Thyroid Membranes Research Articles

Female rats present higher oxidative damage and inflammation during goitrogenesis.

Thyroid disorders affect more women than men, but the underlying mechanisms contributing to this disparity remain incompletely understood. Thyrotropin (TSH), the primary regulator of thyroid oxidative hormonogenesis, has been implicated as a risk factor for proliferative thyroid diseases and a predictor of malignancy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of sustained elevated TSH levels on thyroid redox homeostasis, inflammatory markers, and DNA damage response in both male and female rats. Rats were treated with methimazole for 7 or 21 days, and hormonal measurements were conducted. H2O2 levels were evaluated in thyroid membrane fractions, while enzymatic activities were assessed in total thyroid homogenates. Sex-specific differences emerged, with females displaying higher reactive oxygen species levels - increased transiently NOX and sustained DUOX activities. Lipid peroxidation marker 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) was elevated in females at both time points, contrasting with males just at 21 days. Sexual dimorphism was observed in DNA damage response, with females showing higher γH2AX levels at 21 days. Elevated IL-1β, TNF-α, CD11b mRNA, and phospho-NF-κB levels at 7 days indicated a distinct inflammatory profile in females. Notably, both sexes exhibited upregulated antioxidant enzymes. Our data suggest that females are more susceptible to oxidative damage and inflammation in our goiter model, which may be associated with higher ROS production and a less-efficient antioxidant defense system. These findings provide insights into the sex-specific mechanisms underlying thyroid dysfunction and highlight the importance of considering sex disparities in thyroid disorder research.

Endoscopic-assisted modified cricothyroid membrane approach for laryngeal surgery in patients with difficult airways

Objective:To explore the value of endoscopic-assisted modified cricothyroid membrane approach laryngeal surgery in patients with difficult airways and evaluate its safety. Methods:All patients with laryngeal surgery who were hospitalized were evaluated. For the patients with difficult airways those could not be exposed through routine surgical approach, after full communication, we carried out the endoscope-assisted modified loop thyroscopic approach to the thyroid membrane. Results:All the 12 patients completed the operation successfully, and the visual field exposure was satisfactory during the operation. None of the patients had bleeding and glottic and subglottic stenosis after the operation, and the sound recovered satisfactorily. Conclusion:The cricothyroid membrane approach is not a routine choice for laryngeal surgery, but it is significantly better than other surgical methods for patients with difficult airways who are difficult to expose by conventional approaches, and it is a good choice for patients who cannot be exposed by conventional surgical approaches. The choice is worthy of clinical promotion.

New Thieno-[2,3-d]pyrimidine-Based Functional Antagonist for the Receptor of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antagonists are required for the treatment of TSH-dependent tumors and Graves disease. We developed the compound 5-amino-N-(tert-butyl)-4-(4-iodophenyl)-2-(methylthio)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6-carboxamide (TP48) and showed that it reduces the TSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in rat thyroid membranes. Pretreatment of rats with compound TP48 (ip, 40 mg/kg) reduced the increase in the levels of total and free thyroxin in blood and the increase in the expression of thyroglobulin and D2 deiodinase genes in the thyroid gland, which are responsible for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which were caused by intranasal administration of thyroliberin to animals (300μg/kg). These data indicate that compound TP48 is a functional antagonist of the TSH receptor and can be used to correct the thyroid status in hyperthyroidism.

Characterization of the modes of action and dose-response relationship for thiocyanate on the thyroid hormone levels in rats using a computational approach

