Structure of the thyroid gland, serum thyroid hormones, and the reproductive cycle of the Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina.

This study examines the role of the thyroid gland in the control of reproduction in the viviparous Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina. Thyroid activity in individuals in different reproductive stages was assessed both by microscopic examination of the gland, and by analysis of circulating levels of thyroid hormones from the same individuals. The thyroid gland is a cylindric organ, embedded in a connective tissue capsule, and composed of follicles, i.e., monolayer spheres of thyroid epithelial cells. Stingray follicular cells possess several characteristic features, namely apical cilia and a well-developed endoplasmic reticulum. Cells vary in size and shape, according to the activity of the gland. No structural differences were observed between the thyroid glands of the two sexes. Both thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine, [T(3)], and thyroxine, [T(4)], were detected in the serum of all animals examined. Levels ranged from 1.3-2.6 microg/100 ml for total T(4), and from 1.2-2.6 ng/ml for total T(3). The T(4) levels did not vary significantly in any group. Immature individuals and females undergoing oogenesis had the lowest levels of circulating T(3) and mature females from ovulation throughout gestation had high thyroid gland activity and high levels of circulating T(3). J. Exp. Zool. 284:505-516, 1999.     

The prevalence of incidentaloma--asymptomatic thyroid nodules in the Tricity (Gdansk, Sopot, Gdynia) population

INTRODUCTION: The increased sensitivity of imaging devices raised number of incidentally discovered lesions in various organs of the human body. Thyroid gland is one of them. Reported prevalence of ultrasonographically detected thyroid nodules (incidentalomas) in general population ranges from 5.2 to 67.0%. Our study demonstrated occurrence of this clinical problem in the general population of the Tricity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 135 healthy adults (95 women and 40 men) were examined. Neck palpation, ultrasonographic examinations of thyroid gland and serum tyreotropin (TSH) level measurement were made. RESULTS: In 8.9% of examine (12/135) persons nodules were palpable whereas in 14.8% (20/135) they were detectable only in ultrasonographic examination. Altogether thyroid ultrasound and palpation revealed nodules in 23.7% (32/135) of all cases. Multiple nodules were present in 12.0% of the cases. The pathology was more common in the elderly and in women. TSH serum level was within normal range in all cases of incidentaloma with otherwise normal thyroid gland. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of thyroid gland nodules (palpation--8.9% plus ultrasonography--14.8%) in healthy population of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot is close to data reported in southern Finland (27.0%) and Belgium (19.0%), where iodine deficiency is small, like in the Tricity area. The revealed lesions were over two times more frequent in the female population. Most of the nodules were not palpable.     

Gas chromatographic analysis of free amino acids in the hyaloplasm of the hypophysis, pineal gland, thyroid gland, spinal cord, thymus and lymph nodes of the cow

Studies of the qualitative and quantitative composition of free amino acids in the hyaloplasm of the hypophysis, pineal gland, thyroid gland, spinal cord, thymus and lymph nodes of the cow are described. The following findings are reported: the highest levels of alanine, valine, glycine, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, threonine, serine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and lysine are found in the thyroid gland, methionine and aspartic acid in the spinal cord, tryptophan and hydroxyproline in the pineal gland, and proline and glutamic acid in the thymus gland. The highest level by weight is that of glutamic acid in all tissues. The presence of α-aminobutyric acid combined with sarcosine and 4-aminoisobutyric acid with 2-AOA and citrulline with cystine was demonstrated. α-Aminoisobutyric acid and isovaline were found in the spinal cord.     

Toxic impact of lindane on aspartate and lindane aminotransferase activity levels of midgut gland of marine prawn, Penaeus indicus.

In vitro addition of lindane (organochlorine insecticide) causing significant changes in the protein and amino acid metabolic profiles of midgut gland by interfering with the aminotransferase system of Penaeus indicus.     

