Gender differences in the function of thyroid gland in the dynamics of the growth of transplantable B16/F10 melanoma in mice

Abstract

Skin melanoma is the one of the most aggressive malignant tumors with an unpredictable course. Rapid proliferation and high metastatic potential can be caused by a high neuroendocrine activity. The thyroid gland discharges a wide range of functions in the body, by regulating metabolism, participating in adaptation and anti-tumor protection and influencing proliferation, angiogenesis and migration of cells. The study of thyroid activity and local saturation of the skin, tumor and surrounding tissues with thyroid hormones in the dynamics of the growth of experimental В16/F10 melanoma in mice of both genders revealed gender differences in thyroid homeostasis. Females showed the syndrome of low thyroid hormone levels - so-called «low T3/low T4» - diagnosed by the level of fractions of free hormone with the deterioration in correlationships between the level of peripheral hormones and TSH. Over the growth of melanoma in males there was developed severe hypothyroidism, not controlled by the higher regulating structures, accompanied by the synthesis and/or capture of thyroxine into the tumor. Saturation of the tumor tissue with thyroxine correlated with the gender and survival of animals. The revealed differences in thyroid status should be taken into account during the treatment patients with melanoma.