口服亚硒酸钠和维生素E对高海拔地区心血管病患者甲状腺激素的影响

目的探讨使用亚硒酸钠和维生素E对高海拔地区心血管病患者甲状腺激素的影响.方法将心血管病患者随机分为3组A组42例患者口服亚硒酸钠,同时加服维生素E;B组28例患者口服亚硒酸钠;对照组20例,未服用亚硒酸钠及维生素E.观察对象分别于治疗前和治疗6个月后抽血检测血清硒(Se)、血浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力、丙二醛(MDA)含量及甲状腺激素(T3、T4)等指标,以观察远期疗效.结果治疗后A组和B组血清Se含量[(0.71±0.22)、(0.68±0.18)μmol/L]明显高于治疗前[(0.31±0.17)、(0.33±0.14)μmol/L],差异有显著性(P＜0.01);A组和B组血浆GSH-Px活力分别为(87.12±13.61)、(84.79±12.13)U/L,较治疗前[分别为(58.43±18.93)、(57.12±17.36)U/L]明显增加.A组和B组MDA含量[(4.86±1.18)、(4.18±1.23)nmol/ml]较治疗前[(8.66±0.96)、(8.71±0.87)nmol/ml]明显降低,差异均有显著性(P＜0.01);A组和B组患者T3和T4较对照组明显降低,趋于正常.血清Se与血浆GSH-Px呈正相关(r=0.781,P＜0.01),与MDA、T3、T4浓度呈负相关(r=-0.385;r=-0.687;r=-0.412,均P＜0.05).甲状腺激素恢复正常者A组31例(73.81%)、B组20例(71.42%);部分恢复者A组4例(9.52%)、B组2例(7.43%),其恢复率明显高于对照组,差异有显著性(P＜0.05),远期疗效较好.结论补充适量硒和维生素E可纠正高原环境下因低Se而引起的甲状腺激素代谢异常.     

过量碘对仔鼠脑神经颗粒素表达的影响及硒的干预作用

目的研究过量碘摄入对小鼠仔鼠脑神经颗粒素表达的影响及硒的干预作用。方法将60只BALB／c小鼠用随机数字表法随机分为4组：正常对照组（饮用自来水,NC）、过量碘组（饮水3000μg／LI,EI^＋）、单独补硒组（饮水200μg／LSe,Se^＋）、过量碘加硒组（饮水3000μg／LI＋200μg/Lse,EI＋Se^＋）。以纯系鼠饲料饲养。4个月后,雌雄交配。测定14和28d龄仔鼠血清总T4（T4）和总T3（T3）水平,用免疫组织化学法和Western blot测定14和28d龄仔鼠大脑组织神经颗粒素蛋白的表达。结果14d龄仔鼠血清T4水平过量碘组（68．78±11．10）nmoL／L低于对照组（100．85±11．47）nmoL／L和过量碘加硒组（93．15±12．10）nmol／L。Western blot研究结果显示14d龄仔鼠脑组织神经颗粒素相对水平过量碘组0．621±0．041低于正常对照组0．841±0．039和EI^＋Se^＋0．781±0．029。过量碘和补硒对28d龄仔鼠血清T4和T3水平和脑组织神经颗粒素表达水平无明显影响。结论过量碘引起仔鼠脑神经颗粒素表达异常,补硒具有缓解作用。     

Iodine deficiency, hypothyroidism, and endemic goitre in southern Tanzania. A survey showing the positive effects of iodised oil injections by TSH determination in dried blood spots.

