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Fiziologia- Physiology 2012.22.2(74)
Fiziologia‑ Physiology 2010supplement

CONTENTS

1. REVIEW: The Influence of External Auditory Stimuli on Electrical Brain Activity ...................................................................................................... 4
Marius Georgescu, Alina Florina Serb, Carmen Tatu, Daniela Puscasiu, Daniel Georgescu, Denisa Enescu-Bieru, Maria Iancau
2. Modulatory Effect of Green Tea on Lipid Metabolism and Brain Neurotransmitters of Obese Mice Model ...........................................................10
Hamdy A. Mansour, Khaled A. Abdel-Sater
3. Glutathione S-Transferase P1 (GSTP1): Predictive Biomarker for PSA Biochemical Recurrence in Prostate Cancer Men Following Radical Prostatectomy .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................15
Dumache Raluca, Puiu Maria, Maliţa Ioana, Tudor Anca, Negru Şerban, Bumbăcilă Bogdan
4. Analysis of Endothelial Dysfunction in Asymptomatic Subjects at Cardiovascular Risk..........................................................................................19
Bâibâţă EDS, Ionescu VA, Marius Bădălică-Petrescu, Simona Drăgan, Silvia Mancaş
5. Diagnostic Aspects of Thyroid Disease in Adult Patients with Type 1 Diabetes........................................................................................................24
Adriana Gherbon, Lavinia Noveanu, Georgeta Mihalaş
6. REVIEW: New Insight into the Rheumatoid Vasculitis..............................................................................................................................................30
M. Cojocaru, Inimioara Mihaela Cojocaru, Isabela Siloşi, Camelia Doina Vrabie
7. Periodontal Disease and Glycemic Control in Patients with Diabetes......................................................................................................................33
Ciprian-Alexandru Dina, Raluca Dina, Iulia Vladu, Raluca Vintilescu, Taisescu Citto, Tudor Adrian Bălșeanu, Maria Iancau
8. Diagnostic and Treatment Methods for Keratoconus................................................................................................................................................37Roşca Cosmin
CUPRINS
1. REVIEW: Influenta stimulilor auditivi externi asupra activitatii electrice cerebrale................................................................................................... 4
Marius Georgescu, Alina Florina Serb, Carmen Tatu, Daniela Puscasiu, Daniel Georgescu, Denisa Enescu-Bieru, Maria Iancau
2. Efectele modulatoare ale ceaiului verde asupra metabolismului lipidic si neurotransmitatorilor intr-un model animal de soareci obezi ..........10
Hamdy A. Mansour, Khaled A. Abdel-Sater
3. Glutation S-transferaza P1 (GSTP1): biomarker predictiv al recurenţei biochimice a PSA în cazul bărbaţilor prostatectomizaţi..........................15
Dumache Raluca, Puiu Maria, Maliţa Ioana, Tudor Anca, Negru Şerban, Bumbăcilă Bogdan
4. Analiza disfunctiei endoteliale la subiecti asimptomatici cu cumul de factori de risc cardio-vascular..................................................................19
Bâibâţă EDS, Ionescu VA, Marius Bădălică-Petrescu, Simona Drăgan, Silvia Mancaş
5. Aspecte diagnostice ale bolii tiroidiene la pacientii adulti cu diabet zaharat tip 1..................................................................................................24
Adriana Gherbon, Lavinia Noveanu, Georgeta Mihalaş
6. REVIEW: Aspecte noi în vasculita reumatoidă..........................................................................................................................................................30
M. Cojocaru, Inimioara Mihaela Cojocaru, Isabela Siloşi, Camelia Doina Vrabie
7. Boala parodontală si controlul glicemic la pacienții cu diabet zaharat....................................................................................................................33
Ciprian-Alexandru Dina, Raluca Dina, Iulia Vladu, Raluca Vintilescu, Taisescu Citto, Tudor Adrian Bălşeanu, Maria Iancau
8. Metode de diagnostic si tratament in keratocon......................................................................................................................................................37Roşca Cosmin
2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

3

REVIEWTHE INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL AUDITORY STIMULI ON
ELECTRICAL BRAIN ACTIVITYMARIUS GEORGESCU1, ALINA FLORINA SERB2, CARMEN TATU2, DANIELA PUSCASIU2,DANIEL GEORGESCU1*, DENISA ENESCU-BIERU3, MARIA IANCAU1
1University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Romania; 2University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara, Romania; 3University of Craiova, Romania

ABSTRACT
Cognitive neuroscience, through its various neuroimaging techniques, enables us to look at the living brain, providing us with thetools necessary to investigate the neural underpinnings of developmental behavioral change. One of these methods relies on the
non-invasive and painless recording of electrical brain activity measured by electrodes placed on the scalp-electroencephalography (EEG). EEG patterns of brain activity have been shown to modify under numerous variables, one of which is the range ofauditory stimuli – including music. Understanding the neurobiological, neurophysiological and neuropsychological bases of themusical experience is important not only from the perspective of promoting basic research and knowledge, but also in view of thepotential application of music therapy in clinical practice. In this regard, the present review provides a brief overview of currently
available literature data concerning the influence of music on electrical brain activity while also examining the complex interplay ofdiverse neurobiological factors involved in musical processing in the brain, and the potential clinical applications of music.
Keywords: EEG, music, brain, primary auditory cortex, Mozart effect, music therapy

INTRODUCTION
During the more than 100 years of its history, EEG has
undergone massive development. The existence of electricalcurrents in the brain was discovered in 1875 by the English
physician Richard Caton. The first report on electrical brain
activity in humans was published in 1929 by Berger, allowing
clinicians and scientists to peek into the skull and watch the brainin action for the first time in a meaningful way. Over the years,
due to the improved recording and the significant progress insignal processing and data acquisition systems, EEG analysis
has become important in diagnosing various brain related diseases and in designing prosthetic devices and became more
popular as it discovered critical facts about the working of thebrain. Nowadays EEG atlases are provided, filled with different
brain-wave patterns and respective diagnoses. However, further
understanding of brain functioning is still very actual for widening
horizons of both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Throughout history, several studies were concentrated on
the effect of external stimulation on the cortical EEG, predominantly in photic driving response (response to visual stimulation)(1, 2). Interest in using visual and auditory rhythmic stimulation
as a means of inducing relaxation and hypnosis was raised in the
middle of the last century (3). More recently, devices using lightand sound at specified frequencies were used to ”drive” the EEG
towards certain frequencies. In the last decades audio-visual
stimulation has been reported as an effective method in various
fields -from relieving dental anxiety through inducing hypnagogic
states helping and relieving tension and migraine headaches totherapeutic effects on premenstrual syndrome (4).
Music has been proven to be a valuable a tool for theunderstanding of human cognition, human emotion, and theirunderlying brain mechanisms. Music is part of the human nature:throughout human history, in every human culture, people haveplayed and enjoyed music. Some researchers theorize thathuman musical abilities played a key phylogenetical role in theevolution of language and that music-making behavior engaged
and promoted evolutionarily important social functions (such ascommunication, cooperation, and social cohesion (5)). Since
early times, music has been used for healing and stimulating
emotions; the beneficial influence of music on epileptiform activity in patients with seizures (6), as well as in individuals withhearing loss and early childhood autism (7) were reported within
the last decades. However, EEG investigations of brain activity
while influenced by music are scarce. The following sections will
review research findings on the influence of music as external
auditory stimulus on electrical brain activity, synthesizing current
knowledge of this field of neurophysiology.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MUSICMusical stimuli have been shown to activate specific pathways in several brain areas associated with emotional behaviors,such as the insular and cingulate cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, and improve plasticity
and neurogenesis (8).
In addition, neurochemical studies have suggested thatseveral biochemical mediators may play a role in the musicalReceived 20th of March 2012. Accepted 15th April 2012. Address for correspondence: Daniel Georgescu, Department of Functional Disciplines, UMF Craiova, PetruRareş no. 2-4, 200349, Craiova, Romania, e-mail: d_g_home@yahoo.com

4

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)

experience. Pleasant music releases dopamine in the nucleus
accumbens, while listening to slow music decreased the level of
norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter that regulates arousal) (9).
Another neurotransmitter that responds to music is serotonin.
Pleasant music increases the release of serotonin - responsible
for good moods - in the brain, while unpleasant music reduced
the level of serotonin (10). Similarly, pleasant music elevates
endorphin level (11), which induces a feeling of well-being andrelaxation. Suda et al. demonstrate that major music (Mozart’s
Allegro con spirito, K448, which induces happiness) reduced
stress and cortisol level more than minor music (Beethoven’s
fur Elise, which induces sadness). ‘‘Techno music’ increases thelevel of many stress hormones including cortisol, while classicalmusic (Beethoven Symphony 6) reduces cortisol level (12).
In regards to the immune system, studies show that certain
types of music can modify the level of certain immunologicalcomponents such as immunoglobulin A (IgA) and natural killer
cells (13). Recreational music improves mood and modulates
the activity of natural killer–cells and the level of the cytokines
IL-6 and IL-10, which are immunological ‘stress markers’ (14).
Regarding heart activity, studies show that music (Mozart,
Symphony # 40, Ligeti, String Quartet # 2) can increase or
decrease heart rate and blood pressure (15). Musical stimuli
and physiological processes alike (heartbeat, respiratory rate,
blood pressure, temperature) are composed of vibrations that
occur in a regular, periodic manner and consist of oscillations.
Musical stimuli, specifically rhythm and tempo, can be used asa synchronizer to influence changes in physiological responses(i.e. heartbeat, respiration, blood pressure) through entrainment.
MUSIC PERCEPTIONMusic perception involves acoustic analysis, auditory
memory, auditory scene analysis, processing of interval relations, of musical syntax and semantics, and activation of (pre)motor representations of actions (16). Music perception begins
with the decoding of acoustic information. Acoustic informationis translated into neural activity in the cochlea, and progressivelytransformed in the auditory brainstem, as indicated by different
neural response properties for the periodicity of sounds, timber(including roughness, or consonance/dissonance), sound intensity, and interaural disparities in the superior olivary complex andthe inferior colliculus (16). It appears, notably, that the dorsal
cochlear nucleus projects into the reticular formation (16). By
virtue of these projections, loud sounds with sudden onsets leadto startle-reactions, and such projections perhaps contribute toour impetus to move to rhythmic music. Moreover, the inferior
colliculi can initiate flight and defensive behavior in response tothreatening stimuli (even before the acoustic information reaches
the auditory cortex (AC)). From the thalamus (particularly overthe medial geniculate body) neural impulses are projected
mainly into the primary auditory cortex (PAC, corresponding toBrodmann’s area (BAs) 41) and adjacent secondary auditory
fields (corresponding to BAs 42 and 52). These auditory areas
perform a more fine-grained, and more specific, analysis of
acoustic features compared to the auditory brainstem. PAC is2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

also involved in the transformation of acoustic features (such as
frequency information) into percepts (such as pitch height andpitch chroma). Moreover, with regard to functional differences
between the left and the right PAC, as well as neighboring auditory association cortexes, several studies suggest that the left AC
has a higher resolution of temporal information than the right AC,
and that the right AC has a higher spectral resolution than theleft AC (17). Finally, the AC also prepares acoustic information
for further conceptual and conscious processing. For example,
regarding the meaning of sounds, just a short single tone cansound, for example, “bright,” “rough,” or “dull.”
The auditory sensory memory is connected with both working memory (WM) and long-term memory. Structure building requires WM as well as a long-term store for syntactic regularities,
and processing of information meaning is presumably tied to amental “lexicon” (containing conceptual– semantic knowledge),
as well as to a musical “lexicon” containing knowledge abouttimbers, melodic contours, phrases, and musical pieces (16).
The knowledge about musical long-term memory is still rather
limited. Functional neuroimaging data suggest that access tomusical semantic memory involves the (left) middle temporalgyrus, and that musical semantic representations (that is, partsof a musical lexicon) are stored in (left) anterior-temporal areas(18). In addition, Watanabe et al. (19) reported that retrieval ofmusical information involves the hippocampal formation and theinferior frontal gyrus.
Functional neuroimaging studies using chord sequenceparadigms (20) and melodies (21) suggest that music-syntactic
processing involves the pars opercularis of the inferior frontal
gyrus (corresponding to BA 44) bilaterally, but with right- hemispheric weighting. The assumption of an intimate connection
between music and speech is corroborated by the reviewed
findings of overlapping and shared neural resources for music
and language processing in both adults and children. Spoken
language has rhythm, melody, and timber, and the illusory transformation from speech to song shows that humans can perceive
spoken language also as song (although individuals often do notrealize this in everyday life). Both speech and music perception
involve premotor coding and both music and language give riseto affective processes. These findings suggest that the humanbrain, particularly at an early age, does not treat language andmusic as strictly separate domains, but rather treats language
as a special case of music (16).
Moreover, music perception potentially elicits emotions,thus giving rise to the modulation of emotional effector systems
such as the subjective feeling system, the autonomic nervous
system, the hormonal, and the immune system (22). Interestingly,
effects on the immune system have been suggested as tied to
motor activity such as singing or dancing. With regard to music
perception, it is important to note that there might be overlap
between neural activities of the late stages of perception andthose related to the early stages of action (such as premotor
functions related to action planning. Action induction by music
perception is accompanied by neural impulses in the reticularformation (in the brainstem; for example, for the release of energy
5to move during joyful excitement). It is highly likely that connections also exist between the reticular formation and structuresof the auditory brainstem (as well as between reticular formationand the AC), and that the neural activity of the reticular formation therefore also influences the processing of (new) incoming
acoustic information (16).
THE MOZART EFFECT
The “Mozart effect” refers to an enhancement of performance or change in neurophysiologic activity associated withlistening to Mozart’s music. Neurophysiologic changes while
listening to Mozart were mainly observed using EEG power andcoherence (Coh) measures.
A recent study (23) using induced event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/ERS), and event-related coherence (ERCoh) indicated that Mozart’s music-with no regard to thelevel of induced mood, musical tempo and complexity-influenced
the level of arousal. It was suggested that modulations in thefrequency domain of Mozart’s sonata have the greatest influence on the reported neurophysiologic activity comparatively
with Brahm’s and Haydn’s music. In another study (24) it was
found that auditory background stimulation (Mozart’s sonata
K. 448) can influence visual brain activity, even if both stimuli
are unrelated. Students who solved a simple visual task while
listening to Mozart’s music displayed (mainly in the γ band) more
coherent brain activity, whereas a decoupling of brain areas inthe γ band was observed while respondents solved the sametask in silence.
Listening to Mozart’s music increases the coupling ofspecific brain areas and thus facilitates the selection and ‘‘binding’’ together of pertinent aspects of sensory stimulus into aperceived whole. It can be further assumed that if such a patternof activated brain areas coincides with the pattern needed fortask completion, an increase in task performance could be theresult. This hypothesis was also supported by a recent study(25). Using ERD/ERS and ERCoh, it was shown that Mozart’s
music had a beneficial influence on respondents’ performanceof spatial rotation tasks, and a slightly negative influence on theperformance of numerical tasks as compared with the silence
condition. On the physiological level a general effect of Mozart’s
music on brain activity in the induced γ band was observed,
accompanied by a more specific effect in the induced lower- 2
α band which was only present while respondents solved thenumerical tasks.
Further data (26) showed that all conditions involving Mozart’s music (either prior to (MS), or after the training session(SM), or prior to and after the training session (MM) listened tomusic) had a beneficial influence on the solution of the spatiotemporal rotation tasks. On the physiological level a measurable
influence on EEG activity (analyzed using the methods of ERD/ERS and approximated entropy (ApEn)) was only observed for
respondents of the MM group who prior to and after training
listened to music. The displayed pattern of brain activity (lower
α and γ ApEn, more α and γ band ERS) of the respondents who
prior to and after learning listened to Mozart’s music is similar to6

6 cmykfindings reporting neurophysiological differences in brain activity
related to verbal and performance components of intelligence,creativity and emotional intelligence (27).
The beneficial influence of Mozart’s sonata K. 448 on epileptiform activity in patients with seizures was reported by Hughes
et al. (28). In a follow-up study analyzing the music of Haydn,
Liszt, Bach, Chopin, Beethoven and Wagner it was found that
Mozart’s music continued to score significantly higher than theselections from the other six composers (6).
THE PATTERNS OF BRAIN ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY
DURING LISTENING TO MUSIC
1. The Influence of music on brain electrical activity inneurologically healthy newborns
Auditory capability is one of the earliest discriminative abilities of the foetus. Music is an intentional auditory stimulus withorganized elements including melody, rhythm, harmony, timbre,
form and style. Music soothes, and the existence of lullaby isevidence of the innate acceptance that music quietens babies.
Informal observation of infants’ and young children’s musicalbehaviors strongly implied the presence of musical cognitive
processes even in earliest infancy. Some level of cognitive
activity which organizes sense input into some coherent units
exists from birth (29). In order to gain some understanding of
the musical cognitive process shortly after birth Hefer et al.
(30) investigated the reponses of neonates (37–40 weeks ofgestational age) to random sounds and to music (a segmentfrom Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 8 in C major) respectively.
The methodology included: video recordings and physiologicalmeasurements collected by a polysomnograph and also recordings of body and facial expressions carried out by a mini digital
video camera; EEG was recorded continually during the test
using 6 electrodes. The analysis of EEG recordings evidenced
that musical excerpts have induced a harmony in the infants’brain waves, which were unlike those registered during thesilence and the random sounds. Investigation of the kinaesthetic
behavior of the newborns revealed that they used cyclical motions that matched the musical phrases of the Mozart excerpts
while during the ‘random’ excerpt there was a near total absenceof cyclical movements and a sharp decrease in movements ingeneral. Thus, the EEG results supported the observation that
random material is perceived differently than organized sounds,
i.e. music, and therefore does not evoke cognitive activity associated with the processing of music.
It has been suggested that recorded music is a valuable resource in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to reduce stressand increase physiological stability, to provide better growth rates
and to facilitate neurosensory maturation (31). The amplitudeintegrated electroencephalography (aEEG) is now increasingly
used in NICUs with demonstrated clinical value in the monitoringof the newborn infant’s brain function. The method is based on
filtered and compressed EEG that enables evaluation of longterm changes and trends in electrocortical background activity
by relatively simple pattern recognition. In aEEG, sleep–wakeFiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)

cycling (SWC) appears as a sinusoidal pattern with varying
bandwidth and continuity, more discontinuous during quiet sleep(QS) than during wakefulness and active sleep. The average
duration of QS periods is 24– 28 min between 32 and 36 postconceptional weeks. In this view, using aEEG, Olischar et al. (32)examined the possible effects of music on QS in neurologically
healthy newborns (≥32 gestational weeks). Ten subjects were
exposed to music (Music for Dreaming- Brahms’ Lullaby) using a
CD player (50–55 decibel A), and 10 more subjects represented
the control group. aEEG activity was recorded before and after
musical stimulation, in order to obtain data for one SWC before
and two to three SWCs after musical stimulation. Backgroundpattern, presence and quality of SWCs were assessed before
and after exposure to music. All 20 subjects showed a normal
continuous background activity and well-developed SWCs. SWC
is present in healthy term newborns and is a sign of neurologicalintegrity and the presence of SWC pattern on aEEG is therefore
considered a good prognostic sign. The obtained results showedthat music tends to change the appearance of SWC by lowering
minimum amplitude (5.8 μV vs. 7.7 μV for controls). SWC became
more sinusoidal through reduction in minimum amplitude andtherefore more easily discernable. The observed trend to moremature SWC in subjects who were exposed to music when compared to controls could suggest that music might be a positive
stimulus to the newborn brain.
2. The Influence of music on brain electrical activity inneurologically healthy adults
The data in literature concerning changes in patterns of brain
electrical activity during listening to music is contradictory (33,34). This concerns both the power spectra and the synchronismof brain potentials. Some authors point out that listening to music
increases the power of the θ and α frequencies of the human
EEG; others have found that the initial α rhythm changes toactivity in the Δ , θ , and β bands.
Most frequently, researchers classify musical compositions
only as classical or rock music. However, the effect of music ona listener is largely determined by its intensity. Changes in the
EEG spectral power (SP) depend on the intensity and style ofmusic: listening to classical music (of low and moderate intensity)
produces an increase in the SP of the high-frequency EEG (α 2,β 1, β 2, and γ bands) widely generalized over the brain cortex,
while listening to rock music (of moderate and high intensity)
produces an increase in the SP predominantly in the θ and α
1 frequency bands (35). Different musical styles and intensities
produce characteristic patterns of changes in the correlation of
neocortical biopotentials (36): classical music of three intensities (low, medium and high) and rock music of medium and highintensities were shown to produce asymmetry in the pattern ofcoherence (Coh) of the cortical activity of listeners: intrahemispheric Coh in the right hemisphere increased, while a decreasein the EEG synchronization prevailed in the left hemisphere. A
focus of Coh integration, most pronounced for the γ frequencies,
was formed during listening to both classical and rock music(except rock music of a low intensity). Listening to rock music
2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

