An innovative multidisciplinary approach to thyroid research: Profile of the morphofunctional basic capability of follicular cells

Olha Ryabukha; Taras Lahotskyi; Olha Ryabukha; Taras Lahotskyi

doi:10.3934/medsci.2026006

AIMS Medical Science

2026, Volume 13, Issue 1: 67-88. doi: 10.3934/medsci.2026006

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Research article

An innovative multidisciplinary approach to thyroid research: Profile of the morphofunctional basic capability of follicular cells

Olha Ryabukha ^{1
,
,},
Taras Lahotskyi ²

1.
Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Private Higher Educational Institution “Lviv Medical University”, Lviv, Ukraine
2.
Department of Economic Cybernetics, Faculty of Economics, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine

Received: 31 October 2025 Revised: 09 March 2026 Accepted: 11 March 2026 Published: 25 March 2026

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of the interdependence and mutual influence among components of the morphofunctional basic capability profile of follicular cells. In a 1-month experiment, 4 groups of male albino rats were involved: Group 1 (control)—in conditions of a standard vivarium diet; Group 2—in conditions of an iodine deficiency; Group 3—in conditions of a potentiated iodine deficiency; and Group 4—in conditions of hyperthyroidism. The shape of the cells, the contour and condition of their lateral membranes, the shape of the nuclei, the contour of the karyolemmata, and the condition of the central and marginal chromatin were analyzed using electron micrographs. The author's methods were applied. Additionally, a Pearson correlation analysis and the process of creating graphic correlation portraits were employed. The main significance of the normal functioning of follicular cells is played by associations of unaltered lateral membranes, oval nuclei, and fine-grained central and narrow, unfragmented, highly dense marginal chromatin with other components of the profile. The following associations support the functioning of follicular cells under unfavorable conditions: (1) in the case of iodine deficiency—cuboidal and prismatic cells, fine-grained and sparse central chromatin, and narrow and wide marginal chromatin with other components of the profile; (2) in potentiated iodine deficiency—highly wavy karyolemmata, fine-grained and sparse central chromatin, and narrow marginal chromatin with other components of the profile; and (3) in hyperthyroidism—cylindrical nuclei and dense central chromatin with other components of the profile. An analysis of the correlation portraits of the morphofunctional basic capability deepens our understanding of the characteristics of interrelationships and interdependencies between follicular cell components under euthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. When thyroid homeostasis is disturbed, the functioning of follicular cells occurs, taking changes in the primary functional balance, the formation of compensatory and adaptive mechanisms, and the attainment of a new state of functional balance into account.
- thyroid,
- follicular cell,
- cytophysiology,
- euthyroidism,
- hypothyroidism,
- hyperthyroidism,
- correlation analysis,
- correlation portrait
Citation: Olha Ryabukha, Taras Lahotskyi. An innovative multidisciplinary approach to thyroid research: Profile of the morphofunctional basic capability of follicular cells[J]. AIMS Medical Science, 2026, 13(1): 67-88. doi: 10.3934/medsci.2026006

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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of the interdependence and mutual influence among components of the morphofunctional basic capability profile of follicular cells. In a 1-month experiment, 4 groups of male albino rats were involved: Group 1 (control)—in conditions of a standard vivarium diet; Group 2—in conditions of an iodine deficiency; Group 3—in conditions of a potentiated iodine deficiency; and Group 4—in conditions of hyperthyroidism. The shape of the cells, the contour and condition of their lateral membranes, the shape of the nuclei, the contour of the karyolemmata, and the condition of the central and marginal chromatin were analyzed using electron micrographs. The author's methods were applied. Additionally, a Pearson correlation analysis and the process of creating graphic correlation portraits were employed. The main significance of the normal functioning of follicular cells is played by associations of unaltered lateral membranes, oval nuclei, and fine-grained central and narrow, unfragmented, highly dense marginal chromatin with other components of the profile. The following associations support the functioning of follicular cells under unfavorable conditions: (1) in the case of iodine deficiency—cuboidal and prismatic cells, fine-grained and sparse central chromatin, and narrow and wide marginal chromatin with other components of the profile; (2) in potentiated iodine deficiency—highly wavy karyolemmata, fine-grained and sparse central chromatin, and narrow marginal chromatin with other components of the profile; and (3) in hyperthyroidism—cylindrical nuclei and dense central chromatin with other components of the profile. An analysis of the correlation portraits of the morphofunctional basic capability deepens our understanding of the characteristics of interrelationships and interdependencies between follicular cell components under euthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. When thyroid homeostasis is disturbed, the functioning of follicular cells occurs, taking changes in the primary functional balance, the formation of compensatory and adaptive mechanisms, and the attainment of a new state of functional balance into account.

Funding

This work was a fragment of the research projects carried out within the framework of the research topic “Improving the system of drug circulation during pharmacotherapy based on evidence-based and forensic pharmacy, organization, technology, biopharmacy, and pharmaceutical law”. Registered in the Ukrainian Institute of Scientific and Technical Expertise and Information of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (number 0120U105348, years of project implementation: 2021–2026).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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