The relationship between transforming growth factor-beta 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, nitric oxide and Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Abstract

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is one of the autoimmune disorders of the thyroid gland. The pathogenesis of HT has not been clearly understood. This study was designed to investigate plasma transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nitrate/nitrite (NOx-two end products of nitric oxide [NO] metabolism) in HT.