The Ukinga and Uwanji regions, located in the southern highlands of Tanzania, were studied for the degree of iodine deficiency and the incidence of goitre and hypothyroidism, respectively. A urinary iodine excretion as low as 17.6 +/- 9.3 micrograms/g creatinine was observed in Wangama village. The mean goitre prevalence in 27 villages in Uwanji ranged between 65 and 96% (n = 3031 schoolchildren). Of 681 pregnant women from Ukinga 79.6% had goitre. The prevalence of cretinism as estimated on clinical criteria was 3% in Magoye (Uwanji). A normal serum TSH (below 2.1 mU/l) was observed in only 12 out of 66 school children before iodine prophylaxis, whereas the T4/TBG ratio was decreased in 36 of 63 cases. Blood spot TSH levels in newborn infants (n = 219) from mothers without iodine supplementation were above 12 mU/l in 45%. In contrast, only 20.3% of the newborn (n = 118) had elevated blood spot TSH (p less than 0.002) when the mothers had received an iodised oil injection during pregnancy. Most of the newborn (n = 18; 75%) of the latter group with elevated TSH (n = 24) came from mothers who had received the iodine injection only 1-25 days before delivery. Maternal iodine prophylaxis in late pregnancy does not increase the rate of neonatal hypothyroidism. Conclusions: It has been confirmed that severe iodine deficiency resulting in endemic goitre, cretinism, and hypothyroidism is prevalent in the regions studied. Dried blood spot TSH determinations may serve as an index for the efficiency of iodine prophylaxis programmes. Such a programme was carried out with relatively little expenditure and effort on a large scale basis.     

Increasing the iodine concentration in the Swiss iodized salt program markedly improved iodine status in pregnant women and children: a 5-y prospective national study

BACKGROUND: Many industrialized countries struggle to maintain adequate iodine intake because of changes in dietary habits and the food supply. In Switzerland, because of declining iodine intakes in children and pregnant women, the iodine concentration in table salt was increased from 15 to 20 mg/kg. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated Swiss iodine nutrition after the 1999 increase in the salt iodine concentration. DESIGN: In 1999 and 2004, a 3-stage probability proportionate-to-size cluster sampling was done to obtain a representative national sample of primary schoolchildren and pregnant women. Urine and household salt were collected for iodine measurement. The frequency of elevated thyrotropin concentrations found in the newborn screening program was evaluated before and after the increase. RESULTS: In 1999, median urinary iodine (UI) concentrations among children (n = 610) and pregnant women (n = 511) were 115 microg/L (range: 5-413 microg/L) and 138 microg/L (range: 5-1881 microg/L), respectively, which indicated marginal iodine status. In 2004, median UI concentrations among children (n = 386) and pregnant women (n = 279) were 141 microg/L (range: 0-516 microg/L) and 249 microg/L (range: 8-995 microg/L), respectively (P < 0.01). Newborn thyrotropin concentrations >5 mU/L decreased from 2.9% in 1992-1998 (n = 259 035) to 1.7% in 1999-2004 (n = 218 665) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A 25% increase in iodine concentration in iodized table salt markedly improved iodine status in Switzerland, which showed the value of monitoring and adjusting iodine concentrations in national salt programs. The frequency of newborn thyrotropin concentrations >5 mU/L appears to be a sensitive indicator of iodine nutrition during pregnancy.     

上海市闵行区青春期女生甲状腺激素水平及影响因素分析

  目的  观察上海市闵行区青春期女生的甲状腺激素水平,并探讨其可能的影响因素。  方法  2019年1—3月采用分阶段整群抽样方法,分别在上海市闵行区东、南、北和中片各选取1所初中,将其新入学的预初女生共386名纳入研究。对研究对象进行体格检查,并收集其尿样及血样以检测尿碘及甲状腺激素水平;采用青春发育量表(Pubertal Development Scale,PDS)评价研究对象青春发育分期;采用多因素Logistic回归模型分析甲状腺激素水平的影响因素。  结果  研究对象尿碘质量浓度中位数为163.57(106.57,232.96)μg/L,血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)、血清总三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT3)、血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、血清游离甲状腺素(FT4)几何均值分别为0.29 mU/L、0.26 nmol/L、0.68 pmol/L、1.18 pmol/L,血清总甲状腺素(TT4)均值为91.64 nmol/L。甲状腺球蛋白抗体(TGAb)以及甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)的偏高率为6.22%及4.15%。TGAb和TPOAb均偏高率为3.68%。青春发动期和青春后期TT4水平均低于青春前期(OR值分别为0.47,0.43),肥胖女生具有较高的TT3水平(OR=9.08,95%CI=1.52~54.07);运动时间增加(0.5~1,>1 h/d),FT4水平增高(OR值分别为2.45,2.19)。TGAb和TPOAb同时偏高者中TSH水平较高;TGAb偏高TPOAb正常的学生中,TT4和FT4水平较高。  结论  碘适宜地区青春女生甲状腺激素水平与青春期发育、肥胖和运动相关;TSH、FT4和TT4水平与TGAb、TPOAb水平相关。     

