Thyroid Science 3(12):CLS1-6, 2008

Free Radical Activity and
Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms
in Patients with Hypothyroidism

(Full Text Free in pdf format)

Palanisamy Pasupathi* and Raman Latha**

*Institute of Laboratory Medicine, K.G. Hospital and Post Graduate Medical Institute,
Coimbatore-641 018, Tamil Nadu, India
**Department of Diabetic Medicine, K.G. Hospital and Post Graduate Medical Institute,
Coimbatore-641 018, Tamil Nadu, India

Contact: Dr. P. Pasupathi, PhD drppasupathi@gmail.com

ABSTRACT. Free radical-mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of several autoimmune disorders. Hypothyroidism in humans is widely believed to impair health. The biochemical factors mediating decline in health, however, are poorly elucidated. Pathological consequences of hypothyroidism point to a high potential for antioxidant imbalance. The study population consisted of 60 subjects divided into two groups: 30 people with hypothyroidism and 30 age-matched healthy participants. We examined the levels of total triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status. The mean TSH level was significantly higher in hypothyroid patients than in control subjects. On the other hand, the levels of FT4, T4, FT3, and T3 were significantly lower in hypothyroid patients compared to control subjects. The mean level of plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was significantly higher in hypothyroid patients than in healthy controls. However, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were significantly lower in hypothyroid patients than in control subjects. Our preliminary results confirm the hypothesis that people with hypothyroidism have reduced antioxidative defense.


Keywords. Antioxidant status • Hypothyroidism • Lipid peroxidation • Oxidative stress

Pasupathi, P. and Latha, R.: Free radical activity and antioxidant defense mechanisms
in patients with hypothyroidism. Thyroid Science, 3(12):CLS1-6, 2008.

(Full Text Free in pdf format)

© 2008 Thyroid Science