Real time RT-PCR analysis of thyroglobulin mRNA in peripheral blood in patients with congenital athyreosis and with differentiated thyroid carcinoma after stimulation with recombinant human thyrotropin.

Objective: Thyroglobulin (Tg), measured by immunometric assay, is the most sensitive and widely used clinical marker for thyroid cancer progression and relapse. However, these Tg determinations are of limited sensitivity and susceptible to interference by Tg autoantibodies. As a possible diagnostic alternative, we tested a real time RT-PCR protocol to determine Tg mRNA levels in peripheral blood.

Technical evaluation of a new immunoradiometric and a new immunoluminometric assay for thyroglobulin.

Background: After removal of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), serum thyroglobulin (Tg) can indicate persistent or recurrent disease. We describe two novel two-step assays designed to measure low Tg concentrations.

Methods: We evaluated prototypes of the new IRMA, DYNOtest Tg-pluS, and the new immunoluminometric assay (ILMA), LUMItest) Tg-pluS.

L-arginine deficiency and supplementation in experimental acute renal failure and in human kidney transplantation.

Background: The "L-arginine paradox" refers to situations where L-arginine (L-Arg) supplementation stimulates nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, despite saturating intracellular concentrations. This paradox is frequently observed in acute renal failure (ARF). First, the effects of L-Arg on renal function of rats with ARF were studied.