Statins belong to the most commonly used medicines worldwide. They affect cholesterol synthesis and thus they may suppress steroidogenesis. Our aim was to evaluate whether the use of statins is associated with the concentration of sex hormones.Material and methods/Results: In a population sample of men (n = 237) we found that subjects receiving statins had significantly lower concentrations of: total testosterone (14.9 vs. 16.35 nmol/L, p = 0.008 after correction for body mass), free testosterone (32 vs. 39 pmol/L, p = 0.004), calculated free testosterone (0.32 vs. 0.36 nmol/L, p < 0.001) and bioavailable testosterone (6.10 vs. 7.56 nmol/L, p < 0.001) than age-matched controls. We conclude that the use of statins may have an impact on the diagnosis of age-related testosterone deficiency in men.

SARS-CoV2 infection can lead to severe cytokine storm especially in obese patients. Ghrelin acts not only as an appetite regulator but can also play a key role in the immune reaction. Leptin, secreted mainly by the white adipose tissue, can act as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. The crucial question is whether or not the cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients with obesity is linked to adipokine dysregulation. The aim of this study was to assess ghrelin and leptin concentrations in patients 6 months after SARS-CoV2 infection in comparison to a control group considering the influence of sex. The study group included 53 patients with a history of COVID-19 and 87 healthy subjects in the control group. Leptin and ghrelin concentrations as well as hormonal and biochemical parameters were measured. A significantly higher ghrelin concentration was observed in the COVID-19 group in comparison to the control group, with a statistically significant impact of sex on the relationship between COVID-19 and ghrelin concentration, which was lower in the males. No statistically significant differences in leptin concentration were observed between the groups. A significant negative correlation was observed between ghrelin and testosterone and morning cortisol levels in the COVID-19 group. The current study showed that ghrelin levels were significantly higher in patients 6 months after a mild course of SARS-CoV2 infection. To confirm the hypothetical protective role of ghrelin in the inflammatory process, it would be necessary to compare serum ghrelin levels between patients after mild and severe courses of COVID-19. Due to the small sample size and the lack of patients with a severe course of COVID-19, these observations need further investigation. There were no differences in leptin concentrations between the COVID-19 patients and the control group.

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular complications are a leading cause of premature mortality in patients with acromegaly. Copeptin (CPP) correlates strongly with plasma osmolality and is regulated by non-osmotic stimuli involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. Mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), synthesized mainly in the adrenal medulla, vascular endothelial cells, and the heart, has vasodilatory effects. The study aimed to assess two cardiovascular biomarkers (CPP and MR-proADM) in acromegaly patients in relation to disease activity and compare findings with a control group. Methods: The study examined CPP and MR-proADM levels alongside hormonal and biochemical parameters and cardiovascular and metabolic disease prevalence in 53 acromegaly patients and 26 controls. Results: No significant differences in CPP or MR-proADM concentrations were observed between the two groups. However, a positive correlation occurred between growth hormone (GH) and CPP concentrations, and there was a negative correlation between fasting glucose and CPP concentrations in acromegaly patients. The study also found a positive correlation between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and MR-proADM concentrations and between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and MR-proADM levels in the study group. Moreover, atherogenic dyslipidemia was significantly more common in the active form of acromegaly and pituitary macroadenoma patients than in the control group. Acromegaly patients had significantly higher fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels compared to controls, and the homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was significantly lower in the study group than in the controls. Conclusions: Neither CPP or MR-proADM are significant diagnostic or monitoring indicators of cardiovascular or metabolic complications in acromegaly.