Association of serum IL-21 and vitamin D concentrations in Chinese children with autoimmune thyroid disease
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
Authors: Feng, Yaling; Qiu, Ting; Chen, Huijuan; Wei, Yarong; Jiang, Xinye; Zhang, Heng; Chen, Daozhen
Abstract
Background: The etiology of Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in pediatric age is multifactorial and mainly implicated with immune disorder. Previous studies have reported that interleukin-21 (IL-21) and vitamin D play crucial roles in autoimmune diseases. We investigated the correlation between IL and 21 and 25(OH)D and their potential role in the pathogenesis of AITD. Methods: Total of 54 primary Graves disease (GD) patients, 36 Hashimato's thyroditis (HT) cases and 30 healthy subjects from The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September through November 2017 to 2019. The serum concentrations of IL-21, 25(OH)D, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), antibodies against receptor for TSH (TRAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) were determined. Results: The serum concentration of 25(OH)D was lower while IL-21 was higher in the GD patients and HT patients than in the control patients. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was negatively correlated with TPOAb and TGAb while serum IL-21 concentration was positively correlated with TPOAb, TGAb and TRAb in the HT group. Moreover, the serum concentration of 25(OH)D had a significant negative correlation with serum IL-21 concentration in the HT and GD children before or after treatment. Therefore, we studied the correlation between IL and 21 and 25(OH)D, and infer that they play a role in AITD. Moreover, adding Vitamin D could inhibit the expression concentrations of TPOAb, TGAb and IL-21. Conclusion: IL-21 and Vitamin D may be involved in the occurrence and development of AITD. Targeting IL-21 and Vitamin D may be a promising therapeutic approach for AITD in the future.
Predictive Factors of Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Papillary Microcarcinoma of the Thyroid: Retrospective Analysis on 293 Cases
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
Authors: Medas, Fabio; Canu, Gian Luigi; Cappellacci, Federico; Boi, Francesco; Lai, Maria Letizia; Erdas, Enrico; Calo, Pietro Giorgio
Abstract
Introduction:Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is defined as a tumor with a larger diameter <= 1 cm and is considered having an indolent course and an excellent prognosis. Nevertheless, the incidence of lymph node metastasis in PTMC is not negligible, reaching up to 65% in some series. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of lymph node metastasis in patients with PTMC and to evaluate predictive factors for lymph node metastasis. Methods: We included in this retrospective observational study patients who underwent thyroidectomy with pathological diagnosis of PTMC at our department from January 2003 to June 2019. Results: Two hundred ninety-three patients were included in the study. The incidence of lymph node metastasis was 13.7%. Multivariate analysis revealed as independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis age <45 years, nodule size >= 6 mm, tall cell variant of PTC, extrathyroidal extension, and angioinvasion. Conversely, autoimmune thyroiditis was found as a protective factor for lymph node metastasis. A subgroup of patients, with nodule size <= 5 mm, presented non-aggressive features. Conclusion: The incidence of lymph node metastasis in PTMC is considerable; the size of the tumor appears to be the most significant predictive factor for lymph node metastasis. The traditional cut-off value used for definition of microcarcinoma could be reconsidered to identify patients with an indolent course of the tumor, where active surveillance could be the appropriate treatment, and on the other hand, patients with potentially aggressive tumors requiring an adequate surgical intervention.