Subclinical hypothyroidism: Comparison of adhesion molecule levels before and after levothyroxine therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Adhesion molecules are involved in inflammation, atherosclerosis and malignancy. This study measured levels of adhesion molecules before and after levothyroxine therapy in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SHO).


METHODS
Levels of soluble (s) intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, s vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM) VCAM-1 and sE-selectin were analysed in patients diagnosed with SHO, prior to administration of 50 µg/day levothyroxine orally for 3 months. Subsequently, levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin were reanalysed then compared with the pretreatment levels.


RESULTS
In 30 patients with SHO, levels of sICAM-1 were found to be significantly higher than those in healthy controls, (P = 0.001). Post-treatment sICAM-1 levels were significantly lower than pretreatment levels (P = 0.001). No significant differences were found in sVCAM-1 or sE-selectin levels between healthy controls and patients with SHO before treatment, or between patients with SHO pre- and post-treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with SHO had significantly higher levels of sICAM-1 compared with controls. Levels became normal after treatment with levothyroxine. These findings emphasize the need for levothyroxine therapy in cases of SHO to normalize sICAM-1 levels. Such treatment helps to prevent the future development of atherosclerosis or cancer.
Department of Allergy and Immunology, Celal Bayar University Medical School, Manisa, Turkey.
Ferda
F
Bilgir
Department of Internal Medicine, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Bozyaka, Izmir, Turkey oktaybilgir@gmail.com.
Oktay
O
Bilgir
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, DokuzEylul University Medical School, Balçova, Izmir, Turkey.
Mehmet
M
Calan
Department of Biochemistry, Karsiyaka State Hospital, Karsiyaka, Izmir, Turkey.
Ozlem
O
Calan
Department of Internal Medicine, Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Bozyaka, Izmir, Turkey.
Tolgay
T
Isikyakar
D000328:Adult; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*
D019040:E-Selectin; C573420:ICAM1 protein, human; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine
Subclinical hypothyroidism; levothyroxine; sE-selectin; sICAM-1; sVCAM-1