The effect of selenium therapy on autoimmune thyroiditis

Selenium as an essential trace element is capable of exerting complex effects on the endocrine and immune system by its antioxidant capacity. The role of selenium is important because the level of free oxygen radicals is elevated in the physiological thyroid hormone synthesis. THE AIM OF STUDY: was to determine whether selenium therapy can influence the level of antithyroid peroxidase and antithyroglobulin antibodies or whether there is a correlation between antioxidant capacity and the titer of autoantibodies. METHOD: 132 patient with autoimmune thyroiditis were investigated in a prospective, blind and placebo-controlled study. L-thyroxine substitution therapy was made in both groups and the level of TSH remained in the normal range. The selenium-treated group (n = 70 patients, 68 female, mean age 41,4 +/- 9,5 year) was compared with the placebo-treated group (n = 62 patients, 61 female, mean age 42,7 +/- 8,3 year). Selenium therapy was continued by L-seleno-methionine (per os 2 x 100 microg/day) for one year. Determination of TSH, fT4, fT3 and autoantibodies was carried out by chemiluminescence method. Total antioxidant capacity was determined by Randox kit, the level of selenium in the sera by atomic absorption technique was measured. In the follow-up study, patients were controlled every third month and at the end of a one-year observation period. RESULTS: The level of selenium in the untreated patients was significantly lower than in treated patients and controls. The fT3/fT4 ration proved to be higher in patients after selenium therapy. The titer of antithyroid antibodies (mostly the antithyroid peroxidase) significantly decreased at the end of the study. An inverse correlation was found between antioxidant capacity and the level of antithyroid peroxidase antibodies. The volume of thyroid gland slightly diminished in treated patients. Side effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Selenium completed with L-thyroxine is a suitable therapy for patients with autoimmune thyroiditis.     

妊娠合并临床甲状腺功能减退症患者控制与否对母婴结局的影响

目的探讨妊娠合并临床甲状腺功能减退症（甲减）病情控制与否对母婴结局的影响,为临床提供诊治依据。方法对本院168例合并临床或亚临床甲减的孕妇进行临床观察,其中甲减控制组9例,甲减未控制组29例,亚临床甲减组130例,并与正常孕妇组180例对照比较,分析各组孕妇妊娠结局和新生儿出生情况。结果与对照组相比,甲减控制组妊娠晚期游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT3）、游离甲状腺激素（FT4）、促甲状腺激素（TSH）水平差异无统计学意义[（3．68±1．11）pmol／LVS（3．19±0．33）pmol／L,（15．48±4．14）pmol／LVS（13．95±1．68）pmol／L,1．87mU／LV81．76mU／L,P〉0．05]。甲减未控制组妊娠中、晚期血清FT3、FT4水平降低,TSH水平升高[（2．71±0．80）pmol／Lvs（3．14±0．34）pmol／L,（10．94±2．68）pmol／LVS（14．25±2．01）pmol／L,5．62mU／LVS2．28mU／L,（2．34±0．70）pmol／LVS（3．19±0．33）pmol／L,（10．16±1．65）pmol／LVS（13．95±1．68）pmol／L,7．13mU／LVS1．76mU／L,t=2．754～9．15,P〈0．01],亚临床甲减组血清TSH水平升高（4．67mU／LVS2．28mU／L,5．25mU／LVS1．76mU／L,t=18．28,18．57,P〈0．01）。甲减控制组孕妇未发生围生儿不良结局,而甲减未控制组孕妇围生儿不良结局、产科并发症的发生率高于对照组（17．2％VS2．8％,37．9％V85．6％,x2=11．47,28．97,P〈0．01）。亚临床甲减组产科并发症的发生率较对照组升高（40．0％VS5．6％,x2=52．97,P〈0．01）。结论妊娠合并临床或亚临床甲减均可影响母婴结局,尤以临床甲减未控制者对母婴结局影响较大,甲减孕妇病情控制可改善母婴预后。     

