Abstract

STUDY OF STRESS ON CYTOKINE MEDIATED AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS

Vinod Singh*, Mayuri Khare, M. K. Sahu, Poonam Singh

Abstract

Autoimmune thyroid diseases are the most common organ-specific autoimmune disorders. Approximately 5% of the overall population suffers from this disorder. Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) or hypothyroidism is the most common clinical expressions of thyroid dysfunction but differ clinically as well as in pathophysiology. It is the major autoimmune endocrine disorder which is linked to human immune system under psychological stress. The study focuses on the level of thyroid and stress hormone and its impact on the immune system. Two hundred human subjects along with normal healthy population were randomly selected on the basis of clinical examinations. Hormonal and cytokine analysis was conducted of both thyroid and stress physiology, both pro and anti-inflammatory status was performed using serum samples. Statistical analysis was performed of all the parameters.The study depicts significant increase in TSH and decrease in T3 and T4 hormones also rise in stress hormones was observed. Rise in the hormones resulted in significant increase in the level of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ and decrease in anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10. Individuals‟ long term effects of relationship between psychosocial and physiological stress conditions (i.e., genetics, constitutional factors) and disease is affected by the biological nature, number, and persistence which may influence the course of chronic disease. Therapies in development of biopsychosocial model provide a basis for understanding and treatment of disease, the impact of illness from a societal perspective. There exists a considerable amount of data on the psychosocial factors related to thyroid disorders.

Keywords: autoimmunity, anti-inflammatory, cytokines, hashimoto?s thyroiditis, pro-inflammatory, psychological-physiological stress.