EXPRESSION OF BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR IN HYPERPLASTIC PARATHYROID-GLANDS FROM PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA TYPE-I

Primary hyperparathyroidism was investigated using the presence of bas ic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) from the immunohistochemical viewpo int with an anti-bFGF antibody in hyperplastic parathyroid glands of p atients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN-I) and of patien ts with non-MEN. The results corresponded well with the data from the DNA analysis. Twenty-five hyperplastic parathyroid glands from 11 pati ents with MEN-I and 38 glands from 20 patients with non-MEN primary hy perparathyroidism were stained immunohistochemically according to the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex procedure. When 50% or more of the ce lls appeared uniformly stained, it was judged positively stained. In a ddition, 18 hyperplastic parathyroid glands from patients with MEN-I p atients and 24 hyperplastic parathyroid glands from non-MEN patients m ere also analyzed for DNA using how cytometry. The ratio of positively stained hyperplastic parathyroid glands was 72% in MEN-I patients and 18% in non-MEN patients. The difference between the two groups was si gnificant (p < 0.01). The nodules consisted of oxyphilic cells in 7 of 25 hyperplastic parathyroid glands from MEN-I patients and in 10 of 3 8 hyperplastic parathyroid glands from non-MEN patients, and all the c ells were positive for bFGF. There was no significant correlation betw een bFGF staining and the DNA ploidy pattern. bFGF possibly plays a ro le in the development of parathyroid gland hyperplasia, especially in MEN-I patients. The increase of oxyphilic cells may be correlated with the expression of bFGF.