The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of low-dose combined oral contraception (COC) on basal and stimulated (1 μg ACTH test) levels of serum and salivary cortisol (F), cortisone and on basal serum cortisol binding globulin (CBG), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), dehydroepiadrosterone (DHEA) and calculated free cortisol in healthy young women. Three-month administration of COC resulted in 1) significant increase of basal (454.0±125.0 to 860.9±179.7 nmol/l) and ACTH-stimulated serum cortisol in 30th min (652.3±60.5 to 1374.1±240.6 nmol/l); 2) no significant change of basal (15.4±7.3 to 18.9±8.5 nmol/l) and ACTH-stimulated salivary cortisol at the 30th min (32.4±8.8 to 32.9±9.0 nmol/l); 3) no significant change of basal serum cortisone (38,8±7.68 to 45.2±24.2 nmol/l) and ACTH-stimulated cortisone at the 30th (34.8±10.9 to 47.0±35.7 nmol/l); 4) significant increase of basal ACTH (17.2±9.0 to 38.2±29.4 ng/l), CBG (991.0±161.0 to 2332.0±428.0 nmol/l), and 5) no significant change of basal DHEA (24.6±15.7 to 22.6±11.7 μmol/l) and calculated basal value for free cortisol (22.8±14.9 to 19.2±6.9nmol/l). In conclusions, higher basal and ACTH-stimulated serum cortisol were found after three-month administration of COC, while basal and stimulated salivary cortisol were not significantly affected. Therefore, salivary cortisol can be used for assessment of adrenal function in women regularly using COC., K. Šimůnková, L. Stárka, M. Hill, L. Kříž, R. Hampl, K. Vondra., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The aim of this study was to look for changes in the daily profile of steroid hormones after standardized food intake. Eight young women not taking contraceptives were followed from 5:30 a.m. till 9:30 p.m. before and 1 and 2 h after eating breakfast, snack, lunch, the second snack and dinner. The differences in steroid levels before and after meals were evaluated. As expected, glucose, C-peptide and ghrelin levels changed postprandially. The steroid hormones cortisol, progesterone, pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone showed a decrease after main meals, whereas testosterone and dihydrotestosterone showed no significant dependence on food intake. Estrogen levels did not exhibit a significant nycthemeral rhythm, but estradiol decreased after main meals. In our study the known nycthemeral rhythm of LH, FSH, cortisol, progesterone and pregnenolone after food intake were confirmed, but significant changes after meals were also observed in the levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, estradiol and SHBG., B. Rácz, M. Dušková, K. Vondra, M. Šrámková, M. Hill, L. Stárka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This study aimed to examine relationships between DHEA(S), anthropometric parameters, oral glucose tolerance test derived data and lipid spectra in a Czech non-diabetic population. 380 healthy volunteers both with and without a family history of diabetes type 2 (DM2) were en rolled into the study (women: n=235, age 28.9±9.4 years, BMI 22.3±4.5 kg/m2, men: n=145, age 32.3±10.0 years, BMI 24.7±3.6 kg/m2). Spearman’s correlations (both without and with the adjustment for age, age and BMI), as well as ANCOVA were used. Non-adjusted data showed many “beneficial” correlations between DHEA(S) and both anthropometric and metabolic variables. Statistical analysis revealed that almost all correlations of DHEA(S) to adiposity and fat distribution in men as well as in women disappeared after the adjustment. There are, however, differences between men and women in the correlation of DHEA(S) to insulin sensitivity and lipid levels. The use of hormonal contraceptives (COC) is also an important factor in this relationship. In men and also in women using COC, DHEA-S after adjustment correlated positively with fasting and stimulated glucose, insulin and C-peptide, and negatively with insulin sensitivity. In this respect, the benefit of DHEA(S) supplementation seems - at least in terms of its alleged antiobesity and antidiabetogenic effects - to be more than controversial., B. Bendlová, J. Vrbíková, M. Hill, M. Vaňková, P. Lukášová, J. Včelák, D. Vejražková, K. Dvořáková, R. Hampl, K. Vondra, L. Stárka., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Chronic smoking can cause imbalance in endocrine homeostasis and impairment of fertility in both sexes. The male reproductive system is more resilient, still the literature provides conflicting results about the influence of smoking on the steroid hormone levels. The data about smoking cessation are limited; there has not yet been a study primarily focused on changes in steroids levels. In our study, we analyzed levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), cortisol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in male smokers and during smoking cessation. Monitored analytes were determined by RIA. The free testosterone index was calculated. Basal samples of men successful and unsuccessful in smoking cessation did not differ and monitored hormones could hardly predict success of smoking cessation. After one year without smoking, a significant BMI increase and SHBG decrease in former smokers was observed. The decrease in total testosterone was non-significant. Changes in SHBG and testosterone did not correlate with BMI, presumably due to the direct effect of smoking cessation., H. Hruškovičová, ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
n our study, 213 healthy Czech women aged 20 to 65 years were examined and divided into fully reproductive, premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal groups. In all subjects body composition was determined by classical anthropometry and metabolic profile was assessed. A total of 146 subjects completed 3-year longitudinal study. Total and LDL cholesterol increased and ratio HDL/total cholesterol decreased with age (p<0.001), most significantly in menopause. Triacylglycerols increased only up to menopause. HDL had a very slight trend to decrease in menopause and postmenopause. Fasting blood glucose level increased progressively (p<0.001), in postmenopause frequently exceeded normal range. Higher BMI, total fat mass and central fat indices were associated with higher total and LDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols, C-peptide, insulin and fasting blood glucose level (p<0.001; fasting blood glucose level to waist-to-hip ratio: p<0.01) and lower HDL cholesterol (p<0.001). Higher C-peptide and insulin were associated with lower HDL cholesterol and higher triacylglycerols (p<0.001). Fasting glucose correlated with LD L cholesterol (p<0.01). Higher SHBG was associated with higher HDL and lower LDL cholesterol (p<0.001). Hormone replacement treatment was related to lower fasting blood glucose level in postmenopausal women (p<0.01). Oral contraception is suggestive of a positive influence on lipid spectrum by increasing the ratio HDL/total cholesterol. Markers of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism are not only age-related, but they are also related to BMI, total fat mass and central fat indices. Therefore, preventive programs should be focused above all on menopausal women., I. Kosková, R. Petrásek, K. Vondra, M. Dušková, L. Stárka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