Selenate-supplemented nutritional formula increases plasma selenium in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the short-term effect of feeding selenium-supplemented formulas on the selenium status of end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis. DESIGN AND SETTING: The prospective, randomized, single-blind study of parallel design was conducted at three hemodialysis clinics. PATIENTS: A total of 79 hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned into one of three groups. INTERVENTION: Liquid nutritional formula supplemented with either selenite (28 microg Se/8 oz, n = 26), selenate (28 microg Se/8 oz, n = 26), or nonfortified (7 microg Se/8 oz, n = 27) was fed to hemodialysis patients as their sole source of nutrition for 14 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) selenium and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities were measured in predialysis blood both before (day 1) and after (day 8) a 7-day baseline period, and after subjects received the formula as the sole source of nutrition (approximately 35 kcal/kg/d) for 14 days (day 22). RESULTS: Selenium intake (Mean +/- SEM, microg/d) was 134 +/- 9, 140 +/- 9, and 35 +/- 2 for patients receiving selenite-, selenate-, or non-supplemented formula, respectively. On day 22, plasma selenium (micromol/L) was greater (P <.032) in the selenate-supplemented group (1.5 +/- 0.1) compared with the nonsupplemented group (1.2 +/- 0.1), but not compared with the selenite-supplemented group (1.4 +/- 0.1). Plasma GPX activity was 44% to 60% that of healthy controls and not different among groups. RBC selenium and GPX activities were within the normal range and were not different among groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that a liquid formula supplemented with selenium as selenate is successful at maintaining selenium concentrations within normal range, as well as significantly increasing plasma selenium levels compared with nonsupplementation.     

Effect of oral iodized oil on thyroid size and thyroid hormone metabolism in children with concurrent selenium and iodine deficiency

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of oral iodized oil in goitrous children who are both selenium (Se) and iodine deficient; to investigate if Se status modifies the response of iodine deficient, goitrous children to oral supplementation with iodized oil. DESIGN: A longitudinal intervention trial. SETTING: Two rural villages in the western C?te d'Ivoire. SUBJECTS: 51 goitrous non-anemic schoolchildren with both iodine and Se deficiency. INTERVENTION: Each child received an oral dose of 0.4 ml iodized poppyseed oil containing 200 mg of iodine. They were followed for 1 y with measurements of urinary iodine (UI), thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid volume by ultrasound. RESULTS: At baseline all children were goitrous and Se deficient; median UI was 29 microg/l and mean serum Se (s.d.) was 14.8 (10.7) microg/l. After receiving iodized oil, thyroid volume decreased significantly vs baseline at 10, 15, 30 and 50 weeks (P<0.001). At 50 weeks mean percentage change in thyroid volume from baseline was-46.6% and only five children remained goitrous. Median TSH values at 5, 10, 15, 30 and 50 weeks were reduced significantly (P<0.001) compared to baseline. Among individual children the severity of Se deficiency predicted the degree of response to iodized oil. Baseline serum Se and percentage change in thyroid volume from baseline at 50 weeks were strongly correlated (r2=0.554). Baseline Se and percentage decrease in TSH from baseline at 30 weeks were also well-correlated (r2=0.467). CONCLUSION: Although more severe Se deficiency partially blunts the thyroid response to iodine supplementation, oral iodized oil is an effective method for iodine repletion in goitrous children who are Se deficient. SPONSORSHIP: The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, the Foundation for Micronutrients in Medicine, Rapperswil, Switzerland, and the Thrasher Research Fund, Salt Lake City, USA.     

Effects of transient neonatal hyperthyrotropinemia on intellectual quotient and psychomotor performance

Transient neonatal hyperthyrotropinemia (TNH) occurs frequently in areas of iodine deficiency. To evaluate the effect of TNH in intellectual function and psychomotor performance, a historical cohohrt study was performed in 9 years old children with documented TNH at birth. 18 children with TNH who had been born in Mahdieh Hospital were studied at age 9 and compared to 19 matcheal children born at the same time, but having normal thyroid function at birth. Global intelligence (IQ) and psychomotor performance were evaluated with Raven and Bender-Gestalt tests, respectively. Total serum T4 and T3 by commercial RIA and TSH by IRMA. Urine was tested for iodine content by digestion method. Height and weight were similar in two groups at birth and at 9 years of age. Thyroid function tests were similar in the two groups except for TSH at birth which was higher in TNH than in control group (23.4 +/- 8.3 vs 3.6 +/- 1.0 mU/L, P < 0.001). Results of T4, T3, resine uptake, and urinary iodine at 9 years of age were not different between two groups. Mean IQ was 98 +/- 11 and 106 +/- 8 in TNH and normal children, respectively (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between psychomotor performance in the two groups. There was no correlation between TSH at birth and IQ at 9 years of age. The present finding suggests that TNH can adversely affect longterm intellectual development.     

