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Evaluation of body composition changes, epicardial adipose tissue, and serum omentin-1 levels in overt hypothyroidism

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Abstract

Our aim was to investigate body composition changes, epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT), serum omentin-1 levels, and the relationship among them along with some atherosclerosis markers in overt hypothyroidism. Twenty-eight newly diagnosed overt hypothyroid patients were evaluated before and after 6 months of thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT) and compared to the healthy subjects in this prospective longitudinal study. Body compositions were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and EATT was measured by echocardiography. Carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT), flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), thyroid hormone levels, lipid parameters, high sensitive c-reactive protein, homocysteine, and omentin-1 levels were measured in all subjects. Body weight and lean body mass were higher in patients with hypothyroidism compared to euthyroid state after THRT (p = 0.012, 0.034, respectively). EATT was higher in patients with hypothyroidism than the control group (p < 0.001) and decreased with THRT (p = 0.012) but still remained higher than the control group (p < 0.001). Free T4 levels were found to be an independent factor to predict EATT (p < 0.001). In hypothyroid state, omentin-1 levels were lower than controls (p = 0.037) but increased in 6 months with THRT (p = 0.001). The c-IMT was higher, and FMD was lower in hypothyroidism compared to euthyroid state and control group (p < 0.05). Increasing lean body mass, but not adipose tissue mass, was found to be responsible for weight gain in hypothyroidism. The increased amount of EATT and decreased omentin-1 levels can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis in addition to other factors in hypothyroidism.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge Sevilay Karahan for her help in statistical analysis. This project was supported by IMSED (Internal Medicine Postgraduate Education Association).

Conflict of interest

The authors have nothing to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, 06500, Ankara, Turkey

    Ethem Turgay Cerit, Mujde Akturk, Alev E. Altinova, Cigdem Ozkan, Mustafa Altay & Nuri Cakir

  2. Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Yusuf Tavil & Cagri Yayla

  3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Canan Demirtas

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  1. Ethem Turgay Cerit
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Cerit, E.T., Akturk, M., Altinova, A.E. et al. Evaluation of body composition changes, epicardial adipose tissue, and serum omentin-1 levels in overt hypothyroidism. Endocrine 49, 196–203 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-014-0460-2

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