To date, a single report has appeared on the use of salivary cortisol for adrenal function testing with a low dose ACTH, although 1 μg has become preferred as a more physiological stimulus than the commonly used 250 μg ACTH test. Our present study was aimed to obtain physiological data on changes of free salivary cortisol after 1 μg ACTH stimulation. This approach was compared with the common method based on the changes of total serum cortisol. Intravenous, low-dose ACTH test was performed in 15 healthy women (aged 22-40 years) with normal body weight, not using hormonal contraceptives, in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Blood and saliva for determination of cortisol were collected before ACTH administration and 30 and 60 min after ACTH administration. Basal concentration of salivary cortisol (mean ± S.E.M., 15.9±1.96 nmol/l) increased after 1 μg ACTH to 29.1±2.01 nmol/l after 30 min, and to 27.4±2.15 nmol/l after 60 min. The differences between basal and stimulated values were highly significant (p<0.0001). The values of salivary cortisol displayed very little interindividual variability (p<0.04) in contrast to total serum cortisol values (p<0.0001) A comparison of areas under the curve (AUC) related to initial values indicated significantly higher AUC values for salivary cortisol than for total serum cortisol (1.89±0.88 vs. 1.22±0.19, p<0.01). Correlation analysis of serum and salivary cortisol levels showed a borderline relationship between basal levels (r=0.5183, p=0.0525); correlations after stimulation were not significant. Low-dose ACTH administration appeared as a sufficient stimulus for increasing salivary cortisol to a range considered as a normal adrenal functional reserve., K. Šimůnková, R. Hampl, M. Hill, J. Doucha, L. Stárka, K. Vondra., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Addiction to tobacco results in an imbalance of endocrine homeostasis in both sexes. This can also have impacts on fertility problems. The male reproductive system is less susceptible than that of females, with a worsening spermiogram in smokers, the most cited effect in the literature. However, the literature is inconsistent as to the effects of smoking on steroid hormone levels in men, and there is very little data on the effects of quitting smoking in men. In this study we followed 76 men before quitting smoking, and then after 6, 12, and 24 weeks and 1 year of abstinence. We measured basic anthropomorphic data and steroid hormone levels along with steroid neuroactive metabolites using GC-MS. We demonstrate lower androgen levels in men who smoke, and these changes worsened after quitting smoking. There was a drop in SHBG already in the first week of non-smoking, and levels continued to remain low. Male smokers have lower androgen levels compared to non-smokers. The lower the initial level of androgen, the lower the likelihood of success in quitting smoking. Changes in steroid hormones proved to be a promising marker for the prediction of success in quitting smoking., H. Jandikova, M. Duskova, K. Simunkova, B. Racz, M. Hill, E. Kralikova, K. Vondra, L. Starka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In this review we summarize recent opinions on the possible role of vitamin D in the risk of thyroid diseases development. It may be concluded from the available data that vitamin D deficiency, particularly levels below 12.5 ng/ml should be considered as an additional, but important risk factor for development of thyroid autoimmunity, both chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and Graves´ disease. A higher risk of Graves´ disease development is also associated with several polymorphisms in the gene encoding for vitamin D binding protein and for the specific receptor of active form of vitamin D - 1,25-(OH)2D3 in the respective target cells. Important for development of thyroid cancer appeared polymorphisms of genes encoding for vitamin D receptors and of genes encoding for the participating hydroxylating enzymes in thyroid tissue, leading to a diminished local 1,25-(OH)2D3 formation capacity with following alteration of antiproliferatory, antiapoptotic and prodifferentiating efficacy of the latter. Whether supplementation with high doses of vitamin D or its analogues possesses preventive or therapeutic effect is an object of intensive studies., K. Vondra, L. Stárka, R. Hampl., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In women with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and vitamin D deficiency we have found reference levels of relevant metabolichormonal parameters except for parathormone and total calcium. Three months supplementation with vitamin D (4300 IU/day, cholekalciferol) did not lead to significant changes of investigated hormonal parameters, while the levels of parathormone and calcium reached normal levels. However, a correlation analysis revealed marked changes in mutual relations. First, an inverse correlation of vitamin D with parathormone, insulin secretion (C peptide, insulin) and its efficiency (HOMA IR) disappeared. Relationships of vitamin D to hepatic insulin resistance (insulin/C peptide), to DHEA (both negative), and to DHEAS/DHEA ratio (positive) were newly found. Second, a positive correlation of CRP with insulin secretion remained, while its relation to insulin efficiency (HOMA IR, insulin/ C peptide) was newly observed. Analogical positive correlations appeared also among anti TPO and insulinemia, insulin/C peptide, HOMA IR, and anti Tg to C peptide. A relationship of the CRP with anti TPO became significant (+). Third, out of glucose metabolism parameters only insulin/C peptide and glycemia did not correlate with vitamin D during its deficiency, while after supplementation insulin/ C peptide alone correlated positively with both DHEAS and DHEA, and negatively with vitamin D., K. Vondra, R. Bílek, P. Matucha, M. Salátová, M. Vosátková, L. Stárka, R. Hampl., and Obsahuje bibliografii