甲状腺大部切除术方法探讨

目的:评价改良甲状腺大部切除术的效果与安全性。方法:回顾性分析1997年3月~2005年10月102例甲状腺良性疾病患者,甲状腺大部切除术后医疗效果。结果:94例痊愈,6例出现术后并发症,2例术后复发。结论:改良的甲状腺大部切除术能明显减轻手术创伤,缩短手术时间,减少术后并发症的发生,提高术后主观满意度,是治疗甲状腺良性疾病的理想术式。     

The interaction of the thyroid gland, pineal gland and immune system in chicken

The interaction of immunological system, thyroid and pineal gland was studied in 5-week old males of Gallus domesticus. Several morphometrical parameters in pineal and thyroid glands were measured after bird immunization with human red blood cells and/or treatment with melatonin or seduxen, melatonin receptor blocker. The peak of the thyroid activity was found on Day 7 after immunization. The immune system appears to directly activate the thyroid gland only in the presence of certain level of melatonin. We suggest that the melatonin mechanism of action includes the enhancement of thyroid gland sensitivity to immune factors. Seduxen prevented the stimulatory influence of the immune system on the thyroid gland.     

Fine structural aspects of the black thyroid induced by minocycline, and the effects of a low iodine diet, propylthiouracil, thyroxine tablet and TSH, on the black discoloration of the rat thyroid

Fine structural aspects of the effect of minocycline, an antibiotic of the tetracycline group, on the rat thyroid were studied. In all the rats administered minocycline (100 mg/kg/day) for 21 days, diffuse black discoloration of the thyroid gland occurred. However, when the rats were fed on a low iodine diet, given propylthiouracil (PTU) or thyroxine tablet with minocycline the black pigmentation of the thyroid gland did not take place. On the other hand, black discoloration of the thyroid was accelerated in the rats administered TSH and minocycline simultaneously. Ultrastructurally, numerous dense bodies containing highly electron-dense deposits were seen in the supranuclear region of the follicular epithelial cells of the black thyroid. These dense bodies, which showed positive acid phosphatase activity, are considered to be lysosomes containing minocycline or its derivatives. It is speculated that minocycline is taken up into follicular epithelial cells with iodine, and that the black discoloration of the thyroid gland is intimately related to iodine metabolism.     

Helodermin, but not cholecystokinin, somatostatin, or thyrotropin releasing hormone, acutely increases thyroid blood flow in the rat

In the present study, we investigated whether peptides located within the thyroid gland, but not directly found in nerve fibers associated with blood vessels, might influence thyroid blood flow. Specifically, we evaluated the effects of helodermin, cholecystokinin (CCK), somatostatin (SRIF) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) given systemically on thyroid blood flow and circulating thyroid hormone levels. Blood flows in the thyroid and six other organs were measured in male rats using 141Ce-labeled microspheres. Circulating thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid hormone levels were monitored by RIA. Helodermin (10(-10) mol/100 g BW, i.v. over 4 min) markedly elevated thyroid blood flow (52 +/- 6 vs. 10 +/- 2 ml/min.g in vehicle-infused rats; n = 5). Blood flows to the salivary gland, pancreas, lacrimal gland and stomach (but not adrenal and kidney) were also increased during helodermin infusions. CCK, SRIF, and TRH were without effect on blood flows to the thyroid and other organs even though these peptides were tested at higher molar doses than helodermin. Helodermin, CCK, or SRIF did not affect thyroid hormone or plasma calcium levels. As expected however, plasma TSH and T3 levels were increased at 20 min and 2 h, respectively, following TRH infusions. Since helodermin shares sequence homology with VIP, we next compared the relative effects of these two peptides on thyroid and other organ blood flows. VIP (10(-11) mol/100 g BW, i.v.) was more potent in increasing blood flows to the thyroid, salivary gland, and pancreas than an equimolar dose of helodermin. This study shows that while helodermin, like VIP, has the ability to increase thyroid and other organ blood flows, it appears to be a less potent vasodilator.     

