Inmunohistochemical Profile of Solid Cell Nest of Thyroid Gland

It is widely held that solid cell nests (SCN) of the thyroid are ultimobranchial body remnants. SCNs are composed of main cells and C cells. It has been suggested that main cells might be pluripotent cells contributing to the histogenesis of C cells and follicular cells, as well as to the formation of certain thyroid tumors. The present study sought to analyze the immunohistochemical profile of SCN and to investigate the potential stem cell role of SCN main cells. Tissue sections from ten cases of nodular hyperplasia (non-tumor goiter) with SCNs were retrieved from the files of the Hospital Infanta Luisa (Seville, Spain). Parathormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), thyroglobulin (TG), thyroid transcription factor (TTF-1), galectin 3 (GAL3), cytokeratin 19 (CK 19), p63, bcl-2, OCT4, and SALL4 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Patient clinical data were collected, and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin for histological examination. Most cells stained negative for PTH, CT, TG, and TTF-1. Some cells staining positive for TTF-1 and CT required discussion. However, bcl-2, p63, GAL3, and CK 19 protein expression was detected in main cells. OCT4 protein expression was detected in only two cases, and SALL4 expression in none. Positive staining for bcl-2 and p63, and negative staining for PTH, CT, and TG in SCN main cells are both consistent with the widely accepted minimalist definition of stem cells, thus supporting the hypothesis that they may play a stem cell role in the thyroid gland, although further research will be required into stem cell markers. Furthermore, p63 and GAL-3 staining provides a much more sensitive means of detecting SCNs than staining for carcinoembryonic antigen, calcitonin, or other markers; this may help to distinguish SCNs from their mimics

Polyphenolic Maqui Extract as a Potential Nutraceutical to Treat TNBS-Induced Crohn' s Disease by the Regulation of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

Nutraceuticals include a wide variety of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which have been highlighted for their remarkable health benefits. Specially, maqui berries have shown great antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects on some inflammatory diseases. The objectives of the present study were to explore the therapeutic effects of maqui berries on acute-phase inflammation in Crohn’s disease. Balb/c mice were exposed to 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) via intracolonic administration. Polyphenolic maqui extract (Ach) was administered orally daily for 4 days after TNBS induction (Curative Group), and for 7 days prior to the TNBS induction until sacrifice (Preventive Group). Our results showed that both preventive and curative Ach administration inhibited body weight loss and colon shortening, and attenuated the macroscopic and microscopic damage signs, as well as significantly reducing transmural inflammation and boosting the recovery of the mucosal architecture and its muco-secretory function. Additionally, Ach promotes macrophage polarization to the M2 phenotype and was capable of down-regulating significantly the expression of inflammatory proteins COX-2 and iNOS, and at the same time it regulates the antioxidant Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. In conclusion, this is the first study in which it is demonstrated that the properties of Ach as could be used as a preventive and curative treatment in Crohn’s disease.Junta de Andalucía Sociedad Andaluza de Patología Digestiva 2016 (SAPD)’, Project 2018/00000802-CTS949España Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia project 2004/0000120