of a low intensity substantially increased the probability of a decrease in intra- and interhemispheric Coh in both hemispheres,
which was pronounced in all frequency bands. Listening to rockmusic changed interhemispheric Coh in a greater percent ofcases than listening to classical music. Other data showed that
listening to music increases Coh of biopotentials between theright frontal and left temporoparietal areas as well as between
distant hemispheric regions (frontal and occipital) (37).
Natarajan et al (38) analyzed the EEGs under musicstimulation (rock and classical music) using various nonlinear
parameters - Correlation Dimension (CD), Largest Lyapunov
Exponent (LLE), Hurst Exponent (H) and approximated entropy(ApEn). EEG signal can be used as a reliable indicator of thestate of the mind. The importance of ApEn lies in the fact that itis measure of the disorder in the EEG signal. Obtained results
evidenced an ApEn fall indicating the decrease in the disorderof the EEG signal due to rock/classical music. This indicatesthat α wave tends to become more predominant due to the
influence of the music. Similarly, CD, LLE and H also decrease
after exposure to music. This suggests that when the subjects
are undergoing auditory stimuli, the number of parallel functional
processes active in the brain is lessened and the brain goes intoa more relaxed state.
Using recent regional brain activation/emotion models asa theoretical framework, Schmidt et al. (39) examined whether
the pattern of regional EEG activity distinguished emotions
induced by musical excerpts which were known to vary in affective valence (i.e., positive vs. negative) and intensity (i.e.,
intense vs. calm). The obtained data showed that the pattern ofasymmetrical frontal EEG activity distinguished valence of themusical excerpts: subjects exhibited greater relative left frontal
EEG activity to joy and happy musical excerpts and greater
relative right frontal EEG activity to fear and sad musical excerpts. Although the pattern of frontal EEG asymmetry did not
distinguish the intensity of the musical emotions, the pattern of
overall frontal EEG activity did, with the amount of frontal activity
decreasing from fear to joy to happy to sad excerpts, consistent
with behavioral ratings of intensity. This appears to be the first
distinction made between valence and intensity of musical emotions on frontal electrocortical measures.
Music could change our emotions, could have an influenceon our mood, and could affect our health. Music therapy is one ofthe oldest methods used for treating some diseases. Real-timeemotion recognition from EEG is a new area of research which
can be combined with music therapy in order to obtain an algorithm which would allow adapting the therapy to the predefinedtime of the treatment and adjusting the music therapy session to
the current emotional state of the user in the way an experienced
music therapist works. In this way, using the International Affective Digitized Sound system and also excerpts from Oscar films’soundtracks (40), four emotions states were induced: positive/
aroused (joy), positive/calm (pleasure), negative/calm (sadness)
and negative/aroused (anger) after 5 and 30 seconds exposure tomusic, respectively, followed by 10 seconds of silent/calm state.
The subjects’ current emotion is recognized from his/her EEG in
7real time by applying Fractal dimension (FD) in real-time EEG
signal processing and the music therapy is adjusted automatically based on the feedback. Using this algorithm, three typesof music therapies were developed to reduce the anxiety levelof the patient, to improve the mood of the depressed patientsand to improve the tolerance to the pain.
Acknowledgments
This work was partially supported by the strategic grant
POSDRU/88/1.5/S/52826, Project ID52826 (2009), co-financedby the European Social Fund-Investing in People, within the
Sectorial Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007-2013.
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18. Groussard M, Viader F, Landeau B, et al. Neural correlates underly-ing
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19. Watanabe T, Yagishita S, Kikyo H. Memory of music: roles of right hippocampus and left infe-rior frontal gyrus. Neuroimage, 2008; 39: 483-491.
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Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)INTERACTINEA DINTRE CELULELE STEM MEZENCHIMALE SI EFECTORIICELULARI AI SISTEMULUI IMUNREZUMAT
Neurostiinta cognitiva ofera, prin tehnicile sale neuroimagistice, instrumentele necesare pentru investigarea substratului neural aldezvoltarii modificarilor de comportament. Una dintre aceste tehnici se bazeaza pe metoda non-invaziva si nedureroasa de masurare a activitatii electrice a creierului, cu ajutorul electrozilor plasati pe scalp – electroencefalografia (EEG). Modelele de activitate
cerebrala EEG se modifica sub actiunea a numeroase variabile – printre care se numara si stimulii auditivi, inclusiv muzica. Intelegerea substratului neurobiologic, neurofiziologic si neuropsihologic al experientei muzicale este important nu doar din perspectiva
promovarii cercetarii si cunostiintelor, dar si in vederea aplicatiilor potentiale ale terapiei muzicale in practica medicala. Review-ul
prezent ofera o scurta prezentare generala a datelor din literatura legate de influenta muzicii asupra activitatii electrice a creierului,
examinand simultan potentialele aplicatii clinice ale muzicii precum si interactiunea complexa a diversilor factori neurobiologici
implicati in prelucrarea muzicii la nivel cerebral.
Cuvinte cheie: EEG, muzica, creier, cortex auditiv primar, efectul Mozart, meloterapie

2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

9

MODULATORY EFFECT OF GREEN TEA ON LIPID METABOLISM
AND BRAIN NEUROTRANSMITTERS OF OBESE MICE MODELHAMDY A. MANSOUR AND KHALED A. ABDEL-SATER *Pharmacology Department, Al-Azhar Faculty of Medicine – Cairo, Egypt*Physiology Department, Al-Azhar Faculty of Medicine – Assiut, Egypt

ABSTRACT
Objective: The main goal of the present work was to study the relationship between weight reducing effect of green tea and its effect on
GABA and 5-HT neurotransmitters in obese mice. Furthermore, the antilipidemic activity of green tea was also evaluated.
Methods: Adult male albino mice weighting (20 to 35 gm of both obese and non-obese) were used. The newborn mice were injected SC
with MSG for the first 5 postnatal days. A control group was injected SC with physiological saline solution. The animals were weaned at
the age of 4 weeks and kept on a commercial chow and tap water. At the age of 8 weeks, female mice were excluded from the study. At
age of 12 weeks, each group was further subdivided into two different groups: group (a) that was not allowed to take green tea and group(b) that was allowed to take green tea (1% in diet for 2 weeks). Now, mice groups are four: control group without tea intake (Ia), control
group with tea intake (Ib), obesity group without tea intake (IIa) and obesity group with tea intake (IIb). Serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL
cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were measured by enzymatic calorimetric method using kits. Brain tissue GABA and 5-HT were determinedby spectrophoto-fluorometric method.
Results: The obtained data revealed that; green tea caused a significant decrease in body weight, Lee index and food intake of obese micegroup (IIb). There was also a significant decreased level of serum cholesterol, TAG and LDL and increased level of HDL in group (Ib). The
study showed a significant increased level of serum cholesterol, TAG and LDL and decreased level of HDL in group (IIa). There was no
significant difference between GABA concentration in group (Ia) and group (IIa). Treatment with green tea caused non-significant changes
in brain GABA and significant elevation of the brain levels 5-HT. The present work clearly demonstrated that; obese mice have been shown
reduced 5-HT brain levels compared to non-obese animals.
Conclusion: It is concluded that the green tea has antiobesity effect might be mediated by modulation of serum lipid profiles and brain 5-HT
neurotransmitter.
Key words: Grean tea, Mice, Antioxidant, Lipid metabolism, Neurotransmitters.

INTRODUCTION
Tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceace) is the second mostpopular beverage in the world next to water and has been extensively studied for its putative disease preventive effects (1). A
large part of the research on green tea has focused on its effects
related to the prevention of cancer, and encouraging knowledge
regarding efficacy, safety and potential mechanisms of action has
accumulated in this area (2). Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory(3), anti-arthritic (4), anti-angiogenic (5), anti-oxidative (6), antibacterial, anti-viral (7) and neuroprotective effects (8)of green
tea and isolated green tea constituents have been investigated.
Many of the putative health benefits of tea are attributed tothe high polyphenol (also called catechins) content of this beverage. There are four kinds of catechins in green tea: epicatechin,epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3- gallate and epigallocatechin-3gallate (EGCG). EGCG is the most abundant catechin present
in green tea and accounts for approximately 30–50% of thecatechin content (9).
Obesity is caused by chronic imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Discrete areas of the hypothalamus

act as regulatory centers for obesity where energy homeostasis
is regulated through food intake (hunger and satiety), energy
expenditure and the secretion of hormones that regulate theuse and storage of substrates (10).
It is currently well established that neurotransmitters play a
key role in regulation of appetite and food intake. Norepinephrine, serotonin (5-HT) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)
are among the most important mediators in the brain that haveimportant role in appetite and food intake control as demonstrated
by numerous investigators (11). The modern pharmacologicalapproach concentrates on drugs that interfere with monoamine
neurotransmitter effects (e.g. sibutramine) and act as appetite
suppressants, drugs which increase thermogenesis (e.g. β3adrenoreceptor agonists), decrease fat absorption by inhibiting
the pancreatic lipase (orlistat) or drugs which act on brain
peptides (10). The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) plays amajor role in the regulation of energy expenditure and lipolysis.
Therefore, there are a number of approaches to increase SNS
activity either directly (by β-adrenergic agonists) or indirectly (bynorepinephrine releasers and reuptake inhibitors) (12).
The dearth of information on the possible role of GABA on
the appetite and food intake control has tempted us to carry

Received 16th of April 2012. Accepted 16th of May 2012. Address for correspondence: Khaled A. Abdel-Sater Eliwa, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine,
Al-Azhar University –Egypt, King Abdul Aziz University-Rabigh, KSA, phone/fax: +699502470699, e-mail: Khaled_71111@yahoo.com.

10

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)out the present work. The main goal of the present work was toinvestigate the relationship between weight reducing effect ofgreen tea and its effect on GABA and 5-HT neurotransmitters inobese mice. Furthermore, the antilipidemic activity of green tea
was also evaluated. There are no reports especially with neurotransmitters after green tea intake in obese animals up to date.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A. Materials
Green tea was obtained from Saudi Arabia local market
in the form of granules and stored at room temperature.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) was brought from Fluka
Chemie, Switzerland. MSG was dissolved in 0.9% saline andkept in dark glasses. It was used in volume of 0.1 ml/mouse(13). GABA and 5-HT was obtained from the MP Biomedicals,
Eschwege, Germany. Lipid profiles kits were obtained from
Boehringer-Mannheim, Germany.
B. Experimental Animals
Adult male albino mice were obtained from the animal
house of the Faculty of Medicine in Assiut University. The bodyweight range of both obese and non-obese mice was 20 to 35
gm and their age was 12 weeks. Mice were housed in boxes,
6 animals each, under standard conditions of temperature andhumidity and a 12-hours light/dark cycle. The mice were fed astandard diet of commercial chow and tap water and left to acclimatize to environment for two weeks prior to inclusion in theexperiment. All experiments were performed during the sametime of day, between 8 a.m and 2 p.m to avoid variations due
to diurnal rhythms. Manipulations throughout test were carriedout by the same person (14).
C. Procedures
1. Induction of Obesity
The newborn mice were injected subcutaneously with
MSG 0.1 ml/mouse (3 mg/gm body weight), per day for the
first 5 postnatal days (13). A control group of newborn mice
was injected subcutaneously with physiological saline solution(0.1 ml /mouse) per day for the first 5 postnatal days. The
animals were weaned at the age of 4 weeks and kept on acommercial chow and tap water. At the age of 8 weeks, female
mice were identified and excluded from the study. A mouse isconsidered obese when the Lee index is more than 340.
Lee index = 3 body weight(gm) ÷ nasoanal length(cm) × 1000

At age of 12 weeks, each group was further subdivided
into two different groups: group (a) that was not allowed totake green tea and group (b) that was allowed to take greentea (1% in diet for 2 weeks). Now, mice groups are four: con2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

trol group without tea intake (Ia), control group with tea intake(Ib), obesity group without tea intake (IIa) and obesity groupwith tea intake (IIb).
2. Assessment of the Antiobesity Effect
The weight (gm), nasoanal length (mm) and Lee index
of the animals were measured on the first and last day of theexperiment. The food intake (gm) per day was determined foreach rat (total food at beginning of day – remaining food after
24 hours divided on 6) (15).
3. Collection of Blood and Brain Samples
The animal was anaesthetized with i.p. sodium pentobarbital(20 mg/kg body weight). Blood was collected (5ml of blood foreach) from the retro-orbital plexus, using heparinized capillary
tube inserted in the medial canthus of the eye globe. To obtain
serum, the blood was collected into a dry clean graduated centrifuge tube and left for clotting. Then it was set to centrifuge at
3000 r.p.m. for 15 minutes. Serum was sucked out into eppendorf
tubes and stored frozen at -20°C until required.
Brains were rapidly removed and dissected. Then eachbrain was put in a test tube containing 5 mL of acidified
butanol. The mixture was homogenized in a conical tube
immersed in ice. The homogenate was centrifuged at 1000
r.p.m. for 5 min. then 2.5 mL of the supernatant was transferred to a test tube for determination of GABA and 5-HT byspectrophoto-fluorometric method.
4. Lipid Profiles Measurements
Serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and LDLcholesterol were measured by enzymatic calorimetric method
using kits (16, 17).
5. Determination of Brain GABA by SpectrophotoFluorometric Method
The method depends on that as a result of the reaction ofninhydrin with GABA and glutamic acid in the octanolic milieu,
a fluorescent product, presumably a copper-II–chelate–complex is formed (18).
6. Determination of Brain 5-HT Spectrophoto-Fluorometric Method
The method depends on those 5-HT form highly fluorescentcomplexes with O-phthalaldehyde. The addition of L-cysteine to
the reaction mixture improves the sensitivity of the method (19).
7. Statistical Analysis
Statistical analysis was done using the computer software
program prism (Comshare’s version of a decision support system= DSS) version 3.3. The quantitative data were presented in theform of mean ± standard error (M ± S.E). Student’s t-test wasdone to compare between each two means. Also correlation
coefficients were done. A probability less than 0.05 (P < 0.05)
was considered significant for all analyses.
11

RESULTS
Tea

1. Assessment of the Antiobesity Effect of GreenThe obtained data revealed that; the induction of obesity
in newborn mice caused stunting of growth of mice whichbecame obese adult animals. The Lee index was significantly
increased with obesity mice compared with control mice.
Green tea caused a significant decrease in body weight, Lee
index and food intake of obese mice group (IIb) comparedwith group (IIa). The nasoanal length was not significantly
changed after intake of green tea in group (IIb) compared withgroup (IIa) as shown in Table I.
Table I. Effect of green tea intake on body weight, nasoanal length, Lee index
and food intake in obese mice (14 weeks/old)

Parameters
GroupsBody weight(gm)Nasoanal
length (mm)Food
Lee index intake(gm)

30.7±128.2±1.530.3±1.05

90.8±1*89.0±0.5*80.7±3.41

330±2.3*387±5.9*414±9.9

4.3
3.9
7.1

18.2±0.79*

78.0±1.44379±4.8*

4.8

Ia
Ib
IIa
IIb

Data represent mean ± S.E. of 6 observations.
* Significant difference at P< 0.05 from group IIa.
#

2. Lipid profiles levels in the studied groups
The obtained data showed a significant decreased levelof serum cholesterol, triglycerides (TAG) and LDL and increased level of HDL in group (Ib) as compared to (Ia) group.
The obtained data showed a significant increased level ofserum cholesterol, TAG and LDL and decreased level of HDL
in group (IIa) as compared to groups (Ia) and (IIb), Table II.
Table II. Effect of green tea intake on lipid profiles in obese mice
(14 weeks/old)
Parameters

Total cholesterol (mg/dl)

Triglycerides(mg/dl)HDL (mg/dl)

LDL (mg/dl)

Ia
Ib

228.8±19.04*
154.2±15.04*

14.05±0.79*
10.8±1.1*

48.4±6.5*
41.9±2.5*

234.25±10.8*
218.25±10.8*

IIa
IIb

262.8±22.4
22.62±2.09 70.9±10.5 292.82±14.4
235.3±17.0*
16.6±0.09* 42.1±8.8*
170±5.4*#
Data represent mean ± S.E. of 6 observations.
* Significant difference at P< 0.05 from group IIa.