Serum levels of IGF-I, HGF, TGFbeta1, bFGF and VEGF in thyroid gland tumors

IGF-I, HGF, TGFbeta1, bFGF and VEGF are involved in the pathogenesis of thyroid gland tumors and their growth. We decided to find whether changes in the production of these cytokines by thyroid tumor cells are reflected by changes of their peripheral blood. Using ELISA kits, we measured the concentrations of growth factors in the peripheral blood serum in 28 patients with thyroid gland tumors (14 adenomas, 14 papillary carcinomas) and compared these concentrations with those in healthy people. We found significantly lower serum levels of IGF-I in patients with thyroid adenoma compared to the healthy population. Serum levels of HGF and bFGF were significantly higher in patients with thyroid adenoma and papillary carcinoma compared with those in healthy subjects. Serum concentrations of TGFbeta1 and VEGF were not significantly different in any groups of investigated subjects. Changes in the production of these cytokines by thyroid gland tumor cells are reflected in their peripheral blood levels, but these levels also depend on a number of other physiological and pathological processes in the organism. However, significant differences of HGF and bFGF serum levels can be explained by their very high production by thyroid tumor cells and by their strong effect on the follicular and endothelial cell proliferation.     

Morphological study of the neurosecretory hypothalamo-hypophyseal system and thyroid gland in intestinal carcinogenesis]

Pathomorphology of the neurosecretory hypothalamo-hypophyseal system and the thyroid gland of 150 rats of both sexes was investigated in intestinal carcinogenesis induced by 1.2-dimethyl hydrazine. Inhibition of the neurosecretory activity of paraventricular and supraoptical nuclei as well as atrophic changes in th: thyroid gland were found to be associated with the latent period of carcinogenesis. The arising of the intestinal tumor is accompanied by hypertrophy of neurons and their nuclei, by a decrease in the neurosecretory substance content and the thyroid gland tendency to return to normal. The tumor spreading provoked neuron hypertrophy and the reduction of the neurosecretory substance as well and pronounced atrophic changes in the thyroid gland.     

Localization and role of leptin in the thyroid gland of the lizard Podarcis sicula (Reptilia, Lacertidae)

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is a hormone secreted by adipocytes that regulates food intake and energy expenditure. The hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis is markedly influenced by the metabolism status, being suppressed during food deprivation. The present study was designed to ascertain whether (1) lizard thyroid gland expresses the long form of leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) and (2) the leptin administration affects the thyroid gland activity in this species (and to verify whether leptin plays a similar role in reptiles as observed in the other vertebrates). The presence of leptin receptor in the thyroid gland of Podarcis sicula was demonstrated by immunohistochemical technique (avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex--ABC method). The role of leptin in the control of thyroid gland activity was studied in vivo using light microscopy (LM) technique coupled to a specific radioimmunoassay for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (T4 and T3). Leptin (0.1 mg/100 g body wt)/day increased T4 and T3 release for 3 days but decreased the plasma concentration of TSH; using LM clear signs of stimulation in the thyroid gland were observed. These findings suggest that systemic administration of leptin stimulates the morphophysiology of the thyroid gland in the lizard through a direct mechanism involving Ob-Rb.     

Ultrasonic scan of the thyroid gland during the treatment of endemic goiter with L-thyroxine

Forty three adolescents of both sexes (26 female, 17 male) aged between 16 and 19 years with struma diffusa juvenilis were treated with L-thyroxine for 16 months. Size of the thyroid gland was classified according to WHO. The percentage of stages was the following; Ia-12%, Ib-69%, and II-19%. The patients were given L-thyroxine in a daily dose of 100 micrograms. Patients' compliance and the results of therapy were controlled every 4 months, measuring thyroid gland size with ultrasound scan and determining T3, T4 and TSH in serum. It was found that: 1. L-Thyroxine significantly reduces the volume of thyroid gland with insignificant changes in serum T3, T4, and TSH levels. 2. Ultrasound volumetry of the thyroid gland is a precise morphometric technique, reproducible with high degree of specificity. 3. Monotherapy with L-thyroxine given for at least one year is effective in endemic goitre. The authors discuss also literature on ultrasound volumetry of the thyroid gland and therapies in comparison with own results.     

