[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.