Groups

3. Effect of Green Tea on Brain GABA and 5-HT in
Obese Mice
There was no significant difference between GABA
concentration in group (Ia) and group (IIa). Induction ofobesity did not significantly change the levels of brain GABA in
mice. However, obesity caused a highly significant decreasein brain 5-HT in mice in group (IIa) compared with group (Ia).
Treatment with green tea (group IIb) caused non-significant
12changes in brain GABA and significant elevation of the brain
levels 5-HT compared with group (IIa) (Table III).
Table III. Effect of green tea intake on GABA and 5-HT in obese mice
(14 weeks/old)

GABA concentration(µg/gm brain
tissue)800±41.2920±50.1
850±31.5

Parameters
Groups
Ia
Ib
IIa
IIb

996±71.3

5-HT concentration(ng/gm brain
tissue)502±30.22*609±28.1
310±26.97*
650±68.89

Data represent mean ± S.E. of 6 observations.
* Significant difference at P< 0.05 from group IIa.
#DISCUSSION
Various studies suggested different mechanisms responsible for MSG-induced obesity. Fernandez–Tresguerres (20)indicated that MSG injection causes degeneration and necrosisof several nuclei of the hypothalamus which may be responsible
for obesity of animals after puberty.
In the present work, intake of green tea leads to significant
decrease in Lee index of obesity in obese mice. A number of
mechanisms have been proposed to explain the antiobesity
effects of green tea. One reported by several groups is related
to modulation of dietary lipid digestion and absorption by green
tea treatment. Catechins were reduced gastric and intestinal fat
digestion-mediated by direct inhibition of gastric and pancreatic
lipases as well as a reduction of lipid emulsification process (21).
Also, green tea increases fecal lipid content in high fat-fed rats.
Similar findings have been observed in high fat-fed mice (22).
Other possible mechanisms including; increased tissue thermogenesis, increased fat oxidation and decreased appetite, mayalso play roles in the antiobesity effects of green tea. It can inhibit
catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme involved in
the degradation of norepinephrine. As a consequence, once
released, norepinephrine remains in the synaptic cleft longer
and provides a prolonged stimulation of adrenergic receptors(23). Caffeine also inhibits the phosphodiesterase, “enzyme thatinduce degradation of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP)” (24). Afterconsumption of green tea, cAMP concentration rises and SNS
activity will be increased and inactive hormone-sensitive lipase(HSL) will be activated, which promotes lipolysis that result in an
increase in energy expenditure and fat oxidation (25).
Stimulation of thermogenesis and fat oxidation by the green
tea was not accompanied by an increase in heart rate (26). In thisrespect, the green tea extract is distinct from sympathomimetic
drugs; whose use as antiobesity thermogenic agents is limited bytheir adverse cardiovascular effects, and hence, are particularly
inappropriate for obese individuals with hypertension and othercardiovascular complications (12).
The mechanism of hyperlipidemia in obesity could either
be an increase in splanchinic production of very low density
Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)

lipoprotein or a defect in the removal of the very low density
lipoproteins and/or chylomicron. The decreasing of HDL in obesity may be a result of an increased triglyceride load in the HDL
particle that is acted upon by hepatic lipase, which hydrolyzes thetriglycerides. The loss of the triglyceride results in a small HDL
particle that is filtered by the kidney, resulting in a decrease inapolipoprotein A and HDL concentrations. The improving effectof green tea on obesity is mostly due to decreasing lipogenesis(27). In addition, its polyphenols were found to modulate thehypercholesterolaemia in the experimental animals by upregulating the liver LDL receptor, inhibiting cholesterol synthesis andincreasing fecal excretion of cholesterol, total fatty acids andbile acid (28). Catechins were reducing triglyceride absorption,although the mechanisms of these reductions are not yet clear. A
possible explanation is that; tea polyphenols may modify dietary
fat emulsification in the gastrointestinal tract (29). In particular,
green tea catechins might affect lipid metabolism by interferingwith the micellar solubilization of cholesterol in the digestive tract,which in turn, decreases cholesterol absorption (30).
Brain levels of GABA are similar in brain of obese. However,the present work clearly demonstrated that; obese mice show
reduced 5-HT brain levels compared to non-obese animals. The
antiobesity effect of the green tea was remarkably associatedwith significant increase in the brain levels of 5-HT. This suggeststhat the antiobesity effect of the green tea might be mediated,in part, by increasing levels of 5-HT in certain brain regions.
The possible mechanism through which 5-HT exerts its
body weight losing effect could be a result of an action on the
hypothalamus to cause anorexia, weight loss and increased
thermogenesis. This serotonergic activity is possibly mediatedvia inhibition of hypothalamic neurons that express the powerfulappetite-stimulating peptide NPY (neuropeptide Y) (31).
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2. Stuart E, Scandlyn M, Rosengren R. Role of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer. Life Sci.
2006; 79: 2329-36.
3. Dona M, Dell’Aica I, Calabrese F, Benelli R, Morini M, Albini A,
Garbisa S. Neutrophil restraint by green tea: inhibition of inflammation,
associated angiogenesis and pulmonary fibrosis. J. Immunol. 2003;
170: 4335-41.
4. Haqqi T, Anthony D, Gupta S, Ahmad N, Lee M, Kuma G, Mukhtar
H. Prevention of collagen-induced arthritis in mice by a polyphenolic
fraction from green tea. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 1999; 96: 4524-29.
5. Oak M, El Bedoui J, Schini-Kerth V. Antiangiogenic properties ofnatural polyphenols. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004; 79: 40-6.
6. Zhang Y, Rock C. Evaluation of epigallocatechin gallate and related
plant polyphenols as inhibitors of the FabG and FabI reductases of bacterial type II fatty-acid synthase. J. Biol. Chem. 2004; 279: 30994-31001.
7. Weber J, Ruzindana-Umunyana A, Imbeault L, Sircar S. Inhibitionof adenovirus infection and adenain by green tea catechins. AntiviralRes. 2003; 58: 167-73.
8. Weinreb O, Mandel S, Amit T, Youdim M. Neurological mechanismsof green tea polyphenols in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. J.
Nutr. Biochem 2004; 15: 506-16.
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9. Yang C, Landau J. Effects of tea consumption on nutrition and health.
J. Nutr 2000; 130: 2409-12.
10. Leonhardt M, Hrupka B, Langhans W. New approaches in thepharmacological treatment of obesity. Eur. J. Nutr. 1999; 38: 1-13.
11. Lean M. How does sibutramine work? Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab.
Disord. 2001; 25(4): S8-S11.
12. Rainsa T, Agarwalb S, Maki K. Antiobesity effects of green tea
catechins: a mechanistic review. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.
2011; 22: 1-7.
13. Shivshankar P, Devi S. Screening of stimulatory effects of dietaryrisk factors on mouse intestinal cell kinetics. World J. Gastroenterol.
2005; 11: 242-248.
14. Noriyoshi S, Masaru Y, Takemi G, Yoshimitsu A. Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-1ß production from periodontal ligament
cells of old rat subjected to mechanical stress. Journal Gerontology.
2000; 55: B489 - B495.
15. Nakagawa T, Ukai K, Ohyama T, Gomita Y, Okamura H. Effects
of chronic administration of sibutramine on body weight, food intake
and motor activity in neonatally monosodium glutamate-treated obese
female rats: relationship of antiobesity effect with monoamines. Exp.
Anim. 2000; 49: 239-249.
16. Appel G, Radhakrishnan J, Avram M, DeFronzo R. Analysis of metabolic parameters as predictors of risk in the RENAAL study. Diabetes
Care. 2003; 26: 1402-07.
17. Laura R, Sergio F, Elisabetta C, Alessandro M, Paola F. Losartan
ameliorates diabetic vascular hyper-reactivity to angiotensin II by reducing rock 1 expression and activity. J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. 2007;12:34-40.
18. Jamaluddin S, Poddar M. Brain regional γ-aminobutyric acid
(GABA) and locomotor activity: effect of long term aldrin exposure. Pol.
J. Pharmacol. 2003; 55: 371-382.
19. Curzon G, Green A. Rapid method for determination of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid in small regions of rat brain.
Br. J. Pharmacol. 1970; 39: 653-55.
20. Fernandez-Tresguerres H. Effect of monosodium glutamate given
orally on appetite control (a new theory for the obesity epidemic). An.
R. Acad. Nac. Med. 2005; 122: 341-55.
21. Juhel C, Armand M, Pafumi Y, Rosier C, Vandermander J, Lairon D.
Green tea extract (AR25) inhibits lipolysis of triclycerides in gastric andduodenal medium in vitro. J. Nutr. Biochip 2000; 11: 45-51.
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plasma cholesterol level in cholesterol-fed rats. J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol.
1986; 32: 613-22.
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(Exolise) and its activity for the treatment of obesity. Phytomedicine.
2003; 9: 3-8.
24. Westerterp-Plantenga M. Green tea catechins, caffeine and bodyweight regulation. Physiology and Behavior. 2010; 100: 42-46.
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Metabolic effects of caffeine in humans: lipid oxidation or futile cycling?
Am J Clin Nutr. 2004; 79: 40-6.
26. Dulloo A, Duret C, Rohrer D, Girardier L, Mensi N, Fathi M. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine
in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. Am.
J. Clin. Nutr. 1999; 70: 1040-45.
27. Kuo K, Weng M, Chiang C. Comparative studies on the hypolipidemic and growth suppressive effects of oolong, black, pu-erh and green
tea leaves in rats. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2005; 53: 480-89.
28. Ramadan G, Nadia M, Eman A. Modulatory effects of black v.
green tea aqueous extract on hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia andliver dysfunction in diabetic and obese rat models. British Journal of
Nutrition 2009; 102: 1611-19.

13

29. Shishikura Y, Khokhar S, Murray B. Effects of tea polyphenols on
emulsification of olive oil in a small intestine model system. J. Agric.
Food Chem. 2006; 54: 1906-13.
30. Raederstorff D, Schlachter M, Elste V, Weber P. Effect of EGCG
on lipid absorption and plasma lipid levels in rats. J. Nutr. Biochem.

2003; 14: 326-32.
31. Williams G, Harrold J, Culter D. The hypothalamus and the regulation of energy homeostasis: lifting the lid on a black box. Proc. Nutr.
Soc.2000; 59: 385-396.

EFECTELE MODULATOARE ALE CEAIULUI VERDE ASUPRA METABOLISMULUILIPIDIC SI NEUROTRANSMITATORILOR INTR-UN MODEL ANIMAL DE SOARECIOBEZIREZUMAT
Obiective: Scopul principal al acestui studiu a fost investigarea relatiei dintre efectul scaderii in greutate indus de ceaiul verde si
efectele acestui compus asupra neurotransmitatorilor GABA si 5-HT la soarecii obezi. Mai mult, a fost evaluata activitatea antilipemianta a ceaiului verde.
Metode: Au fost utilizati soarecii adulti din rasa Albino, cantarind 20 pana la 35 gm, atat pentru grupul de soareci obezi, cat si nonobezi. Soarecii nou-nascuti au fost injectati cu MSG in primele 5 zile de viata post-natala. Grupul de control a fost injectat s.c. cu
solutie fiziologica salina. Animalele au fost hranite cu hrana speciala pana la varsta de 4 saptamani, avand apa at libitum. La varsta
de 8 saptamani, au fost excluse din grupurile de studi femelele. La varsta de de 12 saptamani, fiecare grup a fost subdivizat in 2
grupuri distincte: grupul (a) caruia nu i s-a permis sa bea ceai verde si grupul (b), care a fost supus tratamentului cu ceai verde (1%din dieta, timp de 2 saptamani). Astfel, au fost formate 4 grupuri: grup control fara aport de ceai verde (Ia), grup control cu aport deceai verde (Ib), grupul obez fara aport de ceai verde (IIa) si grupul obez cu aport de ceai verde (IIb). Au fost determinati urmatorii
parametri prin metode de calorimetrie enzimatica: colesterol, trigliceride, HDL colesterol si LDL colesterol. GABA si 5-HT au fost
determinati din tesutul cerebral prin metode spectro-fluorimetrice.
Rezultate: Datele obtinte au relevat ca ceaiul verde a indus o scadere semnificativa a greutatii corporale, a indexului Lee si a aportuluide hrana la grupul de soareci obezi (IIb). A fost relevata si o scadere semnificativa a nivelului de colesterol, TAG si LDLsi cresterea
nivelului HDL in grupul (Ib). Studiul a aratat un nivel semnificativ crescut al colesterolului seric, TAG si LDL si un nivel scazut al HDL
in grupul (IIa). Nu a fost constatata o diferenta semnificativa intre concentratia GABA in grupul (Ia) si grupul (IIa). Tratamentul cu
ceai verde a determinat modificari nesemnificative statistic GABA cerebral si cresteri semnificative ale nivelurilor cerebrale ale 5-HT.
Studiul prezent demonstreaza clar ca soarecii obezi prezinta un nivel scazut al 5-HT comparativ cu soarecii non-obezi.
Concluzie: Se poate concluziona ca ceaiul verde are efecte anti-obezitate care ar putea fi mediate prin modularea profilului lipidic
seric si a neurotransmitatorului 5-HT.
Cuvinte cheie: ceai verde, soareci, antioxidant, metabolism lipidic, neurotransmitatori

14

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)

GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE P1 (GSTP1): PREDICTIVE
BIOMARKER FOR PSA BIOCHEMICAL RECURRENCE IN
PROSTATE CANCER MEN FOLLOWING RADICALPROSTATECTOMY
DUMACHE RALUCA1, PUIU MARIA2, MALIŢA IOANA6, TUDOR ANCA3, NEGRU ŞERBAN4,BUMBĂCILĂ BOGDAN5
1
Department of Biochemistry;2
Department of Medical Genetics;
3
Department of Medical Informatics;
4
Department of Medical Oncology;
5Department of Clinical Pharmacy;
6
Department of Pharmacology;
University of Medicine and Pharmacy ”Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania

ABSTRACT
Purpose: In our study,we evaluated the association between serum preoperative glutathione S-transferase P1(GSTP1) hypermethylated
gene, in men with clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent radical prostatectomy, with prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
recurrence on a period of 36 months (3 years), as a predictive biomarker of recurrence in PCa men following radical prostatectomy.
Materials and methods: We included a number of 87 men with clinically localized PCa, who underwent radical prostatectomy at the
Urology Clinic from County Emergency Hospital Timisoara, and 48 men with negative prostate biopsy. All serum samples were collected before prostate biopsy or at least 4 months after prostate biopsy. PSA recurrence was defined as a single postoperative PSAlevel ≥0.2 ng/ml. To analyze the methylation status of gene GSTP1 before the surgery intervention we used the methylation-specificpolymerase chain reaction(MSP) method.
Results: From the 87 men who underwent radical prostatectomy included in our study, 26 (29.8 %) experienced PSA recurrence
within the study period. From the 48 men with negative prostate biopsy only 2(4%) presented positive GSTP1 hypermethylation.
Conclusions: Our study suggests that preoperative serum GSTP1 may be a useful prognostic biomarker for men with clinically localized PCa treated with radical prostatectomy.
Key words: prostate cancer (PCa); methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP); prostate-specific antigen (PSA);glutathione
S-transferase P1 (GSTP1)

INTRODUCTION
Since its approval by the US FDA in 1986, prostate-specificantigen (PSA) has been employed to early detection of PCa
and monitoring men with a diagnosis of PCa. In 1994, PSA wasapproved for use in PCa screening and after, it has been usedworldwide. Due to the limited specificity of PSA for the disease,novel biomarkers are needed for early detection of PCa andfor determining which cancers need to be treated. Early occult
dissemination of PCa cells from the primary tumor through thebloodstream into secondary organs is a critical step in tumor
progression (1).
One of the treatments modalities in men with clinicaly localized PCa is radical prostatectomy. It has been demonstrated thatabout two thirds of patients treated by radical prostatectomy,
remain disease free following radical prostatectomy,but there
is one third of patients who will present PSA recurrence within
the first 2-3 years after surgery,and these patients will develop

metastatic lesions (2).
Epigenetic changes represent changes in gene expression,
which are not caused by alterations in the primary sequence ofthe nucleotides that compose the gene. It has been demonstrated
that, one of the most common epigenetic change and the mostfrequent molecular alterations in human cancers is DNA hypermethylation (3). Gluthatione S-transferase P1(GSTP1) is themost common somatic genome abnormality in human PCa (4).
The somatic GSTP1 hypermethylation has been observed in
more than 90% of PCa cases, whereas it has not been observedin normal or benign prostate (5). Analyses of body fluids( whole
blood, serum,plasma or urine) from men with the diagnosis of
PCa showed that DNA contains GSTP1 hypermethylation, thus
suggesting a role of this epigenetic gene as a biomarker in
detection of PCa recurrence (6).
Aim and objectives:
In our study, using the methylation-specific PCR (MSP)

Received 20th of April 2012. Accepted 15th May 2012. Address for correspondence: Raluca Dumache, M.D, PhD, Department of Biochemistry,
University of Medicine and Pharmacy ”Victor Babes”, Eftimie Murgu Square, No.2, 300.041, Timisoara, Romania; E-mail: raluca.dumache@umft.ro2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

15method, we evaluated the methylation status of GSTP1 genein the preoperative serum of men with clinically localized PCa
following radical prostatectomy, to determine its association with
PSA biochemical recurrence (7).
MATERIALS AND METHODSFor this study, we enrolled a number of 87 patients who
received a histological diagnosis of PCa after needle biopsy
between December 2007 and January 2009 at the Urology Clinic
from The Clinical Emergency County Hospital from Timisoara,
and 48 patients with benign urological diseases.
We collected all clinical and pathologic data for all thepatients included in our study, such as : age, pre-radical prostatectomy PSA, clinical and pathologic stage, Gleason grade,
surgical margins status. All of the patients were followed for atleast 3 years.
Biochemical progression (recurrence) was defined as PSA
values > 0.2 ng/ml and higher. None of the patients includedin the study group received adjuvant or hormonal treatment
at the time of the study. Routine PSA follow-up consisted of ameasurement of post-prostatectomy PSA levels 3 months afterradical prostatectomy, and annually thereafter.
All of the men studied had an undetectable serum PSA level
3 months after radical prostatectomy. The clinico-pathologicalcharacteristics of the patients included in our study are presented
in Table 1.
The study was conducted in accordance with The World
Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki statements andwritten informed consent was obtained from each patient.
In this study, we considered preoperative and postoperative
PSA recurrence predictors as follows: preoperative serum PSA,
clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score, pathologic Gleason score,extraprostatic extension, pathologic organ confined status.
Table I.
Patient characteristics of 87 men with clinically localized
prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy
Study cohort, n = 87
Age (y), mean (range)
58.9 (40 – 71)
Preoperative PSA (ng/mL), mean (range) 7.68 (0,9 – 38)
Pathologic Gleason score (%)
5–6
43 (49.5%)
7
15 (17.2%)
8 - 1029 (33.3%)
Pathologic stage (%)
Organ confined
22 (25.3%)
Nonorgan confined
37 (42.5%)
Extraprostatic extension
8 (9.2%)
Seminal vesicle invasion
8 (9.2%)
Positive surgical margins
7 (8%)
Pathologic lymph node positive
5 (5.8%)16

1. Sample collection and DNA extraction
All serum samples were collected before prostate biopsy,
or at least 4 months after prostate biopsy and stored at -80º C.
DNA was extracted from 600 μl of serum from each patient using
the Qiagen Blood Mini Kit , and diluted after in a total volume of
25 μl. All of the men studied had an undetectable serum PSA
level 3 months after radical prostatectomy.
2. Bisulfite treatment
Sodium bisulfite conversion of unmethylated cytosine residues to uracil of genomic DNA obtained from patient serum samples was done as described in the manufacturer’s instructions.
We used 4μl of serum DNA for the c hemical treatment.
After, the DNA samples were purified with the Wizard purification
resin ( Promega, Madison, WI), treated with sodium hydroxide, precipitated with EtOH, and resuspended in 200μl water andstored at -80ºC.
3. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP)The modified DNA was used as a template for the MSP . The
PCR conditions were as follows: hot start at 95ºC for 5 minutes(to fully denaturate the bisulfite-modified genomic DNA), 35
amplification cycles (94ºC for 30 seconds for denaturation, 58ºC
for 30 seconds for primer annealing and 72ºC for 60 seconds
for extension), and a final full extension at 75ºC for 5 minutes.
The primers used for amplification were as follows:
Forward primer:
5’-TTCGGGGTGTAGCGGTCGTC-3’ (methylated)
5’-GATGTTTGGGGTGTAGTGGTTGTT-3’(unmethylated)
Reverse primer:
5’- GCCCCAATACTAAATCACGACG-3’ (methylated)
5’- CCACCCCAATACTAAATCACAACA-3’ (unmethylated)
The reaction was set up on a Master cycler Gradient thermal cycler (Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany). Leucokyte DNA
collected from healthy individuals was used as negative control.
To detect the preoperative serum methylation levels ofgene GSTP1 in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy andin control subjects, we have separated electrophoretically the
MSP products on a 2% Seakem agarose gel (Lonza, Basel,
Switzerland) as presented in Figure no.2, and visualized themunder an ultraviolet (UV) transluminator (Vilbert Lourmat®,Marne-la-Valee’,France) after staining with ethidium bromide.
Statistical methods
The major statistical end point of our study was time toprogression (TTP). Progression included PSA elevations of >0.2
ng/ml , metastasis and death. The event time distributions for thisend point were estimated with the method of Kaplan and Meier.
RESULTSWe evaluated the methylation status of GSTP1 gene in
the preoperative serum from 87 PCa patients by MSP method,
before radical prostatectomy and determined the association
Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)

of serum GSTP1 hypermethylation and PSA recurrence on aperiod of 36 months.
After analyzing GSTP1 methylation status from all serum
DNA by MSP method, we found that only 2(4%) of the 48 serum samples from men with negative prostate biopsy resultspresented GSTP1 hypermethylated levels. These men were
folowed-up for further investigations. During the study periodof time, 26 men who followed radical prostatectomy presented
serum PSA levels > 0.2 ng/ml. Before radical prostatectomy, all
26 men presented hypermethylated levels of serum GSTP1.
From Figure 1, we can see that the probability of presenting
PSA biochemical recurrence after 12 months post-prostatectomy
is about 0.5, comparing with the probability of 0.2 which is present after 18 months post-prostatectomy. After 24-36 months theprobability of PSA recurrence decreases significantly to zero.