Current practices for evaluating the cumulative risk of thyroid-active chemical mixtures (perchlorate, thiocyanate, nitrate) focus on the inhibition of thyroidal iodide uptake via the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) as the mode of action for potency equivalence calculations. However, unlike perchlorate, thiocyanate presents additional modes of action within the thyroid that could contribute to the overall thyroid perturbation. We tested the hypothesis of whether assuming a single mode of action of thyroidal iodide uptake inhibition is sufficient for describing the observed dose-response relationship for thiocyanate and its effects on serum thyroxine levels. An interaction model was developed by linking a biologically based dose-response model for iodide and thyroid hormones to a thiocyanate physiologically based pharmacokinetic model. Each model, adapted from the literature, was restructured and recalibrated in a Bayesian framework for the current mode of actions study. For a chronic exposure scenario, NIS inhibition alone was found not to be sufficient to describe the dose-response relationship for thiocyanate. Inclusion of additional modes of action involving iodide flux across the thyroid membrane and inhibition of iodide organification via thyroid peroxidase showed only moderate improvements in capturing the dose-response at environmental thiocyanate doses of exposure and failed to capture trends at very high doses. Our findings emphasize the need for more mechanistic data for chronic exposure scenarios to characterize better the overall dose-response relationship for thiocyanate. Risk assessment approaches for thyroid-active chemical mixtures that rely on NIS inhibition as the single mode of action may over-predict the contribution of thiocyanate to thyroid disruption.

Thienopyrimidine Derivatives Specifically Activate Testicular Steroidogenesis but Do Not Affect Thyroid Functions

The luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulate the testosterone (T) production in Leydig cells via specifical binding to the LH/hCG receptor extracellular domain. The LH/hCG receptor can also be activated by low-molecular-weight (LMW) agonists that bind to the allosteric site located inside the transmembrane receptor channel. Since the allosteric sites in the LH/hCG and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors share a similar structure, LMW agonists of the LH/hCG receptor can affect activity of the TSH receptor and the synthesis of thyroid hormones which depend on this receptor. When designing selective activators of steroidogenesis, it is necessary to rule out this possibility. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the seven previously synthesized thienopyrimidines (TPs), LMW agonists of the LH/hCG receptor, on the basal and hCG- and TSH-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity in plasma membranes isolated from the rat testes and thyroid as well as on the basal and luliberin- and thyroliberin-stimulated levels of T and thyroid hormones following intraperitoneal (i.p.) TP administration to male rats. All seven TPs (10−4 M) increased the AC basal activity in rat testicular membranes, and in the case of combined action of TPs and hCG their stimulatory effects were additive. TPs did not affect the basal and TSH-stimulated AC activity in thyroid membranes. When administered to male rats, TPs (i.p., 25 mg/kg) increased the T level. The effect of TP03, a most active LH/hCG receptor LMW agonist, persisted under luliberin-induced activation of the gonadal axis. The nicotinamide moiety of TP21, in contrast to the structurally similar TP03, contains an additional methoxy group which alters receptor specificity of this compound. Thus, with the exception of TP21, all TPs sharing LH/hCG receptor agonistic activity, both under in vitro and in vivo conditions, do not affect the TSH receptor, indicative of their selectivity toward the gonadal axis.

Antithyroid Drugs Inactivate TSH Binding to the TSH Receptor by their Reducing Action.

(1) ATDs was pre-incubated with hTSHR coated tube for 1- 4 h, washed free of ATDs, and then 125I-bTSH binding to hTSHR after 1 h incubation was examined. MMI (10-40 mM) decreased 125I-bTSH binding in a dose-dependent manner and binding decreased proportionally as preincubation time increased from 1 to 4 h. PTU (10mM) slightly decreased binding, When reducing agents were pre-incubated with hTSHR for 2 h, 125I-bTSH binding similarly decreased. (2) Porcine thyroid membrane was pre-incubated with both agents for 2 h. Then, the washed or unwashed membrane was incubated with 125I-bTSH for 1 h. 125I-bTSH binding in both methods decreased. (3) When the effect of ATDs or reducing agents on the biological activity of 125I-bTSH and thyroid stimulating antibody (TSAb) was examined after gel-filtration of 125I-bTSH- and TSAb- treated with both reagents for 1 h, no inactivation was observed. (4) ATDs showed similar reducing action as reducing agents because iodine (I+) was reduced to I- by ATDs. ATDs inactivate the TSH-binding site of TSHR by reduction, although ATDs do not inactivate bTSH and TSAb activity. This suggests that TSAb would not stimulate the thyroid due to the inactivation of the TSHR when ATDs are administered to patients with Graves' disease.

