A. Tomova, Ph. Kumanov
 

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), with its sulphonated metabolite DHEAS are the most abundant steroids in the circulation. Serum levels of DHEA and DHEAS decrease with age after a peak around 25th year. Concentrations of DHEA are 5–6 times higher than concentrations in plasma. In the last few years, striking effects have been obtained, mostly in animals with high doses of DHEA: antitumoral effects, protection against viruses, effects against obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

The actions of DHEA and DHEAS on the central nervous system have been described as neurotropic, excilatory, and neuromodulatory. It is considered a posible role of DHEA and DHEAS in human behaviour: well-being, mood, agression and memory too. Aging in humans is accompanied by a progressive decline in the secretion of the adrenal androgens DHEA and DHEAS.

The improvement of physical and psychological well-being in both genders and the absence of side-effects give an opportunity to recommend DHEA as replacement therapy in age-advanced men and women.
 

Key words: dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, aging.
 

Z. Kamenov, V. Hristov, M. Imamura, M. Todorova, H. Higashino, N. Aoki
 

Treatment of diabetic neuropathy (DN) still remains one of the most serious problems of diabetology. The complexity of the pathological process – interaction of neurotropic and vascular elements – a result of oxidative, toxic, immune, immunogenetic and other factors of different weight determines the modest effect (or the numerous side effects) of otherwise theoretically well grounded medication. A serious reason for compromizing treatment is its late start – as a rule after the onset of irreversible neuronal damage. This is valid for the metabolic control of diabetes as well, which is rather a prophylaxis than a treatment of DN.

In this review are presented literature and our own data on application of aldose reductase inhibitors (ARI), vitamins of group B, alpha lipoic acid and data concerning neurotrophic factors, myoinozitol, aminoguanidine, gamma linolenic acid, ACE inhibitors, prostaglandin analogues, etc.

Key words: diabetic neuropathy, pathogenesis, treatment.
 

N. Belova, B. Piryova
 

To clarify the putative physiological role of the central ANP system in the regulation of the renal excretory function an immunoneutralisation of the peptide was performed applying ANP-antiserum (anti-ANP) into the III cerebral ventricle. This procedure was combined with a stimulation of natriuresis (administration of 0.86M NaC1 into the III ventricle, CNa) or with a change in the sodium intake (high- or low-sodium diet, HNa or LNa). Chronic cannulas were implanted into the III ventricle. The treatments were performed on the conscious freely moving in the metabolism cages rats. The spontaneous urine output was collected in graduated tubes and the minute diuresis and natriuresis were calculated per 100g b.m. The animals were divided into 3 series: CNa+anti-ANP; HNa+anti-ANP and LNa+anti-ANP.

Central ANP immunoneutralisation causes a significant and potent increase in the diuresis and natriuresis which is particularly expressed in the rats on a high-sodium diet and is not observed in the animals on a low-sodium regimen. The mechanisms of these effects which are contrary to the peripheral actions of the peptide are discussed. They are probably due to an influence on the vasopressin secretion or on the efferent sympathetic activity.
 

Key words: atrial natriuretic peptide, brain, natriuresis, intraventricular, sodium chloride.
 

M. Boyanov, P. Popivanov, M. Petkova, M. Protich
 

Obesity is known to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and related fractures. The positive relation between the body mass index and the bone mineral density is well established. Aim of this study was to assess forearm bone mineral density in obese and non-obese women by using single-energy x-ray absorptiometry and a special mathematical model. The study included 89 obese and 96 non-obese age-matched females. Bone mineral density was measured on a DTX-100 equipment. Trabecular and cortical bone density were assessed according to the special mathematical model. In obese women compared to non-obese controls all bone density parameters were found to be increased: Distal site bone density – 104,2%, Ultradistal site bone density – 109,29%, Cortical bone density – 102,3%; and Trabecular bone density – 116,49%. Our results showed that obesity is associated with an increase in trabecular bone density, whereas cortical bone density remains nearly unchanged. The detailed description of bone changes in obesity was only possible by applying the mathematical model.
 

Key words: foreram bone density, obesity, cortical and trabecular bone density, mathematical model.
 

Rad. Ivanova, G. Dashev, B. S. Lozanov, L. B. Lozanov
 

The aim of this study was to investigate the co-expression of aberrant HLA–DR and the intercellular filaments' antigens on thyrocytes in autoimmune thyroid diseases. The study groups included 25 patients – 16 with Graves’ disease and 9 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis as well as a control group of 5 patients with euthyroid nodular goitre. All patients underwent a subtotal or partial thyroidectomy.

Immunohistochemical examination of biopsic material was carried out by standard PAP method using monoclonal and polyclonal autoantibodies kits (Becton Dickenson).

The data obtained demonstrated the thyroglobulin and HLA–DR immunoreactive thyrocytes in all cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and I4/I6 of these with Graves’ disease. All of patients with nodular goitre were negative. The most biopsies of the three groups revealed Cytokeratin and/or Vimentin positive epithelial cells but the co-expression of these antigens on basal cellular membranes were relatively of a low degree.

The significance of the intercellular filaments expression remained unclear. These might be considered as non-specific markers of growth stimulating events implicated in autoimmune thyroid diseases.
 

Key words: HEA.-DR aberrant, Cyokeratin, Vimentin, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto' s thyroiditis. 
 

Chr. Kojucharov, D. Popova, N. Hadjipetrov
 

There have been described a case with thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy (TCM) in a woman, manifested with signs of persistant decompensation, refractory to conventional treatment with digitalis and diuretic drugs.

After specific examination, including thyroid hormones level, thyroid antibodies, scintigraphy, 2-D-echo, before and after treatment with Methyzol, the signs of heart decompensation disappeared while the clinical signs of thyrotoxicosis showed marked improvement up to decompensation (exophtalm, adynamia, re-covery of sinus rhythm and diminished heart rate, disappearance of pretibial myxoedema and weight reduction).

TCM have been seen more frequently in men over 45 years old, although thyrotoxicosis is more frequent with women. The case, which we have described is interesting from diagnostic and clinical view as a complication of thyrotoxicosis in 47 years old woman clinically manifestated with refractory right heart failure and signs of pulmonary hypertension.
 

Key words: thyrotoxicosis, complications, thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy.