Oxidative stress induced by thyroid dysfunction in rat erythrocytes and heart

The aim of this study was to determine whether the effects of thyroid dysfunction induce oxidative stress in the blood and heart of male Wistar rats. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: group I served as control rats. Group II was treated daily with 0.05% benzythiouracile (BTU) administered in drinking water. Rats of group III have received l-thyroxine sodium salt (0.0012%), in drinking water. The results showed that thyroid dysfunction rats had poor growth performance. On the other hand, in hyperthyroid rats, a marked decrease compared with control occurred of some hematological parameters such red blood cell number (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and haematocrit (Ht). There was also a significant increase in erythrocyte numbers and heart TBARS concentrations in hypothyroid rats compared with control. These results were associated with a fall in the total antioxidant status (TAS) in the serum of the hyperthyroid rats. Alteration of the antioxidant system in the hypo-/hyperthyroidism-induced rats was confirmed by the significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and a decline in glutathione (GSH) content in both tissues were detected in hyperthyroid group compared to controls. On the other hand, serum transaminase activities (aspartate transaminase (AST); alanine transaminase (ALT)) were elevated indicating hepatic cellular damage after treatment with exogenous l-thyroxine. Moreover, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities were increased in the hyperthyroidism rats. These results indicated that excessive thyroxin (long term) ingestion had an adverse effect on animal health and performance. We conclude that thyroid dysfunction induces oxidative stress and modifies some biochemical parameters of erythrocytes, heart and liver disease; our results show the occurrence of a state of oxidizing stress in relation to hyperthyroidism.