[Relationship between plasma insulin and C peptide and mild and severe obesity]

We performed this study in order to assess the degree of insulin secretion, both in moderate and severe obesity, and its relationship with body mass index (BMI). During fasting, we did not observe, in general, any modification in the hepatic clearance of insulin, both the moderate and severe obesity groups. After oral overload of glucose (OOG), there was an increase in the secretion of insulin and a decrease in its hepatic clearance in both groups of obesity, with no differences between them. The OOG produced a decrease in the hepatic clearance of insulin in the obese and control groups. Just a slight correlation was observed between insulin secretion and BMI in the control, group, and no correlation at all in both groups of obesity. Neither a correlation was observed between insulin secretion and age or sex.

[Plasma insulin changes in obesity with or without abnormal glucose tolerance]

The aim of this study was to know about the plasmatic variations of insulin and its potential origin in the obesity with or without abnormal tolerance to glucose. Obese patients with normal tolerance to glucose showed normal and hypersecretion of insulin during fasting and after oral overdose of glucose (OOG). Fasting hyperinsulinism in patients with normal secretion of insulin was due to a decrease in its hepatic clearance, whereas in patients with hypersecretion, it was due mainly to insulin hypersecretion. Most of the obese patients with glucose intolerance showed hypersecretion of insulin during fasting and after OOG, being their basal hyperinsulinism due to insulinic secretion. After the OOG, the hyperinsulinism due to insulin hypersecretion and/or a decrease in its hepatic clearance. In addition, we observed an inverse correlation between body mass index and obese patients with normal tolerance to glucose.

[Sertoli-Leydig-cell ovarian tumor with a retiform pattern and heterologous elements: a rare cause of virilization]

The case is presented of a young female with virilization signs and total circulating testosterone levels above 4 ng/ml, without a concomitant increase in cortisol, 17 OH-progesterone, DHEA-S, or androstenedion levels. On CT scan exam a tumoral mass in the left ovary was observed with polycystic characteristics similar to those observed in ovarian cystadenoma, inspite of the fact that most androgenic ovarian tumors are solid. The pathological study revealed an ovarian Sertoli-Leydig tumor associated to a reticular pattern with heterologous chondroid and mucinoid elements of cystadenoma.