Enhanced proatherogenic inflammation after recombinant human TSH administration in patients monitored for thyroid cancer remnant.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) on biomarkers of vascular endothelial cell and platelet activation in patients monitored for thyroid carcinoma remnant.


METHODS
Circulating levels of soluble(s) intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 and sE-selectin, as indices of vascular endothelial cell activation, of sP-selectin and sCD40 ligand (sCD40L), as indices of platelet activation, and of 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (8-iso-PGF(2alpha)), as an index of lipid peroxidation, were evaluated in 20 patients (16 females, 48.0 +/- 13.6 years) at baseline and after intramuscular rhTSH injection (0.9 mg/day on two consecutive days).


RESULTS
At baseline, serum TSH values were below normal whereas free T3 and free T4 were within the normal range. After rhTSH injection, serum TSH increased significantly but free T3 and free T4 remained unchanged. Concomitantly, plasma sICAM-1 concentrations increased significantly (from 155.9 +/- 39.1 to 183.6 +/- 38.1 ng/ml, P < 0.03), as did those of sE-selectin (from 74.8 +/- 15.4 to 91.4 +/- 12.2 ng/ml, P < 0.0006), sP-selectin (from 56.4 +/- 13.7 to 72.2 +/- 14.9 ng/ml, P < 0.002), sCD40L (from 2.1 +/- 0.9 to 2.8 +/- 1.1 ng/ml, P < 0.03) and total 8-iso-PGF(2alpha)(from 238.5 +/- 47.0 to 307.8 +/- 41.2 pg/l, P < 0.0001). Changes in circulating levels of sCD40L were directly correlated with changes in levels of plasma total 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) (r = 0.523, P < 0.02) and sP-selectin (r = 0.480, P < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Supraphysiological concentrations of rhTSH might exert proatherogenic effects by promoting activation of vascular endothelial cells and platelets probably through enhanced oxidative stress.
Desideri
Giovambattista
G
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L'Aquila, Italy. giovambattista.desideri@cc.univaq.it
Bocale
Raffaella
R
Milardi
Domenico
D
Ghiadoni
Lorenzo
L
Grassi
Davide
D
Necozione
Stefano
S
Taddei
Stefano
S
di Orio
Ferdinando
F
Pontecorvi
Alfredo
A
Ferri
Claudio
C
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D019007:P-Selectin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013972:Thyrotropin