ABSTRACT
SOS-Page electrophoresis identifies the various protein fractions under different conditions. This property of the process was utilized to see the pattern of protein fractions among patients suffering from thyroid disease. A group of 1170 subject, comprising of nearly equal proportions of euthyroid, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid individuals, was studied. Most of the subjects were out-patients of Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. Random blood samples were taken from the subjects usually in the morning between 0800 - 1200 hours and after processing, the serum was stored at -80[C]. These aliquots were used for thyroid profile, bio-chemical analysis and SDS-PAGE electrophoreses. The serum samples of healthy / euthyroid samples showed 13 major protein fractions ranging in molecular weight of 321 to 28 kDa whereas 12 major protein fractions were detected in patients suffering from thyroid diseases. The fractions were found to be enhanced due to increased capillary permeability and increased interstitial fluid. By contrast, markedly reduced fractions were found among hyperthyroids probably due to the factors of negative nitrogen balance, loss of weight, muscle wasting, weaknesses mild hypo-albuminemia and increased anabolism of protein. The findings presented in this study suggest that SDS-PAGE may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders