he natural stimulus of the disease to produce hyperplasia had obviaqusly
ersisted at the time the tissue was obtained.
In the other cases
fbllowing
131 treatment, it is ultimately difficult to know whether a given patient
s in a euthyroid state because the driving force that caused Gravegf
isease has abated or whether the force is still there, but the thyrpid is
o damaged that hyperthyroidism is not possible. Quantitative measurement
f DNA in *..dividual nuclei using Feulgen staining ard microspectrophotometry
howec considerable variation in DNA content and muclear volume in spbme,
ut not all of the radiated tissues. Measurements indicated that thP amount
F DNA in some cells was greater than 2 times the diploid value.
This is
s was observed in the stimulated thyroids of animals which had previously
een given [131 and is #:Strpreted as a build up in DNA, but thwarte@ cell
ivision.
Some of the adenomas which developed in these radiated human glands
2re also similarly studied for DNA content of individual nuclei. Cénsidcable variation was found in nuclear volume and DNA content in thes@ tumors.
1 the final analysis, it is not entirely clear which adenomes arose |follow-
ag Il31 and which were present, but not detected, at the time [1131
gas
iven. It would be particularly interesting to know which tumors ard¢se
com radiated cells which bore a potential for bizarre nuclear forms land
ich were tumors whose cells were themselves subjected to the radiation
:cause the tumor was already present. Certainly the former must be|true in
me cases. One follicular adenocarcinoma was encountered in a patidnt who
id been treated with 1131, but unfortunately, the special preparatidns on
1is neoplasm were not adequate for our studies.
The bizarre nucleay forms
tre present, but not abundant in the extranodular tissue of this
thyroid.
manuscript describing the bizarre muclear forms and their excessiva and
‘regular amounts of DNA in human tissue is in preparation.
Our experimental results suggest that there is a dose range of #31
lich for a time after the radiation is given, neither completely deatroys
ie function of the thyroid cell, nor (as shown in animals) interferes with
1@ capacity of those cells to multiply and make a larger gland. After
longer lapse of time and long after the dose of 1151 is dissipated,] a
fect develops in the ability of the radiated cell to divide, althe oe
A may build up. Clinical observations in the human show that althohg
is subtle damage may be caused to the thyroid cell, it continues toj survive
d make thyroid hormone maintaining the individual in a euthyroid stpte.
perfictally, it may appear that an ideal euthyroid state is achievef in
is clinical subject. In fact, the euthyroid state persists for a gbod many
ars. However, we now are begining to observe at 12, 15 and more ypars
ter [131 therapy that these human glands, which appeared to have adequate
pacity to manufacture hormone, ultimately begin to fail and the ind{vidual
gins to suffer from hypothyroidism. This has become apparent from $ur
ng term study of these paticnts. It is thus a reasonable assumptiog from
e animal experiments that the expected normal replacement of thyroi@g cells
not taking place.
romosome Abnomalities in Circulating Leucocytes of Patients Treated] with
30”
Several years ago we solicited the assistance of Professor Neil
cintyre of this University in the study of chromosomal anomalies in cir=-
lating white cells in a patient treated with large doses of 1131.
In