Serum adenosine deaminase activity in thyroid disorders

Abstract

Context: It has been widely reported that thyroid gland is very much prone to autoimmune disorder. Adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme distributed in the human tissues, is considered as nonspecific marker of cell-mediated immunity. Also it is suggested to be an important enzyme for modulating the bioactivity of thyroid hormones, but its clinical significance in thyroid disorders is not yet characterized. Therefore this study aims to see association between serum ADA and different thyroid disorders if any. Research Design and Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted in Immunoassay laboratory of Department of Biochemistry, BPKIHS. A total of 122 subjects were selected and divided into five groups: Group 1 (Euthyroid), Group 2 (Overt Hyperthyroid), Group 3 (Subclinical Hyperthyroid), Group 4 (Overt Hypothyroid) and Group 5 (Subclinical Hypothyroid) based on the thyroid function status. Samples were stored at − 20 o till the assay of parameters. Thyroid hormones; thyroxine (fT4), triiodothyronine (fT3) and thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) were assayed by Enzyme Linked Immunoflouresent Assay (ELFA) technique. Serum ADA activity was estimated by spectrophotometric methods of Giusti and Galanti. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Statistical analysis done by Chi-square test and one way ANOVA. P <0.05 considered as significant. Result: Out of 122 subjects 91 were female and 31 were male, showing the female preponderance of thyroid disorders. There was significant difference in ADA activity in different thyroid disorders (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The females were more prone to thyroid disorders and there was significant difference in ADA activity in different thyroid disorders. Our findings suggest that ADA may play a role in the pathophysiology of thyroid disorders, however a large scale study is required to predict the relationship.