Proteolytic Activity of Thyroid Enzymes in Endemic Goiter

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Abstract
The efficiency of the intrathyroid proteolytic system was studied in 17 subjects living in the endemic goiter region of the Uele (Republic of Congo). A thyroid extract containing the proteolytic enzymes and the thyroglobulin was prepared and incubated either alone or in the presence of hemoglobin at 37 C and pH 3.5 for various periods of time. All the thyroid extracts have a proteolytic action. This action, however, is inferior to that of specimens of normal thyroid tissue taken from man or sheep. These results suggest the existence of an insufficient proteolysis of the thyroglobulin in endemic goiter.