In Pursuit of Genes of Glucose Metabolism

If you don't know where you're going, you might wind up someplace else—Yogi Berra My professional journey, once I accepted the fact that I would not play first base for the Chicago Cubs, was not accomplished in a straight line. I entered medical school intending to become a family physician but soon became interested in research. I took an internal medicine residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), then a long research fellowship in the nascent field of molecular biology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and followed that with training in clinical endocrinology at the University of Wisconsin. I spent the next fifteen years dividing my time between the clinic and laboratory at the University of Iowa. Finally, I decided to concentrate on research and spent the next twenty-three years at Vanderbilt University. For the past eleven years, I have been at the University of Iowa, where I helped establish a new diabetes research center. My research journey also had several different directions. Upon reflection, I guess I ended up “someplace else” by choice, and it certainly has been an interesting trip. It is one I unreservedly recommend.

Iodine Status in Turkish Populations and Exposure to Iodide Uptake Inhibitors

Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate are competitive inhibitors of the sodium iodide symporter of the thyroid membrane. These inhibitors can decrease iodine uptake by the symporter into the thyroid gland and may disrupt thyroid function. This study assesses iodine status and exposure to iodide uptake inhibitors of non-pregnant and non-lactating adult women living in three different cities in Turkey (Istanbul, Isparta and Kayseri). We measured iodine and iodide uptake inhibitors in 24-hr urines collected from study participants (N = 255). All three study populations were mildly iodine deficient, with median urinary iodine (UI) levels of 77.5 µg/L in Istanbul, 58.8 µg/L in Isparta, and 69.8 µg/L in Kayseri. Perchlorate doses were higher in the study population (median 0.13 µg/kg/day), compared with a reference population (median 0.059 µg/kg/day), but lower than the U.S. EPA reference dose (0.7 µg/kg/day). Urinary thiocyanate levels increased with increasing exposure to tobacco smoke, with non-smokers (268 µg/L) significantly lower than light smokers (1110 µg/L), who were significantly lower than heavy smokers (2410 µg/L). This pilot study provides novel data indicating that study participants were moderately iodine deficient and had higher intakes of the iodide uptake inhibitor perchlorate compared with a reference population. Further investigation is needed to characterize the thyroid impact resulting from iodine deficiency coupled with exposure to iodide uptake inhibitors such as perchlorate, thiocyanate and nitrate.

Functional Expression of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor on Nano-Sized Bacterial Magnetic Particles in Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1

The measurement of autoantibodies to thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) is important for the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease such as Graves’ disease (GD). Although TSHR from porcine thyroid membrane is commonly used for the measurement of TSHR autoantibodies (TRAb), recombinant human TSHR (hTSHR) remains ideal in terms of stable supply and species identity. Here we set out to express recombinant hTSHR on the lipid-bilayer surface of magnetic nanoparticles from a magnetotactic bacterium, Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1. Using a tetracycline-inducible expression system, we successfully overexpressed functional hTSHR on bacterial magnetic particles (BacMPs) in AMB-1 via an anchor protein specific for BacMPs. The overexpressed hTSHR was membrane integrated and possessed both ligand and autoantibody binding activity. Our data suggest that hTSHR-displayed BacMPs have potential as novel tools for ligand-receptor interaction analysis or for TRAb immunoassay in GD patients.

Piomukocele mieszane jako przyczyna duszności

Mixed laryngomucocele is a laryngeal disease that forms from the anomaly of the upper part laryngeal pouch, and precisely its upper part called laryngeal saccule (saccule of the ventricle of Morgagni) that extends above the upper, internal margin of the thyroid cartilage. The etiology of the laryngocele isn’t fully known and the origin hypotheses are still very controversial. As the most probable cause we should mention frequent pressure injuries inside the larynx, post laryngeal-traumatic status, male sex, innate predispositions, systemic – storage diseases but also tumor growth. We can differentiate the laryngocele on the external, internal, and mixed because of its relationship to the thyroid cartilage and the thyroid membrane. In case of inflammation process it can transform into the piomucocele.We are presenting a case report of the 57-year-old male patient with the large mixed mucopiolaryngocele on the left side of the neck. He was admitted to ER because he had been suffering from dyspnoea. The patient also suffered from hoarseness, presented tumor on left side of neck and his body temperature reached 37.8°C. Indirect laryngoscopy showed the massive swelling of the left laryngeal vestibular fold that completely obscures the glottis. The patient underwent the surgery and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. There were no complications during the post-operative period.

