Background and Objectives: The thyroid is a key endocrine gland for the regulation of metabolic processes. A body composition analysis (BCA) is a valuable complement to the assessment of body mass index, which is derived only from body weight and height.This cross-sectional retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationships between thyroid volume (TV) and thyroid function parameters, anthropometric measurements, BCA parameters, and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults without clinically overt thyroid disease. Material and Methods: This study involved 45 people (females: 57.8%; MetS: 28.9%) hospitalized for planned diagnostics without signs of acute illness or a deterioration of their health and without thyroid disease, who underwent thyroid ultrasound scans, biochemical tests to assess their thyroid function, MetS assessments, anthropometric measurements, and BCAs using the bioelectrical impedance method. Results: The TV was significantly larger in people with MetS compared to people without MetS. The TV was significantly higher and the serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentration was significantly lower in overweight and obese people than in normal and underweight people. The free triiodothyronine (FT3) serum concentration and TV were correlated with waist circumference and some parameters of the BCA, and the FT3 concentration was also correlated with the body mass index, waist–hip ratio, and waist–height ratio. No significant correlations were found between the FT4 and TSH and the results of the anthropometric and BCA measurements. Conclusions: Even in a population of euthyroid patients without clinically overt thyroid disease, there were some significant relationships between the volume and function of the thyroid gland and the results of their anthropometric parameters, BCAs, and the presence of MetS features.

Background and Objectives: The interrelationship between thyroid function and the state of the cardiovascular system has been investigated both in preclinical and human studies. However, it remains unclear whether there is any association between thyroid hormones and features of subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction in euthyroid patients. Material and Methods: This study involved 45 people (females: 57.8%) with no thyroid disease who, during planned hospitalization, underwent thyroid ultrasound, determination of biochemical parameters of thyroid function, and measurement of ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe-brachial index (TBI). People with signs of acute illness or a deterioration of their health were excluded. Results: Significant correlations were found between free triiodothyronine (FT3) and several parameters of both ABI (R = 0.347; p = 0.019 for the mean ABI taken from right side and left side values) and TBI (R = 0.396; p = 0.007 for the mean TBI taken from right side and left side values), as well as the maximal toe pressure (TP) taken from right side and left side values (R = 0.304; p = 0.045). Thyrotropin (TSH) was shown to be significantly correlated only with the maximal TBI value (taken from right side and left side values) (R = 0.318; p = 0.033), whereas free thyroxin (FT4) was shown to be significantly correlated only with the minimal TBI value (taken from right side and left side values) (R = 0.381; p = 0.01). Thyroid volume (TV) was shown to be correlated with TP (R = 0.4; p = 0.008 for the mean TP taken from right side and left side values) and some parameters of TBI value (R = 0.332; p = 0.028 for the mean TBI taken from right side and left side values), but no significant correlations were found between TVand ABI parameters. Patients with a mean ABI value ≤ 1.0 or a mean TBI value ≤ 0.75 have lower TSH, FT3, FT4, and TV than the rest of the study population, but the difference was statistically significant only for FT3. Conclusions: Even in a population of euthyroid patients with no diagnosed thyroid disease, there are some significant correlations between the volume and function of the thyroid gland and the selected features of subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction such as ABI and TBI.

In vitro studies indicate that vaspin may act as a regulator of bone metabolism. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between vaspin and bone metabolism in girls with anorexia nervosa (AN), as well as the potential involvement of OPG and RANKL in this relationship. Serum vaspin, OC, CTx, OPG, and sRANKL were determined by ELISA in 50 girls with AN and in 30 healthy controls aged 13 to 17 years. Girls with AN exhibited significant reduction in body weight, BMI, and Cole index as well as a significant increase in serum level of vaspin compared to healthy participants. These changes were associated with a significant decrease in serum OC and CTx levels and a significant increase in OPG and sRANKL, while the OPG/sRANKL ratio was significantly decreased. BMI and Cole index correlated negatively and significantly with CTx levels in the control group (C), girls with AN, and all study participants (C+AN). Girls with AN showed a significant negative correlation between BMI, the Cole index, and OPG levels. The combination group (C+AN) showed a significant positive correlation between BMI, Cole index, and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. In this group of girls vaspin levels correlated positively and significantly with sRANKL and negatively with body weight, BMI, Cole index, and OPG/sRANKL ratio. Girls with AN showed a significant negative correlation between vaspin levels and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Undernourishment and associated deficit of adipose tissue may result in inadequate vaspin production and bone metabolism disorders in girls with AN. Vaspin acts as a coordinator of the dynamic balance between bone formation and resorption processes; its action is affected by the cytokines of the RANKL/RANK/OPG system. Changes in the relationships between vaspin, bone markers, OPG, and RANKL might contribute to the development of osteoporosis in girls with AN. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (6): 599-606).

