Association of apelin, endoglin and endocan with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of type-2 diabetes mellitus. Endocan, apelin and endoglin are thought to be associated with endothelial dysfunction, angiogenesis and inflammation. In this study, we planned to evaluate these markers in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This single-blind, controlled clinical study was conducted on 99 type 2 diabetic patients with or without diabetic peripheral neuropathy and 53 healthy volunteer controls. Physical and laboratory examinations were done in all groups. In these groups, Endoglin, apelin and endocan levels were measured with ELISA method.

RESULTS

Endoglin, apelin and endocan concentrations in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients were higher than other diabetes mellitus patients and healthy controls. Similarly, diabetes mellitus patient's endoglin, apelin and endocan levels were higher than healthy controls. The differences were statistically significant. We detected a significant positive correlation between endoglin, apelin and endocan levels in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoglin, apelin and endocan may reflect angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and they may be used as a marker in the future.

Evaluation of SCUBE-1 and sCD40L biomarkers in patients with hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a single-blind, controlled clinical study

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to investigate the levels of platelet activation marker SCUBE-1 and sCD40L which plays some role in the progression of atherosclerosis, in patients with hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The cohort of this study includes 90 patients and 35 healthy volunteers, who admitted to the internal medicine out-patient. Simultaneously in the same samples; SCUBE-1 and sCD40L measurements were accomplished by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data obtained were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

Hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis in comparison to the control group that includes healthy volunteers; SCUBE-1 and sCD40L, were increased. And these results were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SCUBE-1 and sCD40L levels were increased in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism patients. This may indicate an increased endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation and cardiovascular risk in hypothyroidism. SCUBE-1 and sCD40L may be helpful in cardiovascular risk assessment of hypothyroid patients.

Effectiveness of preoperative plasmapheresis in a pregnancy complicated by hyperthyroidism and anti-thyroid drug-associated angioedema

Hyperthyroidism is not a rare entity in pregnancy and 85% of these cases attributed to Graves' disease (GD). There is no therapeutic modality for GD considered as totally safe in pregnancy. Fetal and neonatal risks of maternal hyperthyroid disease are related to the hyperthyroidism itself and/or to the medical treatment of the disease. There are no data supporting an association between congenital anomalies in the fetus and propylthiouracil (PTU). Hepatotoxicity, cytopenias--especially agranulocytosis and quite rarely, angioedema, may be seen as side effects of PTU. In this case report, we examine an instance of Graves' hyperthyroidism diagnosed during pregnancy. In this case, a serious side effect during anti-thyroid drug usage was encountered, eventually resulting in surgery in the second trimester. This intervention was assisted by the use of plasmapheresis to obtain rapid normalization of serum thyroid hormone levels.