Immunohistochemical localization of galectin-3 in malignant and benign human thyroid tissue.

Background: Galectin-3 is an endogenous beta-galactoside binding lectin with putative roles in development, immunomodulation, transformation and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to analyze galectin-3 expression in a series of human thyroid neoplastic lesions.

Methods: A total of 76 cases, including 47 specimens of thyroid malignancies, 14 follicular adenomas and 15 specimens of normal thyroid tissue, were analyzed immunohistochemically using a monoclonal antibody to galectin-3 and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) method.

[Effects of amiodarone on the thyroid gland: appearance of microlesions in follicles of hyperplastic rat thyroid after chronic amiodarone treatment].

Using the rat and guinea-pig as an experimental animal model, the effect of amiodarone (Cordarone) on normal of hyperplastic thyroid was investigated in eu- or hypothyroid animals. Following short- or long-term treatments with different doses of amiodarone (5-50 mg/day) and amiodarone-equivalent amounts of stable iodine, serum thyroid hormones were assayed, followed by determination of thyroid uptake of radioiodine, the weight of the thyroid gland and its histological structure. Having received amiodarone chronically, euthyroid rats showed decreaed levels of serum T3 and T4, in contrast to euthyroid guinea-pigs in which no appreciable differences between amiodarone-treated and untreated animals were observed.

Long-term follow up of serum thyroglobin levels and its clinical implications in subjects after surgical removal of "cold" thyroid nodule.

Increased thyroglobulin (Tg) serum level in females (n = 49) suffering from scintigraphically "cold" thyroid nodule (395 +/- 168, micrograms/l, mean +/- SD) is significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in comparison with the data obtained from euthyroid healthy persons (28 +/- 10, n = 15) or those diagnosed with scintigraphically functional thyroid nodule (72 +/- 14, n = 15). No correlation between Tg and TSH serum levels has been seen before surgical removal of "cold" nodule (rxy = +0.

[Effects of amiodarone on the thyroid gland in euthyroid and hypothyroid animals].

Amiodarone is a benzofurane derivative which contains an appreciable amount of iodine (37%). It is used in cardiology as an antianginal and antiarrhythmic drug. Using guinea-pigs and rats as the animal model systems, the effects of amiodarone on normal and hyperplastic thyroid glands were investigated in eu- and hypothyroid animals.