Salivary epidermal growth factor concentration in thyrotoxicosis

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Biochemistry
• Salivary Diagnostics

Background:

• Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a role in cell growth and is influenced by thyroid hormone in mice.
• Thyroid hormone stimulates mouse EGF synthesis, while EGF promotes thyroid cell growth.
• The relationship between thyroid hormone levels and salivary EGF in humans remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of thyroid hormone levels on salivary epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations in humans.
• To compare salivary EGF levels in thyrotoxic patients and healthy controls.
• To determine if goiter influences salivary EGF secretion in hyperthyroid individuals.

Main Methods:

• Collected unstimulated saliva samples from 13 untreated thyrotoxic patients and 21 healthy controls.
• Assayed human EGF (hEGF) concentrations using a homologous radioimmunoassay after sample centrifugation.
• Analyzed salivary hEGF levels in relation to thyroid status and presence of goiter.

Main Results:

• Salivary hEGF concentrations were higher in thyrotoxic patients (0.71 nmol/L) than in controls (0.42 nmol/L), though not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
• Thyrotoxic patients with goiter exhibited significantly elevated salivary hEGF levels (0.92 nmol/L) compared to euthyroid controls and nongoitrous thyrotoxic patients (0.31 nmol/L, p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Thyroid hormone levels may impact salivary EGF secretion in humans.
• The presence of goiter in thyrotoxic patients is associated with significantly increased salivary EGF concentrations.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking thyroid function and salivary EGF.