[The relationship between autoimmune thyroiditis and TNF alpha: a preliminary study].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis.

METHODS

The activity of TNF alpha of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected in 25 cases of autoimmune thyroiditis, 9 cases of Grave's disease, and 18 normal controls by ELISA and bioassay.

RESULTS

The activity of TNF alpha in patients with autoimmune thyrioditis was significantly higher than that in normal controls (P < 0.001), and in patients with Grave's diseases significantly lower than that in normal controls (P < 0.01). TNF alpha activity detected by two methods showed a good correlation (r = 0.972 P < 0.001). There were a negative correlation between TNF alpha and TT3 or FT3 (r = -0.437, -0.432 respectively, both P < 0.05) and a positive correlation between TNF alpha and TPO-Ab or TGA (r = 0.53, 0.51 respectively, both P < 0.01). TNF alpha activity was not associated with the period of disease and the size of thyriod.

CONCLUSION

TNF alpha exerts an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis.