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Increased Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis of Autonomously Functioning Thyroid Adenomas: Independent of but Further Stimulable by Thyrotropin^*

Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radiological Clinic (H.-W.M.-G., T.W., C.S.), Institute of Biophysics and Radiobiology (H.B.), and the Department of Surgery (B.K.), University of Hamburg 2000 Hamburg, West Germany

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Hans- Wilhelm Müller-Gärtner, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radiological Clinic, University of Hamburg, Martinistraβe 52, 2000 Hamburg 20, West Germany.

The percentage of cells in the S/G2M fraction and the cytosol deoxythymidine kinase activity (TKA) were measured in autonomously functioning thyroid adenomas (AFTA) and paranodular tissue (PNT), with special regard to the impact of the patient’s serum TSH concentration on DNA synthesis. The S/G2M fraction was determined by means of DNA flow cytometry, and TKA was determined by radioenzyme assay. The S/G2M fraction of AFTA (n = 15, median; 7.1%; range, 3.2–9.2%) exceeded the S/G2M fraction of normal thyroid tissue (n = 8; median, 2.8%; range, 2.3–4.0%; P = 0.008) and in 12 of 13 AFTA was 1.2- to 2.3-fold higher than the S/G2M fraction in the corresponding PNT (median, 4.0%; range, 2.5– 6.7%; P = 0.0022). TKA of AFTA (n = 15; median, 681 µIUµ mg; range, 432–854 /µIU/mg) exceeded TKA of normal thyroid tissue (n = 8; median, 356 µIU/mg; range, 194–426 µIU/mg; P = 0.0001) and was 1.1- to 4.2-fold increased compared with TKA activity in the corresponding PNT (median, 430 /µIU/mg; range, 162–570 µIU/mg; P = 0.001). In the absence of measurable serum TSH there was a constant increase in the S/G2M fractions and the TKA in AFTA vs. those in PNT. In patients treated with methimazole with serum TSH concentrations of 0.5 mIU/L or more, the S/G2M fraction and TKA in both AFTA and PNT were significantly higher than those in untreated patients with serum TSH concentrations of 0.5 mlU/L or less. In the majority of AFTA, functional autonomy and increased DNA synthesis are concomitant phenomena. Although TSH may stimulate DNA synthesis in both AFTA and PNT, measurable serum TSH concentrations are apparently not essential for DNA synthesis.

^* Part of this study will be presented as thesis work for Th.W.

Received June 1, 1988.

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