Metabolic Studies on Experimental Allergic Thyroiditis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The relationship between the patterns of incorporation of 125I in the thyroid and serum and the pathological changes in the gland is described in experimental allergic thyroiditis, 3–6 weeks after a single immunizing dose of homologous thyroid extract in Freund's adjuvant. At 3–4 weeks, reduced thyroid 125I uptake, low or normal labeled serum iodothyronine and normal serum 125Iiodoalbumin levels were found. Pathological changes at this time showed intense mononuclear infiltration with acinar invasion and disruption and focal hyperplasia, while the residual uninvolved acini appeared inactive. At 5–6 weeks after immunization, thyroid 125I uptake, labeled serum iodothyronine and 126I-iodoalbumin were elevated, and free labeled DIT was present at times in the serum and thyroid. 125I incorporation into the microsomal fraction was elevated at the expense of the supernatant fraction of the thyroid. The pathological appearance continued to be extensive inflammatory infiltration, but all acini showed hyperplasia. Simultaneous analyses for 125I-iodoalbumin in serum and thyroid at different periods following 125I administration indicated that this component appeared first in the gland, suggesting that its formation is within the thyroid. The many similarities of the metabolic patterns in experimental allergic thyroiditis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are discussed. (Endocrinology74: 746, 1964)