Daniel C. Braga

Prevention and current onset delay approaches of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

The urgent need to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is currently reaching epidemic proportions, has been a major focus of healthcare systems and policy makers worldwide. Pharmacological treatment and lifestyle interventions together with the control of cardiovascular risk factors are the main strategies to prevent or delay the onset of T2DM. The present review discusses the state of the art knowledge of effective therapeutic approaches (metformin, thiazolidinediones, nateglinides, α-glucosidase inhibitors, incretin-based and angiotensin-based therapies, weight reducers, statins, fibric acid derivatives), including surgery, and identifies the major lifestyle changes for specific target groups.

Ovarian Leydig cell tumor in a post-menopausal patient with severe hyperandrogenism

Leydig cell tumors are rare ovarian steroid cell neoplasms. More than 75% of patients show signs of virilization due to overproduction of testosterone. We report a case of an 81-year-old woman with progressive signs of virilization, and presenting vaginal bleeding. Clinical analyses revealed high levels of serum testosterone, delta 4-androstenedione and estradiol, and also inappropriate low levels of gonadotrophins for a post-menopausal woman. Transvaginal ultrasound showed no evidence of ovarian tumor, but pelvic and abdominal computerized axial tomography imaging revealed a left ovarian solid nodule, and no evidence of alteration in the adrenal glands. Total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy were performed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of Leydig cell tumor. After surgery, androgen levels returned to normal, and there was regression of the signs of virilization.

Ovarian intratumoral 21-hydroxylase deficiency in a postmenopausal hirsute woman

Virilising ovarian tumours are a rare cause of hyperandrogenism in women, accounting for less than 5% of all ovarian neoplasms. It occurs most often in - and postmenopausal women. We report a case of a 64 year-old woman with signs of virilisation that had started 3 years before. Blood hormone analysis revealed increased levels of testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The tetracosactin test revealed 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Radiological imaging demonstrated a nodule in her left ovary. The patient was submitted to bilateral laparoscopic oophorectomy, and histopathological examination revealed a luteoma of the left ovary. Postoperative serum testosterone level and 17-hydroxyprogesterone returned to normal levels in one month. Virilism regressed within six months. Our patient also showed an elevation in 17-OHP serum levels. Normalization of 17-OHP after oophorectomy suggests a case of intratumoral 21-hydroxylase deficiency. To our knowledge, this is the first description of ovarian intratumoral 21-hydroxylase deficiency in a postmenopausal woman.