Penetrating Neck Laceation with Epiglottis Amputation Which Was Successfully Repaired

Penetrating traumatic laryngeal injuries are relatively rare and traumatic injuries to the epiglottis are extremely rare. The present case is 58-year old man with suicidal history, chronic alcoholism, and schizophrenia who complained of neck laceration and unconsciousness after stab injury. Examination revealed a large transverse laceration of 7 cm in size, penetrating deep to the level of thyroid cartilage from the lateral border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, exposing the thyroid cartilage. There was about a 3 cm-sized deep wound under the thyroid gland level but no major vessel injury. The stump of transected epiglottis accompanied by rupture of thyroid membrane was shown but the esophagus was intact. We sewed the amputated epiglottis with the rest of the epiglottis by using two Lambert sutures with vicryl 4-zero on each side under general anesthesia. There was no necrosis of the severed epiglottis, swallowing difficulty, and aspiration on eating food. We report here on the penetrating lacera tion with subtotal transection of epiglottis that was successfully repaired. � Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2012;55:369-72 Key WordsZZPenetrating neck injury ㆍAmputated epiglottis ㆍSurgery ㆍ Sternocleidomastoid(SCM).

Medical hypothesis: can gonadotropins influence thyroid volume in women with PCOS?

It has been reported that luteinizing hormone (LH) had thyropropic effect on rat and human thyroid membrane. It has been known that patients with PCOS have elevated LH levels in comparison to healthy controls.The goiter prevalence is more common in women than in men regardless of population. The higher incidence of thyroid diseases in women has been previously attributed to higher estradiol levels. Estradiol has been shown to enhance proliferative and mitogenic activities of thyroid cells. However, in recent years chronic estradiol treatment has been shown to reduce volume densities of thyroid follicles, follicular epithelium and thyroid gland volume. It is thought to be due to LH suppression.Therefore we suggested that increased LH levels might provide a stimulus for growth on thyroid and alter thyroid function. Therefore patients with PCOS who had elevated LH levels should be treated by combined estradiol pills such as estrogen-progestin contraceptives for suppression of LH secretion. Further studies are needed to evaluate the association between LH, LH suppression and thyroid volume in patients with PCOS.

The exploration of the operation of thyroid benign lesions of exposure of recurrent laryngeal nerve indication

Objective ，To explore the operation of thyroid benign lesions of exposure of recurrent laryngeal nerve indication. Methods ，A random number table of June 2005 to June 2010，in department of oncolgy surgery,the first affiliated hospital,Inner Mongolia Medical College was hospitalized 348 patients required operation for treatment of thyroid benign lesions.In patients with grouping,the observation group was treated with routine exposure of recurrent laryngeal nerve in operation,the control group using an exposure of recurrent laryngeal nerve surgery,and the patients were followed up for 3 months after operation. Results ，In the observation group and the control,recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred in 115% (2/174) and 517% (9/174),two groups of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury incidence had statistically significant difference (χ2=4600,P<005).The patients were followed up for 3 months.The recurrent laryngeal nerve function of the observation group were normal,2 in 9 cases in the control group suffered from recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were with recurrent laryngeal nerve function returned to normal.In the two groups,the recovery rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve function had significant difference (χ2=4278,P<005).Conclusions，In benign thyroid lesions operation,we should reasonable exposure and pay attention to the protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.In thyroid side,it is need to all or most of the resection,or thyroid tumor located in the lower pole of thyroid or thyroid membrane is located in back of routine exposure of recurrent laryngeal nerve indications.It can effectively prevent recurrent laryngeal nerve damage,ensure the safety of patients.

