test was performed, which assessed fasting and 120 min postload plasma glucose and serum insulin levels; the insulin resistance index HOMA-IR was calculated. The definition of insulin resistance was based on a HOMA-IR threshold set for adolescents (> or = 3.16).

RESULTS

There was a significant inverse correlation between FGF23 levels and HOMA-IR (R = -0.26, p < 0.05) in the study group. FGF23 levels were also significantly lower in the study group (9.8 vs. 11.9 pg/mL, p = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

In adolescents with simple obesity and insulin resistance, FGF23 levels are lower compared with obese adolescents with normal HOMA-IR.