Peripheral parameters of oxidative stress in Graves’ disease: the effects of methimazole and 131 iodine treatments

Authors: Abalovich M.¹; Llesuy S.²; Gutierrez S.¹; Repetto M.²

Source: Clinical Endocrinology, Volume 59, Number 3, September 2003 , pp. 321-327(7)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Summary background

Increased oxidative stress, with elevated levels of free radicals, together with diminished antioxidation have been described previously in models of hyperthyroidism and in patients with Graves’ disease. However, controversial results have been found about the antioxidant status and its response to treatment. aim

To evaluate the antioxidant/oxidant balance in active Graves’ disease and the effects of treatment with methimazole (MMI) and 131 iodine (¹³¹I). patients and methods

We studied 69 hyperthyroid (H) patients, 58 female and 11 male, 16–50 years old; total T3: 8 ± 2 nmol/l, total T4: 264 ± 65 nmol/l (all mean ± SD), TSH: 0·1 ± 0·1 mIU/l, TSH receptor antibody 41 ± 21%, highest ¹³¹Iodine uptake: 67 ± 16%. As a control group (C), 19 normal adults were studied. design

Parameters evaluated were: tert-butyl hydroperoxide initiated chemiluminiscence (CL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP). results

In patients vs. controls there was an increase in CL levels (6207 ± 1434 vs. 3000 ± 851 cpm/mg of haemoglobin, P < 0·001), decrease in SOD (0·4 ± 0·1 vs. 0·7 ± 0·2 U/mg prot, P < 0·05; corresponding to 0·15 µg/ml), CAT (2·8 ± 0·6 vs. 3·8 ± 0·7 pmol/mg prot, P < 0·001) and GSH (1·2 ± 0·4 vs. 2 ± 0·7 mmol/l erythrocytes, P < 0·05). The decrease in GPx and TRAP did not show significant differences. The parameters were also recorded in 30 patients who became euthyroid after treatment: 20 of them under MMI therapy (2–12 months) and the rest 3–6 months after ¹³¹Iodine administration. All the parameters evaluated were normalized after MMI; however, CL levels stayed high after ¹³¹I and only CAT and GSH levels returned to normal values. conclusion

Our results confirm the imbalance of the antioxidant/oxidant status in hyperthyroid patients. MMI treatment was more effective than ¹³¹I therapy to improve that balance. We speculate on the benefits of antioxidant therapy administrated together with the habitual treatment of hyperthyroidism, especially in patients after ¹³¹I therapy.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2265.2003.01850.x

Affiliations: 1: Endocrinological Division, Durand Hospital and 2: General and Inorganic Chemistry Division, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Publication date: 2003-09-01

Peripheral parameters of oxidative stress in Graves’ disease: the effects of methimazole and 131 iodine treatments

Buy & download fulltext article:

Tools

Key

Text size:

Useful pages