Expression of androgen receptor gene in thyroid tissues of patients with Graves disease
- Author:
Wei TANG
1
Author Information
1. Department of Endocrinology
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Androgen;
Graves disease;
Leukocytes;
Receptors;
Thyroid gland
- From:
Academic Journal of Second Military Medical University
2010;28(7):768-771
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To observe the serum testosterone (T) level and androgen receptor (AR) mRNA expression in peripheral leukocytes and thyroid tissues of patients with Graves disease, so as to investigate the relationship between the testosterone and androgen receptor with hyperthyroidism. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 8 female patients with Graves disease, 8 female patients with thyroid adenoma and 8 healthy control subjects; the patients were paired in gender and age. The plasma concentrations of testosterone were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the [3 H]-T specific binding sites in the peripheral leukocytes were determined by radioligand binding assay; the expression of AR mRNA in peripheral leukocytes were determined by RT-PCR; and the level of AR in thyroid tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry method. Results: The plasma concentrations of T were (660±80) ng/L and(620±100) ng/L in Graves disease group and control group, respectively(P>0.05); the [3 H]-T specific binding sites were (381 ± 105) sites/cell and (572±141) sites/cell in peripheral leukocytes, respectively(P<0.05). The mRNA expression of AR in Graves disease group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the level of AR in thyroid tissues was higher in Graves group than that in the control group. Conclusion: The plasma level of T in patients with Graves disease is similar to that of normal controls, but the mRNA expression of AR in peripheral leukocytes and thyroid tissue is higher in Graves disease group than in the control group, which is supposed to be a protective reaction. Moreover, the binding capability of AR is lower in Graves disease group than that in the control group, which is probably caused by the accelerated decomposition of AR.
