The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of three different combinations of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on insulin secretion, peripheral insulin sensitivity, serum lipid levels and parameters of oxidative stress. Seven type II diabetic women of mean age 55.4 +/- 4.7 years, who had been menopausal for an average of 5 years, were enrolled in the study. Phases of insulin secretion--first (FPIS) and second (SPIS)--and the area under the curve (AUC) for insulin secretion were studied during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Insulin sensitivity was determined using the manual euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Three different HRT combinations were applied consecutively for 3-month periods: estradiol valerate plus cyproterone acetate (Climen); transdermal 17 beta-estradiol (System TTS 50) plus dydrogesterone (Duphaston) 10 mg daily for 10 days a month; oral 17 beta-estradiol plus dydrogesterone (Femoston) for 14 days a month. A group of nine women with normal glucose tolerance (according to World Health Organization criteria during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)), of mean age 50.1 +/- 8.2 years and mean body mass index 24.60 +/- 2.01 kg/m2, were also studied, and served as a control group. Insulin secretion improved significantly after Climen: FPIS increased by 16% and SPIS by 44%. Insulin sensitivity increased by 50% after Systen TTS 50 + Duphaston; fasting hyperinsulinemia was normalized and total antioxidant capacity of the serum (TAOCS) was significantly raised (p < 0.01). Femoston led to an increase in insulin sensitivity (by 23%) and in TAOCS (p < 0.05), while fasting hyperinsulinemia remained unchanged. HRT should be prescribed in type II diabetic postmenopausal women because of its favorable effect on existing pathophysiological defects. Cyproterone acetate should be preferred in cases with a predominant beta-cell insulin secretion defect, while dydrogesterone in combination with a transdermal estrogen should be recommended in cases with leading insulin resistance.

The depressive score was higher in the females and increased with age. Hypothyroidism determined a higher risk of depression in the females.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of three different combinations of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on insulin secretion, peripheral insulin sensitivity, serum lipid levels and parameters of oxidative stress. Seven type II diabetic women of mean age 55.4 +/- 4.7 years, who had been menopausal for an average of 5 years, were enrolled in the study. Phases of insulin secretion--first (FPIS) and second (SPIS)--and the area under the curve (AUC) for insulin secretion were studied during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Insulin sensitivity was determined using the manual euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Three different HRT combinations were applied consecutively for 3-month periods: estradiol valerate plus cyproterone acetate (Climen); transdermal 17 beta-estradiol (System TTS 50) plus dydrogesterone (Duphaston) 10 mg daily for 10 days a month; oral 17 beta-estradiol plus dydrogesterone (Femoston) for 14 days a month. A group of nine women with normal glucose tolerance (according to World Health Organization criteria during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)), of mean age 50.1 +/- 8.2 years and mean body mass index 24.60 +/- 2.01 kg/m2, were also studied, and served as a control group. Insulin secretion improved significantly after Climen: FPIS increased by 16% and SPIS by 44%. Insulin sensitivity increased by 50% after Systen TTS 50 + Duphaston; fasting hyperinsulinemia was normalized and total antioxidant capacity of the serum (TAOCS) was significantly raised (p < 0.01). Femoston led to an increase in insulin sensitivity (by 23%) and in TAOCS (p < 0.05), while fasting hyperinsulinemia remained unchanged. HRT should be prescribed in type II diabetic postmenopausal women because of its favorable effect on existing pathophysiological defects. Cyproterone acetate should be preferred in cases with a predominant beta-cell insulin secretion defect, while dydrogesterone in combination with a transdermal estrogen should be recommended in cases with leading insulin resistance.

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Ten females with type 2 diabetes being treated with oral hypoglycaemic agents and with normal serum and urine calcium levels were enrolled in the study. The study was conducted in March, when levels of vitamin D are lowest in our region. The level of plasma 25(OH)D was measured (normal range in winter 25–120 nmol/l). The first (FPIS) and second (SPIS) phases of insulin secretion were studied during IVGTT Peripheral insulin resistance was measured. A group of 17 age‐ and BMI‐matched females with normal glucose tolerance served as a control group. The diabetic patients were treated with cholecalciferol 1332 IU daily for one month. The mean plasma 25(OH)D level was 35.3±15.1 nmol/l at baseline, 70% of patients being vitamin D deficient. After one month of treatment with vitamin D3, the plasma 25(OH)D level increased by a mean of 75.8%; 70% of the patients achieved normal vitamin D levels. FPIS increased significantly by 34.3%, while the change in SPIS of 20.4% was not significant (p>0.8). We found a significant correlation between the change in FPIS and the change in 25(OH)D level after vitamin D3 supplementation (p<0.018). The results showed a decrease of 21.4% in insulin resistance after one month, but the change was not significant. Bearing in mind that the main defects in type 2 diabetes mellitus are reduced FPIS and insulin resistance, and the favourable effect vitamin D3 had on them, we suggest vitamin D3 deficiency may at least partly contribute to the impairment of insulin secretion and probably of insulin action. Our results suggest that vitamin D3 supplementation could be an element in the complex treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus during the winter.

Globally, the diffuse goiter affects more than 10% of the population and in some regions is endemic. Thyroid nodules are found in approximately 5% of the population using the oldest method for thyroid examination – palpation. When performing ultrasound screening, this percentage increases significantly and reaches between 20 and 75% of the total population. Thyroid carcinoma is a rare malignancy and accounts for up to 1% of all malignant tumors. It is the most common endocrine cancer and is clinically manifested as a thyroid nodule. Somatic mutations play an important role in its development. Differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules is of great importance due to the different therapeutic approach. Therefore, new diagnostic tools are sought to help distinguish the two. Despite the progress in our knowledge of carcinogenesis in recent years, a number of key issues still remain unanswered. The establishment of new rare somatic mutations can improve pre-surgical diagnosis and optimize post-operative strategies for the treatment of thyroid carcinoma. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows for extensive mutation and genome rearrangements tracking. The results obtained with NGS provide the basis for the development of new approach for systematic genetic screening, at prevention, early diagnosis, accurate prognosis, and targeted therapy of this disorder.