TNF-alpha, IL-6 and hs-CRP levels were positively, adiponectin negatively correlated with adipocyte size. Therefore, adiposity may be an inflammatory condition.

It has been shown that prolactin (PRL) induces glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in several animal species. In women with microprolactinomas, the sensitivity to insulin is lower in hyperprolactinemia than in normoprolactinemia. Thirty non-obese women with hyperprolactinemia and 30 healthy non-obese women were included into the study. Age, body weight (bw), height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference and waist to hip ratio of both patients with hyperprolactinemia and control subjects were not different. Mean serum prolactin level was higher in hyperprolactinemic patients than in control group (84.5 +/- 51.1 ng/ml and 13.8 +/- 5.3 ng/ml respectively, p<0.002). Mean HOMA-(%B) index of hyperprolactinemic patients was higher than in control subjects (121 +/- 49 and 84 +/- 38, respectively, p<0.02). Mean HOMA-(%S) index was lower in hyperprolactinemic patients (56 +/- 39 and 105 +/- 55, respectively, p<0.006). Serum total testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol, cortisol, sex hormone binding globulin and DHEA-S levels in both hyperprolactinemic women and healthy subjects, statistically did not show any difference between the two groups. The present data indicate that hyperprolactinemia is associated with an insulin-resistant state. This resistant state may not be a result of obesity, androgenic hormones, and SHBG or pregnancy. It may be the result of serum free fatty acids (FFA) levels, decrement in the number of insulin receptors (by a down-regulation of insulin receptors) or post-binding defect in insulin action or more.

Firstly, patients treated with EPO are insulin sensitive compared to patients not treated with EPO. Secondly, duration of erythropoietin treatment is positively correlated with insulin sensitivity in hemodialysis patients.

No abstract

Insulin resistance is common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Moderate elevations in serum PRL concentration may contribute to insulin resistance in PCOS. The aim of this study was to determine PRL on development of insulin resistance in non-obese hyperprolactinemic patients with PCOS. Ninety-eight non-obese subjects with PCOS and 100 non-obese healthy control were accepted in the study. Serum glucose, lipids, androgens, free androgen index (FAI), gonadotropins, fat mass and percentage, SHBG, and insulin levels were measured. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used as index of pancreatic beta-cell function and tissue insulin sensitivity. Independent t-test was used in comparison of results. In patients with PCOS, FAI and mean HOMA-(%B) level were higher than in the control group (p<0.0001), whereas mean HOMA-(%S) in subjects with PCOS was lower than in the control group (p<0.0001). Patients with PCOS were divided into subgroups according to their serum prolactin level (< 24 or > or = 24 ng/ml). Although FAI was not different, mean insulin and HOMA-(%B) levels in hyperprolactinemic patients were higher than in normoprolactinemic subjects (p<0.001). HOMA-(%S) in hyperprolactinemic patients with PCOS was lower than in normoprolactinemic patients (p<0.002). In conclusion, PCOS is associated with insulin resistance; non-obese hyperprolactinemic PCOS patients may be more insulin-resistant than normoprolactinemics and there may be an association between hyperprolactinemia and insulin resistance in PCOS.

Although its exact mechanism is unclear, anaemia is well recognised as a feature of hypopituitarism; and anaemia is associated with Sheehan's syndrome (SS). We aimed to evaluate the frequency and severity of anaemia and other haematological changes among patients with Sheehan's syndrome, in comparison with healthy controls. Sixty-five SS patients and 55 age-matched female healthy controls were included. Biochemical and hormonal assessments and haematological evaluations were carried out, and groups were compared. The mean number of red blood cells, as well as mean haemoglobin, iron and erythropoietin levels, total iron-binding capacity and transferrin saturation were all significantly lower in SS patients compared to controls. SS patients had significantly higher rates of anaemia (80.0% vs. 25.5%, p = 0.0001), iron deficiency (44.6% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.001), leukopenia (20.0% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.015), thrombocytopenia (9.2% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.028) and bicytopenia (21.5% vs. 1.8%, p = 0.001) compared to controls. Anaemic SS patients had normochromic-normocytic anaemia (55%) or hypochromic-microcytic anaemia (45%). Anaemia is frequently associated with Sheehan's syndrome and responds to appropriate replacement therapy. Hypopituitarism should be considered as a possible cause of anaemia, and a hormone examination should be undertaken promptly, particularly in patients with anaemia resistant to therapy and/or with a history suggestive of Sheehan's syndrome.

No abstract

Homozygous FH patients have significantly higher levels of hs-CRP and circulating proinflammatory cytokines, which may explain their increased risk of atherosclerotic disease. hs-CRP is an important biomarker that may be helpful in the identification of asymptomatic CHD in FH patients.