NODULAR GOITERS

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study was to estimate the levels of amino sugars and glycosylated
proteins in the blood and thyroid tissues of the patients suffering from thyroid disorders. Study design: The study was
carried out at Basic Medical sciences Institute, J.P.M.C. Karachi. Period: From 1990 to 1992. Materials & Methods:
Twenty control subjects and 35 thyroid patients (Non toxic goiter = 14, Non toxic nodular goiter = 12 and Toxic nodular
goiter=9) were studied. T4, TBG and T4/TBG ratio, serum and tissue glucose, protein, glycosylated proteins and
hexosamine with their correlation coefficient (r) were estimated Results: Significantly raised levels of TBG in non toxic
goiter and toxic nodular goiter while T4/TBG ratio was significantly decreased in non toxic goiter and toxic nodular
goiter. In non toxic goiter patients correlation coefficient analysis showed a direct relationship (serum to tissue levels)
of glucose(r=0.47), glycosylated proteins(r=0.40) and hexosamine (r=0.23) while an inverse relationship was found in
case of protein(r= -0.38). In non toxic nodular group inverse relationship was only found in proteins (r= -0.48) estimation
while direct correlation coefficient was observed in glucose (r= 0.29), glycosylated proteins (r=0.13) and in hexosamine
(r=0.14). In toxic nodular group hexosamine shows a direct correlation coefficient(r=0.73)while glucose (= -0.53),
proteins (r= -0.87)and glycosylated proteins(r= -0.12) have an inverse relationship. Conclusion: It was concluded from
correlation coefficient analysis (blood to tissue levels) that in non toxic goiter and non toxic nodular patients glucose,
glycosylated protein and hexosamine showed a direct relationship while protein showed an inverse relationship.