The significance of 25(OH)D, IL-10, and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of people with thyroid nodules

shorten abstract. Objective: Evaluate clinical significance of 25(OH)D, IL-10, and Treg cells in peripheral blood of thyroid nodule patients. Methods: Studied 78 new thyroid nodule cases and 46 healthy individuals. Analyzed blood samples for 25(OH)D, calcium, IL-2, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and Treg cells. Results: Thyroid nodule group had lower mean 25(OH)D levels than controls (P <0.05). Thyroid cancer had lower IL-5 than nodular goiter (P <0.05) and thyroid adenoma (P <0.05). Nodular goiter had higher IFN-γ than thyroid adenoma (P = 0.061) and thyroid cancer (P = 0.099). Treg cell levels differed significantly between nodular goiter/thyroid cancer and thyroid adenoma (P <0.05). In thyroid cancer subgroup, negative correlation observed between IL-10 and 25(OH)D (r = -0.45, P<0.05); tendency for negative correlation between Treg cells and 25(OH)D (r = -0.32, P>0.05). Conclusion: Peripheral blood 25(OH)D may relate to thyroid nodule incidence. Vitamin D may influence tumor immune regulation. Decreased 25(OH)D levels observed in nodular goiter and thyroid cancer vs. normal control. Increased Treg cells observed in nodular goiter and thyroid cancer vs. thyroid adenoma. Lower IL-5 found in thyroid cancer. Negative correlation noted between IL-10 and 25(OH)D in thyroid cancer.