M. Pawlikowski et al., EFFECTS OF OCTREOTIDE ON PROPYLTHIOURACIL-INDUCED GOITER IN RATS - A QUANTITATIVE-EVALUATION, Histology and histopathology, 13(3), 1998, pp. 679-682
To evaluate the possible antigoitrogenic effect of somatostatin, the i
nfluence of long-acting somatostatin analog - octreotide - on experime
ntal goiter developed in rats treated with propylthiouracil was examin
ed. Goiter formation was assessed by measurement of the main histologi
cal compartments of the thyroid as well as by morphometric analysis of
the vascularization and blood supply of the gland. Although treatment
with octreotide did not prevent the goiter formation, it clearly redu
ced blood supply and vascularization of the thyroid and counteracted p
ropylthiouracil-induced increase in the relative volume of follicular
epithelium. To conclude, the somatostatin analog - octreotide - is eff
ective in reduction of goiter vascularisation. This finding provides a
rationale for the clinical trials of the treatment of hypervascular g
oiter by somatostatin analogs.