C-cells in colloid goiter.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this investigation was to quantitatively evaluate C-cells in colloid goiters, analyzing 36 thyroids that were obtained through thyroidectomy from 24 patients with goiter and 12 normal glands from adult patients without thyroid disease, which were used as the control group.


METHODS
On average, 6 different thyroid areas were sampled and labeled by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal anticalcitonin antibody, utilizing the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. C-cells were counted in fields measuring 1 square centimeter, and the mean number of cells per field was then calculated. Data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test.


RESULTS
In the colloid goiter group, the number of C-cells ranged from 0 to 23 per field, while in normal controls they ranged from 20 to 148 per field.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate a significant decrease of C-cell number in the colloid goiter group compared with control group, indicating that the hyperplastic process is restricted to follicular cells, to the detriment of C-cells, which probably cease to receive trophic stimuli.
Lima
Marcus A
MA
Disciplines of Endocrinology, Internal Medicine and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine of the Tri ngulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Tiveron
Fabiana S
FS
Santos
Vitorino M
VM
Lima
Lilian M B
LM
Silva
Gilberto P
GP
Borges
Maria F
MF
D003102:Colloids; D006042:Goiter; D006043:Goiter, Endemic; D006801:Humans; D013959:Thyroid Diseases; D013961:Thyroid Gland
D003102:Colloids