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Zinc (Zn) plays a central role in the activation of numerous enzyme systems that synthesize and degrade bioactive peptides. Some of these bioactive peptides, also called neuropeptides, are involved in the regulation of food intake.In this study we aimed to demonstrate the relationship between serum ghrelin and hair Zn concentrations in children.Prepubertal children brought to our outpatient clinics by their parents because of signs and symptoms of pica, poor appetite, poor growth, and other complaints were included in the study. The children were divided into two groups according to Zn hair concentrations. Group 1 consisted of children with low (< 70 μg/g) hair Zn levels, and group 2 of children with normal ( ≥ 70 μg/g) hair Zn levels. Hair Zn concentrations, serum ghrelin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels were measured in all children.There were 10 children with low hair Zn levels (group 1) and 15 with normal levels (group 2). Serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and ghrelin concentrations of group 1 (103.1 ± 71.8 ng/mL, 1412.8 ± 615.7 ng/mL and 0.96 ± 0.22 ng/mL, respectively) were lower than in group 2(164.9 ± 40.5 ng/mL, 2398.5 ± 295.5 ng/mL and 1.21 ± 0.23 ng/mL, respectively). In univariate analysis, Zn hair concentration was positively associated with serum IGF-I (r=0.424, p=0.035) and IGFBP-3 (r=0.671, p < 0.001) concentrations. The correlation between ghrelin and hair Zn concentrations was not significant (r=0.202, p=0.333).Serum ghrelin concentrations might be affected by low hair Zn concentrations in children.
Abstract Objective: Children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia are considered to be at an elevated risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between periaortic fat thickness and the cardiometabolic profile in children diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Method: A total of 20 children and adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and 20 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. We investigated metabolic and anthropometric parameters, comparing these values to those of the control group. Periaortic fat thickness was assessed using an echocardiographic method that has not previously been applied to paediatric patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Results: The subjects in the congenital adrenal hyperplasia group were significantly shorter than the control subjects ( p = 0.021) and exhibited a higher body mass index ( p = 0.044) and diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.046). No significant differences were observed between the congenital adrenal hyperplasia group and control subjects concerning age, weight, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Additionally, dyslipidemia was identified in 5% ( N = 1) of the congenital adrenal hyperplasia group. The mean fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and fasting glucose-to-fasting insulin ratio were similar between the congenital adrenal hyperplasia group and the control subjects. However, 15% ( n = 3) of the congenital adrenal hyperplasia group had insulin resistance. Two children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (10%) were diagnosed with hypertension. Periaortic fat thickness was significantly greater in the congenital adrenal hyperplasia group compared to the control group ( p = 0.000), with measurements of 0.2039 ± 0.045 mm in the congenital adrenal hyperplasia group and 0.1304 ± 0.022 mm in the control group. In children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, periaortic fat thickness exhibited a negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( r = −0.549, p = 0.034) and a positive correlation with the dose of hydrocortisone ( r = 0.688, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our results provide further evidence of subclinical cardiovascular disease in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. It is crucial to regularly assess cardiometabolic risk in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The measurement of periaortic fat thickness in this population may serve as a valuable tool for identifying individuals at high risk for developing early atherosclerosis.
Article Treatment with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Induces Left Ventricular Mass in Cryptorchid Boys was published on May 1, 2009 in the journal Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism (volume 22, issue 5).
Background: Insulin detemir is a basal insulin analog designed to produce a superior pharmacokinetic profile to basal formulations of human insulin. It has shown consistently improved tolerability in comparison to neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin in adult cohorts, but there are relatively few publications involving pediatric cohorts. Methods: The efficacy and safety of insulin detemir in children with type 1 diabetes was assessed using data from the Turkish cohort of PREDICTIVE™ (a large, multinational, observational) study. The children investigated were using basal–bolus therapy involving NPH insulin or insulin glargine at baseline but were switched to insulin detemir as part of routine clinical care by their physicians. Results: Twelve weeks of treatment with insulin detemir significantly reduced mean hemoglobin A1c (9.7–8.9%, p < 0.001) and mean fasting glucose [185–162 mg/dL (10.3–9 mmol/L), p < 0.01]. Fasting glucose variability was also lower after treatment with insulin detemir than previously (on either NPH or glargine, p < 0.05). The frequencies of total, major and nocturnal hypoglycemic events were significantly reduced with insulin detemir relative to baseline, with an estimated mean of 6.89 fewer events/patient/yr overall (p < 0.001) and 2.6 fewer nocturnal events/patient/yr (p < 0.01). Weight and insulin dose remained relatively unchanged. Conclusions: Twelve weeks of treatment with insulin detemir improved glycemic control and reduced hypoglycemia in children with type 1 diabetes. This improved tolerability might allow further dose titration and therefore additional improvements in glucose control.