The COX Pathway Alters Hematopoiesis in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

There is limited data in the literature on the effect of prostaglandins (PG) and thromboxanes (TX) on the development and severity of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT). This article aimed to analyze the association between blood count and the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway in 39 women with HT.

Biochemical analysis of PGE2 and TXB2 was performed using liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Morphological abnormalities were found in the women studied, particularly with regard to white blood cell parameters. An increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was associated with significantly higher levels of monocytes (p = 0.041). Correlations were also noted between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with TXB2 and PGE2. Furthermore, a very strong correlation was demonstrated for the first time between antibodies against tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and antibodies against thyroglobulin (ATG) (r = 0.781; p = 0.007). Correlations between blood count and eicosanoids were also demonstrated.

The results suggest the involvement of COX products in the pathogenesis of HT and hematopoiesis; therefore, this study may contribute not only to advancing knowledge, but also to developing new guidelines for diagnosing and treating autoimmune diseases.