CORRELATION OF THYROID AUTOIMMUNITY WITH ATHEROSCLEROSIS EVALUATION IN HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiology
• Pathology

Background:

• The link between subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is widely studied.
• However, the causal relationship between Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT), lipid profiles, and follicular cell biology remains controversial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between Hashimoto thyroiditis, lipid profiles, and cardiovascular complications.
• To explore the molecular and histological changes in patients with HT and/or atherosclerotic CVD.

Main Methods:

• Comparative study of three patient groups: HT, HT+CVD, and CVD.
• Laboratory tests for thyroid function and lipid profiles.
• High-resolution ultrasonography for intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid and femoral arteries.
• Thyroid gland histology and immunohistochemistry (p63, S100 protein expression).
• Statistical analysis including Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson's correlation, and Multiple Linear Regression.

Main Results:

• Dyslipidemia and diastolic hypertension accelerate hypothyroidism in the HT+CVD group, increasing carotid and femoral IMT.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-TPO antibody levels correlate directly with cardiovascular complications.
• S100 and p63 expression indicate a negative feedback of hypercholesterolemia on morphological risk factors in Hashimoto's thyroiditis parenchyma.

Conclusions:

• HT is pathobiologically linked to CVD, with dyslipidemia and hypertension as key accelerators.
• TSH and anti-TPO antibodies are significant biomarkers for cardiovascular risk in HT patients.
• Molecular markers suggest a complex interplay between hypercholesterolemia, thyroid pathology, and potential progression to papillary thyroid carcinoma.