phosphorus-radioisotopes and Goiter--Nodular

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) microscopy provides a direct mapping of 127I in thyroid follicles. Thyroid tissue should be fixed and embedded in methacrylate resin, then cut in 3 microns-thick sections which are placed on a gold coverslip. The histological structure of the tissue is determined by the phosphorus ion (31P) which is present in large amounts in nuclei and phosphorylated molecules in the cytoplasm. An image processing system is used to superimpose images of 127I and 31P: this system allows measurement of local concentration of 127I in the follicular cell and follicular lumen compartments. A study in 8 subjects with normal thyroid glands showed that the level of 127I within follicular cells (430 +/- 250 micrograms/g; m +/- SE) was 6 to 7 times lower than the level in the follicular lumen (2.780 +/- 230 micrograms/g). In simple goiter (9 patients with macrofollicular adenomas), follicular lumen (346 +/- 17 micrograms/g) and cellular (68 +/- 6 micrograms/g) concentrations of 127I were decreased fivefold but the ratio of concentrations remained similar to that seen in normal tissue. In hyperfunctioning nodules (2 microfollicular and 3 macrofollicular adenomas), follicular cell and follicular lumen 127I levels varied widely and showed considerable overlap (2 to 16,000 micrograms/g and 1-21,000 micrograms/g, respectively). In benign cold nodules (1 microfollicular adenoma and 2 macrofollicular adenomas), follicular cell and follicular lumen 127I levels were barely detectable (3 +/- 0.6 micrograms/g and 6 +/- 0.7 micrograms/g respectively). In the 9 malignant nodules studied, no difference in 127I level profile was found with benign nodules.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Goiter, Nodular; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Iodine Radioisotopes; Mass Spectrometry; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Reference Values; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Nodule

The blood lymphocyte population was examined in 34 patients who were treated with 131I for toxic or atoxic nodular goitre. One to three doses of 300-550 MBq of 131I were administered at 1-week intervals. Lymphocyte counts were found to be significantly reduced at both 1 and 6 weeks after treatment. This decrease was accompanied by a changed composition of the lymphocyte subpopulations. The frequency of lymphocytes expressing membrane receptors for C'3 (EAC-rosette forming cells) was significantly reduced at 1 and 6 weeks following 131I administration. At 6 weeks there was a small but statistically significant increase of the frequency of T cells as identified by Leu 1 monoclonal antibodies. This was essentially due to an increased proportion of helper/inducer T cells as identified by Leu 3 monoclonals. 131I treatment also decreased the capacity of lymphocytes to secrete immunoglobulins (Ig) when stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM). The greatest effect was observed for IgM. Secretion of IgG and IgA were less reduced. Mitogenic stimulations of lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A were not significantly changed. It is concluded that these findings, with the exception of mitogen reactivity, are largely similar to those occurring following external radiation therapy for cancer. It is suggested that blood lymphocytes passing through the continuously irradiated gland are damaged mainly by beta-rays. The effect of 32P treatment on the blood lymphocyte population was examined in 16 patients with polycythemia vera. Before treatment the lymphocyte counts were within the normal range but the expression of certain membrane structures, as identified by monoclonal antibodies against total T cells (Leu 1 and 4), helper/inducer (Leu 3) and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (Leu 2), were slightly decreased. Moreover, mitogenic responses of the lymphocytes to PHA and PWM-induced Ig secretion were impaired. Following a single oral dose of 32P (150-305 MBq), which normalized the production of erythrocytes and/or platelets, the blood lymphocyte counts were reduced by approximately 40 per cent 12 weeks after treatment. Examination of subsets demonstrated that the proportion of B-cells, as identified by B1 monoclonal antibodies, was decreased by the highest relative extent. On the other hand, lymphocytes expressing the above-mentioned T cell markers were somewhat increased. 32P treatment markedly increased PHA reactivity but it further reduced PWM-induced I

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibody Formation; Female; Goiter, Nodular; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Lectins; Leukocyte Count; Leukopenia; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Polycythemia Vera