In our study we have demonstrated that, men with clinically
localized PCa who have a positive preoperative serum analysis
for GSTP1 hypermethylation, present the risk of PSA recurrence
within the first 2-3 years following radical prostatectomy. We
have choosen gene GSTP1 for our study, because it presents
the ability to differentiate between benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) and PCa (10), and in many studies it has been found thatit correlates with clinicopathologic characteristics in PCa (11).
To our knowledge this study represents the first and elaborate study from Romania, regarding the monitoring of men who
underwent radical-prostatectomy and present the risk of disease
recurrence within the first 2-3 years after surgery.
CONCLUSION
Our obtained results suggest that hypermethylation of
GSTP1 gene is a promising DNA-based predictive biomarker
for men who underwent radical prostatectomy. Its use in theclinical management of men with PCa may improve the abillity
to identify men who are less cured by surgery.
REFERENCES

Fig. 1. Kaplan-Maier analysis surveilence curve in association with early PSA
recurrence after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer

Fig.2. Analysis of glutathione S-transferase P1(GSTP1)
gene on 2% agarose gel

DISCUSSION
It has been shown that circulating DNA-based biomarkers
present some advantages compared with those using RNA orprotein, because DNA is more stable than RNA and is easier tomanipulate in laboratory (8,9).
2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

17 cmyk

1. Freedland SJ, Humphreys EB, Mangold LA, et al. Risk of prostatecancer-specific mortality following biochemical recurrence after radical
prostatectomy. JAMA 2005; 294: 433-9
2. Han M, Partin AW, Zahurak M, et al. Biochemical (prostate specificantigen) recurrence probability following radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer. J Urol 2003; 169: 517-23
3. Li LC, Caroll PR, Dahiya R, et al. Epigenetic changes in prostatecancer: implication for diagnosis and treatment. J Natl Cancer Inst2005;97:103-15
4. Nelson WG, De Marzo AM, Isaacs WB. Prostate cancer. N Engl J
Med 2003; 349: 366-81
5. Nakayama M, Gonzalgo ML, Yegnasubramanian S, et al. GSTP1
CpG island hypermethylation as a molecular biomarker for prostatecancer. J Cell Biochem 2004; 91: 540-52
6. Goessl C, Krause H, Muller M, et al. Fluorescent methylation-specificpolymerase chain reaction for DNA-based detection of prostate cancer
in bodily fluids. Cancer Res 2000;60: 5941-5
7. Lee WH, Isaacs WB,Bova GS, et al.CG island methylation changes
near the GSTP1 gene in prostatic carcinoma cells detected using thepolymerase chain reaction : a new prostate cancer biomarker. Cancer
Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1997;6: 443-50
8. Jeronimo C, Henrique R, Hoque MO, et al. A quantitative promoter
methylation profile of prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2004;10: 8472-8
9. Maruyama R, Toyooka S, Toyooka KO, et al. Aberrant promoter
methylation profile of prostate cancer and its relationship to clinicopathological features. Clin Cancer Res 2002; 8: 514-9
10. Bastian PJ, Palapattu GS, Lin X, et al. Preoperative serum DNA
GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation and the risk of early prostate-specific antigen recurrence following radical prostatectomy. Clin Cancer
Res 2005; 11: 4037-43
11. Jung K, Stephan C, Lewandowski M, et al. Increased cell-free DNA
in plasma of patients with metastatic spread in prostate cancer. Cancer
Lett 2004;205:173-80.
12. Yegnasubramanian S, Kowalski J, Gonzalgo ML, et al. Hypermethylation of CpG islands in primary and metastatic human prostate cancer.
Cancer Res 2004;64:1975-86.

17

GLUTATION S-TRANSFERAZA P1 (GSTP1): BIOMARKER PREDICTIV AL
RECURENŢEI BIOCHIMICE A PSA ÎN CAZUL BĂRBAŢILOR PROSTATECTOMIZAŢIREZUMAT

Obiectivele studiului: În acest studiu am evaluat asocierea dintre metilarea genei GSTP1 din serul preoperator al pacienţilor cu cancer
de prostată(CaP) localizat supuşi prostatectomiei radicale cu recurenţa antigenului-specific prostatic (PSA) , pe o perioada de 36
luni(3 ani), ca biomarker predictiv al recurenţei malignitatii în cazul acestor pacienţi.
Material şi metodă: În studiul nostru am inclus un număr de 87 bărbaţi cu CaP, cărora li s-a făcut prostatectomie radicală, şi unnumăr de 48 bărbaţi cu afecţiuni urologice benigne şi rezultatul negativ al biopsiei prostatice. Probele de ser au fost recoltate înainte
de efectuarea biopsiei prostatice sau la interval de cel puţin 4 luni după biopsia prostatică. Recurenţa biochimică a PSA seric a fostconsiderată ca fiind creşterea valorii PSA o singură dată > 0.2 ng/ml post-prostatectomie. Pentru analiza metilării genei GSTP1 am
folosit metoda metilării-specifice PCR(MSP).
Rezultate: Din totalul de 87 pacienţi incluşi în lotul de studiu pe perioada celor 36 luni, 26 (29.8%) au prezentat recurenţă biochimică
a PSA, iar dintre cei 48 pacienţi cu rezultatul biopsiei negativ, 2(4%) au prezentat hipermetilare a genei GSTP1 în ser.
Concluzie: Rezultatele obţinute de noi în acest studiu, indică faptul că, determinarea statusului metilării genei GSTP1 din serul
preoperator al pacienţilor cu CaP localizat, care vor urma prostatectomie radicală, poate fi folosit ca biomarker predictiv al recurenţei
biochimice a PSA seric.
Cuvinte cheie: cancer de prostată (CaP); glutation S-transferaza P1 (GSTP1); metilare-specifică a reacţiei de polimerizare în lanţ (MSP)

18

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)ANALYSIS OF ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION IN ASYMPTOMATIC
SUBJECTS AT CARDIOVASCULAR RISKBÂIBÂŢĂ EDS, IONESCU VA, MARIUS BĂDĂLICĂ-PETRESCU, SIMONA DRĂGAN, SILVIA
MANCAŞ
University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeş” Timişoara

ABSTRACT
Background: Vascular dysfunction, including the endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness are abnormalities indicating systemic vulner-

ability for major cardiovascular events. Identifying these changes in the vascular structure and function during preclinical stages, as well as
establishing their appropriate use for risk stratification in clinically manifested disease, will bring benefits for both individuals and populations.
Our study aims: To analyze the behavior of arterial function using the arteriography method in asymptomatic subjects with cardiovascular risk profile assessed using the Framingham and SCORE prediction equations.
Materials and method: 35 consecutive asymptomatic subjects from the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Clinic- Institute of Cardiovascular
Diseases Timisoara were included in the study. They were evaluated from several perspectives : global cardiovascular risk- SCORE
risk charts, Framingham risk charts; cardio-metabolic risk: traditional cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic syndrome-the IDF criteria;
hemodynamic profile- systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, pulsed pressure; arterial wall functional
profile: pulse wave velocity (PWVAo) and endothelial dysfunction by the systolic augmentation expressed by the Arteriography (Aix).
Results: We found significant positive correlations between: systolic augmentative index (Aix) and pulse wave velocity (PWVAo)(p <0.001, r = 0.28), Aix and MBP (mean blood pressure) (p <0.005, r = 0.46), and PWVAo and DBP (diastolic blood pressure)(p <0.001, r = 0.62). The risk for fatal cardiovascular events in the next 10 years was significantly positively correlated with the endothelial dysfunction: Aix and risk Score (p = 0.021). The 10-year risk Framingham score for coronary artery disease was positively
and significantly associated with Aix (p = 0.034) and PWVAo (p = 0.029). The association between the endothelial dysfunction and themetabolic syndrome factors was statistically insignificant.
Conclusions: We appreciated endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness using non invasive methods and we found statistical correlations between endothelial dysfunction and hemodynamic variables of the cardiovascular risk. Metabolic syndrome variables were
not statistically significant associated with endothelial dysfunction degree appreciated by Aix. We also found a statistically significant
positive correlation between endothelial dysfunction /arterial stiffness and risk of fatal cardiovascular event over the next 10 years.
Keywords: index ambulatory systolic augmentation, pulse wave velocity, pulse pressure, risk stratification of asymptomatic patients,
arterial stiffness.

INTRODUCTION
Vascular dysfunction, including endothelial dysfunction,arterial stiffness and preclinical morphologic changes in thearterial vascular bed, are abnormalities indicating systemic
vulnerability for cardiovascular major events.
Discovering these structural changes and vascular function during preclinical stages, and appropriate use for risk stratification during the disease stage, can bring benefits for both theindividuals and population (1). The early functional disorder primarily involves the resistance vessels (small arteries, arterioles)
leading over the years to the loss of elasticity of medium andlarge arteries (high stiffness), then to macro-vascular atherosclerotic changes and finally, to the formation of the atherosclerotic
plaques (2,3).
In this advanced stage of atherosclerosis, the first signof macro-vascular atherosclerosis is represented by the decreasing of the aortic arterial wall elasticity, leading to thedevelopment of an high aortic stiffness (characteristic to theincrease of PWVAo) (4,5).

MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients: 35 consecutive asymptomatic patients, all presenting an accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors, were
included in the study. They were hospitalized in the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Clinic Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases
Timisoara in order to study their arterial function and for theassessment of the cardiovascular risk. Inclusion and exclusion
criteria are presented in Table No. I.
Table I. Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criterias••••

Asymptomatic
Normotensive
Hypertensive
EF>35

Exclusion criterias••••

Arrhythmias
Valvulopathies
Congenital cardiac
diseasesEF<35

Clinical Evaluation: for each patient were followed:• anamnesis;• family history of cardiovascular disease;

Received 18th of February 2012. Accepted 15th of March 2012. Address for correspondence: Emilia Dana Bâibâţa, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “VictorBabeş” Timişoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2A, RO-300041, Timisoara, phone: +40745615654; +40737034932, e-mail: danaemilia@yahoo.com

2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

19• quantified cardiovascular risk factors from SCORE risk prediction equations (age, sex, systolic blood pressure, smoking, total cholesterol) or the Framingham risk charts(age, sex, total cholesterol, HDL-C, smoking, systolic bloodpressure).
Assessment of the absolute risk for cardiovascular
eventsWe started the evaluation of the 10-year fatal cardiovascular risk using SCORE nomogram, in accordance with European Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention www.
heartscore.org. According to SCORE risk, patients were divided
into two categories: asymptomatic with high cardiovascular risk
and asymptomatic with low cardiovascular risk. We used the
SCORE electronic version as well in order to take into account the
HDL-c, noted as Score-HDL. We rated the group of patients by
calculating the 10-year risk of coronary heart disease according to the Framingham model, using the interactive electronic
diagram calculation: http://www.framinghamheartstudy.org/risk/
coronary.html.
Cardio-metabolic risk assessment
The lipid profile analysis was performed as recommended
by guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology. The framing of
the subjects in each risk category was made according to the recommendation of the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines.
The metabolic syndrome was defined according to IDF criteria ifthey were associated with at least 3 of the 5 criteria:
Table II. Metabolic Syndrome: defining criteria (IDF)

CRITERIA
NCEP-ATP III
Waist circumference >88 (F),>102 (M)(cm)
Systolic blood pre- ≥ 130/80
ssure (mmHg)
Fasting glucosa (mg/ > 110dl)
Triglycerides (mg/dl) >150
HDL-c (mg/dl)<50(F),<40(M)IDF>80 (F),>94 (M)*≥ 130/80> 100>150<50(F),<40(M)If BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, waist measurement is not required in accordance with IDF

Hemodynamic risk assessment
Based on the results of the 24h automatic recording (performed by the BTL-08 ABPM), the analysis of the arterial bloodpressure was done. Measurements were performed every
15 minutes during the day (7 am-23 am) and every 30 minutes during the night (23-7 am). The monitoring was repeated
when there were more than 30% artifacts. During the monitoring,
all medication was stopped. From the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring protocol, we used the following parameters:
24-hour SBP, 24-hour DBP, PP 24 hours, 24 hours MAP (3). We
have defined the following categories: normal BP <130/85, hypertension: SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and / or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg or antihypertensive treatment, which corresponds to an average 2420

20 cmykhour BP> 120/80 mmHg (3). Mean 24-hour pulse pressure> 60mm Hg was considered pathological.
Assessment of arterial function
We followed the exact recommendations of the evaluation protocol using the arteriography method as described by
the bibliographic references (2). We analyzed the following
parameters: arterial augmentation index (Aix) as a marker of endothelial dysfunction and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVAo) asa marker of arterial stiffness. During the evaluation of hemodynamic and arterial functions, all medication was stopped and all
the recommendations regarding physical rest and the abuse of
toxic substances (alcohol, energy drinks, coffee) were followed
12 hours prior the exam. Statistical analysis of data: data normality was assessed using Shapiro-Wilk test. Data were analyzed
using parametric tests-One Sample t test for comparing the meanvalues of two groups, and One Way ANOVA for comparing themean values obtained in more than three groups. The testingof the association between qualitative variables was performed
using Chi square test, and for testing correlations between
numerical variables, we used Pearson correlation coefficient.
For statistical analysis, P.A.S.W. statistics 18.0 was used.
RESULTS
We studied 35 consecutive patients, asymptomatic interms of cardiovascular, but presenting the accumulationof cardiovascular risk factors, hospitalized in Clinic of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation-Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Timisoara, of which a higher percentage (68.6%) was
represented by women, the average age of the sampled patientswas 49.51 (± 17.19) years, 11.4% of patients had diabetes
mellitus, 20% of patients had a SCORE risk ≥ 5% , 5.71% had
a Framingham risk ≥ 20 and 48.57% were smokers.
Table III. Features

Characteristics
Age
HeightWeightAbdominal circumference
Systolic blood pressure
Diastolic blood pressure
Mean blood pressure
Aix
PWVAo
Heart rate
Cholesterol total
HDL-C
LDL-C
Triglycerides
Fasting plasma glucose

Mean
49.51
166.743
72.43

Standard Deviation
17.19
8.79
14.12

86.2

12.26

134.6384
100.857
27.78
9.02
69.257171.5447.463103.5
116.7788.775

19.22
11.25
13.27
27.61
2.17
10.50
25.22
11.31
25.23
50.57
10.55

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)Endothelial function behavior according to hemodynamic profile of the sampled patients
We have obtained a positive and significant correlation
between the aortic augmenting index and the two variables thatcharacterize the hemodynamic profile of SBP (p <0.003, r= 0.48)
and MAP (p <0.005, r = 0.46) (Table IV).
Table IV. Augmentative arterial index variation according
to hemodynamic profile

dependent independent Pearson
variablevariables
correlation
coefficient
SBP
r=0.48Aix
MAP
r=0.46PWVAo
r=0.28statisticalsignificancep<0.003p<0.005p<0.001

The correlation between endothelial dysfunction and arterial wall stiffness
We found a significant positive correlation between Aix and
PWVAo (r =0.28, p <0.001) (Table III). To demonstrate any significant differences between patients groups at risk and thepatients groups without cardiovascular risk, we created 3 newvariables, dividing into categories of patients the variables Aix,
PWVAo and PP, resulting in the following:• Aix quartile with four categories: 1 (-79.00-10.40),
2 (10.41-27.4), 3 (27.5-49.6), 4 (49.6 77.0 = 4);•
PWV quartile with four categories: 1 (6.1-7.2),2 (7.3-8.9), 3 (9.0-9.8), 4 (9.9-6.7);• PP category with two categories: 1 (30 thru 59.9 =1), 2 (60 thru 85.8 = 2) (cut off value considered at risk: 60).
To analyze whether there are statistically significant
differences between the numeric variables in the new created categories, we used non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis
test for variables with 4 categories (Aix quartile and PWVquartile) and Mann-Whitney test for variables with two categories (PP categ).

Fig. 2. Mean aortic Aix in PWVAo quartiles

Tabel V. Aix aortic in PWV quartile

Aixaortic
PWVquartile

Mean

N

Std. Deviation-- --------------

1

13.256910.44012

25.9601017.99173

36.150817.61544

38.038848.7565

Total

27.78335

27.6170

We demonstrated that in the 4 categories of
PWVAo quartiles there are significant differences for meanage (p = 0.001), BMI (p = 0.008), Aixaor
tic (p =0.009),PWVAop <0.001), SBP (p = 0.007), DB
P (p = 0.001) and MAP (p = 0.001). We obtained significant
differences of mean aortic Aix in the PWVAo1 quartiles (p =0.009) and PWVAo3(p=0.009) and between PWVAo 1 and
PWVAo 4 (p = 0.009).The Aix average was lower in quartile 1
versus quartile 3 and in quartile 4 versus quartile 1, therefore
PWVAo increased with the increasing of the Aix.

Fig. 1. Aix aortic in Aix quartile

The correlation between endothelial dysfunction and riskof fatal cardiovascular event over the next 10 years
We obtained significant differences of mean aortic Aix in the
SCORE risk categories (p =0.021). Aix increased with theincreasing of the SCORE risk.

2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

21

21 cmykAixaortic

Framingham risk.
categ
1
2
Total

Ranks
N Mean Rank
33
17.52
2
35

Sum of Ranks
578.00

26.00

52.00

Fig.4. Aix aortic behavior in Framingham risk categories

Aortic Aix
SCORE categ.
dimension1 1
2
Total

Mean
23.58644.571N
28
7

Std. Deviation
29.23698.020527.78335

27.6170

Ranks

SCORE
Sum ofN
Mean Rank
categ.
Ranks
Aortic Aix
1
28
16.00
448.002
7
26.00
182.00Total
35Fig. 3. Mean aortic Aix in SCORE categories
We found statistically significant association between Aix
aortic and Framingham risk (p = 0.034, Chi2 test 95% CI), but wedidn’t find significant differences between mean Aix aortic andFramingham risk categories (p = 0.255 Man-Whitney test 95% CI).
Table VI. Mean aortic Aix in Framingham risk categories

Aortic Aix
Framingham risk categdimension1 1
2
Total

22

22 cmykMean
26.77044.50027.783N33
235

Std. Deviation
28.1108
7.212527.6170

DISCUSSION
Our study demonstrates the association relationshipbetween endothelial dysfunction assessed by arteriography and arterial stiffness  (PWVAo), between endothelial dysfunction and hemodynamic parameters (SBP, DBP, MAP, PP)and between endothelial dysfunction , age and risk of cardiovascular events in 10 years (SCORE risk , SCORE- HDL risk
, Framingham risk).
The study conducted by Hansen TW and colleagues (1)has demonstrated the necessity of measuring arterial stiffness’s (PWVAo) for asymptomatic people without cardiovascular disease, proving that the rate of aortic pulse wave propagation
alone, without keeping track of the independent classical risk factors, is an effective predictor of cardiovascular mortality basedon a follow-up period of 9 years (7,8).
In our study, we have demonstrated the existence of correlations between   arterial stiffness, hemodynamic parametersand SCORE risk. There is a relationship between endothelial dysfunction (Aix) and arterial stiffness assessed by PWV Ao, where
the increase of the arterial stiffness increases the augmentationindex that is the endothelial dysfunction degree.
With or without being associated with the traditional risk
factors, PWV represents a very important predictor of cardiovascular events (9).
The predictive value of Aix for cerebrovascular events should
not be considered only in terms of hemodynamics, but also interms of cardio-metabolic. G. Leoncini and co. have studied
the association between Aix and the metabolic profile of 156
non-diabetic, hypertensive patients, and concluded that theprevalence of increased Aix was higher in patients with metabolic
syndrome.
Aortic PWV measurement supplies information, primarily on the properties of the aortic wall. The more rigid and impervious the aortic wall is, the faster the pulse wave travels along it.
We must take into account situations where there is anincrease of the ejected blood volume in the aorta (e.g. hypertension, tachycardia, increased cardiac output), circumstancethat determines an increase in aorta diameter, therefore increasing the parietal blood pressure, resulting in an increase inpropagation velocity of wave pulse.
In conclusion, aortic PWV provides a prognostic value only if
it was measured in isobaric conditions, that means in normotensive conditions (9).
Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)The correlation between the arterial stiffness and the
cardiovascular risk was conclusively demonstrated in the study
conducted by Guerin and co. in 2001, performed ​​on a group ofpatients in end-stage kidney disease. They effectively decreased the blood pressure and followed the changes of aortic
PWV in parallel. In the group that besides lowering blood pressure, the aortic PWV was decreased as well, all patients survived
the tracking period. Instead, the group in which the lowered
blood pressure was not accompanied by a decrease in theaortic PWV, all patients died by the end of follow-up period of 51
months (5,9, 10).
This shows, that in this second group, contrary to the firstgroup, the increased aortic PWV was not caused by parietal
tension due to hypertension, but rather by morphological vessel lesions.
CONCLUSIONS• We assessed endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness using noninvasive methods and we found statistical correlation between endothelial dysfunction and hemodynamic variables ofcardiovascular risk, but not with metabolic profile• We also found statistically significant positive correlation
between endothelial dysfunction / arterial stiffness and riskof fatal cardiovascular event in the next 10 years.
• It is essential to detect real individual risk, even in early reversible stages of atherosclerosis, when most patients are still asymptomatic and without subjective complaints, therefore we have thechance to favorably influence the process thru lifestyle changing
or with a simple cost-effective therapy.

