Related Experiment Videos
Reduced serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity in children with congenital hypothyroidism
C Letizia1, M Centanni, A De Ciocchis
1II Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Università di Roma, La Sapienza, Italy.
Insights
Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) levels were significantly lower in children with congenital hypothyroidism compared to normal children. This study highlights a potential biomarker for congenital hypothyroidism in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a common endocrine disorder in newborns.
- Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in various physiological processes.
- Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) activity may be influenced by thyroid status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) levels in children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH).
- To compare SACE levels in children with CH, subclinically hypothyroid children from iodine-deficient areas, and normal children.
- To explore the relationship between SACE levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in these groups.
Main Methods:
- Colorimetric assay used to measure SACE levels.
- Study groups included children with CH, children from iodine-deficient zones (euthyroid and subclinically hypothyroid), and healthy controls.
- TSH levels were also measured to assess thyroid function.
Main Results:
- SACE levels were significantly lower in children with CH (28.15 +/- 6.67 nmol/ml/min) compared to normal children (33.87 +/- 7.00 nmol/ml/min).
- No significant difference in SACE levels was observed between normal children and those from iodine-deficient zones (euthyroid: 39.61 +/- 6.83; subclinical: 36.05 +/- 7.88 nmol/ml/min).
- No correlation was found between SACE and TSH levels across all groups.
Conclusions:
- Serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) levels are significantly reduced in children diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism.
- SACE may serve as a potential indicator or biomarker for congenital hypothyroidism.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the exact role of SACE in thyroid dysfunction.
Abstract:
In this study levels of serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) were evaluated using colorimetric method in 24 children with congenital hypothyroidism, 28 children from an iodine deficient zone (14 euthyroid, 14 subclinically hypothyroid) and 21 normal children. In the children with congenital hypothyroidism SACE levels (28.15 +/- 6.67 nmol/ml/min) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than SACE levels in normal children (33.87 +/- 7.00 nmol/ml/min) and in children from an iodine deficient zone (subclinical hypothyroid: 36.05 +/- 7.88 nmol/ml/min or euthyroid: 39.61 +/- 6.83 nmol/ml/min). No statistical difference in SACE levels was revealed in either normal subjects or children from an iodine deficient zone. SACE levels among all the groups were not shown to be different in relation to sex. Average TSH levels, as expected, were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in children with congenital hypothyroidism. The correlation between SACE and TSH levels did not demonstrate a statistical significance in any of the groups studied. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that levels of SACE were significantly reduced in children with congenital hypothyroidism.