Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate α-Klotho and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) expression in hyperplastic parathyroid glands, as well as their role in the development of renal hyperparathyroidism.
Methods: Hyperplastic parathyroid glands (n = 90) were obtained from 24 patients who received parathyroidectomy due to secondary renal hyperparathyroidism. Normal parathyroid tissue was obtained from glands (n = 6) that were inadvertently removed, in conjunction with thyroidectomy, from patients with thyroid carcinoma. The expression of α-Klotho and FGFR1 in the parathyroid tissue was detected using immunohistochemical staining.
Results: The expression of α-Klotho and FGFR1 was significantly reduced in the hyperplastic parathyroid tissue compared to that in the normal parathyroid tissue. The expression of α-Klotho decreased further with increasing parathyroid pathology. A significant positive correlation was observed between α-Klotho and FGFR1 (r = 0.38, P < 0.01). FGFR1 (r = -0.21, P < 0.05) and α-Klotho (r = -0.42, P < 0.01) were negatively correlated with the volume of the hyperplastic parathyroid tissue.
Conclusion: The expression of α-Klotho and FGFR1 decreases in the parathyroid glands of dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, and this decrease may play an important role in the pathogenesis of secondary renal hyperparathyroidism.