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The conflicting results of previous evaluations of the influence of hypercalcemia on thyroid C-cells and the absence of reports on its influence on calcitonin (CT)-producing cells of the airways prompted this study. It aims to evaluate the activity and changing dynamics in CT-producing cells in rat thyroid glands and lungs after prolonged hypercalcemia. The hypercalcemia was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 100,000IU of vitamin D(3) (Vigantol), Merck). Control and experimental rats were examined after 1, 7 and 14 days. Calcium and CT concentrations were measured in blood plasma. Paraffin wax embedded sections of thyroid and lungs were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. CT was detected immunohistochemically in thyroid C-cells and lung endocrine cells. Results showed increased calcium and CT concentrations in rat blood after vitamin D(3) administration, a statistically significant reduction in number of CT-positive cells in the thyroid with indications of their increased activity, and a statistically non-significant reduction of the number of cells immunopositive for CT in lungs after 1 day, and an increase after 7 days, compared to the control group. Lack of an obvious correlation in lung neuroendocrine cells among the rats with hypercalcemia may indicate the presence of other, perhaps local, functions for calcitonin.

The aim of the present study was to compare parafollicular cells in the bison thyroid and its ultimobranchial remnants. The thyroid of 26 European bisons was fixed in Bouin's fluid, 5 microns thick paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Azan or silver Grimelius methods. For immunocytochemical analysis specific rabbit antisera were used against human calcitonin (CT), human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), bovine (b) or rat (r) neuron-specific enolase (NSE), human synthetic somatostatin (ST), and porcine chromogranin. Strongly positive reactions in the majority of parafollicular cells were observed after application of antisera against CT, CGRP, bNSE and rNSE only. ST-immunopositive cells were found in small numbers. Immunopositive parafollicular cells were also present outside typical structures of the thyroid within persistent ultimobranchial remnants. In persistent ultimobranchial bodies, parafollicular cells were frequently observed in groups between ultimobranchial follicles in form of solid cell nests. Many of these cells did not react with any of the antisera used and showed features of immature cells. It is concluded that histomorphologic analysis and immunocytochemical examination reveals a heterogeneous population of parafollicular cells in the bison thyroid, and this heterogeneity was particularly clear in persistent ultimobranchial bodies.

In this report recent views are presented on the role of the parafollicular cells (PF) in the mammalian thyroid. Contemporary studies indicate morphological and functional heterogeneity of the PF cell population. In normal conditions most PF cells synthesize and secrete calcitonin (CT) and therefore they are frequently referred to as C cells. It seems however, that the contribution to the regional intrathyroidal regulation of secretion and growth processes is also an important role of all functionally mature PF cells of APUD (amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation) series. This has been confirmed by the latest reports on PF cells secreting numerous regulatory peptides (RP) usually defined as "paracrine" and/or "autocrine factors". These peptides are produced jointly with other RP in the same PF cells. Some of RP like CT, somatostatin, katacalcin I (CCP-I), CCP-II, gastrin-releasing peptide, thyroliberin and helodermin have been found in the PF cells, exclusively. Other RP, including calcitonin gene-related peptide, N-terminal peptide, neuromedin U, cholecystokinin and secretory peptide-I, have been simultaneously observed in the PF cells and intrathyroidal nerve fibres. Genetic mechanisms involved in RP production in the PF cells and possible path ways by which these peptides affect the adjacent follicular cells in the thyroid are discussed.