ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the physiological action of triiodothyronine T3 on the expression of transforming growth factor α (TGFA) mRNA in MCF7 cells by inhibition of RNA Polymerase II and the MAPK/ERK pathway Materials and methods: The cell line was treated with T3 at a physiological dose (10−9M) for 10 minutes, 1 and 4 hour (h) in the presence or absence of the inhibitors, α-amanitin (RNA polymerase II inhibitor) and PD98059 (MAPK/ERK pathway inhibitor). TGFA mRNA expression was analyzed by […]

ABSTRACT Objective: Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is an autoimmune disease that leads to ocular proptosis caused by fat accumulation and inflammation, and the main treatment is corticosteroid therapy. Retinoid acid receptor-alpha (RARα) seems to be associated with inflammation and adipocyte differentiation. This study aimed to assess the effect of glucocorticoid treatment on orbital fibroblasts of GO patient treated or not with different glucocorticoid doses. Materials and methods: Orbital fibroblasts collected during orbital decompression of a female patient with moderately severe/severe GO […]

An indeterminate thyroid nodule cytology result occurs about every sixth fine-needle aspiration. These indeterminate nodules harbor a 24% risk of malignancy (ROM); too high to ignore, but driving surgery where most nodules are benign. Molecular diagnostics have emerged to ideally avoid surgery when appropriate, and to trigger the correct therapeutic surgery when indicated, as opposed to an incomplete diagnostic surgery. No current molecular test offers both high sensitivity and high specificity. A molecular diagnostic test with high sensitivity (e.g. Afirma […]

INTRODUCTION: Androgen actions are exerted upon the androgen receptor (AR), and complete genital virilization of normal 46,XY individuals depends on adequate function and expression of the AR gene in a tissue-specific manner. OBJECTIVE: Standardization of normal ARmRNA in androgen-sensitive tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we determined the quantitative amounts of ARmRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear, urethral mucosa and preputial skin cells of control subjects with phimosis by using RT-PCR. RESULTS: The mean (SD) values of AR expression in […]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the aberrant expression of the GIPR and LHCGR in different forms of adrenocortical hyperplasia: ACTH-independent macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (AIMAH), primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) and diffuse adrenal hyperplasia secondary to Cushing’s disease (DAHCD). METHODS: We quantified GIPR and LHCGR expressions using real time PCR in 20 patients with adrenocortical hyperplasia (seven with AIMAH, five with PPNAD, and eight with DAHCD). Normal adrenals tissues were used as control and the relative expression was compared with ?-actin. RESULTS: […]

The iodothyronine deiodinases constitute a family of selenoenzymes that catalyze the removal of iodine from the outer ring or inner ring of the thyroid hormones. The activating enzymes, deiodinases type I (D1) and type II (D2), are highly expressed in normal thyroid gland. Benign or malignant neoplastic transformation of the thyroid cells is associated with changes on the expression of these enzymes, suggesting that D1 or D2 can be markers of cellular differentiation. Abnormalities on the expression of both enzymes […]