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Thyroid C cells in experimental Hyper-and Hypomagnesaemia

Die C-Zellen der schilddrüse bei experimenteller hyper- und hypomagnesämie

  • Published:
Virchows Archiv B

Zusammenfassung

Die C-Zellen der Schilddrüse von hyper- und hypomagnesämischen Ratten wurden mit optischen, ultravioletten und elektronenmikroskopischen Methoden untersucht.

Magnesiummangel war mit Hypertrophie und Hyperblasie verbunden, begleitet von erniedrigter Cholinesterase-Aktivität, verminderter Speicherung von Dopamin (das aus der Aufnahme und Dekarboxylierung von l-DOPA herstammt) und von verminderter „maskierter Metachromasie-Reaktion“. Diese Befunde weisen auf eine erhöhte Synthese und Sekretion des Polypeptids Calcitonin, zusammen mit einer erniedrigten Speicherung des Hormons, hin. Diese Interpretation wurde durch die elektronenmikroskopischen Beobachtungen der Degranulation, die mit einer deutlichen Hyperplasie der Ribosomen und des endoplasmatischen Reticulums verbunden ist, verstärkt.

Im Gegensatz dazu waren bei hypermagnesämischen Tieren die C-Zellen niemals vergrößert. Cholinesterase-Aktivität, Synthese und Speicherung von Dopamin und die „maskierte Metachromasie-Reaktion“ waren nicht signifikant erhöht.

Es wird vermutet, daß diese Veränderungen auf einen unterschiedlichen Serumcalciumspiegel, der durch die Hypo- und Hypermagnesämie hervorgerufen wird, und nicht auf den Unterschied der Magnesiumionenkonzentration, zurückgeführt werden kann.

Summary

The thyroid C cells of magnesium-deficient and magnesium-loaded rats were investigated by optical, ultraviolet and electron microscopic techniques.

Magnesium deficiency was associated with hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the C cells, accompanied by lowered cholinesterase activity, lowered storage of dopamine (derived from the uptake and decarboxylation of l-DOPA1) and by diminution of the reaction for masked metachromasia. These findings indicate increased synthesis and secretion of the polypeptide calcitonin, together with decreased storage of the hormone. That interpretation was supported by EM observations of degranulation, with marked hyperplasia of ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum.

In magnesium-loaded rats, on the contrary, the C cells were never enlarged. Cholinesterase activity, synthesis and storage of dopamine, and the masked metachromasia reaction were, if anything, increased. These changes are considered to be related to the altered levels of serum calcium which are associated with hypo- and hypermagnesaemia, and not directly to changes in the levels of magnesium ion.

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Abbreviations

l-DOPA:

L-dihydroxyphenylalanine

5-HTP:

5-Hydroxytryptophan

PAS:

Periodic acid-Schiff

PTAH:

Phosphotungstic acid-haematoxylin

α-GPD:

α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase

MTT:

Methyl-thiazolyl tetrazolium

K3 :

Menadione (Vitamin K3)

H & E:

Haematoxylin and Eosin

Pb/UA:

Lead citrate/uranyl acetate

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London W 12

    J. Stachura & A. G. E. Pearse

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  1. J. Stachura
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  2. A. G. E. Pearse
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Stachura, J., Pearse, A.G.E. Thyroid C cells in experimental Hyper-and Hypomagnesaemia. Virchows Arch. Abt. B Zellpath. 5, 173–186 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02893560

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02893560

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