Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in hyperplastic parathyroid glands from patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I.

Primary hyperparathyroidism was investigated using the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) from the immunohistochemical viewpoint with an anti-bFGF antibody in hyperplastic parathyroid glands of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN-I) and of patients with non-MEN. The results corresponded well with the data from the DNA analysis. Twenty-five hyperplastic parathyroid glands from 11 patients with MEN-I and 38 glands from 20 patients with non-MEN primary hyperparathyroidism were stained immunohistochemically according to the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex procedure. When 50% or more of the cells appeared uniformly stained, it was judged positively stained. In addition, 18 hyperplastic parathyroid glands from patients with MEN-I patients and 24 hyperplastic parathyroid glands from non-MEN patients were also analyzed for DNA using flow cytometry. The ratio of positively stained hyperplastic parathyroid glands was 72% in MEN-I patients and 18% in non-MEN patients. The difference between the two groups was significant (p < 0.01). The nodules consisted of oxyphilic cells in 7 of 25 hyperplastic parathyroid glands from MEN-I patients and in 10 of 38 hyperplastic parathyroid glands from non-MEN patients, and all the cells were positive for bFGF. There was no significant correlation between bFGF staining and the DNA ploidy pattern. bFGF possibly plays a role in the development of parathyroid gland hyperplasia, especially in MEN-I patients. The increase of oxyphilic cells may be correlated with the expression of bFGF.