[Apoptosis and the thyroid: the Fas pathway].

THE APOPTOTIC FAS/FAS-L PATHWAY: Represents a major apoptotic pathway and involves the specific interaction between a membrane receptor, Fas, harbored by the target cell and a membrane ligand, Fas-L, harbored by the cytotoxic cell. FAS AND NORMAL THYROID GLAND: Normal thyrocytes express Fas receptor but not its ligand. The control of thyroid gland volume results from an equilibrium between the trophic action of TSH and thyrocyte apoptosis, which is limited to some extent by resistance to Fas activation by producing an inhibitor of the apoptotic signal transduction.

[Autoimmune hypothyroidism].

Most of the acquired hypothyroidisms are related to chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis which reduce the functional thyroid parenchyma, determine acquired organification disorders or rarely generation of blocking anti-TSH receptor antibodies. In subjects with genetic predisposition, autoimmunization against the thyroid involves recognition of thyroid antigens, cooperation between B and T lymphocytes and production of cytokines. Biologic markers of antithyroid autoimmune disorders are now widely available.

[Insulin pharmacokinetics in insulin-dependent diabetics. Mathematical models].

The study of insulin pharmacokinetics must help for a better understanding of clinical phenomenons commonly observed among diabetic patients, when insulin therapy is administered either intra-venously (I.V.), or subcutaneously (S.