Abstract

LIMA, Marcus Aurelho de et al. C cells in the thyroid of pinealectomized rats. Rev. Hosp. Clin. [online]. 2003, vol.58, n.1, pp. 21-26. ISSN 0041-8781.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812003000100005.

PURPOSE: To study quantitatively C cells in the thyroids of non-isogenic rats to determine the possible effects of pinealectomy on the number of these cells, and consequently on the synthesis and secretion of calcitonin. METHODS: Twenty male rats of an outbred strain (200-300 g) were used in the present study. One group of 10 animals was pinealectomized 50 days prior to sacrifice. Thyroid tissue was stained for calcitonin (Dako Corporation) at a 1:1500 dilution. The number of C cells observed was expressed as number of cells/cm². Data were analyzed statistically by Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The number of C cells in pinealectomized and normal animals ranged from 489 to 2084 per cm² and 227 to 1584 per cm², respectively, a difference that was statistically significant (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed consistent differences in the number of C cells after pinealectomy when compared to controls. We believe that pinealectomy increases the number of C cells in the rat thyroid.

Keywords : Thyroid; C Cells; Pineal Gland; Rat; Calcitonin.