REFERENCES

1. Hansen W, Staessen JA, Tolp-Petersen C, et al. Prognostic valueof aortic pulse wave velocity as index of arterial stiffness in the general
population. Circulation, 2006; 113: 663-670.
2. Hansen W, Staessen JA, Tolp-Petersen C, et al. Prognostic valueof aortic pulse wave velocity as index of arterial stiffness in the general
population. Circulation, 2006; 113: 663-664.
3. Mancia G, et al. The 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Arterial
Hypertension. Europ.Heart J., 2007; 28: 1462-536.
4. O ‘Rourke MR, Brunner HR. Introduction to arterial compliance andfunction. J. Hypertens. Suppl., 1992; 10: 53-55.
5. Guerin AP, Blachel J, Panniel B, et al. Impact of aortic stiffness
attenuation on survival of patients in end-stage renal failure.
Circulation, 2001; 103:987-992.
6. Williams B, Lacy PS, Thom SM, Cruickshank K, et al. The CAFE
Investigators for the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT) Investigators, CAFE Steering Committee and Writing Committee.
Differential impact of blood pressure-lowering drugs on central aorticpressure and clinical outcomes: principal results of the conduit arteryfunction evaluation (CAFE) Study. Circulation, 2006; 113: 1213-25.
7. O ‘Rourke MR, Staessen JA, Vlachopoulos C, et al. Clinical applications of arterial stiffness: definitions and reference values. Am. J.
Hypertens., 2002; 15: 426-44.
8. Van Bortel LM, Duprez D, Starmans-Kool MJ, Safar ME, Giannattasio C, Cockcroft J, et al. Clinical applications of arterial stiffness, Task
Force III: recommendations for user procedures. Am. J. Hypertens.,
2002; 15: 445-452.
9. Roman MJ, Devereux RB, Kizer JR, Lee ET, Galloway JM, Ali
T, et al. Central pressure more strongly relates to vascular disease
and outcome than does brachial pressure; The Strong Heart Study.
Hypertension, 2007; 50:197.
10. Grahan I et al. The Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. European J. Cardiovasc Prevention and Rehabilitation, 2007;
4, suppl 2.

ANALIZA DISFUNCTIEI ENDOTELIALE LA SUBIECTI ASIMPTOMATICICU CUMUL DE FACTORI DE RISC CARDIO-VASCULARREZUMAT
Disfuncţia vasculară, incluzând disfuncţia endotelială şi rigiditatea arterială, precum şi modificările morfologice preclinice în patul
vascular arterial, sunt anomalii sistemice semnalând vulnerabilitatea pentru evenimente cardiovasculare majore. Identificarea acestor modificări de structură şi funcţie vasculară în stadiile preclinice, precum şi utilizarea lor adecvată pentru stratificarea riscului în
stadiul de boală clinic manifestă, pot aduce beneficii atât la nivel individual, cât şi populaţional .
Obiective: Studiul nostru isi propune sa analizeze comportamentul functiei arteriale prin metoda arteriograf la subiecti asimptomatici
cardiovascular si cu profil de risc apreciat prin ecuatiile de predictie Score si Framingham.
Materiale si metode: Au fost incluși in studiu 35 pacienţi consecutivi , asimptomatici cardiovascular, dar cu cumul de factori de risc
cardiovascular, internaţi in Clinica de Recuperare Cardiovascularã a Institutului de Boli Cardiovasculare Timișoara pentru evaluarea
riscului cardiovascular și studiul funcţiei arteriale . Riscul cardiovascular global a fost evaluat prin ecuaţiile SCORE și risc Framingham - alãturi de prezenţa sindromului metabolic (criteriile IDF); profilul hemodinamic prin utilizarea Tensiomed Arteriograf s-au
urmarit parametrii: TAS, TAD, TAM, presiunea pulsului precum și profilul functional al peretelui arterial: velocitatea undei pulsatileaortice(PWVAo) și disfuncţia endotelialã prin indicele de augmentaţie sistolicã (Aix).
Rezultate: am gãsit corelaţii pozitive si extrem de semnificative intre: Aix si PWVAo (p<0.001, r=0.28 ) , Aix si TAM (p<0.005,
r=0.46), PWVAo si TAD (p<0.001, r=0.62). Riscul pentru eveniment cardiovascular fatal la 10 ani s-a corelat pozitiv si semnificativ
cu disfuncţia endotelială: Aix și risc Score (p=0.021). Scorul Framingham pentru boalã coronarianã la 10 ani s-a asociat pozitiv șisemnificativ cu Aix (p=0.034) si cu PWVAo (p=0.029). Relaţia de asociere a disfuncţiei endoteliale cu factorii sindromului metabolicnu a fost semnificativă statistic.
Concluzii: Am apreciat disfuncţia endotelialã și rigiditatea arterialã folosind metode noninvasive și am găsit o corelaţie statistică
semnificativã intre disfuncţia endotelialã şi variabilele hemodinamice ale riscului cardiovascular. Variabilele sindromului metabolicnu s-au asociat semnificativ statistic cu gradul disfuncţiei endoteliale apreciatã prin Aix. Am constatat, de asemenea o corelaţie pozitivã semnificativã statistic între disfuncţia endotelialã și riscul de eveniment cardiovascular fatal in urmatorii10 ani.
Cuvinte cheie: indicele ambulatoriu de augmentare sistolică, velocitatea undei pulsate, presiune pulsata, stratificarea riscului,
asimptomatic la risc, rigiditate arterialã.
2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

23

DIAGNOSTIC ASPECTS OF THYROID DISEASE IN ADULTPATIENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETESADRIANA GHERBON, LAVINIA NOVEANU, GEORGETA MIHALAŞ
Department III-Functional Sciences, Physiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara

ABSTRACT
Patients with diabetes have an increased prevalence of thyroid disease compared with non-diabetic population. In type 1 diabetes,
it is often associated with endocrine disorders and systemic disease with autoimmune etiology of type: Graves-Basedow disease,
Hashimoto thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, celiac disease, pernicious anemia, myasthenia gravis, vitiligo, etc. A particular associationof type 1 diabetes with hypo-or hyperthyroidism is characteristic to polyglandular autoimmune syndrome.
The purpose of this study is to determine the main aspects of thyroid diseases diagnosis in adult patients with type 1 diabetes.The
studied adults group was represented by 60 cases, aged 18-80 years. Gender distribution was net in favor of women being represented
by 55 women and 5 men. They used clinical, imaging, biochemical, hormonal and immunological parameters.
Keywords: type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, diagnosis, thyroid ultrasound, thyroid hormones, antithyroid antibodies

INTRODUCTION
The thyroid disorders are common in the general population;
their prevalence increases with age. The screening for thyroid
disorders is indicated in certain high-risk groups as new bornand elderly people (16).
The hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorderin adults and older women. Its origin is usually autoimmune,
presenting as atrophic primary hypothyroidism or Hashimoto
thyroiditis. It may be also secondary to radioactive iodine
treatment or thyroid surgery. In rare cases, occurs secondary
hypothyroidism to hypothalamic or pituitary disease (16).
By contrast, the hyperthyroidism is less common, with aratio female/male 9/1. The Grave’s disease is most common
and usually affects young adults. The toxic multinodular goiterusually occurs in older people (16).
The patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an increased prevalence of thyroid disease compared with non-diabetic
population (16).
Because the patients with a specific organ autoimmune
disease are at risk to developing other autoimmune diseases,
and the thyroid disorders are more common in women, it is not
surprising that 30% of the women with type 1 diabetes havethyroid disease. The rate of postpartum thyroiditis in diabetic
patients is three times higher than in healthy women (16).
The thyroid disorders into the general population have aprevalence of approximately 6.6%. In patients with diabetes,
the thyroid disease prevalence is between 10.8% and 13.4%,
consisting of: clinical hypothyroidism (36%), sub clinical hypothyroidism (41%), hyperthyroidism (12%) and postpartum thyroiditis(11%) (16).
Type 1 diabetes is commonly associated with endocrine andsystemic diseases with autoimmune etiology of type: Graves-Ba-

sedow disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, celiac
disease, pernicious anemia, myasthenia gravis, vitiligo, etc. (7).
A particular association of type 1 diabetes with hypo- or
hyperthyroidism is characteristic to polyglandular autoimmune
syndrome. There are three polyglandular autoimmune syndromes.
1. Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type I (PAS I) is an autosomal recessive transmitted disease caused by amutation in the short arm of chromosome 21, characterized by
the triad: cutaneous-mucosal candidacies, hypoparathyroidism
and Addison’s disease.
2. Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II (PAS - II)(4, 14) is the most common immuno-endocrinopathies. It occurs
in adulthood, especially affecting women. It is characterized
by the appearance into the same person of two or more of thefollowing diseases: Addison disease, Graves-Basedow disease,thyroiditis of autoimmune etiology, type I diabetes mellitus,
primary hypogonadism, myasthenia gravis, and celiac disease.
3. Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type III (PAS- III) (2) is a PAS II syndrome but without adrenocortical involvement. This syndrome is associated with the following diseases:
celiac disease, hypogonadism, myasthenia gravis, sarcoidosis,
Sjogren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, gastric cancer, malabsorption due by pancreatic exocrine deficiency, and can beclassified into three subcategories:- PAS III A - autoimmune thyroiditis with DM type1- PAS III B - autoimmune thyroiditis with pernicious anemia- PAS III C - autoimmune thyroiditis with vitiligo and/or
alopecia and/or other autoimmune diseases
The diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction in patients with diabetes, based only on clinical manifestations, can be difficult. An
unsatisfactory glycemic control can cause similar symptoms with

Received 15th of March 2012. Accepted 20th of April 2012. Address for correspondence: Adriana Gherbon, MD, PhD, Department of Physiology, “Victor Babes” Universityof Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Romania, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2A, 300041, Timisoara, phone/fax: +40256220479; e-mail: adrianagherbon@yahoo.com

24

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)the hyperthyroidism, such as weight loss despite increased appetite, and fatigue. On other hand, the severe diabetic nephropathy
can be omitted in patients with hypothyroidism because thesepatients may present edemas, fatigue, and pallor and weightgain (16).
To further complicate the diagnostic process, unbalance DM,
with or without complications, can cause alterations of thyroid
function tests, which can occur in patients without associatedthyroid disease. The typical changes are represented by thedecrease of T3, determined by the decrease of T4 conversion
in T3, decreased serum T4, due to lower fixing on protein andlower serum TSH (16).
The most sensitive test to detect the thyroid dysfunction isthe determination of TSH, which allows the certain diagnosis of
the hypo-and hyperthyroidism. It also allows the diagnosis of
sub clinical thyroid dysfunction, characterized only through thechange of the TSH level’s, with T3 or T4 in the normal range; thepatients with this type of dysfunction are usually asymptomatic(16).
The thyroid dysfunction can produce significant biochemical and clinical changes. Thus, the sub clinical hypothyroidism
may increase LDLc and aggravating pre-existing dyslipidemia,
increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis. On other hand, the sub
clinical hyperthyroidism may increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and can exacerbate a pre-existing coronary heartdisease. Because the patients with diabetes are an increased
risk for cardiovascular disease, the diagnosis and treatment ofassociated thyroid disease is important (16).
The presence on antiperoxidase thyroid antibodies (AB antiTPO) has a role in predicting occurrence of autoimmune thyroid
disease, particularly of the hypothyroidism. Auto antibodies may
occur long before obvious clinical manifestations of autoimmune
thyroid disease and predict the appearance of clinical disease.
The patients with polyglandular autoimmune syndrome may
present auto antibodies against the same antigen. At the patientswith present AB antiTPO must determinate their annual screening
for early detection of thyroid dysfunction and establishment ofan appropriate treatment (9).
Also, at all the patients with diabetes should be performed ascreen for adrenal auto antibodies, celiac disease, steroid, gastricparietal and thyroid even at diagnosis. Also, at the patients who
have one of the diseases listed above must be confirmed existence of diabetes by determining the ICA, GAD, IA2, in absenceof characteristic clinical manifestations (9).
At the family members of patients with diabetes must also
determine auto antibodies, especially if the diabetic patient
has thyroid auto antibodies. Identifying of the auto antibodies
presence should be followed by hormonal assessment and thetreatment of thyroid disease (9).
Therefore, thyroid function regular screening is indicated in
all the patients with diabetes for establishment of early treatmentof sub clinical thyroid dysfunction (9). The best screening test is
the TSH determination. In patients with type 1 diabetes is useful
to determining the presence of anti-TPO antibodies. If they arepresent, it is indicate the annual determination of TSH. In their2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

absence, the TSH determination should be performed at every
2-3 years (9).
In the case of the patients with thyroid disease is obligatory
annual determination of glycemia. In the case of elevated blood
glucose levels, according to the values obtained, it is necessary
employment in one of the category: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes or IGT (9). If the thyroid disease is autoimmune it is betterto determine the DM specific antibodies to identify the presenceof type 1 diabetes (9).
MATERIAL AND METHOD
Investigated population
The study included adult subjects with diabetes mellitus,
which in time present thyroid disease, or adult subjects withthyroid disease that subsequently present diabetes mellitus.
The study group comprised 60 cases, aged 18-80 years.
Gender distribution was net in favor of women being represented
by 55 women and 5 men.
Methods of investigation
Methods of investigation were the clinical data - history,
present status, and imaging - thyroid ultrasound, biochemistry- carbohydrate metabolism parameters: fasting blood glucose,urine glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and thyroid hormones
investigations and some immunological parameters.
Glucose determination was performed by enzymatic techniques with glucose oxidase. Were considered normal fastingblood glucose between 70-110 mg%, diabetes mellitus - fastingblood glucose values above 126 mg%, impaired glucose tolerance - fasting blood glucose values between 110-126 mg% andthe oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 2 h between 140-200
mg% and fasting impaired glucose tolerance - fasting blood
glucose values between 110-126 mg% and OGTT at 2 h under
140 mg%.
Determination of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was
achieved through the DiaStat program for glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1c that measures the ratio of glycated hemoglobin
to total HbA.
Determination of serum levels of TSH, free fraction of serum
level of triiodothyronine (FT3), free fraction of thyroxin (FT4) were
ARCHITECT quantitative method, which is an immunologic
determination by chemiluminescence’s with small Chemilumnescent Micro particle Immunoassay (CMIA). The following values
were considered normal: TSH = 0.465 - 4.68 mIU/ml, FT3 = 3.69
-10.4 pmol/l, FT4 = 10 - 28.2 pmol/l.
Immunological parameters were represented by somemarkers of thyroid autoimmunity – antiperoxidase (antiTPO)
and antithyroglobulin (antiTG) antibodies (AB). To determine
the serum titers of antiTPO AB, AxSYM antiTPO kit was used,
the method is enzyme immunoassay with micro particles, Meia
(Micro particle Enzyme Immunoassay). It was considered normal: antiTPO AB < 35 IU / ml. To determine the serum titers of
antiTG AB, AxSYM antiTG kit was used, the method is enzyme
immunoassay with micro particles, Meia (Micro particle Enzyme
Immunoassay). It was considered normal: antiTG AB < 55 IU/ ml.
25

Thyroid ultrasound performed in all cases is a non-invasive
method of exploration that allows measurement of thyroid volume, thyroid study report with cervical anatomical structures andthyroid parenchyma changes.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In the case of the type 1 diabetes group, family history
was present in 10% cases. In terms of clinical symptoms, thepatients with Graves-Basedow disease presented the specificthyreotoxic disease syndrome.
In the case of autoimmune chronic thyroiditis (ACT), somepatients were asymptomatic, and some presented typicalsymptoms of hypothyroidism. In the case of the nodular goiter,
they were discovered incidentally at ultrasound examination(incidentalomas) or by clinical symptoms due by compression.
In the case of the malignant tumors, the symptoms were very
different: firm goiter, loco-regional adenopathy, quick growth of
the formation spontaneous or by thyroxin suppression therapy.
In the case of the euthyroid diffuse goiter, were no symptoms
and the diagnosis was based on clinical examination and ultrasound. In the case of the sub acute thyroiditis, the symptoms
occurred after an upper respiratory tract infection, framing local
pain, inflammatory syndrome, functional disorders (transient
hyperthyroidism, followed by transient hypothyroidism). To
assess the goiter was used inspection and palpation and weretaken into account the WHO goiter staging criteria. Based onthese criteria, at the studied group with type 1 diabetes we haveobtained the results given in Table I.
A percentage of 23.33% cases presented the goiter stage
2, 6.66% had goiter stage 1 a, 3.34% stage 1 b and 1.67% stage
3, with the relatively firm consistency. Most patients (65 %) had
no goiter on clinical examination (Figure 1).
Table I. The goiter stages distribution in patients with type 1 diabetes
Thyroid disease Goiter stages
type
0
1a
n % n %
Total (n = 60)
39 65 3 5
Graves-Basedow 3 50 - disease (n = 6)
Euthyroid- - diffuse goiter(n = 1)
Differentiated
3 100 - thyroid carcinoma (n = 3)
ACT (n = 50)
33 66 3 6

