ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Aim. To evaluate the expression of Galectin-3, Fibronectin-1, Cytokeratin-19 and HBME1 in benign and malignant thyroid nodules and to assess their diagnostic value. Methods. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 59 surgically removed thyroid nodules, including 34 carcinomas (12 papillary, 2 tall cell variants, 3 lymph node metastases from papillary carcinoma, 5 follicular variants of papillary carcinoma (FVPTC), 3 anaplastic, 5 follicular and 4 Hürthle cell carcinomas), as well as 25 benign lesions (10 follicular adenomas, 4 Hürthle cell adenomas, 11 nodular goiters with surrounding normal thyroid tissue).3 expression in all malignant lesions except for one case of FVPTC and one follicular carcinoma. Normal thyrocytes and the majority of the benign lesions were negative for all markers. Statistical analysis of each protein confirmed that Galectin-3 was the most sensitive (94%), followed by Cytokeratin-19 (88%). Fibronectin-1 and HBME1 proved to be less sensitive (56% and 68%, respectively), but more specific (92% specificity for each of them). Coexpression of two or more proteins was restricted to carcinomas, while their concurrent absence was highly specific for benign lesions. Comparing the immunopositivity in follicular carcinoma versus adenoma we achieved 80% sensitivity for Galectin-3 and 100% specificity for HBME1. For distinguishing the Hürthle cell lesions, Fibronectin-1 turned out to be more sensitive than Galectin-3 and Cytokeratin- 19. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that immunohistochemical panel consisting of Galectin-3, Cytokeratin-19, HBME1 and Fibronectin-1 might contribute to differential diagnosis between malignant and benign thyroid nodules, including those with follicular architecture.

Background. Sarcopenia is a syndrome, considered one of the main risk factors for morbidity and mortality among adults. Thyrotoxicosis may contribute to its development. Aim. To assess the physical well-being among women with thyrotoxicosis and to determine the risk of sarcopenia among them; 13 women over 40 years of age with thyrotoxicosis took part in this study. Materials and Methods. Grip strength was used to assess muscle strength. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass, adjusted for body size was used to asses muscle quantity. Physical performance was measured by gait speed test. We divided women in groups: group A - patients with newly diagnosed thyrotoxicosis and group B - patients who had started treatment. Results. The values of muscle strength, muscle mass and gait speed were lower in group A compared to group B. Three of the patients in group A were diagnosed with severe sarcopenia. Thus the frequency of sarcopenia was 50% in this group. None of the women in group B met the criteria for sarcopenia. Despite the small number of women in this study, we can conclude that untreated thyrotoxicosis is a risk factor for decreased muscle strength, quantity and physical performance and could cause secondary sarcopenia.