The relationship between transforming growth factor-beta1, vascular endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
BACKGROUND
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is one of the autoimmune disorders of the thyroid gland. The pathogenesis of HT has not been clearly understood. This study was designed to investigate plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nitrate/nitrite (NOx - two end products of nitric oxide [NO] metabolism) in HT.


METHODS
Forty patients diagnosed HT and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. TGF-beta1 and VEGF levels were measured by ELISA, NOx levels were measured spectrophotometrically.


RESULTS
Plasma TGF-beta1 and VEGF were decreased, and NOx increased in HT patients in comparison with controls. There was a significant correlation between TGF-beta1 and VEGF, and weak but significant correlation between TGF-beta1 and NOx in HT.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that TGF-beta1, VEGF and NO probably have a role in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and development of autoimmunity. Clearly, further studies are necessary to establish the exact mechanism of TGF-beta1, VEGF and NO interaction in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Vural
Pervin
P
Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. pervinvural@yahoo.com
Degirmencioglu
Sevgin
S
Erden
Sacide
S
Gelincik
Asli
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D050031:Hashimoto Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D009569:Nitric Oxide