EFFECTS OF OCTREOTIDE ON PROPYLTHIOURACIL-INDUCED GOITER IN RATS - A QUANTITATIVE-EVALUATION

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.