Lima Marcus A, Tiveron Fabiana S, Santos Vitorino M, Lima Lilian M B, Silva Gilberto P, Borges Maria F
Disciplines of Endocrinology, Internal Medicine and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine of the Tri ngulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo. 2003 Nov-Dec;58(6):310-4. doi: 10.1590/s0041-87812003000600004. Epub 2004 Jan 28.
The aim of this investigation was to quantitatively evaluate C-cells in colloid goiters, analyzing 36 thyroids that were obtained through thyroidectomy from 24 patients with goiter and 12 normal glands from adult patients without thyroid disease, which were used as the control group.
On average, 6 different thyroid areas were sampled and labeled by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal anticalcitonin antibody, utilizing the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. C-cells were counted in fields measuring 1 square centimeter, and the mean number of cells per field was then calculated. Data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test.
In the colloid goiter group, the number of C-cells ranged from 0 to 23 per field, while in normal controls they ranged from 20 to 148 per field.
These results demonstrate a significant decrease of C-cell number in the colloid goiter group compared with control group, indicating that the hyperplastic process is restricted to follicular cells, to the detriment of C-cells, which probably cease to receive trophic stimuli.
