Thyroxine-binding globulin and thyroid hormones after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma
Nagasue, N.; Ohmori, H.; Hashimoto, N.; Tachibana, M.; Kubota, H.; Uchida, M.; Yu, L.
American Journal of Gastroenterology 92(7): 1187-1189
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9270 PMID: 9219796 Document Number: 481188
Objectives: Some human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) produce thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). High serum TBG levels in such patients may be associated with increased thyroxine (T4) levels. This study aimed to elucidate the serum TBG and thyroid hormone profile in Japanese patients with HCC, to compare the difference between TBG-producing and -nonproducing HCCs, and to investigate the changes in serum TBG level and the thyroid hormone profile after removal of the tumor. Methods: The 40 subjects included 20 patients with HCC, 10 healthy controls, and 10 operative controls. Serum TBG, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T-3), T-4, and free T-4 were measured serially for 4 wk after resection of HCC in 16 patients and after control operations in 10 patients. Assay methods were a radioimmunoassay for TBG and enzyme immunoassays for T-3, T-4, and free T-4. Results: Values higher than the mean +- 2 SD of controls were considered abnormally high. Of patients with HCC, 60% had abnormally high TBG values, 65% had abnormally high T-3 values, 39 % had abnormally high T-4 values, and 6 % had abnormally high free T-4 values. The mean levels of TBG and T-3 were significantly higher than those in healthy controls, but no difference was found for T-4 and free T-4 levels. There were no significant differences in various clinicopathological factors between patients with high TBG levels and those with normal TBG levels. After resection of HCC, serum TBG decreased significantly in patients with high TBG levels but not in those with normal TBG levels. Conclusions: This study shows that gt 50% of HCCs in Japanese patients produce TBG; removal of the tumor reduces serum TBG in such cases.