膳食碘过量对大鼠脑中胆囊收缩素基因表达的影响

目的 观察过量碘膳食对成年大鼠脑中胆囊收缩素(CCK)基因表达的影响,探讨发生机制.方法 选用断乳1月龄的Wistar大鼠,按体重随机分为5组,每组30只,摄碘量分别为6.15(A组)、30.75(B组)、61.5(C组)、307.5(D组)、615 μg/d(E组),各组均饲以正常鼠料,饮用含不同碘浓度的水,饲养3、6个月后处死,用放射免疫分析方法测定血清甲状腺激素水平;取脑组织,采用RT-PCR方法检测脑组织CCK mRNA的表达.结果 3个月时,E组大鼠血清总甲状腺素T4(TT4)(45.2±13.7)nmol/L、总甲状腺素T3(TT3)(0.65±0.20)nmol/L、游离甲状腺素T3(FT3)(0.93±0.45)pmol/L、游离甲状腺素T4(FT4)(7.07±2.43)pmol/L、反三碘甲状腺原氨酸(rT3)(0.15±0.04)nmol/L均明显低于A组的TT4(76.0±18.8)nmol/L、TT3(1.34±0.41)nmol/L、FT3(2.45±0.62)pmol/L、FT4(15.12±3.40)pmol/L、rT3(0.24±0.04)nmol/L(F值分别为14.68、16.03、21.16、20.25、13.52,P＜0.01);C组、D组的FT3水平与A、B组比较降低(F=21.16,P＜0.05);D组的rT3水平与A、B、C组比较也有降低(F=13.52,P＜0.05).6个月时,E组TT4(51.84±15.83)nmol/L、TT3(0.77±0.22)nmol/L、FT3(0.74±0.28)pmol/L、FT4(6.88±2.23)pmol/L、rT3(0.14±0.03)nmol/L均低于其余各组(F值分别为6.05、12.22、11.25、13.42、5.89,P＜0.05).E组大鼠脑中CCK mRNA水平在3个月和6个月时与其余各组比较均降低(F值分别为4.04、3.95,P＜0.01).相关分析结果显示:3、6个月时血清FT4水平与CCK mRNA水平间存在着线性相关趋势(r值分别为0.990、0.948,P＜0.05).3个月、6个月时血清FT3水平与CCK mRNA水平间不存在线性相关关系(r值分别为0.970、0.932).结论 高于正常100倍的碘摄入会引起大鼠脑中CCK mRNA水平的降低;在此过程中,FT4水平的改变较FT3而言可能起着更重要的作用.     

Cognitive and motor functions of iodine-deficient but euthyroid children in Bangladesh do not benefit from iodized poppy seed oil (Lipiodol)

Iodine supplementation before pregnancy in iodine-deficient women prevents cretinism and neuromotor deficits in their offspring. It is unclear whether iodine supplementation benefits cognitive function in iodine-deficient school-aged children. We therefore conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of the effects of iodized poppy seed oil (Lipiodol) on cognitive and motor function and weight gain of iodine-deficient school children. The study was conducted with 305 children in grades 1 and 2 from 10 primary schools in two iodine-deficient areas in Bangladesh. The children were stratified by school and grade and randomly assigned to receive 400 mg of oral Lipiodol or a placebo. All children were given a battery of cognitive and motor function tests and had their weights, serum thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and urinary iodine levels measured before and 4 mo after the intervention. On enrollment, both groups were moderately iodine deficient (median urinary iodine values: placebo group = 3.3 micromol/L, n = 148; iodine group = 3.1 micromol/L, n = 152; goiter prevalence in both groups >95%). However, their T4 and TSH levels were within the normal range. After 4 mo, there was a significant treatment effect on urinary iodine levels (P < 0.0001), but the levels of the treated group were still below normal (median = 7.9 micromol/L). No significant differences were found in T4 and TSH levels, weight gain, cognitive or motor function. The findings suggest that Lipiodol supplementation in moderately iodine-deficient children with normal T4 levels is unlikely to benefit their cognitive function. However, it remains possible that other iodine preparations may have benefits.     