Autoantibody stimulation of the human thyrotropin receptor: regulation of adenylate cyclase activity, thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase mRNA levels in primary cultures of Graves’ thyroid tissue

The effects of immunoglobulin preparations from hyperthyroid Graves' disease patients on primary cultures of thyroid cells have been studied at the mRNA level. Autoantibodies to the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor from these patients, which had been initially characterized by their ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase and inhibit the binding of radiolabelled TSH to thyroid membrane preparations, were studied for their effects on thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase mRNA levels. Incubation of thyroid cells with TSH receptor autoantibodies from different Graves' disease patients for 48 h led to time- and dose-dependent increases in the levels of thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin mRNA in primary cultures of thyrocytes. The incomplete correlation between G protein-linked adenylate cyclase activation and thyroid mRNA elevation indicates the possibility of the involvement of alternative second messenger pathways in the regulation of thyroid cell function and differentiation.

Expression of motilin and its precursor mRNA in normal parenchyma, benign and malignant tumors of human thyroid

To investigate the expression of motilin and its precursor mRNA in normal human thyroid. To compare the expression differences of motilin and it precursor mRNA between normal thyroid and intestines. To study the expression of motilin and its precursor mRNA in human thyroid tumors and their clinical implications. RT-PCR, Southern blot and molecular cloning were used to detect motilin transcript expression in human thyroid and mucous membrane of small intestine. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemical techniques were used to quantify motilin precursor mRNA and motilin peptide in thyroid tissue samples including adenoma, medullary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, papillary carcinoma and nodular goiter. (1) The expression of motilin and its precursor mRNA in normal human thyroid was primarily in the thyroid C cells. (2) RT-PCR and Southern blot showed that motilin mRNA expressed in human thyroid was identical to that expressed in duodenum with identical sequence deposited in NCBI Genbank of America. (3) Immunohistochemistry, Western blot research and real-time PCR studies showed that motilin and its precursor mRNA were expressed in normal and tumor tissues of human thyroid. Thyroid tumors (acidophilic adenoma, medullary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, papillary carcinoma and nodular goiter) showed intense and diffuse immunostaining for motilin peptide. Moreover, the expression of motilin and its precursor mRNA in thyroid medullar carcinoma and acidophilic adenoma were significantly higher than those of normal thyroid tissue (P < 0.05). The expression in thyroid follicular and papillary carcinomas were significantly lower than those of normal thyroid tissue (P < 0.05). There was no difference of the expression between nodular goiter and normal thyroid tissue (P > 0.05). Motilin peptide and its precursor mRNA are expressed in C cells of human thyroid. The sequence of motilin is identical to that expressed in duodenum from NCBI Genbank of America. The expressions of both motilin and its precursor mRNA in thyroid medullary carcinoma and acidophilic adenoma are significantly increased. In contrast, their expressions in thyroid follicular and papillary carcinomas are significantly decreased. Motilin may regulate physiological functions of the thyroid through parafollicular cells. Motilin may be involved in the pathogenesis of medullary carcinoma and acidophilic adenoma of the thyroid.

開放性喉頭外傷の１例

While open injury of the larynx is relatively rare, prompt and emergent control of the airway, treatment of the infected wound, and surgical repair for reconstruction of the laryngeal function are required. We report on a patient who had sustained an open injury of the larynx in whom the laryngeal function could be successfully preserved intact. The case was a 46-year-old man who had attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a kitchen knife, which resulted in complete tearing of the thyroid membrane and exposure of the upper part of the larynx. Emergent tracheotomy was performed the epiglottis was pulled up, and the thyroid cartilage was sewn to prevent occlusion of the laryngeal passage by the sagging epiglottis. In addition, we sutured together the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage, so that the larynx could be held up and the laryngeal structure could be reconstructed satisfactorily for good deglutition. Eventually, we could close his tracheostoma, following which he regained his voice and normal swallowing function.

Comparison of Two In Vitro Methods for the Measurement of Recombinant Human TSH Bioactivity

