[Collagen content of the thyroid tissue and/urinary hydroxyproline in various forms of goiter]

Chemical composition of the thyroid tissue, removed by surgery, was studied in 72 patients with goiter. Thyrotoxicosis of different severity was found out in 42 and euthyrosis in 30 subjects. The water and dry residue contents, the amounts of extracted and insoluble tissue, collagen level in the thyroid normal tissue and that of different goiter forms were detected. The urine hydroxyproline concentration was determined before surgery. The study of the thyroid tissue chemical composition in modular euthyroid and diffuse toxic goiter has shown a fall in the dry residue and collagen contents, a rise in the water and insoluble tissue levels, an enhancement of the soluble to insoluble tissue ration in comparison with the control. Hyperoxyprolinuria, most pronounced in severe thyrotoxicosis, was seen in patients with various goiter forms versus healthy subjects.