1b
n %
3 5
1 16.66

2
n
14
2

%
23.33
33.34

3
n
1
-

%
1.67
-

-

-

1

100

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

4

11

22

1

2

The most common causes of goiter are iodine deficiency.
At patients who don’t come from regions with iodine deficiency,
the cause is obscure (10). The incidence of sporadic goiter inNorth America is estimated at 5%. Usually does not occur before
puberty and don’t present a peak of incidence. Generally, thegoiter development increases with age. The prevalence of palpable nodules is approximately 5-6% in people aged 60 years,
26

but at the ultrasound examination, the incidence of impalpablenodules reaches 50% in people aged 60 years (10).
WHO, UNICEF and ICCIDD believes that in the absenceof iodine deficiency, the goiter prevalence is below 5%, mild
iodine deficiency is associated with a prevalence of 5-20%,
moderate iodine deficiency with a prevalence of 20-30% andsevere iodine deficiency with a prevalence of 30% (10). Goiter
predominance was found in women, the ratio being 1.2 - 4.3/1
for F/M (10). Some studies have shown that the treatment withT4 of sporadic goiter decreased the thyroid volume to 58% of
patients compared to 4% of patients treated with placebo. In thecase of the treatment with T4 must consider the risks of sub clinical hyperthyroidism which is associated with various metabolicand visceral complications (10). The diffuse goiter, with firm
consistency, with rapid growth, with compressive symptoms andregional adenopathy are sometimes suspicious of malignancy.
Thyroid ultrasound allows the accurate assessment of thyroid volume and thyroid parenchyma appearance appreciation.
As consequence of iodine intake study in the Banat plain,especially in the Timisoara, the normal thyroid volumes were
within the following values: women - 10.27 ± 2.09 ml and inmales - 12.18 ± 2.52 ml.
In the case of our study, the goiter has been diagnosed withthyroid volume exceeded 3 standard deviation (SD) (females >16.54 ml and men > 19.74 ml).
In the case of the type 1 diabetes group, the biggest thyroid
volume (TV) was found in a single patient with euthyroid diffusegoiter (32.08 ml) and in patients with Graves-Basedow disease(25.26 ± 15.28 ml). The smallest TV was found in patients with
ACT (11.11 ± 5.61 ml). The results about the TV value and hypoechogenity intensity of thyroid parenchyma, according to sex
and type of thyroid disease are shown in Table II.
Table II. The classification of cases according to the TV and the type ofthyroid parenchyma hypoechogenity
Thyroid
disease type

Graves-Basedow
disease (n=6)
Euthyroid diffusegoiter (n=1)
Differentiatedthyroid carcinoma(n=3)
ACT (n=50)

TV typenormaln2

Hypoechogenity type
inmildmoderate increased
tense
%
n %
n %
n %
n %
33.33 4 66.67 1 16.66 5 83.34 - -

-

-

1 100

1 100

-

-

-

-

3

100

- -

3 100

-

-

-

-

50 100

- -

7 14

35 70

8

16

All the thyroid carcinoma cases received surgery, the TV
being evaluated also intraoperatory. In the case of the type 1
diabetes group, all cases presented hypoechogenity (100%).
The moderate hypoechogenity was present in 46.66% cases;
intense hypoechogenity was present in 11.66% cases. Mild
hypoechogenity appearance was present only in 3.33% cases.
It is noted that for thyroid carcinoma (100% cases) andFiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)Hypoecogenity typeeuthyroid diffuse goiter (100% cases) prevailed mild hypoechogenity (+ and +/++), while for the Graves-Basedow disease and
ACT prevailed moderate (+ + and ++/+++) (83.34% cases for
Graves-Basedow disease and 70% for ACT) and intense (+ ++ and over + + +) (16% for ACT) hypoechogenity (Figure 1).
1,66%
11,66%+++

21,66%
46,66%

++
15%
+

3,33%
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Cases prevalenceFig.1. The intensity of the thyroid parenchyma hypoechogenity in adults groupwith type 1 diabetes

Regarding the homogeneity of the thyroid parenchyma
it is noted that the heterogeneity of the thyroid parenchyma
echogenity (88.33% cases) was slightly higher to the thyroid
parenchyma homogeneity (11.67% cases) divided by the 60
members of the group.
Most authors found association of intense hypoechogenity
with hypothyroidism in ACT, this aspect (hypoechogenity) representing a prognostic index for the development of subsequent
hypothyroidism (12).
The thyroid functionality evaluation was performed bydetermining serum levels of TSH and FT4.
Depending on the thyroid disease and the type of thechanges in glycemic balance, we obtained the following
results:
Table III. Evaluation of thyroid functionality

Parameters
Graves-Basedow disease
Euthyroid diffuse goiter
Differentiated thyroid
carcinoma
ACT

TSH (mIU/ml)
0.2 ± 0.12
1.14
2.23 ± 1.53

FT4 (pmol/l)
64.05 ±
29.85
15
13.86 ± 3.37

9.7 ± 11.77

9.6 ± 6.84

The Graves-Basedow disease was found in 6 patients with
type 1 diabetes. Depending on the TSH value was performed
functional classification of the cases. All cases with GravesBasedow disease were accompanied by thyrotoxicosis. Between
TSH and HbA1c value we found a very weak correlation (r =0.22, p = 0.001) in all cases with Graves-Basedow disease anddiabetes. The Graves-Basedow disease complications were2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

represented by cardiothyreosis, the most common complications
that occur as a consequence of cardiac overload and metabolic
abnormalities in myocardium. This takes the form of heart failure
secondary tachyarrhythmia, with increased flow and with resistance to tonicardiac treatment.
The euthyroid diffuse goiter met in a patient with type 1
diabetes. Depending on the TSH value was performed functionalclassification of cases. All cases with diffuse goiter functionallywere euthyroid.
The thyroid carcinoma was found in 3 patients with type 1
diabetes. Depending on the TSH value was performed functionalclassification of cases. All cases of thyroid carcinoma functionallywere initially euthyroid. All cases received treatment required(total thyroidectomy, treatment with I131, thyroid suppressive
therapy).
The ACT was found in 50 patients with type 1 diabetes. In
the case of the type 1 diabetes group, 1.44% (n = 22) patients
presented normal values, and 56% (n = 28) cases increased
values of TSH. It is noted that in all changes of glycemic balanceprevailed ACT with clinical hypothyroidism (48%), followed by
ACT with euthyroidism (44%) and then ACT with sub clinicalhypothyroidism (8%).
A study of 771 U.S. patients with type 1 diabetes showedthat 7% had hypothyroidism and 38% hyperthyroidism (1).
The correlation coefficient between serum TSH and HbA1c
in all cases with DM type 1 and ACT was not significant (r= -0.17, p = 0.40). It is generally accepted that evolution of
ACT is stages. The risk of hypothyroidism is higher in womenover 45 years, presenting slightly increased serum TSH concentrations, and elevated titers of antiTPO AB. The thyroxin
therapy induces a decrease in goiter volume at 50-90% cases,
corrects the thyroid function and after some decreased theantibodies titers.
Humoral immunity was assessed by determining thyroid
serum antibodies titers: antiTPO AB and antiTG AB at all patientswith type 1 diabetes.
About 10% of normal subjects present antithyroid antibodies(ATAB) in serum in insignificant titers. ATAB incidence increases
with age, affecting 33% of women aged over 70 years (13). A
study of 243 Taiwanese patients with type 1 diabetes showedthat 21.8% of them presented positive antiTPO AB. They werecorrelated with female gender, with older age and longer duration of disease (5).
Another study conducted in France on 258 adults with
type 1 diabetes showed the presence of antiTPO AB at 17%
of patients. Their prevalence was not influenced by gender,
disease duration, screening age and diagnosis age of diabetes,
positive family history (11). Another study in the Czech Republic
on 210 patients with type 1 diabetes and 83 patients with type2 diabetes showed that antithyroid antibodies were present in
30% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 27% of patients with
type 2 diabetes (3).
They found elevated levels of antiTPO AB to 90% ofcases with ACT. AntiTPO AB was normal in 10% of caseswith ACT.
27

Table IV. Comparative data (p) between positive antiTPO AB cases and negative antiTPO AB cases in adults with type 1 diabetes group
Parameters
Cases number (%)
Age (years)
Onset age of DM (years)
DM duration (years)
BMI (kg/m2)
HbA1c (%)
Serum glucose (mg %)TSH (mIU/ml)
FT4 (pmol/l)

Negative
antiTPO AB
23
54.43 ± 20.14
43.43 ± 23.06
11 ± 9.33
26.33 ± 3.37
12.21 ± 3.81
224.13 ± 96.4
3.51 ± 2.75
12.5 ± 4.5

Positive
antiTPO AB
27
40.81 ± 18.19
18.18 ± 19.46
22.62 ± 14.22
24.33 ± 3.2
10.3 ± 4.11
189.55 ± 97.62
14.98 ± 13.86
7.14 ± 7.57

p
0.42
0.01
0.0001
0.001
0.03
0.09
0.21
0.0002
0.003

In the case of the adults group with diabetes type 1 and ACTwith positive antiTPO AB we see that they had a younger onset ageof diabetes (18.18 ± 19.46 years vs. 43.43 ± 23.06 years), a longer
duration of diabetes (22.62 ± 14.22 years vs.11 ± 9.33 years)
and TSH values more increased (14.98 ± 13.86 mIU/ml vs. 3.51
± 2.75 mIU/ml) than those with negative antiTPO AB (Table IV).
Significant differences (p <0.05) between the two groups wehave obtained regarding the current age, onset age of diabetes,
diabetes duration, BMI, TSH and FT4. We did not obtain significant
differences regarding blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin.
In the case of antiTG AB they were present in higher titersin 80% cases (n = 40) and in normal titers in 20% cases (n =10). The higher titers of antiTG AB were detected in ACT, witha maximum incidence of 25%. Small titers can be observed inthyroid carcinoma, various thyropaties, and some immunopaties
and even in healthy subjects. In our study, in adult patients with
type 1 diabetes and ACT the number of subjects with significant
titers of antiTPO AB was higher than that of antiTG AB (90%vs.10%) (X2 = 64, p < 0.001). At 35 patients were identified
both antibodies (70% cases). Autoimmune thyroid disease isfrequently found in patients with type 1 diabetes.
The prevalence of positive antiTPO AB in patients with type1 diabetes and increased TSH was reported to be 80% and in
those with diabetes type 1 and normal TSH was 10-20% (8).
ATAB values by age are shown in Table V. Some studies havefound that ATAB titers significantly increase parallel to increasing
age of the patients (8). Takaichi’s studies in patients with ACT
found that 2% of them have only positive antiTPO AB titers, 19%of cases only positive antiTG titers and 79% of subjects havepositive both types of TAB (15).
Table V. ATAB titers by age in patients with type 1 diabetes and ACT

AGEn18-19 years
20-29 years
30-39 years
40-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
70-79 years

8
6
7
7
2
14
6

28

AntiTPO AB(mIU/ml)
253.45 ± 217.46
625.1 ± 611.16
455.01 ± 279.53
241.42 ± 279.02
367 ± 436.56
149.27 ± 313.48
262.9 ± 401.05

AntiTG AB(mIU/ml)
315.58 ± 302.67
498.27 ± 424.68
33.85 ± 7.25
199.28 ± 355.07
519.95 ± 678.89
165.06 ± 329.14
168.6 ± 39.53

In the case of ACT, according to clinical form, we obtained
two lots:- ACT with hypothyroidism- ACT with euthyroidism
At every group we appreciated the onset age of diabetes,
current age, diabetes duration, BMI and gender (Table VI and Table VII). We found significant differences between the two groups
regarding BMI, onset age of diabetes and diabetes duration.
Table VI. Comparative data between ACT with hypothyroidism and without
hypothyroidism in adults with diabetes type 1 studied group

Parameters
Cases number
Subject gender- male- female
BMI (kg/m2)
antiTPO AB(mIU/ml)
Onset age of DM
type 1 (years)
Current age(years)DM type 1 duration (years)

ACT with hyACT withp
pothyroidism euthyroidism
28
22
0.23
2
1
0.41
26
21
0.30
21.68 ± 3.43
26.48 ± 3.00
0.01
381.3 ± 338.49 199.00 ± 383.15 0.08
21.35 ± 22.49

40.54 ± 23.15

0.005

43.07±18.91

52.18 ± 20.87

0.11

21.71±14.19

11.63 ± 10.15

0.005

Table VII. Characteristics of different forms of ACT
in adults with diabetes type 1 studied group

Characteristics

ACT with hypothyroid- ACT with euthyroidism
ism
Without
With
Without
With goiter
goitergoitergoiter
21
7
12
10

Cases
numberSubject
gender- male2- female19
Age (years) 41.09±20.08
Onset
22.14±23.79
age of DM(years)DM dura18.95±13.26
tion (years)

7
49±14.519±19.51

1
11
10
49.46±20.84 46±22.96
47.75±21.42 31.9±23.19

30±14.6

9.58±8.28

14.1±12.01

AntiTPO AB presence is associated with an increased riskof developing hypothyroidism. Colin et al. (2001) in one of thestudies on the incidence of ATAB which included 1420 patientswith type 1 diabetes showed that 75% of patients had positive
titers of ATAB with euthyroid status, 20% had sub clinical hypothyroidism and 5% had clinical hypothyroidism (6).

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)CONCLUSIONSIn conclusion, thyroid damage is common in the patientswith diabetes and may cause significant metabolic changes. In
the case of the type 1 diabetes was predominant autoimmune
etiology (ACT, Graves – Basedow disease).

Fig. 2. Diagnostic algorithm for thyroid diseases
at patients with type 1 diabetes

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (ACT), most commonly
associated with type 1 diabetes, presented hypertrophic (34%)
and atrophic (66%) forms. From the functional perspective, wasrevealed euthyroid or hypothyroid with different severity. Detection of this disease requires monitoring by thyroid ultrasound,thyroid function tests and determination of the serum ATAB titers
at all type 1 diabetics.
Dispensary of the patients with diabetes and associatedthyroid disease (including those euthyroid) needs annual monitoring of TSH to detect early hypothyroidism. If thyroid hypofunction
has not major implications for glycemic balance, atherosclerotic
complications of mixedema adversely affect long term prognosisof the association between diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism.
In the case of the patients with autoimmune endocrinopathies, it is recommended annual TSH determination, possibly
also antithyroid antibodies determination in patients with type 1
diabetes (especially in the presence of significant family history)
to determine the onset of the thyroid disease and to institute an
appropriate treatment. In the case of the pre-existing thyroid
disease it is necessary glucose monitoring to determine the onsetof diabetes and to institute an appropriate treatment.

In conclusion, we propose the following algorithm to diagnose the thyroid disease at patients with type 1 diabetes:
REFERENCES
1. Asvold BO, Vatten LJ, Nilsen TI, Bjoro T. The association between
TSH within the reference range and serum lipid concentrations in a
population-based study. The HUNT study. Eur J Endocrinol, 2007;
156 (2): 181-6.
2. Aung K, Salmon M. Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome, Type III,In Endocrinology (electronic book), 2006: 1-18.
3. Barova H, Perusicova J, Hill M, Sterzl I, Vondra K, Masek Z. Anti-GADpositive patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus have higher prevalence ofautoimmune thyroiditis than anti-GAD-negative patients with type 1 andtype 2 diabetes mellitus. Physiol Res, 2004; 53 (3): 279-86.
4. Betterle C, Lazzarotto F, Presotto F. Autoimmune polyglandular
syndrome Type 2: the tip of an iceberg? Clin Exp Immunol, 2004;
137(2): 225-33.
5. Chang CC, Huang CN, Chuang LM. Autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase in patients with type 1 diabetes in Taiwan. Eur J Endocrinol,
1998; 139 (1): 44-8.
6. Colin M, Dayan D, Daniels GH. Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis.
Medical Progress, 2004; 335 (2): 99-104.
7. Cooper GS, Stroehla BC. The epidemiology of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmun Rev, 2003; 2(3): 119-25.
8. Kabelitz M, Liesenkotter KP, Stach B. The prevalence of anti/thyroid
peroxidase antibodies and autoimmune thyroiditis in children and adolescents in a iodine replete area. Eur J Endocrinol, 2003: 148: 301-7.
9. Kukreja A, Maclaren N. Autoimmune Endocrine Disorders. In PediatricEndocrinology (electronic book), 2002; 6.
10. Lee SL, Ananthakrishnan S. Goiter, Nontoxic, In Endocrinology(electronic book), 2006.
11. Maugendre D, Guilhem I, Karacatsanis C, Poirier JY, Leguerrier
AM, Lorcy Z, Derrien C, Sonnet E, Massart C. Anti-TPO antibodies
and screening of thyroid dysfunction in type 1 diabetic patients. Ann
Endocrinol, 2000; 61 (6): 524-530.
12. Perros P, McCrimmon RJ, Shaw G, Frier BM. Frequency of thyroid
dysfunction in diabetic patients: value of annual screening. Diabet Med,
1995; 12 (7): 622-7.
13. Riley WJ, Maclaren NK, Lezotte DC, Spillar RP, Rosenbloom AL.
Thyroid autoimmunity in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: the casefor routine screening. J Pediatr, 1981; 99 (3): 350-4.
14. Sivarajah S, Fan CY, Akinsoto OPA. Polyglandular Autoimmune
Syndrome, Type II. In Endocrinology (electronic book), 2006.
15. Takaichi Y, Tamai H, Honda K, Nagai K, Kuma K. The significanceof antithyroglobulin and antithyroidal microsomal antibodies in patientswith autoimmune thyroiditis. The Lancet, 1989; 2: 1084.
16. Wu P. Thyroid disease and diabetes. Clinical Diabetes, 2000; 18: 1.

ASPECTE DIAGNOSTICE ALE BOLII TIROIDIENE LA PACIENTII ADULTICU DIABET ZAHARAT TIP 1
REZUMAT

Pacienţii cu diabet zaharat prezintă o prevalenţă crescută a afecţiunilor tiroidiene comparativ cu populaţia nediabetică. În cazul diabetului zaharat tip 1, acesta se asociază frecvent cu boli endocrine şi sistemice de etiologie autoimună de tipul: boala Graves–Basedow,
tiroidita Hashimoto, boala Addison, boala celiacă, anemia pernicioasă, miastenia gravis, vitiligo etc. O asociere particulară a DZ tip
1 cu hipo- sau hipertiroidia este caracteristică sindromului poliglandular autoimun.
Scopul acestui studiu este de a determina principalele aspecte de diagnostic ale afec ţiunilor tiroidiene la pacienţii adulţi cu DZ tip 1.
Lotul de adulţi studiat a fost reprezentat de 60 cazuri, cu vîrste cuprinse între 18-80 ani. Distribuţia pe sexe a fost netă în favoarea
femeilor, fiind reprezentată de 55 femei, şi de 5 bărbaţi. Au fost utilizaţi parametrii clinici, imagistici, biochimici, hormonali şi imunologici.
Cuvinte cheie: diabet zaharat tip 1, afecţiuni tiroidiene, diagnostic, ecografie tiroidiană, hormoni tiroidieni, anticorpi antitiroidieni
2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

29

REVIEWNEW INSIGHT INTO THE RHEUMATOID VASCULITIS
M. COJOCARU1, INIMIOARA MIHAELA COJOCARU2, ISABELA SILOŞI3, CAMELIA DOINA
VRABIE4
1”Titu Maiorescu” University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Bucharest
2“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinic of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest
3“University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Immunology, Craiova
4”Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinical Hospital of Emergency “Sfantul Ioan”, “Victor Babes” National Institutefor Pathology and Biomedical Sciences, Bucharest

ABSTRACT

Vasculitis in rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatoid vasculitis) has a heterogeneous clinical presentation that includes skin disorders, neuropathy, eye symptoms and systemic inflammation. Rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is an unusual complication of longstanding, severerheumatoid arthritis (RA). While RA affects the body’s joints, vasculitis is a condition in which blood vessels become inflamed. RVoccurs in approximately 2 to 5 % of patients who have RA. The blood vessels most often involved are arteries that bring blood tothe skin, nerves, and internal organs. Veins can also be involved. Rheumatoid vasculitis is skin condition that is a typical featureof RA, presenting as peripheral vascular lesions that are localized (purpura, cutaneous ulceration, and gangrene of the distal partsof the extremities). The cause of RV is unknown, but given the presence of immune components and the pathologic changes ininvolved blood vessels, an autoimmune process is suggested. Compared to other forms of vasculitis, there has been relatively little
research in recent years on the specific entity of RV. There is some evidence that the incidence of RV has decreased over the past
several decades, perhaps because of better treatment of the underlying RA. In the present review, we discuss pathologic features,the pathogenesis and laboratory tests in RV.
Key words: rheumatoid vasculitis, pathologic features, pathogenesis, laboratory tests

INTRODUCTION
Rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) is arguably the most serious
systemic disease manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Rheumatoid vasculitis is a rare but serious complication of
RA. Rheumatoid vasculitis occurs in approximately 2 to 5 %of patients who have RA. Males with RA are more likely (2 to 4
times more likely) than females with RA to develop RV. Rheumatoid vasculitis most often occurs in people with at least 10
years of severe disease. The active vasculitis occurs in about
1% of this patient population. Fortunately, recent reports havenoted declines in the prevalence of RV. Rheumatoid vasculitis
is a manifestation of “extra-articular” (beyond the joint) RA andinvolves the small and medium-sized arteries in the body. RV canaffect a person from any ethnic background, either gender, andfrom any age group. However, more often than not, the typicalpatient has long-standing RA with severe joint deformities fromthe underlying arthritis. Although the arthritis has usually led tosignificant joint damage, at the onset of RV the joint disease isparadoxically quiet (1-3).
PATHOLOGIC FEATURES
Rheumatoid vasculitis has many potential signs and symptoms. The consequences of vasculitis depend on the size, site
and number of blood vessels involved. Patients with RV nearly
always have rheumatoid nodules Vasculitis is also associatedwith most of the extra-articular manifestations described inrheumatoid arthritis. The manifestations of RV can involve
many of the body’s different organ systems, including but notlimited to the skin, peripheral nervous system (nerves to thehands and feet), arteries of the fingers and toes causing digitalischemia, and eyes with scleritis. Scleritis (inflammation of thewhite part of the eye) commonly occurs in the setting of RV.
In addition, generalized symptoms such as fever and weightloss are common. As is true with other forms of vasculitis thatinvolve the skin, cutaneous lesions can erupt on various areasof the body in RV, with a predilection for the lower extremities.
Typical findings include ulcers concentrated near the ankles.
Small nail fold infarcts (small spots around fingernail) can occur
in rheumatoid arthritis but these do not necessarily signify thepresence of systemic vasculitis and do not necessitate a change
in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Nerve damage can cause footor wrist drop, known in medical terminology as “mononeuritis multiplex”. The images below show a patient with a right wrist drop
and a patient with right foot drop. This condition, which may besignificantly disabling, is often preceded by a change in sensationin the same area (numbness, tingling, burning, or pain). Theseabnormal sensations can progress to muscle weakness, focal
paralysis, and eventually to muscle wasting. Recovery from thiscondition, caused by nerve infarction, can take months. In somecases, recoveries from mononeuritis multiplex are incomplete.
Early recognition and treatment with immunosuppressive drugs
is usually effective (2-4).

