Thyroid Function, Cytokine and IGF-IGFBP Interactions in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Vol. 63, No. 4, 2005

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Original Paper

Thyroid Function, Cytokine and IGF-IGFBP Interactions in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Cecilia Volta^a, Maria Elisabeth Street^a, Maria Angela Ziveri^a, Patrizia Bonelli^b, Cinzia Spaggiari^a, Gian Luigi Grzincich^a, Sergio Bernasconi^a

Departments of
^aPediatrics and
^bClinical Chemistry, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Horm Res 2005;63:206-210 (DOI: 10.1159/000085839)

Key Words

Cystic fibrosis
Cytokines
Forced expiratory volume
Growth factors
Thyroid function

Abstract

Background/Aims: Thyroid function impairment has been sporadically described in cystic fibrosis (CF) and ascribed to iodine overload or selenite deficiency. In this study we evaluated thyroid function in CF in order to verify these data and to evaluate if the modifications were related to serum levels of markers of inflammation and growth factors that we have previously shown to be altered in CF. Methods: Seventeen young adult CF patients and 18 age-matched controls were enrolled in this study. The diagnosis of CF was confirmed by genetic analysis. None was treated with pulmonary expectorants. Serum IL-1 beta , IL-6, TNF- alpha , IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, TSH, fT₃ and fT₄ were measured using standard commercial kits. Results: TSH, fT₃ and fT₄ serum levels were similar in CF patients and controls. Within the patient group, thyroid function did not vary in relation to C-reactive protein serum levels, respiratory function and clinical conditions (Shwachman score). No correlation was found with any growth factor or cytokine analyzed. Conclusions: At variance with the few previously published data, we did not detect any difference in thyroid function in patients with CF compared with normal healthy subjects. This could be due to the fact that no iodine overload or selenite deficiency was present in our patients. Thyroid function seemed independent of markers of inflammation and IGF-IGFBP serum levels.

Author Contacts

Dr. Cecilia Volta
Dipartimento dell'Età Evolutiva
Via Gramsci 14
IT-43100 Parma (Italy)
Tel. +39 0521 702723, Fax +39 0521 290460, E-Mail cecivolt@unipr.it

Article Information

Received: December 3, 2004
Accepted: February 25, 2005
Published online: May 17, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 21

Medline Abstract (ID 15900107)

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