Effect of Iron, Zinc, Vitamin E and Vitamin C Supplementation on Thyroid Hormones in Rats with Hypothyroidism

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Iron, Zinc, Vitamin C (Vit.C) and Vitamin E (Vit.E) supplementation on thyroid hormones in rats with hypothyroidism. Thirty six rats were divided into two main groups, the first main group (6 rats) was fed on basal diet only. The second main group (30 rat) were injected with 10 mg/kg/day Propylthiouracil (PTU) to induce hypothyroidism, was divided into 5 subgroups: including control positive group that fed on basal diet, and the other subgroups were fed on basal diet supplemented with 40 mg ferric sulphate/kg diet, 200 mg zinc carbonate /kg diet, 250 mg α-tocohperol acetate/kg/B.W. and 250 mg ascorbic acid/kg/B.W. respectively. Blood samples were collected from each rat and were centrifuged to obtain serum. PTU exposed rats showed hypothyroidism with significant (P<0.05) decline in serum FT3 and FT4 levels together with significant (P<0.05) increase in serum TSH level. The supplementation with Iron, Zinc, Vit.E or Vit.C significantly (P<0.05) increased the level of thyroid hormones (FT4 and FT3) and glutathione peroxidase, moreover, the level of TSH was significantly (P<0.05) decreased, compared with control positive group, might be due to their antioxidant properties. Significant improvement in lipid profile as well as liver and kidney functions were observed. It could be suggested that Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc and Iron could be used as a suitable supplementation therapy for hypothyroidism patients.