Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In the pathogenesis of Graves' disease (GD), which is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, cellular and humoral immune systems are thought to play a role together. TNF-alpha, fibronectin and galectin-3 known to play an active role in inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between galectin-3, fibronectin and TNF-alpha molecules with hyperthyroidism and GD.

METHODS

The study included 108 volunteers, 50 Graves, 19 non-Graves hyperthyroid patients and 39 healthy controls. Galectin-3, fibronectin and TNF-alpha levels measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the Graves group (Group 1) 32 women, 18 men; in the non-Graves hyperthyroidism group (Group 2) 13 women, 6 men; and there were age- and sex-matched 26 females and 13 males in the control group (Group 3).

RESULTS

TNF-alpha levels were 22.7 ± 1.97 pg / ml in Group 1, 19.8 ± 2.56 pg / ml in Group 2, and 16.6 ± 2.29 pg / ml in the control group. TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in GD group compared to healthy controls (p <0.009). There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of galectin-3 and fibronectin levels.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In this study, the relationship between GD and galectin-3 investigated for the first time in the literature and TNF-alpha levels shown in addition to the inflammatory markers known in GD. This finding supports the previous studies and shows the presence of the inflammatory process in GD. Unlike the other causes of hyperthyroidism, the lightening of this inflammatory process in GD, with inflammatory comorbidities such as ophthalmopathy, orbitopathy and dermopathy, will contribute to the development of new treatment options both for the disease itself and for these comorbidities.