Introduction: Inflammation is supposed to be one of the factors contributing to decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in anorexia nervosa (AN). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are simple and cost-effective inflammatory markers, well documented as indicators of postmenopausal osteoporosis. This study aimed to assess the relationships between these ratios and BMD in girls with AN. Materials and methods: Electronic records of 73 girls hospitalized for AN were analyzed retrospectively. The age range of study group was 12.56-17.67 years. BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and expressed as Z-scores according to lumbar spine (s-BMD) and total body (TB-BMD) sites. NLR and PLR were calculated according to complete blood count results. Patients were divided into four subgroups, according to the DXA results: normal (Z-score >-2.0, n=63), low s-BMD subgroup (Z-score ≤-2.0, n=10), normal TB-BMD group (Z-score >-2.0, n=45) and low TB-BMD subgroup (Z-score ≤-2.0, n=28). Results: In the low s-BMD subgroup there was observed a tendency to an increase of mean NLR, PLR and WBC values. Respective BMD Z-score values correlated significantly and negatively with PLR in low s-BMD (R=-0.892, p<0.001) and normal TB-BMD (R=-0.451, p=0.002) subgroups, while with NLR – only in normal TB-BMD subgroup (R=-0.685, p<0.001). In low s-BMD subgroup the PLR was shown to be a significant and independent predictor of s-BMD (β=-0.881, p<0.001). The PLR contribute to 77.6% of s-BMD Z-score variability (R2=0.776, p<0.001). In normal TB-BMD subgroup, the PRL and NLR levels were significant and independent predictors of TB-BMD (β=-0.352, p=0.004 and β=-0.450, p=0.001 and β=-0.339, p=0.005, respectively), and explained 44,4% of TB-BMD Z-score variability (R2=0.444, p<0.001). Conclusions: These results indicate that there is possibly a relationship between bone mass loss and inflammation expressed as NLR and PLR in adolescent girls suffering from AN. It seems that these connections may be dependent on the examined skeletal area. NLR and PLR, which are common indicators of morbidity and mortality in many malignancies and inflammatory chronic diseases, can also be useful in the evaluation of bone condition in adolescent females with AN. However, there is a need for further investigation in this field. Introduction: Inflammation is supposed to be one of the factors contributing to decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in anorexia nervosa (AN). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are simple and cost-effective inflammatory markers, well documented as indicators of postmenopausal osteoporosis. This study aimed to assess the relationships between these ratios and BMD in girls with AN. Materials and methods: Electronic records of 73 girls hospitalized for AN were analyzed retrospectively. The age range of study group was 12.56-17.67 years. BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and expressed as Z-scores according to lumbar spine (s-BMD) and total body (TB-BMD) sites. NLR and PLR were calculated according to complete blood count results. Patients were divided into four subgroups, according to the DXA results: normal (Z-score >-2.0, n=63), low s-BMD subgroup (Z-score ≤-2.0, n=10), normal TB-BMD group (Z-score >-2.0, n=45) and low TB-BMD subgroup (Z-score ≤-2.0, n=28). Results: In the low s-BMD subgroup there was observed a tendency to an increase of mean NLR, PLR and WBC values. Respective BMD Z-score values correlated significantly and negatively with PLR in low s-BMD (R=-0.892, p<0.001) and normal TB-BMD (R=-0.451, p=0.002) subgroups, while with NLR – only in normal TB-BMD subgroup (R=-0.685, p<0.001). In low s-BMD subgroup the PLR was shown to be a significant and independent predictor of s-BMD (β=-0.881, p<0.001). The PLR contribute to 77.6% of s-BMD Z-score variability (R2=0.776, p<0.001). In normal TB-BMD subgroup, the PRL and NLR levels were significant and independent predictors of TB-BMD (β=-0.352, p=0.004 and β=-0.450, p=0.001 and β=-0.339, p=0.005, respectively), and explained 44,4% of TB-BMD Z-score variability (R2=0.444, p<0.001). Conclusions: These results indicate that there is possibly a relationship between bone mass loss and inflammation expressed as NLR and PLR in adolescent girls suffering from AN. It seems that these connections may be dependent on the examined skeletal area. NLR and PLR, which are common indicators of morbidity and mortality in many malignancies and inflammatory chronic diseases, can also be useful in the evaluation of bone condition in adolescent females with AN. However, there is a need for further investigation in this field.

