Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of cytosolic and nuclear androgen receptors (AR) in both normal and nodular thyroid tissues from twelve women and six men. Samples of benign thyroid nodules and corresponding surrounding normal tissue were processed by the single saturation point assay, using [3H] R1881 ([3H] Methyltrienolone) at final concentration of 5 nM. The results show the presence of AR (cytosolic and/or nuclear) in all examined tissue samples. The nuclear AR content was higher (p less than 0.01) in normal rather than in nodular thyroid tissues. The same pattern was observed when nuclear AR were analyzed according to the sex. In addition, nuclear AR content was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in normal thyroid tissue from men than from women. Our data suggest an androgen influence on thyroid tissue. If androgens are supposed to exert an antagonist role on estrogen actions also in thyroid tissue, the presence of higher nuclear AR concentration in the male rather than in the female normal thyroid may justify the lower incidence of thyroid diseases in men. Moreover, the lower AR levels found in male as well as in female nodular and goitrous tissues support the hypothesis that androgens may act with an antagonist mechanism on thyroid growth.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
