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Immunoreactive endothelin in nodular pathology of the thyroid
L Foppiani1, E Porcella, C M Cuttica
1DISEM, Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Università di Genova, Italy.
Clinical Endocrinology
|December 24, 1997
Summary
Elevated immunoreactive endothelin (i-ET) levels were found in the plasma of patients with thyroid cystic nodules. These increased i-ET levels in cystic fluid may be secondary to cystic nodule development, not thyroid function.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Thyroidology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Endothelins (ETs) are implicated as autocrine and/or paracrine regulators of thyroid homeostasis and growth.
- Nodular thyroid pathology is a common clinical condition requiring evaluation of potential underlying mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate immunoreactive endothelin (i-ET) levels in patients with thyroid nodular pathology.
- To correlate i-ET levels with cytomorphological features from fine-needle aspiration (FNA), hormonal status, immunological markers, and blood pressure.
Main Methods:
- Assayed plasma and cystic fluid i-ET levels in 47 patients with nodular thyroid pathology and 18 controls.
- Utilized fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for cytological examination and cystic fluid collection.
- Measured serum FT3, FT4, TSH, TPO autoantibodies, and thyroglobulin autoantibodies.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher plasma i-ET levels were observed in patients with cystic nodules compared to solid nodules and controls.
- Cystic fluid i-ET levels were significantly higher than plasma i-ET levels and showed a negative correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- No significant correlation was found between i-ET levels and thyroid function (FT3, FT4, TSH) or FNA cellularity.
Conclusions:
- Endothelins do not appear to play a primary role in regulating thyroid function.
- Elevated i-ET levels in cystic fluid are likely a consequence of cystic nodule development rather than a cause of thyroid dysfunction.