Background/Objectives: The interrelationship of thyroid volume and function with features of cardiovascular dysfunction has already been investigated but some aspects remain unclear, especially in terms of subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction in euthyroid patients. Intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement in ultrasound B-mode imaging in different vascular beds (most frequently within the common carotid artery) is one of the most important tools for the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in both clinical practice and research. This article aimed to present the results of our research on the association between the thyroid evaluation parameters and the IMT measured in both the carotid and femoral arteries in euthyroid patients aged 18 to 65 years taking into account the influence of diabetes, hypertension, and excess body mass. Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of data from patients with no thyroid disease who during planned hospitalization underwent thyroid ultrasound, determination of biochemical parameters of thyroid function, and Doppler ultrasound of carotid, vertebral, and lower extremities arteries with IMT measurement. Data from 45 people (females: 57.8%) were analyzed. Results: No significant correlations were found between biochemical parameters of thyroid function and IMT parameters. Thyroid volume was found to be significantly correlated with all parameters of the IMT within the superficial femoral artery (R = 0.407, p = 0.007 for the mean IMT calculated from the left side and the right side) and with minimal IMT within the common femoral artery taken from the left side and the right side (R = 0.342, p = 0.025). Selected IMT parameters were shown to be significantly higher in patients with arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome in comparison to patients without the mentioned comorbidities. Using multiple linear regression, it was confirmed that parameters related to thyroid status do not significantly affect the IMT value. A significant effect of diabetes and, to a lesser extent, hypertension on the IMT value was confirmed, especially in the femoral arteries. Conclusions: In the population of euthyroid patients, thyroid volume correlates significantly with some parameters of femoral IMT. No significant correlations were found between thyroid biochemical parameters and IMT in both carotid and femoral arteries. A significant influence of diabetes and hypertension on the IMT value was confirmed, especially in the femoral arteries.

Introduction: Based on recent studies in humans, chemerin has been classified as an adipokine that might be associated with osteoporosis and BMD. Bone loss is common in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Moreover, dysfunction in the production of chemerin has also been shown. Therefore, we carried out a comparative analysis between chemerin, bone metabolism, the RANKL/RANK/OPG system, and BMD in girls with AN. Material and methods: Plasma chemerin, OC, CTx, OPG, and sRANKL were determined by ELISA in 75 girls with AN aged 12.6-17.8 years. BMD was assessed by DXA and expressed as Z-score according to the lumbar spine (s) and total body (TB) sites. According to the s-BMD- and TB-BMD Z-score, girls with AN were divided into two subgroups with parallel analyses used: normal (Z-score > –2.0) and low (Z-score ≤ –2.0) s-BMD, and normal (Z-score > –2.0) and low (Z-score ≤ –2.0) TB-BMD. Results: Mean OC and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were markedly lower in the low s-BMD subgroup compared to the normal s-BMD subgroup. The s-Z-score values (both low and normal) correlated significantly and positively with the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Only in the low s-BMD subgroup did chemerin correlate significantly and positively with all nutritional indices and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. In the low TB-BMD subgroup the mean OC and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were lower than in the normal TB-BMD subgroup. The TB-Z-score values (both normal and low) correlated significantly and positively with all nutritional indices and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. The low TB-Z-score values correlated significantly and positively also with chemerin. In the low TB-BMD subgroup chemerin correlated significantly and positively with weight and BMI (expressed as absolute values), Cole index, the duration of the disease, and OPG/sRANKL ratio while its correlation with age was negative. Conclusions: Undernutrition and associated deficit of adipose tissue may result in inadequate chemerin production and skeletal disorders in girls with AN. Chemerin acts as a coordinator of the dynamic balance between bone metabolism and the OPG/RANK/RANKL system and, in turn, may contribute to the loss of bone mass in girls with AN. The cortical bone site seems to be more severely responsive to chemerin actions than the trabecular bone site. Introduction: Based on recent studies in humans, chemerin has been classified as an adipokine that might be associated with osteoporosis and BMD. Bone loss is common in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Moreover, dysfunction in the production of chemerin has also been shown. Therefore, we carried out a comparative analysis between chemerin, bone metabolism, the RANKL/RANK/OPG system, and BMD in girls with AN. Material and methods: Plasma chemerin, OC, CTx, OPG, and sRANKL were determined by ELISA in 75 girls with AN aged 12.6-17.8 years. BMD was assessed by DXA and expressed as Z-score according to the lumbar spine (s) and total body (TB) sites. According to the s-BMD- and TB-BMD Z-score, girls with AN were divided into two subgroups with parallel analyses used: normal (Z-score > –2.0) and low (Z-score ≤ –2.0) s-BMD, and normal (Z-score > –2.0) and low (Z-score ≤ –2.0) TB-BMD. Results: Mean OC and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were markedly lower in the low s-BMD subgroup compared to the normal s-BMD subgroup. The s-Z-score values (both low and normal) correlated significantly and positively with the OPG/sRANKL ratio. Only in the low s-BMD subgroup did chemerin correlate significantly and positively with all nutritional indices and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. In the low TB-BMD subgroup the mean OC and the OPG/sRANKL ratio were lower than in the normal TB-BMD subgroup. The TB-Z-score values (both normal and low) correlated significantly and positively with all nutritional indices and the OPG/sRANKL ratio. The low TB-Z-score values correlated significantly and positively also with chemerin. In the low TB-BMD subgroup chemerin correlated significantly and positively with weight and BMI (expressed as absolute values), Cole index, the duration of the disease, and OPG/sRANKL ratio while its correlation with age was negative. Conclusions: Undernutrition and associated deficit of adipose tissue may result in inadequate chemerin production and skeletal disorders in girls with AN. Chemerin acts as a coordinator of the dynamic balance between bone metabolism and the OPG/RANK/RANKL system and, in turn, may contribute to the loss of bone mass in girls with AN. The cortical bone site seems to be more severely responsive to chemerin actions than the trabecular bone site.