小儿弱视与微量元素硒的关系及其临床意义

目的:观察微量元素硒及相关生物活性物质对小儿弱视影响以及硒治疗的效果。方法:将弱视患儿随机分为两组:在常规使用遮盖加精细目力训练的基础上,A组37例患儿口服亚硒酸钠0.5 mg/d,连服1周,以后每周0.5 mg,疗程6个月;B组31例患儿未服用亚硒酸钠。观察对象分别于治疗前和治疗6个月后抽血检测血清硒(Se)、血浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-PX)活力及丙二醛(MDA)含量等指标,随访1年,以观察远期疗效。结果:治疗后A组血清Se(0.034±0.016)mg/L明显高于治疗前(0.013±0.008)mg/L,差异有显著性(P<0.01);A组血浆GSH-PX活力为(87.12±13.61)IU/L,较治疗前(53.62±18.70)IU/L明显增加,差异有显著性(P<0.01)。A组MDA含量(6.46±1.55)nmol/m l,较治疗前(8.68±1.49)nmol/m l明显降低,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。血清Se与血浆GSH-PX呈正相关(r值=0.781,P<0.01),与MDA呈负相关(r值=-0.385,P<0.05)。患儿视力恢复正常者A组22例(59.46%),B组11例(35.48%);视力进步者A组12例(32.43%),B组12例(38.71%);视力恢复率A组明显高于B组(2χ值=3.896,P<0.05),远期疗效较好。结论:用亚硒酸钠治疗该地区弱视患儿有明显的治疗效果;Se水平低表明该地区小儿弱视可能与缺硒有关。提示补充适量硒可提高该地区因低硒引起的弱视患儿的视力。     

Plasma vitamin E and selenium and breath pentane in home parenteral nutrition patients

Because both vitamin E and selenium protect against lipid peroxidation, we evaluated the relationship between breath pentane, evolved from the peroxidation of linoleic acid, and plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), Se, and Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSHPx). Nine home parenteral-nutrition (HPN) patients received added Se in intravenous solutions and were compared with 10 normal control subjects. The excretion of pentane (pmol.kg-1.min-1, means +/- SEM) in control subjects (6.34 +/- 0.96) was significantly lower than in HPN patients (15.02 +/- 1.12, p less than 0.001). alpha-Tocopherol (mumol/L), Se (mumol/L), and Se-GSHPx (U) values were, respectively, 18.13 +/- 1.70, 1.70 +/- 0.05, and 5.34 +/- 0.27 in control subjects and 10.21 +/- 1.66, 1.35 +/- 0.14, and 7.01 +/- 0.31 in HPN patients. All differences were statistically significant. Significant negative correlations were observed between plasma alpha-tocopherol levels and HPN duration and between pentane output and plasma alpha-tocopherol levels (r = -0.58, p less than 0.01). In HPN patients with reduced plasma alpha-tocopherol levels associated with increased pentane output, there is, inferentially, increased lipid peroxidation despite normal plasma Se and Se-GSHPx levels.     

Thyroid function in early and late alcohol withdrawal: relationship with aggression, family history, and onset age of alcoholism

