Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2003; 111(2): 80-84
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-39234
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Endothelin-1 Levels in Patients with Disorders of the Thyroid Gland

N. Tilly 1 , J. G. Schneider 1 , G. Leidig-Bruckner 1 , U. Sommer 1 , C. Kasperk 1
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine (Endocrinology and Metabolism), Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: January 7, 2002 First decision: May 6, 2002

Accepted: August 8, 2002

Publication Date:
14 May 2003 (online)

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Abstract

The endothelium derived peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the major isoform of the endothelin peptide family, which is produced and secreted in the endothelial cell system. We measured plasma levels in patients with thyroid diseases and investigated associations between laboratory and clinical markers of thyroid metabolism and ET-1 plasma levels. ET-1 plasma levels were determined in patients with Graves' disease (n = 54), endemic goiter (n = 26), patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (n = 21) and compared to healthy controls (n = 60). ET-1 plasma levels were significantly elevated in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (p < 0.0001) and in patients with Graves' disease (p = 0.003), when compared to healthy controls. In patients with endemic goiter, no significant differences were found compared to healthy controls (p = 0.298) and when compared to patients with Graves' disease (p = 0.16). We did not observe an association between ET-1 plasma levels and parameters of thyroid disease (e.g. thyroidea-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, volume of the thyroid). Furthermore, patients with and without endocrine thyroid disease showed no significantly different ET-1 plasma levels (p = 0.78).

These data suggest that the autoimmunologically induced inflammatory response of the thyroid gland in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease is responsible for increased ET-1 plasma levels. Furthermore, our data do not support a role for ET-1 as a valid quantitative indicator for stage or progression in endemic goiter, Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

References

M. D. Ph. D. Christian Kasperk

University of Heidelberg · Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, and Metabolism

Luisenstraße 5

69115 Heidelberg

Germany

Phone: + 49-6221-568300

Fax: + 49-6221-564101

Email: christian_kasperk@med.uni-heidelberg.de