Antioxidants Protect Cell Damage from Free Radicals: A research study on Thyroid Hormones in Wistar Rats.

Abstract

Antioxidant vitamins neutralize free radicals and may prevent unwanted free radical cellular damage in the body. Free radicals damage other molecules by removing electrons and destroying deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA.The thyroid gland is an organ of "oxidative nature" as huge amount of ROS, especially of H 2 O 2 , are produced in the thyroid under physiological conditions. Aims-To evaluate the effect of antioxidants on thyroid hormones in rats, fourty wistar were used in this study and with antioxidants namely Vit. C, Vit. E and Turmeric. Methods-The present research work has been undertaken to investigate the free radical scavenging activity and antioxidant status in both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients.Adult male Wister rats, weighing around 150-200 gms were used in this research work and under maintained animal care facilities and veterinary supervision. All rats were fed with normal diet (20% protein) and have been administered with known amount of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and turmeric.Results-Samples has been analysed after 15 & 30 days of feeding. Results showed increased levels of thyroxin in rats after 15 days (Vit C-5.2 ± 1.2 NS,Vit E-5.3 ± 0.5 NS and Turmeric-5.3 ± 0.87 NS).Conclusion-It was observed that the circulating levels of T3 were significantly increased in Vit. C, Vit. E and Turmeric extract treated rats (Table-2 and 3). The thyroid hormones responded to antioxydants indicating the significance of antioxydants for the prevention of occurrence of certain diseases in thyroid gland by protecting biological system against potentially harmful effects of processes or reactions that can cause excessive oxidations.