Graves' orbitopathy (GO) affects about 50% of patients with Graves' disease (GD), and some cannot be cured by current treatments. Orbital fibroblasts involves in the pathogenesis of GO by producing glycosaminoglycans and inflammatory cytokines. Since fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) binding to FGF receptors (FGFRs) can induce proliferation and differentiation of fibroblasts, investigators would like to measure the expression of FGFs and FGFRs in GO patients to see if inhibition of FGF-FGFR pathway has potential in treatment.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
80
National Taiwan University Hospital Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan
RECRUITINGSerum concentration of selected growth factors
Investigators would like to measure fibroblast growth factors concentration (ug/mL) by ELISA according to the manufacturers' instruction
Time frame: 1 year
RNA expression level of selected growth factor receptors
Investigators would like to measure growth factor receptors expression level comparing to house-keeping gene using real-time PCR
Time frame: 1 year
RNA expression level of selected growth factor receptors
Investigators would like to measure adipogenesis-related genes expression level comparing to house-keeping gene using real-time PCR
Time frame: 1 year
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