No abstract

Turner syndrome (TS) is characterized by the partial or complete loss of one sex chromosome and results in growth failure, gonadal insufficiency and cardiac anomalies. Treatment with growth hormone (GH) during childhood has indisputable benefits when taking into account the low stature of TS women. Medical records and biochemical findings of 33 TS women treated with GH in childhood (GH+) were compared to those of 124 TS women who did not receive GH (GH−). It seems that the GH-treated group might have had a more severe initial phenotype than the untreated group, as evidenced by higher FSH, more feeding issues in infancy, more lymphedema cases and urinary system malformations. GH+ women were significantly taller and had a better lipid profile and lower prevalence of arterial hypertension than GH− . However, they also had lower thrombocyte counts, a greater prevalence of retrognathism and nail anomalies, especially when the GH treatment was delayed. Long-term GH use was not as effective for growth as GH treatment during the initial period and seemed to have resulted in elevated creatinine levels. GH treatment in childhood has benefits in adulthood; however, adverse effects may occur, especially in individuals with treatment that is delayed or is too long.

The effect of calcium channel blockers on the development of glomerulosclerosis and progression of renal failure in different models of renal injury is still controversial. We compared the effects of blood pressure lowering with high doses of nifedipine (27 mg/kg body weight/day) and with the sympatholytic agent moxonidine (8 mg/kg body weight/day) in 6-month-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRsp). As controls we studied untreated hypertensive SHRsp and normotensive Wisfar-Kyoto rats (WKY). After 3 months of treatment, left ventricular (LV) weight and systolic blood pressure (tail plethysmography) were lower in both treated groups (144 +/- 21.4 mm Hg and 144 +/- 13.5 mm Hg v 193 +/- 38.6 mm Hg in untreated SHRsp), but remained higher than in WKY (116 +/- 16.0 mm Hg). Stereological analysis of perfusion fixed kidneys showed an unchanged total volume of cortex and medulla, but a higher mean glomerular volume in nifedipine treated SHRsp. The glomerulosclerosis index was similarly reduced by both antihypertensive agents (92.8 +/- 68.1 in untreated SHRsp v 27.2 +/- 12.9 and 18.2 +/- 9.8 in the two treatment groups, respectively). This was accompanied by a similar reduction of total cortical arterial wall volume (from 36.3 +/- 16.5 mm3 to 18.9 +/- 2.53 and 15.3 +/- 2.53 mm3, respectively) and by reduction of tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis, respectively. In this model nifedipine lowered blood pressure and inhibited development of glomerulosclerosis to the same extent as a sympatholytic agent. This was accompanied by increased glomerular volume and filtration area in nifedipine treated animals.

(1) HRT does not affect lipid metabolism in TS-women. (2) The use of GH in TS-children favorably influences their lipid profile in adulthood.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> A rational way of nourishment, combined with adequate physical activity, are the basic components of maintaining proper body condition. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of the study was to evaluate nutritional status among children and adolescents with different levels of physical activity. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The study group consisted of 1,013 students of both genders aged between 7 and 18 years attending elementary and post-primary schools (general and sports profile) in Siemianowice Slaskie. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The crude body mass index (BMI) values ranged from 12.78 to 35.3. Body mass within the limits of arbitrary standard referred to 70% of the examined group, overweight or obesity was found in over 25%. Percentage of body fat (FATP) values ranged from 5.7 to 45.2%. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> A significant number of children and adolescents were overweight or obese based on BMI categories and FATP values. Overweight and obesity were most common among younger children, particularly boys. Higher torso FATP levels were more common among sports-oriented class students. BMI is not a good tool for the determination of the nutritional status of children and adolescents, while the bioelectric impedance method enables one to conduct a precise analysis of adipose tissue content and location. Sports-oriented elementary school students from the study group were characterized by higher FATP values.