AIMS: Thyroid dysfunction is a known finding in alcoholism. Most studies have reported the reduction in peripheral thyroid hormones in acute withdrawal and long-term abstinence periods of alcohol dependence. The aim of the present study was to investigate the alterations of free thyroid hormones in early and late withdrawal and their association with aggression, age of onset, and family history of alcoholism. METHODS: Male inpatients (n = 39; mean age +/- SD: 42.55 +/- 8.02 years) in alcohol withdrawal were compared with healthy men (n = 28; mean age +/- SD: 38.31 +/- 9.26 years). Levels of free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine, (fT3) and thyrothrophin (TSH) were measured in early (first day) and late (28th day) withdrawal in the patients and only once in the controls. RESULTS: In early withdrawal, levels of thyroid hormones did not differ from those in the controls. In late withdrawal, fT3 and fT4 levels (2.71 +/- 0.56 and 10.80 +/- 1.86 pg/ml) were lower than those of both controls (3.32 +/- 0.41 and 11.95 +/- 1.49 pg/ml, respectively, P < 0.05 in both cases) and patients in early withdrawal (3.18 +/- 0.72 and 12.68 +/- 2.50 pg/ml, respectively, P < 0.05 in both cases). Patients were divided into subgroups according to aggression level, onset age of alcoholism, and family history. While the high-aggression group had lower serum levels of fT3 and fT4 in late withdrawal (2.49 +/- 0.41 and 10.44 +/- 2.15 pg/ml) compared with those of controls (P < 0.05 in both cases), the low-aggression group only had lower serum levels of fT3 in late withdrawal (2.90 +/- 0.62 pg/ml) compared with those of controls (P < 0.05). fT3 and fT4 values in the family history-negative group (2.67 +/- 0.56 and 10.75 +/- 1.88 pg/ml) were lower than those of controls in late withdrawal (P < 0.05 in both cases). Both fT3 and fT4 levels in late withdrawal (2.69 +/- 0.54 and 10.83 +/- 1.96 pg/ml) were decreased in early-onset group compared with those of controls (P < 0.05 in both cases). CONCLUSION: Decreased free thyroid hormone levels may be a result of heavy alcohol consumption or a trait marker of alcoholism, especially in high-aggressive, early-onset and family history-negative patients.     

硒对高碘小鼠肝脏两种含硒酶的影响

目的:研究硒对高碘小鼠肝脏含硒酶的影响,探讨硒干预高碘危害的机制。方法:40只雌性Balb/c小鼠按体重随机分为4组:正常对照组(NC);高碘对照组(HI),饮用3.0mg/LI的高碘水;高碘+硒I组(HI+Se1),高碘水中补充0.5mg/LSe;高碘+硒II组(HI+Se2),高碘水中补充1.0mg/LSe。5个月后,观察甲状腺病理变化,测定血清总T4(TT4)、总T3(TT3)、反式T3(rT3)水平以及肝脏硒含量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性、1型脱碘酶(DI-1)活性及mRNA表达。结果:高碘组小鼠出现了弥漫胶质性甲状腺肿;与正常对照组相比,高碘组的血清TT4水平显著升高,TT3水平显著降低;而补硒可显著抑制TT4的升高和TT3的降低;高碘组肝脏硒含量降低,MDA含量显著升高,GSH-Px和DI-1活性分别降低了47%和33%,DI-1mRNA的表达也下调。而两个补硒组能显著升高肝硒含量,增强GSH-Px活性以及DI-1活性和表达,其中以0.5mg/L的硒剂量作用最为明显。结论:适当剂量的硒可通过影响含硒酶的活性和mRNA的表达来发挥对高碘危害的干预作用。     

The relationship between iron status and thyroid hormone concentration in iron-deficient adolescent Iranian girls

Extensive data from animal and human studies indicate that iron deficiency impairs thyroid metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine thyroid hormone status in iron-deficient adolescent girls. By stepwise random sampling from among all public high schools for girls in Lar and its vicinity in southern Iran, 103 out of 431 iron deficient subjects were selected. Urine and serum samples were collected and assayed for urinary iodine and serum ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroid hormones (fT4 and fT3), triiodothyronine resin uptake (T3RU), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), selenium and albumin concentrations. Hematological indices for iron status confirmed that all subjects were iron-deficient. There was a significant correlation between T4 and ferritin (r = 0.52, P < 0.001) and between TSH and ferritin (r = -0.3, P < 0.05). Subjects with low serum ferritin had a higher ratio of T3/T4 (r = -0.42, P < 0.01). Using stepwise regression analysis, only ferritin contributed significantly to the rT3 concentration (r = -0.35, P < 0.01). The results indicate that the degree of iron deficiency may affect thyroid hormone status in iron-deficient adolescent girls.     

