1.
Calcitonin Stimulation Tests: Rationale, Technical Issues and Side Effects: A Review.
Băetu, M, Olariu, CA, Moldoveanu, G, Corneci, C, Badiu, C
Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme. 2021;(6):355-363
Abstract
Calcitonin (CT) stimulation tests have great value and could help to: differentiate thyroid causes of elevated CT apart from non-thyroid sources, determine whether the patients with slightly elevated basal CT could/could not be candidates for surgery, and indicate the right moment for prophylactic thyroidectomy in children with MEN syndromes when with normal basal CT. This triggered the requests for development of CT stimulation tests, taking into consideration their safety and aimed us to write a systematic review of literature regarding the rationale, technical issues, and side effects of CT stimulating tests used for diagnosis of MTC. After a thorough review of the literature, we classified the reported side effects by severity, as defined by United States Food and Drug Administration. A statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20. Various side effects were noticed during stimulation tests that differ by intensity, duration and severity, depending on types of substances and protocols used. The side effects after pentagastrin test were significantly more severe than those reported after calcium stimulation test (p=0.0396). There are also significant gender-specific differences in side effects induced by stimulation tests. In conclusion, we recommend performing Ca CT stimulation test when needed, considering preventive evaluation of some clinical, instrumental, and biochemical aspects of each patient. Precise instructions should be followed before a stimulation test and furthermore continuous cardiac monitoring is essential during and after the test to minimize the possibility of a serious event.
2.
The effect of aerobic exercise on metabolic and inflammatory markers in breast cancer survivors--a pilot study.
Guinan, E, Hussey, J, Broderick, JM, Lithander, FE, O'Donnell, D, Kennedy, MJ, Connolly, EM
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. 2013;(7):1983-92
Abstract
PURPOSE Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer development and recurrence. There are several hypothesised mechanisms for this including positive effects on metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers and favourable changes in anthropometric variables. This pilot study examined the effect of an 8-week aerobic exercise intervention on several of these outcomes, including body composition, the metabolic syndrome, C-reactive protein (CRP) and physical activity, in breast cancer survivors 2-6 months post-chemotherapy. METHODS Assessments were completed at baseline, at 8-weeks and 3-months post-intervention. Measures taken following a 12-h fast included body composition (bioimpedance analysis), metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting glucose), insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment), CRP and physical activity (accelerometry and questionnaire). Participants were randomized to either an 8-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise group or a usual-care control group. Analysis was completed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p = 0.05). RESULTS Twenty-six breast cancer survivors participated (mean (standard deviation) age 48.1 (8.8) years, exercise group; n = 16, control group; n = 10). At baseline, 13 participants were overweight, 6 were obese and 19 centrally obese. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no significant differences between the exercise and control groups in any of the outcomes measures; however, analysis of those who adhered to >90 % of the supervised exercise class showed a significant decrease in waist circumference (p = 0.05) and a significant increase in subjectively reported "total weekly" (p = 0.005) activity. CONCLUSION While this 8-week aerobic exercise pilot intervention did not elicit significant improvements in biomarkers of breast cancer risk, there was some suggestion of improvements in waist circumference and subjectively measured physical activity in participants with >90 % adherence to the programme. A trial of longer duration and greater subject numbers is warranted.
3.
[The significance of folate metabolism in complications of pregnant women].
Seremak-Mrozikiewicz, A
Ginekologia polska. 2013;(5):377-84
Abstract
Proper metabolism of folates has a crucial role for body homeostasis. Folate metabolism regulates changing of amino acids (homocysteine and methionine), purine and pyrimidine synthesis and DNA methylation. These whole biochemical processes have significant influence on hematopoietic, cardiovascular and nervous system functions. The disturbances of folate cycle could result in chronic hypertension, coronary artery disease, higher risk of heart infarction, could promote cancers development, and psychic and neurodegenerative diseases. No less important is the connection with complications appearing in pregnant woman (recurrent miscarriages, preeclampsia, fetus hypotrophy intrauterine death, preterm placenta ablation, preterm delivery) and fetus defects (Down syndrome, spina bifida, encephalomeningocele, myelomeningocele). The complex process of folate metabolism requires adequate activity of many enzymes and presence of co-enzymes. A key enzyme in folate metabolism is methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR - methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), and 677C>T polymorphism of MTHFR gene is connected with lower enzymatic activity In several researches it was indicated that 677C>T MTHFR polymorphism is an independent factor influencing homocysteine concentration in serum, and also folate concentration in serum and red blood cells. Nevertheless, it was also observed the correlation of 677C>T MTHFR polymorphism with Down syndrome, and neural tube defects appearance in fetus. In European populations frequency of mutated 677TT genotype ranges from a few to several percent. Women carriers of 677TT or 677CT MTHFR genotypes are exposed on folate metabolism disturbances and on the consequences of incorrect folate process during pregnancy Nowadays in this group of women folic acid supplementation is widely recommended. In the light of modern knowledge the attention was also focused on the importance of metafolin administration that omitted pathways of folic acid transformation after administration, and in pregnant women certainly is valuable complement of supplementation in this respect.