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), a pituitary glycoprotein hormone, is a potent inducer of intracellular cAMP production. Two methods for measuring TSH bioactivity were evaluated and compared. One assay is based on using a radioimmunoassay (RIA) to measure the recombinant human TSH-induced increase in cAMP using a bovine thyroid membrane isolate. The other is based on a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line that has been transfected with the TSH receptor and a cAMP-responsive luciferase reporter. The within-assay coefficient of variation for the membrane-based assay was determined to be approximately 35% compared with approximately 25% for the cell-based assay. Twenty-one preparations of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) were tested using both methods. No significant difference was detected between the data sets and no assay bias was present. Both assay systems provide a suitable means for measuring the activity of rhTSH. The advantage of the membrane-based assay is the relatively small quantity of TSH needed for analysis. However, the average time required to analyse a sample using the membrane-based method was more than twice as long as that needed to test a sample in the cell-based assay. Other advantages of the cell-based method include the use of a 96-well format, which facilitates the analysis of several concentrations of rhTSH within one assay plate, and the use of a non-radioactive endpoint. Copyright 2002 The International Association for Biologicals. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization and Semiquantitative Analyses of Pendrin Expressed in Normal and Tumoral Human Thyroid Tissues

The gene mutated in Pendred syndrome (PDS), the PDS gene, is expressed in the inner ear, kidney, and thyroid. It encodes a membrane protein named pendrin that is endowed with the function of anion transporter or exchanger. It has been postulated that in the thyroid pendrin could participate in the transport of iodide from the cell to the lumen of follicles. We generated antipeptide antibodies directed against the C- terminal sequence of human pendrin 1) to characterize the protein expressed in the human thyroid, and 2) to analyze its expression level in relation to the functional activity of thyroid tissue. In denaturing conditions, a single molecular species of 110–115 kDa was identified in human thyroid membrane fractions. After treatment of thyroid membranes with N-glycosidase F, pendrin had an apparent molecular mass of 85 kDa. Analyzed by ultracentrifugation on sucrose gradient in nondenaturing conditions, pendrin sedimented as a main 120- to 140-kDa component. Pendrin was assayed by semiquantitative Western blot in thyroid membrane fractions from 25 hyper- or hypofunctioning tumors and paired normal tissue samples. Pendrin was increased 2-fold in toxic adenomas, was not significantly altered in follicular adenoma, and was decreased, on the average, by 35% in papillary carcinomas compared with levels in paired normal tissue. The variations in the pendrin tissue content and PDS transcript levels, assayed by RT-PCR on duplicate samples of the same tumors, were similar. In conclusion, we show that pendrin expressed by the human thyroid gland is a mainly monomeric glycoprotein and that the level of expression of pendrin, although somewhat related, only moderately varied with the functional status of the thyroid tissue.

Characterization and semiquantitative analyses of pendrin expressed in normal and tumoral human thyroid tissues.

The gene mutated in Pendred syndrome (PDS), the PDS gene, is expressed in the inner ear, kidney, and thyroid. It encodes a membrane protein named pendrin that is endowed with the function of anion transporter or exchanger. It has been postulated that in the thyroid pendrin could participate in the transport of iodide from the cell to the lumen of follicles. We generated antipeptide antibodies directed against the C- terminal sequence of human pendrin 1) to characterize the protein expressed in the human thyroid, and 2) to analyze its expression level in relation to the functional activity of thyroid tissue. In denaturing conditions, a single molecular species of 110-115 kDa was identified in human thyroid membrane fractions. After treatment of thyroid membranes with N-glycosidase F, pendrin had an apparent molecular mass of 85 kDa. Analyzed by ultracentrifugation on sucrose gradient in nondenaturing conditions, pendrin sedimented as a main 120- to 140-kDa component. Pendrin was assayed by semiquantitative Western blot in thyroid membrane fractions from 25 hyper- or hypofunctioning tumors and paired normal tissue samples. Pendrin was increased 2-fold in toxic adenomas, was not significantly altered in follicular adenoma, and was decreased, on the average, by 35% in papillary carcinomas compared with levels in paired normal tissue. The variations in the pendrin tissue content and PDS transcript levels, assayed by RT-PCR on duplicate samples of the same tumors, were similar. In conclusion, we show that pendrin expressed by the human thyroid gland is a mainly monomeric glycoprotein and that the level of expression of pendrin, although somewhat related, only moderately varied with the functional status of the thyroid tissue.

Modificación en la técnica de laringuectomía subtotal con epiglotoplastia

We describe the modification in one of the passages of the technique of subtotal laryngectomy with epiglottoplasty, consisting of the opening of larynx through the thyroid membrane. This maneuver improves the visualization of the tumor facilitating the time of its removal and later reconstruction.