The thyroid gland function assessment in women after mastectomy and chemotherapy during breast cancer therapy

INTRODUCTION: For many years much attention has been focused on an interaction between the breast disease and the thyroid gland function in the literature. In those studies the question whether disease changes in the thyroid gland can induces the breast disease was addressed. On the other hand there are a few works concerning the inverted question whether the breast cancer therapy, in particular after mastectomy and chemotherapy, can disturb the thyroid gland function. The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of the mastectomy and chemotherapy on the thyroid gland function in women after breast cancer therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 173 patients aged 30-80 (average 56) were included in this study. The studied group comprised 97 women after breast cancer therapy (average age 60). The control group consisted of 76 patients (average age 55). 75 patients after mastectomy of the studied group were additionally treated with chemotherapy, but in 22 women chemotherapy was not applied. The following methods were used to carry out the research: the USG method was applied to evaluate thyroid morphological condition in women after mastectomy and chemotherapy; the color Doppler technique was used for dynamic presentation and fine- needle aspiration biopsy: examination of the thyroid functional state by measuring the TSH, fT(3), fT(4) hormone concentration and the level of antithyroid antibodies. RESULTS: An average concentration of antithyroid antibodies: anti-TPO and anti-Tg was found significantly higher in the studied group of women after chemotherapy, comparing with the control group. The level of fT(3) hormone concentration was comparable in all investigated groups. Nevertheless, the average concentration of TSH was found higher in women after mastectomy and chemotherapy and as a consequence leading to hypothyroidism. CONCLUSION: Taking into consideration the high level of the concentration of antithyroid antibodies: (anti-TPO and anti- Tg), which lead to destruction of the thyroid gland tissue, the thyroid gland function of the women after mastectomy and chemotherapy should be monitored morphologically as well as functionally.     

Factors Influencing the Successful Maintenance of Euthyroidism after Lobectomy in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A Single-Center Study

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate factors influencing the successful maintenance of postoperative euthyroidism in patients who did not undergo immediate thyroid hormone replacement after lobectomy for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).Methods: From September 2015 to June 2017, 186 patients underwent lobectomy for PTMC in our hospital. Patients taking medications for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism before and after lobectomy were excluded. Multiple parameters, including sex, age, pre-operative free thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroglobulin (TG), and thyroid autoantibody levels, body mass index (BMI), postoperative histopathology of the thyroid gland, remnant thyroid gland volume, and session number of levothyroxine discontinuation were retrospectively evaluated. These factors were compared between groups based on the maintenance of postoperative euthyroidism.Results: In 88 of the 175 patients (50.3%), postoperative euthyroidism was successfully maintained without thyroid hormone replacement during the first year after lobectomy. There were significant differences in sex (P = .003), pre-operative TSH levels (P = .002), and histopathology of the thyroid gland (P = .035) between the groups showing maintenance success and failure. The group showing successful maintenance had a higher percentage of male patients, lower levels of pre-operative TSH, and normal parenchymal histology of the thyroid gland. However, there were no significant between-group differences in age, pre-operative free T4, TG, and thyroid autoantibody levels, BMI, remnant thyroid gland volume, and session number of levothyroxine discontinuation.Conclusion: Patient sex, pre-operative TSH levels, and histopathology of the thyroid gland may influence the maintenance of postoperative euthyroidism after lobectomy.Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index; PTMC = papillary thyroid microcarcinoma; RR = reference range; T4 = thyroxine; TFT = thyroid function test; TG = thyroglobulin; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone     

Effect of growing Sesamum indicum L. on enhanced dissipation of lindane (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-hexachlorocyclohexane) from soil

The effect of growing Sesamum indicum L. on the dissipation of lindane (gamma-HCH) was studied in spiked soil. For this, S. indicum was grown with four different concentrations of lindane (5, 10, 15, and 20 microg g(-1)). Plant growth, yield, photosynthetic pigments, soluble protein, microbial biomass carbon, lindane uptake, residual lindane concentration in soil and percentage dissipation of lindane from soil were analyzed at 25, 90, and 124 d. The accumulation of lindane in test plants was linearly related to the soil concentration (r2 = 0.897-0.979). At maturity, the accumulation of lindane in S. indicum grown with four spiked concentrations reached up to 7.98, 13.72, 23.71, and 33.29 microg g(-1) dry matter, respectively. There was a marked difference in the dissipation of lindane in vegetated and non-vegetated soils (p < 0.01). After final harvesting, the residual lindane concentrations in four spiked concentrations were reduced by 77.56, 70.12, 62.51, and 58.7%, respectively. Agronomic practice for the onsite application of this species is discussed. Based on the present study, it was calculated that S. indicum could accumulate 2237-2611 mg lindane per acre after 124 d cultivation. S. indicum could thus be used for the phytoremediation of lindane contaminated soil.     

