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Proliferation of fatty tissue behind the eyes is increased in patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy
The background of the study. Graves’
ophthalmopathy is characterized by enlargement of fatty tissue behind
the eyes (retroorbital tissue). In this study the expression of
several genes involved in the formation of fatty tissue in this
region was measured in patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy
and in normal subjects.
How the study was done. Retroorbital
tissue was obtained during the course of orbital decompression surgery
from 22 patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy and at autopsy
from 18 patients whose corneas were being removed for transplantation.
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was isolated from the tissue samples,
and the levels of mRNA coding for the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor,
leptin, adiponectin, and peroxisome proliferator activator-
(PPAR-)
were measured. (During formation of fatty tissue, the expression
of leptin, adiponectin, and PPAR-
is increased.)
The results of the study. TSH-receptor
mRNA was detected in the tissue from all patients with Graves’
ophthalmopathy and from most of the control patients. Similarly,
mRNA for leptin, adiponectin, and PPAR-
was detected in the tissue from all patients with ophthalmopathy
and all control patients. For all four substances, the mRNA levels
were higher in the tissue from the patients with ophthalmopathy.
The conclusions of the study. Genes involved in the formation of fatty tissue and the TSH-receptor gene are activated in retroorbital tissue from patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy.
The original article. Kumar S, Coenen MJ, Scherer PE, Bahn RS. Evidence for enhanced adipogenesis in the orbits of patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004;89:930-5.
Next Article: The thickness of the carotid arteries is increased
in subclinical hypothyroidism
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| Thyroid Digest Index | | | July 2004 Thyroid Digest |
