• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.2 s.141
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• pp.88-92
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• 2005

Apoptosis plays an important role in autoimmune chronic (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis, a disorder that often results in hypothyroidism. The goal of this study was to induce apoptosis by the combination of inflammatory cytokines, interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$ and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, and to investigate a potential role of medicinal plants in the thyroid follicular cells (FRTL) in vitro. The apoptosis was evaluated by cellular viability, DNA fragmentation, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Extract of Gamgung-tang (GGT, Glycyrrhizae Radix, black beans, Angelicae Radix, and Cnidii Rhizoma) $(0.3{\sim}9.0mg/ml)$ was shown to maintain the viability of cells treated with $IFN-{\gamma}(100U/ml)$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ (0.5 ng/ml). FRTL cells were found to undergo DNA fragmentation with the inflammatory cytokines. The extract of GGT inhibited DNA fragmentation in dose-dependent manner. The cells with TUNEL-positive nuclei were detected with $IFN-{\gamma}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ treatment. The number of TUNEL-positive cells decreased with the treatment of extract of GGT. These results indicate that medicinal plants inhibit the occurrence of apoptosis in thyroid follicular cells, therefore, may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of autoimmune chronic thyroiditis.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.83-86
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• 2013

Some clinical diseases, such as granulomatous thyroiditis, tuberculosis, and sarcoidosis can cause granulomatous inflammation in thyroid, and theses have various clinical presentations. Granulomatous thyroiditis is an inflammation of thyroid gland, and may be painful and tender in case of infection, radiation, or trauma. Otherwise, autoimmune conditions, medications, or an idiopathic fibrosis may cause to be a painless thyroididtis. It is self-limited, possibly viral, inflammatory thyroid disorder usually presented with thyroid pain and systemic symptoms. Tuberculosis of the thyroid occurs only rarely and the patient may be asymptomatic. In thyroid sarcoidosis, most common findings are painless, progressive enlargement of the thyroid with normal function. We have experienced a case of chronic granulomatous inflammation of thyroid gland presenting as a painless thyroid nodule and report it with a review of literature.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.52-55
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• 2020

Background: Immunomodulatory properties of interferon (IFN) have been documented. It may induce autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroiditis with hypo- or hyperthyroidism. In addition, it may impair thyroid hormone synthesis through affecting iodide organification in thyroid gland. Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe thyroid function tests disturbances in children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG IFN-α) plus ribavirin. Methods: Fifty children with CHC virus infection who received combined pegylated interferon-alpha with ribavirin were selected. Other 50 apparently healthy children of matched age and sex (considered as control group) were selected. All children (100) were subject to liver function tests, virological studies, and follow-up of thyroid function test during and after the treatment course. Results: Our study showed that 28% of children received combined PEG IFN-α plus ribavirin showed subclinical hypothyroidism. After 24 weeks treatment with combined therapy of IFN plus ribavirin, the mean level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was 3.23±88 mU/mL, while TSH was 1.16±0.77 mU/mL before starting treatment. On the other hand, mean TSH was 1.09±0.92 mU/mL in normal control group. Conclusion: This study revealed an association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and treatment with IFN-alpha and ribavirin in children. Further studies on larger number of patients and longer follow-up duration are recommended for further confirmation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.934-937
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• 2005

Inflammatory cytokine, abundantly produced in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, induced Fas expression in normal thyrocytes. We determined that susceptibility to Fas-activated apoptosis could be influenced by inflammatory cytokine and investigated a potential role of Gamgung-tang (GGT, Glycyrrhizae Radix, black beans, Angelicae Radix and Cnidii Rhizoma) in the thyroid follicular cells. $IL-1\beta$ was able to induce Fas expression in normal thyrocytes. GGT inhibited $IL-1\beta-induced$ Fas expression. Thyroid follicular cells were found to undergo DNA fragmentation with the inflammatory cytokines. GGT inhibited DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that GGT inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis in thyroid follicular cells, therefore, may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of autoimmune chronic thyroiditis.