Morphometrical changes in follicles of the thyroid glands in chronic alcoholism
Abstract
The effect of chronic ethanol consumption on the structure of thyroid gland follicles was the subject of our studies. Mature male Wistar rats were given 15% ethanol solution ad libitum as the only liquid offered. The animals were sacrificed in three groups: one, three and six months after the beginning of alcohol ingestion. Stereological analysis showed a significant increase in the volume density of follicular epithelium /Vve/, its thickness /t/, index of activation of the thyroid gland /Ia=Vve/Vvc/, and significant reduction in volume density of colloid /Vvc/ in all the periods examined. These results suggest the possibility that long-term alcoholism can disturb the normal structure of the thyroid gland, besides its well-known effects on the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones.