Study of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in different thyroid disordrs

Abstract EN

Background: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily of adhesion molecules.

It mediates cell- cell adhesion through binding with lymphocytes function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1).

Auto immune thyroid disease is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland and the appearance of autoantibodies against thyroid-specific antigens such as TSH receptor, thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase.

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to investigate serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) in different thyroid disorders and to assess the effect of antithyroid drug therapy in Graves' disease on its serum levels.

Study Design: This study was carried out at Ain Shams University Hospitals on 64 patients with thyroid disorders divided into 6 groups: 13 patients with hypothyroidism, 7 patients with simple multinodular goiter (SMNG), 11 patients with solitary thyroid nodules, 10 patients with toxic multinodular goiter (TMNG), 9 patients with Graves' disease without ophthalmopathy, 14 patients with Graves' with ophthalmopathy as well as a control group of 10 healthy subjects with normal thyroid.

We have measured serum T3, T4, free T4, TSH and the sICAM for all patients and the control group.

The same measurements were also clone for 11 patients (2 patients with TMNG, 3 patients with GD without ophthalmopathy, and 6 patients with GD with ophthalmopathy) who were selected from their groups after being clinically and biochemically euthyroid and.

have been under carbimazole for the maintenance of euthyroidism.

Results: sICAM was found to be elevated in patients with hypothyroidism, TMNG and patients with GD with and without ophthalmopathy being (163.94 + 238.67, 241.22 + 139.43, 205.68 + 153.31 and 139.08 + 133.65 ng/ml respectively) compared to the control group (56.56 + 54.41 ng/ml).

There was insignificant difference in mean sICAM levels between patients with either SMNG or solitary thyroid nodules and the control group.

The mean levels of slCAM-1 in patients with GD with ophthalmopathy were higher than those in patients with GD without ophthalmopathy (205.68 + 153.31 v.? 139.08 ± 133.65 ng/ml respectively, p < 0.01).