Response of the thyroid gland of the lizard Podarcis sicula to endothelin-1

Although endothelins were originally discovered as peptides with vasoconstrictor activity, recent studies have indicated a number of endothelin (ET) induced hormonal functions in various tissues. We have studied the interaction of ET-1 with thyroid gland of the lizard Podarcis sicula. The effects of ET-1 administration on the plasma levels of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and TSH were stimulatory. Morphological changes in the thyroid after treatment with ET-1 were also detected: the height of the epithelial cells slightly increased and the apical surface acquired microvilli protruding into the follicular lumen. The colloid filled up the lumen and showed a rich peripheral vacuolation. In conclusion, a modulatory role in the control of the reptilian thyroid gland is suggested for ET-1. This is the first report on the interaction of ET-1 with the thyroid gland of reptilian.     

Concomitant association of thyroid sarcoidosis and Graves' disease

OBJECTIVE: Graves' disease (GD) with sarcoid involvement of the thyroid gland has rarely been reported. METHOD: We report a case of GD with thyroid sarcoidosis in a 28-year-old woman. Thyroid function was assessed by triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxine (T(4)), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and TSH receptor antibodies (TSH-R Ab). Thyroid scintigraphy, ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration biopsy were performed. The patient underwent surgery. RESULT: The patient had a nodular goiter. Serum T(3), T(4) and TSH-R Ab levels were elevated with suppressed TSH level. Scintigraphy showed diffuse activity as seen in GD, and ultrasound revealed that parenchyma was heterogenous. Sarcoidosis was discovered on routine chest X-ray. Although no sarcoid involvement was found on specimen, the thyroid gland showed non-caseating granulomas on histology. CONCLUSION: Since sarcoid involvement of the thyroid gland can cause hypofunction, we report the uncommon infiltration of sarcoidosis with hyperthyroidism.     

Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to follicular adenoma of the thyroid gland. A case report

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma is an unpredictable tumor that can recur many years after the original diagnosis and metastasize to uncommon sites, including the thyroid gland. Differential diagnosis from primary thyroid tumor is often difficult both clinically and pathologically. We report a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma in follicular adenoma of the thyroid gland. CASE: A 48-year-old woman presented with a 3-cm-diameter, palpable mass in the left lobe of the thyroid gland. The patient's history included removal of a left renal mass, which was conventional renal cell carcinoma. Fine needle aspiration cytology smears contained a few small clusters of polygonal cells with abundant, clear cytoplasm and irregular, hyperchromatic nuclei as well as bland-looking thyroid follicle cells and stromal cells. A papillary or follicular growth pattern was not detected. A cell block made from the aspirated sample was composed mainly of clear cells. By immunohistochemical stains, the clear cells were completely negative for TTF-1, thyroglobulin, calcitonin and inhibin while equivocally staining for cytokeratin, CD10 and galectin-3. The histologic diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma metastatic to follicular adenoma of the thyroid gland. CONCLUSION: Renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the thyroid may masquerade as a primary thyroid neoplasm. A history of prior nephrectomy, the presence of unremarkable thyroid follicle cells, the absence of a papillary or follicular growth pattern and immunohistochemical study can help differentiating metastatic renal cell carcinoma from a primary thyroid lesion with clear cell change.     

The peculiarities of separate and combined exposure to low dose-rate gamma-radiation and 232Th nitrate on thyroid gland

We studied the effects of both: of the separate and of the combined exposure to gamma-radiation (absorbed doses for 30 days were 1.4-1.8 cGy, for 90 days were 4.3-5.4 cGy) and 232Th nitrate (in concentrations 6.0; 20.0 and 60.0 mg/l) on the CBA line mice thyroid gland. Hat is shown the thyroid gland response to the combined exposure is significant in an appearance of non-linear effects of interaction. The intensiveness of the radiation influence (time and doses) is revealed to affect on the biological response direction in thyroid gland. The intensity of this effect was depended on the correlation between the radiation activity and the chemical components concentration. The dispersive analyses showed that all the studied factors caused structural changes in thyroid gland in this experiment, but the gamma-radiation influence causes the primary contribution.