Received 20th of April 2012. Accepted 15th of May 2012. Address for correspondence: Dr. Manole Cojocaru, Titu Maiorescu University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of
Physiology, Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Bucharest; Thomas Masaryk No. 5 Sector 2 Postal Code 020983, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: manole.cojocaru@yahoo.com

30

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)Fig. 1. Rheumatoid vasculitis with skin ulceration

PATHOGENESIS
The molecular mechanisms underlying RV are not fully understood; however, the importance of a chronic imbalance of thecytokines and chemokines involved in orchestrating inflammatory
responses is well established in patients with rheumatoid arthritis,and similar deregulation of these mediators has been suggested tooccur in patients with RV. Rheumatoid vasculitis refers to patientswith RA, a chronic disease with painful inflammation of the joints,
who also develop inflammatory disease in small and medium-sizedblood vessels. RV leads to necrosis. RV usually develops at atime when the inflammatory arthritis is “burned out,” (i.e., whenthe erosive process that led to joint destruction has become lessactive). RV most commonly occurs in the skin as venulitis or capillaritis, meaning the very smallest blood vessels are affected byinflammation from the disease. The reason why RV develops insome patients with RA and not others is not clear. Genetic factors
may be involved. Viral infections and drug reactions have beensuggested as causes of RV, but there is little research to support
this. Some research suggests that long time use of drugs such as
corticosteroids, gold compounds, penicillamine and azathioprinethat are used to treat RA can cause the development of RV.
However, this may not be true and difficult to determine because
more use of these drugs is probably because of more severe or
long standing RA, both of which may also be associated with thedevelopment of RV. The association of RV with rheumatoid factor(RF) and anti-tissue antibodies (e.g., anti–cyclic citrullinated polypeptide [anti-CCP], anti-nuclear antibodies [ANA]) suggests that
immune complex disease may be causative. Immune complexes
may be found in affected tissue, and most patients with RV havecirculating autoantibodies. However, many patients with RA who
have circulating or tissue-deposited immune complexes and highlevels of autoantibodies do not develop vasculitis. The relationshipof these immune complexes to RA and vasculitis leaves many
unanswered questions and is far from definitive. Evidence linking
the immune system to vasculitis includes: High levels of RF, thepresence of other proteins in the blood (called immune complexes),
lower levels of proteins in the blood (called complement), which areused up when inflammation occurs, the appearance of inflamed
blood vessels under the microscope, which shows immune cells
within the wall of the vessel. The most devastating form of RV ischaracterized by a medium-sized vasculitis reminiscent of (andhistological identical to) polyarteritis nodosa (3-5).
LABORATORY TESTSLaboratory tests may support, but do not confirm, a diagno2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

sis of RA or RV. Rheumatoid vasculitis occurs almost exclusively
in patients with sero-positive nodular RA. An abnormally active
immune system (the body’s defense system) appears to play
an important role in blood vessel inflammation. Laboratory findings may include anaemia of chronic inflammation, elevation oferythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein, polyclonal
hypergammaglobulinemia, and RA-associated autoantibody.
Complement levels may be dynamically decreased during active
disease and, along with inflammatory parameters, may provide
useful follow-up information. Most laboratory findings in RV – forexample, elevations in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or Creactive protein – are non-specific, and reflect the presence ofa generalized inflammatory state. Hypocomplementemia, ANA,
and atypical anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)
are common. Rheumatoid factor levels are usually extremely
elevated. However, there is no definitive laboratory test for RV
short of a tissue biopsy. The diagnosis must usually be madeusing a combination of history, physical examination, pertinent
laboratory investigations, specialized testing (e.g., nerve conduction studies), and sometimes a tissue biopsy.
An atypical perinuclear ANCA was found in 48% of patientswith RV. Specific enzyme immunoassay studies for anti-myeloperoxidase and anti–proteinase-3 should be performed and are
typically negative in RV.
Because the treatment implications for RV are major, any
diagnostic uncertainty must be met with definitive approaches
to establishing the diagnosis. This usually involves biopsy of an
involved organ. Deep skin biopsies (full-thickness biopsies that
include some subcutaneous fat) taken from the edge of ulcers
are very useful in detecting medium-vessel vasculitis. Nerve
conduction studies help identifies involved nerves for biopsy.
Muscle biopsies (e.g., of the gastrocnemius muscle) should be
performed at the same time as nerve biopsies, to increase thechance of finding changes characteristic of vasculitis. Imaging
studies have no consistent role in the evaluation of RV, althoughsometimes angiography of the gastrointestinal tract is useful.
Biopsy of the skin or other symptomatic organs is sometimes
necessary.
Some studies have shown an association between elevated
RF or anti-CCP antibodies and RV. However, the high prevalenceof these antibodies in RA without vasculitis lends little to a positive
predictive value for the diagnosis of RV. A blood test for specificantibodies that are directed against the inner layer of bloodvessels (endothelial cells) are present in approximately 75% of
patients with RV compared to only 15 to 20% of those with RA
alone. Therefore, this blood test may be checked regularly inpatients with any of these new or worsened symptoms. Characteristic histopathology confirmation of vasculitis is generally
necessary for a diagnosis of RV (4-7).
CONCLUSION
Systemic vasculitis is a rare but serious complication ofrheumatoid arthritis and may be considered one of the mostserious extra-articular consequences of this disease. Rheumatoid vasculitis is among the most serious complications of RA.
31

Rheumatoid vasculitis, as clinical-pathologic manifestation of RA,
is characterized by tissue damage or ischemia verified pathologically by vasculitis. Rheumatoid vasculitis may involve virtually
any organ of the body. In general, people who get vasculitis
have many joints with pain and swelling, rheumatoid nodules,
high concentrations of RF in their blood, and sometimes smoke
cigarettes. Rheumatoid vasculitis manifests almost exclusively
in patients with rheumatoid autoantibodies. Biopsy is typicallyrequired to ensure a definitive diagnosis of RV,
COMPETING INTERESTS
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
REFERENCES

1. James W, Berger T, Elston D. Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: Clinical

Dermatology, 10th ed. Saunders, 2005; 180.
2. Rapini RP, Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL. Dermatology: 2-Volume Set, St.
Louis, Mosby, 2007.
3. Laskari K, Ahmadi-Simab K, Lamken M, et al. Are anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibodies seromarkers for rheumatoid vasculitis
in a cohort of patients with systemic vasculitis? Ann Rheum Dis. 2010;
69: 469-471.
4. Khasnis A, Langford CA. Update on vasculitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol.
2009; 123: 1226-36.
5. Genta MS, Genta RM, Gabay C. Systemic rheumatoid vasculitis: areview. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2006; 36: 88-98.
6. Watts RA, Mooney J, Lane SE, Scott DG. Rheumatoid vasculitis:
becoming extinct? Rheumatology. 2004; 43: 920-923.
7. Zolcinski M, Bazan-Socha S, Zwolinska G, Musial J. Central nervous
system involvement as a major manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatol Int. 2008; 28: 281-283.

ASPECTE NOI ÎN VASCULITA REUMATOIDĂREZUMAT

Vasculita din cadrul poliartritei reumatoide (vasculita reumatoidă) se prezintă clinic polimorf, cuprinde modificări cutanate, neuropatie,
simptome oculare şi inflamaţie sistemică. Vasculita reumatoidă (VR) este o complicaţie neobişnuită a poliartritei reumatoide (PR)severe cu evoluţie îndelungată. În timp ce PR afectează articulaţiile, vasculita este o stare în care vasele sanguine sunt inflamate. VR
se întâlneşte la aproximativ 2-5 % dintre pacienţii cu PR. Vasele sanguine cel mai adesea afectate sunt arterele care vascularizează
pielea, nervii şi organele interne. Venele pot, de asemenea, să fie afectate. Vasculita reumatoidă este modificarea cutanată tipică
în PR, se prezintă cu leziuni vasculare periferice care sunt localizate (purpura, ulceraţii cutanate, gangrena extremităţilor). Cauza
VR este deocamdată neelucidată, din cauza prezenţei componentelor imune şi modificărilor patologice la nivelul vaselor sanguine
afectate s-a sugerat un proces autoimun. Comparativ cu alte forme de vasculite, există puţine cercetări în ultimii ani referitoare la
VR. Unele rapoarte evidenţiază că incidenţa VR a scăzut în ultimele decade datorită tratamentului mai eficient în PR. În acest referat,
autorii discută despre trăsăturile clinice, patogenia şi testele de laborator în VR.
Cuvinte cheie: vasculita reumatoidă, trăsături clinice, patogenie, teste de laborator

32

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)PERIODONTAL DISEASE AND GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETESCIPRIAN-ALEXANDRU DINA1, RALUCA DINA2, IULIA VLADU3, RALUCA VINTILESCU1, TAISESCU CITTO1, TUDOR ADRIAN BĂLŞEANU1, MARIA IANCAU1
1
University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova – Discipline of Physiology
2Clinic of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical County Emergency Hospital Craiova
3
Clinic of Nephrology, Clinical Emergency County Hospital Craiova

ABSTRACTPeriodontitis is a common complication in patients with diabetes mellitus. Their classification is complex and it is based on the clinicalpresentation, rate of disease progression, age at diagnosis and local and systemic factors that may multiply the risk. Background andobjectives. The existence of correlations between the glycemic values, HbA1c and the two main stages of periodontal disease, thestudy of the effect of periodontal treatment on HbA1c. Material and method: The study was conducted in the Clinic of Stomatology,
Jean Verdier Hospital in Paris, on a group of 58 patients with diabetes, who underwent periodontal control. Results and Discussion.
Both advance chronic stages of periodontitis (superficial and profound) were correlated with fasting glucose (p < 0.05), postprandial
glucose (p < 0.05) and HbA1c (p < 0.05). Following systemic antibiotics, plus local periodontal treatment, HbA1c decreased in the
20 patients between 0.1 to 0.5%. Conclusion. The relationship between these two diseases appears bidirectional, insofar that thepresence of one disease tends to promote the other, and that the meticulous management of either may help the treatment of theother. Some authors believe that this disease should be included in the “classical”complications of diabetes.
Key words: periodontal disease, diabetes mellitus, gingivitis

INTRODUCTION
Periodontal infection is a complication, that can be responsible of damaging systemic physiology in diabetic patients.
Periodontitis may be more than a confined oral infection, theconsequences have been assumpt to be far-reaching. Chronicand severe forms of this condition can follow a systemic response of the bacteria and bacterial result products, that areoutspread due to the collapse of the periodontal apparatus (thatis composed from the ligament attachment around the tooth,the gingival tissues and bone). The interdependency between
periodontal disease and diabetes is an example that a systemic
disease can predispos to oral infection, and then once that infection is settled, the oral infection can augment the progression ofsystemic disease (10,11).
Periodontal diseases are the most common diseases known
to humanity. The two major stages of periodontal diseases are
gingivitis and periodontitis. In the early stage of gingivitis, theinflammation is located to the gingiva, and is reversible, can usually be treated with good oral hygiene. The second stage involves
the extension of inflammation and results in tissue destruction
and alveolar bone resorption, stage called periodontitis (8).The
examination of the available data have proved that diabetes is
an important risk factor for periodontitis and gingivitis, and thatthe level of glycemic control is an important determinant in thisrelationship (3-5).
Background and objectives. The existence of correlations
between the glycemic values, HbA1c and the two main stagesof periodontal disease, the study of the effect of periodontal

treatment on HbA1c.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
The study was conducted in the Clinic of Stomatology,
Jean Verdier Hospital in Paris, on a group of 58 patients withdiabetes, 45 females and 13 males, with ages between 23 and82 years. In the study were included patients with diabetes who
underwent periodontal control: depth of periodontal pockets,gingival bleeding, supra- and subgingival calculus. Following
data were recorded: demographic (age, sex), anthropometricparameters (height, weight, WC, HC, BMI) laboratory data
(fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol total,
LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, AST,
ALT, gamaGT, C-reactive protein). All the patients underwent
periodontal treatment plus local and systemic antibiotics, but
only in the patients which had not changed the antidiabetic
therapy (20 patients) the HbA1c was recorded at 3-4 monthsof consultation.
RESULTS
Following the statistical analysis, the first stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis, was not correlated with fasting glucose(p=0.410) (Figure 1), postprandial glucose (p=0.310) (Figure 2)
and HbA1c (p=0.339) (Figure 3).
Both advance chronic stages of periodontitis (superficial
and profound) were correlated with fasting glucose (p < 0.05)(Figures 4 and 9), postprandial glucose (p < 0.05) (Figures 5
and 7) and HbA1c (p < 0.05) (Figures 6 and 8).

Received 20th of April 2012. Accepted 15th May 2012. Address for correspondence: Ciprian Alexandru Dina, MD, PhD student, Discipline of Physiology, University of
Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, Petru Rareş no. 2-4, RO-200349, Craiova, Romania, e-mail: dina_ciprian@yahoo.com

2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

33

Fig.1. Correlation between chronic gingivitis and fasting glucose (p=0.410)

Fig.2. Correlation between chronic gingivitis and postprandial glucose(p=0.310)

Fig.5. Correlation between superficial periodontitis and postprandial glucose(p < 0.05)

Fig.6. Correlation between superficial periodontitis and HbA1c (p < 0.05)

Fig.7. Correlation between profound periodontitis and postprandial glucose(p < 0.05)
Fig.3. Correlation between chronic gingivitis and HbA1c (p=0.339)

Fig.4. Correlation between superficial periodontitis and fasting glucose (p <
0.05)

34

Fig.8. Correlation between profound periodontitis and HbA1c (p < 0.05)

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)Fig.9. Correlation between profound peridontitis and fasting glucose (p <0.05)

Following systemic antibiotics plus local periodontal treatment HbA1c decreased in the 20 patients between 0.1 to 0.5%
(15% of patients with 0.1, 25% with 0.2, 20% with 0.3; 15% with
0.4 and 25% with 0.4) (Figure10).

Fig.10. HbA1c before and after treatment

DISCUSSIONS
Our results are consistent with the literature, both advancechronic stages of periodontitis (superficial and profound) werecorrelated with fasting glucose (p < 0.05), postprandial glucose(p < 0.05) and HbA1c (p < 0.05), the relationship between
diabetes and periodontal disease is well studied and known
for a long time. Although the relationship between periodon­tal
and diabetes condition is not enough questioned in the current
literature, the effect of periodontal treatment on metabol­ic control
in diabetic patients and the effect of the metabolic control ofdiabetes on periodontal condition remains controversial (1,2). In
general, periodontal treatment is a important pri­ority in patientsfor whom periodontal condition may pose a health risk andthis includes diabetic subjects (9-12). In our study group thetreatment of periodontal disease whith systemic antibiotics and2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

