Relevant dose of the environmental contaminant, tributyltin, promotes histomorphological changes in the thyroid gland of male rats

Publication date: Available online 9 December 2019Source: Molecular and Cellular EndocrinologyAuthor(s): Paula Rodrigues-Pereira, Sofia Macedo, Tiago Bordeira Gaspar, Sule Canberk, Samia Selmi-Ruby, Valdemar Máximo, Paula Soares, Leandro Miranda-AlvesAbstractOrganotin compounds, such as tributyltin (TBT), are common environmental contaminants and suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Tributyltin is found in antifouling paints, widely used in ships and other vessels. The present study evaluated whether a 15-day treatment with TBT at a dose of 100 ng/kg/day could induce histomorphological changes in the thyroid gland of rats. TBT promoted relevant alterations in the thyroid architecture, being the most relevant histological findings the presence of increased number of small-size follicles in the treated group. In qualitative analyses, colloid vacuolization, papillary budging structures, cystic degeneration and chronic thyroiditis, were observed in thyroid. Moreover, histomorphometric analysis showed statistically significant changes in the follicular architecture of TBT-treated rats, mainly a decrease in the follicle area (colloid) and an increased epithelial height that resulted in an increased epithelial height/colloid ratio. Augmented collagen deposition was also seen in the thyroids of treated groups. In immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses, the localization of NIS protein was described and a significant increased proliferation index (evaluated by Ki67 positive cells) ...
Source: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research