The serum triiodothyronine to thyroxine (T3/T4) ratio in various thyroid disorders and after Levothyroxine replacement therapy

In order to examine the significance of differences in the triiodothyronine/thyroxine (T3/T4) ratio in the achievement of euthyroidism and in different thyroidal diseases, we studied 1050 subjects: 233 were euthyroid (Eu), 239 hypothyroid (Hypo) with initial TSH levels >15 mU/L, 273 hypothyroid on substitution therapy with L-thyroxine alone and TSH values of 0.35-3.5 mU/L, (hypoRx), 236 hyperthyroid (hyper) and 69 in the acute phase of subacute thyroiditis De Quervain's (DQ). The ratio of T3/T4 was calculated using the conventional values. Results: The values of T3/T4 ratio in the various categories were: Eu= 15.89, Hypo= 24.12, hyper= 19.57, hypoRx= 13.42, DQ= 15.16. The T3/T4 ratio was lower in the hypoRx group than in the EU group (P <0.001), although neither TSH values nor T3 values showed any differences between these two groups, whereas T4 levels were significantly higher in the hypoRx group (Eu= 7.99+/-1.46, hypoRx = 9.11+/-1.58, P< 0.001). The T3/T4 ratio in the DQ group was comparable to that of the Eu group, but significantly lower than the hyper group (P=0.95 between Eu and DQ, P<0.001 between DQ and hyper). Conclusions: These findings indicate that in hypothyroid patients, L-T4-replacement that is sufficient to maintain a normal serum TSH is accompanied by a serum T4 that is higher than in normal individuals and may not result in an appropriately normal serum T3 concentration. In Thyrotoxicosis, a ratio of total T3/T4 >18.9 suggests Graves' disease or toxic multinodular goiter whereas T3/T4 <16 suggests thyroiditis (subacute or silent).     

Effect of thiocyanate levels in milk on thyroid function in iodine deficient subjects

To utilize the antibacterial effect of the lactoperoxidase system to prevent bacterial spoilage of raw milk it is necessary to increase the thiocyanate concentration of the milk. Thiocyanate has, however, a potent antithyroid effect which is enhanced by iodine deficiency. In this study the thyroid function has been studied, before and after 4 weeks daily administration of 250 ml of such treated milk, in 55 goitrous subjects living in an endemic goiter region of western Sudan. The iodine content was 0.1 mg/l and the thiocyanate content was either 3.6 mg/l (n 19) or 19 mg/l (n 36) in the milk. At the start of the experiment all subjects were iodine deficient with a urinary excretion of 40-50 micrograms/g creatinine. After 4 weeks daily intake of 4.75 mg of thiocyanate by way of milk the serum thiocyanate level increased by approximately 1.7 mg/l. Both at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period the serum levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine and TSH were in the normal range for all subjects. After 4 weeks the TSH levels had decreased significantly, (from 2.6 +/- 0.2 to 2.1 +/- 0.2 mU/l, p less than 0.001) probably as an effect of the supplementary intake of iodine. The thyroid hormone levels remained unchanged during the experimental period. In conclusion, the intake of milk with an iodine concentration of 0.1 mg/l and a thiocyanate concentration of 19 mg/l does not have a negative effect on the thyroid function in iodine deficient subjects.     

Dietary selenium intake and selenium concentrations of plasma, erythrocytes, and breast milk in pregnant and postpartum lactating and nonlactating women

The selenium status of a group of 23 lactating and 13 nonlactating women was assessed from 37-wk gestation through 6-mo postpartum. The mean overall dietary Se intake of both groups of women was 80 +/- 37 micrograms/d. Plasma and erythrocyte Se levels were lower in the lactating than in the nonlactating mothers both before and after parturition. Breast-milk Se concentrations fell from 20 micrograms/L (0.25 mumol/L) at 1-mo postpartum to 15 micrograms/L (0.19 mumol/L) at 3- and 6-mo postpartum. A weak (r = 0.38) but statistically significant (p less than 0.025) relationship was observed between maternal plasma Se level and breast-milk Se concentration. The dietary Se intake of these lactating North American women appears sufficient to maintain satisfactory Se nutriture in their breast-fed infants during the first 6 mo of lactation.