35 cmyk

local mechanical treatment decreased HbA1c between 0.1 to
0.5%. A number of studies have evaluated whether the use of
systemic antibiotics ameliorate the periodontal prognosis andmetabolic control in diabetic subjects. Mechanical periodontal
therapy, with 100 mg doxycycline, has reduced HbA1c with
0.6% in type-2 diabetic subjects (13-16). Tetracyclines and theirderivatives appear to have an important role in the inhibition oftissue destruction enzymes. Hence, doxycycline appears to bea powerful mod­ifier of the response to periodontal treatment indiabetic subjects, by inhibiting non-enzymatic glycosylation of
extracellular proteins, indicating that it has a equal effect on haemoglobin glycosylation (18). Treatment of periodontitis, using a
association of mechanical therapy, scaling and root planning,plus systemic tetracycline antibiotics has been demonstrated
to have important reductions in HbA1c values- indicative ofimproved glycaemic control. Also, a research study by Miller
and colab. demonstrated that mechanical periodontal therapy,
associated with adjunctive systemic doxycycline resulted in adecreasing with 0.6% HbA1c values, in a group of Hispanic
patients with type 2 diabetes (17). Iwamoto and colab. associated mechanical periodontal therapy with local application of
minocycline gel to each periodontal pocket, every week for amonth, in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes; following thistreatment, the number of bacteria, existing in periodontal pockets, was highly reduced, serum TNF-α levels were decreased
with 0.49 pg/mL and glycemic control, quantified by HbA1cvalues, was also improved (20-22). Grossi and colab. reported
results of periodontal therapy in a group of Pima indians with
type 2 diabetes. An association of ultrasonic root debridementwith systemic doxycycline, 100 mg per day for two weeks, decreased Porphyromonas Gingivalis to nondetectable levels, inall patients who tested positive at baseline, after three monthsof treatment. In addition, there was a important improvement inperiodontal attachment and a 1% decrease in the level of HbA1c,
three months after the ending of the treatment. These results
are in contrast with a number of researches, cited by Grossi,
in which diabetic patients treated with mechanical periodontal
therapy, scaling and root planning, without adding adjunctive
systemic antimicrobials, failed to improve glycemic control.
Therefore, a mechanical periodontal therapy associated withsystemic doxycycline seems to ameliorate glycemic control, inmany diabetic subjects with periodontitis. This is in contrast to
the periodontal treatment of patients without diabetes, where
systemic antimicrobials are not usually used and are not necessary for a successful treatment. Also, it should be noted that thetreatment with systemic tetracyclines, alone, have been provento suppress or inhibit activity of collagenase in the gingival crevicular fluid of diabetic subjects with periodontitis. Therefore, alimited number of interventional studies have demonstrated thattreatment of periodontal infection and the consequent reduction
in bacterial load and pro-inflammatory molecules may have as
result an improved glycemic control, in diabetic patients. Also,these data indicate that other periodontal therapies designed
to consistently free the patient of periodontal pathogens should
bring similar benefits (19).
35CONCLUSIONS
1. In our study group the first stage of periodontal disease,gingivitis, was not correlated with fasting glucose (p=0.410),
postprandial glucose (p=0.310), and HbA1c (p=0.339).
2. Both advance chronic stages of periodontitis (superficial
and profound) were correlated with this glycemic parameters(p<0.05). The relationship between these two diseases appears
bidirectional insofar, that the presence of one disease tends topromote the other, and that the meticulous management of either
may help the treatment of the other.
3. Mechanical treatment of periodontitis, scaling and root
planing, associated with short-term administration of tetracycline,
can temporarily ameliorate glycemic control in diabetic subjects,
especially in those with advanced stages of periodontitis and low
glycemic control before treatment. In our study group, after thetreatment of periodontal disease whith systemic antibiotics and local mechanical treatment HbA1c decreased between 0.1 to 0.5%.
4. The study initiated by us has sought to complete the datafrom literature, which is mostly limited to highlight the predilectionof diabetics to develop periodontal lesions. In the research conducted, we brought objective arguments about the evolutionary
interrelationship between the two diseases.
5. Based on the data presented we suggest that periodontal
patients with diabetes should be consulted and treated by aperiodontist (22).
REFERENCES
1. Albander JM, Brunelle JA, Kingman A. Destructive periodontal disease in adults 30years of age and older in United States. J Periodontol
1999; 70:13-29.
2. Antonio BM, Paula MP, Escribano-Bermejo M, et al. Periodontal
disease and diabetes-Review of the literature. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir
Bucal. 2011; 16 (6): e722-9.
3. Bascones A, Gamonal J, Gomez M, et al. New knowledge of thepathogenesis of periodontal disease. Quintessence Int 2004; 35: 706-16.
4. Mealey BL, Oates TW. Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal Diseases.
J Periodontol 2006.
5. Mealey BL, Rethman MP. Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Mellitus:
Bidirectional Relationship. Dentistry Today, 2003.
6. Emrich LJ, Shlossman M, Genco RJ. Periodontal disease in insulin-

dependent diabetes mellitus. J Periodontol 1991; 62: 123-131.
7. Firatli E. The relation between clinical periodontal status and insulin
dependent diabetes mellitus. J Periodontol 1996; 68:136-40.
8. Grossi SG, Skrepcinski FB, DeCaro T, et al. Treatment of periodontal
disease in diabetics reduces glycated hemoglobin. J Periodontol.
1997; 68:713-719.
9. Iwamoto Y, Nishimura F, Nakagawa M, et al. The effect of
antimicrobial periodontal treatment on circulating tumor necrosis
factor-alpha and glycated hemoglobin level in patients with type 2
diabetes. J Periodontol 2001; 72: 774-8.
10. Southerland JH, George W, et al Diabetes and Periodontal Infection: Making the Connection, Clinical Diabetes 2005; 23(4): 171-178.
11. Janket SJ, Wightman A, Baird AE, et al. Does periodontal treatment improve glycemic control in diabetic patients? A meta-analysis ofintervention studies. J Dent Res 2005; 84: 1154-9.
12. Kalyani Deshpande, Ashish Jain, RaviKant Sharma et al, Diabetes
and periodontitis, J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2010; 14(4): 207-212.
13. Lo¨e H. Periodontal disease. The sixth complication of diabetes
mellitus. Diabetes Care 1993; 16 (1): 329-334.
14. Miller LS, Manwell MA, Newbold D, et al. The relationship between
reduction in periodontal inflammation and diabetes control: a report of
9 cases. J Periodontol. 1992; 63: 843-848.
15. Nagata T. Relationhip between diabetes and periodontal disease.
Clin Calcium 2009; 19(9): 1291-8.
16. Page RC, Offenbacher S, Schroeder HE, Seymour GJ et al:
Advances in the pathogenesis of periodontitis: summary of developments, clinical implications and future directions. Periodontol 2000;
199: 216-248.
17. Page RC, Offenbacher S, Schroeder HE, Seymour GJ, et al. Advancesin the pathogenesis of periodontitis: summary of developments, clinicalimplications and future directions. Periodontol 2000; 199: 246-258.
18. Papapanou PN. Periodontal diseases. Epidemiology. Ann Periodontol 1996; 1:1-36.
19. Preshaw PM, Alba AL, Herrera DS, et al. Periodontitis and diabetes:
a two-way relationship. Diabetologia. 2012; 55(1): 21-31.
20. Serrano-Ríos M, Corbatón A. Diabetes mellitus, heart failure andmortality. Med Clin (Barc), 2005; 125: 182-3.
21. Tervonen T, Knuuttila M. Relation of diabetes control to periodontal
pocketing and alveolar bone level. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol
1996; 61: 346-9.
22. Dina AC, et al. Periodontal disease and glycemic control in patientswith diabetes. National Congress of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic
Diseases 2012.

BOALA PARODONTALĂ SI CONTROLUL GLICEMIC LA PACIENŢII CU
DIABET ZAHARATREZUMAT

Parodontita este o complicaţie frecventă la pacienţii cu diabet zaharat. Clasificarea bolilor parodontale este complexă şi se bazează
pe prezentarea clinică, rata de progresie a bolii, vârsta la diagnostic şi factorii locali şi sistemici, care pot multiplica riscul. Premise si
Obiective: Existenţa unor corelaţii între valorile glicemiei, respectiv HbA1c şi cele 2 stadii principale ale bolii parodontale; studierea
efectului tratamentului parodontal asupra valorilor HbA1c. Materiale şi metode: Studiul a fost efectuat în Clinica de Stomatologie
a Spitalului Jean Verdier din Paris, pe un grup de 58 de pacienţi cu diabet la care a fost efectuat un examen parodontal. Rezultate
şi Discuţii: Ambele stadii avansate cronice de parodontită (superficială şi profundă) s-au corelat pozitiv cu glicemia a jeun (p <0,05), glicemia postprandială (p < 0,05) şi cu HbA1c (p < 0,05). În urma tratamentului parodontal local plus antibioterapia sistemică
HbA1c a scăzut, la cei 20 de pacienţi, între 0,1 - 0,5 % ( la 15% dintre pacienţi cu 0,1; 25% cu 0,2; 20% cu 0,3; 15% cu 0,4; 25 %cu 0,4). Concluzii. Relaţia dintre aceste două boli pare bidirecţională, în măsura în care prezenţa unei boli tinde să o agraveze pecealălaltă si de asemenea, tratamentul uneia tinde să o amelioreze pe cea de-a doua. Unii autori consideră ca această boală artrebui să fie inclusă în cadrul complicatiilor „clasice” ale diabetului zaharat.
Cuvinte cheie: boala parodontala, diabet zaharat, gingivita

36

36 cmyk

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)

DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT METHODS FOR KERATOCONUSROŞCA COSMINOPTILENS Ophthalmology Clinic Cluj - Napoca

ABSTRACT

Keratoconus is a rare disease that appears at teenagers. This condition is diagnosed frequently and at early stages in the last years
by the means of modern diagnostic methods (pachymetry, corneal topography). New and efficient treatments for this disease suchas corneal cross-linking and intrastromal rings are available.
Keywords: keratoconus, corneal topography, intrastromal corneal rings, cross-linking

INTRODUCTORY AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA
Keratoconus is a noninflammatory pathology characterised
by progressive central and paracentral corneal thinning withasymmetric conical ectasia and irregular myopic astigmatism.
The prevalence varies between 10 and 600 cases/100,000
population, many authors agreeing over an average prevalenceof 54.5 cases per 100.000 population (6). On the contrary, theincidence (the number of new cases per year) varies between
50 and 230 cases/100.000 population, approximately 1/2000 (6).
In the past the prevalence was deemed higher in women,
but more recent studies show that a greater number of men
are affected and they have a more rapid disease evolution.
Other studies found no significant differences between men
and women (6).
According to most authors, the diagnosis age is 20 to 30
years. In more rare cases, keratoconus may appear later andevolve at older ages (6).
Keratoconus starts in one eye usually and extends to theother eye after 2-5 years only. The first diseased eye is the mostaffected throughout the entire disease course. A single eye isaffected very rarely, bilaterality being evidenced in 96% of cases;
in many cases the merely incipient pathology of the second eye
is visible by corneal topography only (7).
With the advent of modern diagnostic means, particularly
the topography and the pachymetry, the number of bilateral
keratoconus cases increased due to easier diagnosis in earlyor advance stages, even in the absence of some important
subjective deficiencies.
Regarding the importance of inheritance in the onset of
keratoconus, the percentage of familial cases described in theliterature is of 6-23%. Autosomal dominant inheritance withincomplete penetrance has been proposed. Prevalence of
keratoconus in first degree relatives of the patients is 3.34%, 15
to 67 times greater than in general population (0.05- 25%) (8).
As the ethnic differences concerns, some authors consider
keratoconus is more frequent in Whites, while others deem
Asians have three times greater incidence with earlier onset

and more rapid evolution towards transplant (9).
Keratoconus is in most cases an isolated state, but sometimes these patients experience systemic and/or ophthalmologic
problems, i.e. diseases in which a defect of collagen metabolism
appears: Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos
syndrome, Marfan syndrome, atopy, osteogenesis imperfecta,
mitral valve prolapse, psychoastenia (10).
The most frequent ophthalmologic disorders associatedwith keratoconus are allergic conjunctivitis, Leber congenitalamaurosis, pigmentar retinitis, blue sclerae, and aniridia andectopia lentis.
CLINICAL SEMIOLOGY
As regards the clinical semiology, the first symptoms are
the following:- Poor visual acuity corrected with eyeglasses- Visual tiredness, headache- Myopia and/or astigmatism with abnormal evolution- Lens adjustment difficulties- Night driving difficulties
Early signs of disease:- oil droplet reflex evidenced by direct ophthalmoscopy froma distance of 30 cm (Fig. 1)- fine vertical deep stromal striae (Vogt’s striae) evidenced
through biomicroscopy (Fig. 2)- irregular corneal astigmatism evidenced at keratometry,leading to marked alteration of visual acuity

Fig. 1. “Oil droplet “ corneal reflex

Received 25th of March 2012. Accepted 15th April 2012. Address for correspondence: Dr. Cosmin Rosca, OPTILENS Ophthalmology Clinic Cluj – Napoca, phone:
0740168910, e-mail: roscacosmin@yahoo.com

2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

37 cmyk37

Fig. 4. Acute hydrops is caused by a rupture in Descemet membrane- after
healing stromal scarring may develop
Fig. 2. Deep stromal striae (Vogt lines)

Late signs of disease:
In advanced cases of keratoconus, the simple external
inspection - looking from a side - reveals the conical shape of
cornea with anterior protrusion.
When the patient looks downward, an accentuation of thelower eyelid margin curvature caused by corneal protrusion(Munson sign) can be seen (Fig. 3).
Epithelial deposits of iron surrounding the base of the cone
(Fleischer’s ring) are revealed by biomicroscopy. These deposits
are best visualised with cobalt blue filter.
Acute hydrops is an acute influx of aqueous humour into thecornea caused by the rupture of Descemet’s membrane (fig. 4).
This leads to sudden loss of vision accompanied by discomfort
and weeping. The oedema disappears within 6-10 weeks andthe cornea may remain with stromal scars.

Fig. 3. Bulging of the lower lid in down-gaze (Munson sign)

38

INSTRUMENTAL DIAGNOSISThe instrumental diagnosis consists of the following techniques:
1. keratometry – detection of irregular astigmatism suggesting the possibility of keratoconus.
2. retinoscopy – light reflected through patient’s eye causesa scissor reflex, i.e. two bands moving toward and away fromeach other like the blades of a pair of scissors.
3. manual keratoscope – known as “Placido’s disc”, allows
the simple non-invasive visualisation of corneal surface by projecting a series of light circles on the cornea (Fig. 5).
4. corneal topography (fig. 6) – used in order to obtaina positive diagnosis by automatic projection of a light pattern
onto the cornea, thus obtaining a topographic map showing all
the corneal distortions. Keratoconus appears as a curvature
increase usually located under the central line of the eye. This
technique allows the detection of the disease in the first stages,
when symptoms are not yet present.
5. ultrasonic pachymetry – is the method through which the
thickness of cornea can be assessed; this is critical in therapeutic indication, especially cross-linking and Ferrara intrastromal
implants, as these techniques are contraindicated when cornea
thickness is under 400 microns.

Fig. 5. Manual keratoscope (Placido disk)

Fiziologia - Physiology  2012.22.2 (74)Fig. 6. Corneal topography

KERATOCONUS STAGES
Depending on the keratometric measurements, there arethree severity stages:- stage 1: k < 45D, average- stage 2: 45 <k <52D, advanced- stage 3: k > 52D, severe
Depending on the cone morphology, the following forms:- nipple form- small and near-central- oval form – larger, below-centre- globus form – more than 75% of cornea is affected.
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF KERATOCONUSa) Keratoglobusb) Pellucid marginal degenerationc) Posterior keratoconus
KERATOCONUS TREATMENT
1. Aerian and contact lens correction
In the first two stages, the vision correction can be achievedby the means of spherical-cylindrical lens (deformation of cornea
leads to myopic astigmatism with oblique axes), soft toric lenses
or combination of soft spherical contact lenses and eyeglasses.
In the third stage, wearing of rigid, oxygen permeablecontact lens is attempted, which would regularise the ocularsurface more than the soft contact lenses that mould to theshape of cornea. These lenses are more difficult to tolerate, butthey may ensure a satisfactory vision and succeed in delaying
the surgical intervention time.

2012.22.2 (74)  Fiziologia - Physiology

2. Parasurgical therapy by cross-linking
The cross-linking or corneal collagen cross-linking method
consists of photopolymerisation of stromal fibers in order toincrease their rigidity and resistance to keratectasia throughthe combined action of a photosensitising substance (riboflavin– vitamin B2) and ultraviolet light irradiation with a solid-state
illuminator.
This method is preferred in stages 1 and 2 that havenegative progression, cannot be optically corrected and are
candidates for perforating or lamellar keratoplasty.
Exclusion criteria:- patients under 18 and over 60 years of age;- cornea thickness under 400 microns;- previous herpetic keratitis;- corneal scars;- severe forms of dry eye;- ongoing corneal infections;- concomitant autoimmune diseases.
As regards the pathophysiology, the cross-linking causes
the increase of inter-fiber bonds and collagen fiber diameter in
the anterior or intermediate corneal stroma to 300 microns depth
without damages in the endothelium.
The cross-linking method proved to be technically simple
and low cost, leading to collagen stabilisation and blocking of
melting processes without clinically visible side effects (2).
3. Keratoplasty
Corneal transplantation is an outpatient procedure generally performed under local anaesthesia consisting of the circular“cutting-out” of the “diseased” corneal area and its replacementwith a “healthy” donor cornea. This is one of the ophthalmological surgeries that heal very slowly. As the cornea has no bloodvessels, postoperative wound healing and graft integration into
the new “host” is extremely difficult. At late postoperative times
we look for signs of rejection (which unfortunately is a lifelongrisk), ocular tension, dioptres and visual acuity, possibly eyeglasses correction.
4. Ferrara intrastromal corneal rings
The underlying principle of this procedure is the flattening of
keratoconus distorted cornea and the selection of two different diameter segments in order to reduce the asymmetric astigmatism
responsible for the decline in visual acuity. Ferrara intrastromalrings are represented by two 160 degrees semicircular segmentsof 5 and 6 mm diameter, with a thickness between 0.150 and
0.350 mm, having triangular shape with 600 µm basis. They
are made of Perspex CQ Acrylic (PMMA) similar to crystalline
implants, this material being perfectly tolerated by the organism,
without risk of rejection (fig. 7).
Ferrara intrastromal rings are actually rigid elements thatfill the space and act mechanically on the cornea by separating
the lamellae and thus:- modify the arc length of the anterior curvature- flatten cornea from periphery to centre- restores the shape of cornea, reducing the astigmatism39

- reduces keratoconus progression
Implantation is performed at 70% depth of corneal stromapreserving the integrity of Bowman’s and Descemet’s membrane,according to the nomogram that shows the size of the rings to
be implanted, depending on patient’s refraction.
Before surgery, visual acuity with and without correction isassessed and corneal topography, keratometry and ultrasoundpachymetry are performed.
The great advantage of this method is that central opticalzone of the cornea remains untouched and it is reversible – incase of failure, the two circle arcs segments can be explanted
without complications.
The patient has to be examined as early as possible after
surgery, and follow-ups are needed at 24 hours; 7 days; 30 days;
3 months; 6 months; 9 months; 12 months.

Fig. 7. Nomogram for the intracorneal ring implantation

CONCLUSIONS
1. Keratoconus is a common pathology nowadays, more
and more patients being diagnosed with this disease;
2. Age of diagnosis is between 20 and 30 years, usually
being bilateral;

3. Due to modern examination techniques (corneal topography and ultrasound pachymetry), keratoconus can be diagnosedin early stages;
4. By stabilising and delaying the conical progression,modern treatments (cross-linking and intrastromal rings implantation) bring great advantages to patients, as well as a low rate ofcomplications, thus allowing rapid integration into daily activities.
REFERENCES
1. Duke-Elder Sir S. System of Ophtalmology vol VII, Diseases of theouter eye Part 2, London, 1965
2. Caporossi A, Baiocchi S, Mazzotta C. et al. Parasurgical therapy for
keratoconus by riboflavin- ultraviolet type A rays induced cross-linkingof corneal collagen: preliminary refractive results in an Italian study. J
Cataract Refract Surg, 2006; 32: 837- 45.
3. Weller KH. Trattato teoreticoe pratico delle Malattie degli Occhi,
Livorno, 1833
4. Vogt A, Lehrbuch und Atlas der Spaltlampenmikroscopie des lebenden Auges mit Anleitung zur Technic und Methodic der Untersuchung,
Berlin, 1921.
5. Appelbaum A. Keraroconus. Arch Ophtalmol. 1936.
6. Rabinowitz YS. Keratoconus. Survey of Ophtalmology, 1998.
7. Rabinowitz YS, Nesburn AB, Donner MC. Videokeratography of theFellow eye in Unilateral Keratoconus. Ophtalmology, 1993.
8. Tyynismaa N et al. A locus for autosomal dominant keratoconus:
linkage to 16q22.3-q 23.1 in Finnish families. Invest Ophtalmol Vis
Sci, 2002.
9. Fullerton J et al. Identity by descent approach to gene localisation ineight indiviaduals affected by keratoconus from north-west Tasmania
and Australia. Hum Genet, 2002.
10. Gorskova EN, Sevostianov EN, Baturin NA. Results of Psychological
Testing of Patients with Keratoconus. Vestn Ophtalmol, 1998; Nov-Dec.

METODE DE DIAGNOSTIC SI TRATAMENT IN KERATOCONREZUMAT

Keratoconul este o afecţiune relativ rară care apare la tineri, diagnosticată mult mai frecvent şi în stadii incipiente în ultimul timp
datorită metodelor moderne de diagnostic (pahimetria, topografia corneană) şi beneficiind de tratamente noi şi eficiente precum
cross-linking, implantare de inele corneene intrastromale.
Cuvinte cheie: keratoconus, corneal topography, intrastromal corneal rings, cross-linking

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