Serum Selenium Status and Its Interrelationship with Serum Biomarkers of Thyroid Function and Antioxidant Defense in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Abstract

Selenium (Se) deficiency has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), although the available evidence is limited. The present study aimed to explore the interrelationships between serum Se status with measures of thyroid function and antioxidant defense in new cases of HT patients with hypoechogenic thyroid. HT patients (n = 49) and matched controls (n = 50) were recruited. Selenium, thyroid hormone panel, thyroid volume (TVol), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase3 (GPx3) activity, urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and urinary creatinine (Cr) were assessed. HT patients exhibited lower Se levels compared to controls (p < 0.001) with the rates of Se-deficient (<0.85 µmol/L) participants being 58.8% and 34%, respectively. Se-deficient patients exhibited higher thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Thyroid volume (TVol), thyroglobulin, antibody-titers, GPx3 activity and UIC/Cr compared to Se-sufficient patients (all p < 0.001). In the Se-deficient patients, inverse correlations were seen between Se-levels with TSH, TVol, and Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) (all p < 0.001). This study is the first to uncover that coexisting Se-deficiency and elevated iodine in HT may enhance autoimmune reactions and accelerate the deterioration of thyroid function through oxidative stress. Our study also highlights the importance of optimal Se status in this disease, thus providing a rationale for the execution of intervention trials for the evaluation of the clinical benefits of antioxidant-status improvement in HT.

Keywords: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; glutathione; glutathione peroxidase; iodine; oxidative stress; selenium; thyroid hormones.

Figure 1

Patient and control enrollment process flowchart.

Figure 2

Box and whisker plots showing the selenium contents and UIC/Cr in HT patients and controls. The box describes first, second (median) and third quartiles. The whisker length represents minimum to maximum range. Each dot represents a single participant.

Figure 3

Box and whisker plots showing the levels of selenium, UiC/Cr, TSH, FT₄, TPO-Ab and Tg-Ab HT in patients and controls (sufficient: >0.85 µmol/L and deficient: <0.85 µmol/L). The box describes first, second (median) and third quartiles. The whisker length represents minimum to maximum range. Each dot represents a single participant.