Selenium and Iodine in Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Title:Selenium and Iodine in Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Volume: 15 Issue: 4

Author(s): Edoardo Guastamacchia, Vito Angelo Giagulli, Brunella Licchelli and Vincenzo Triggiani

Affiliation:

Keywords: Autoimmune thyroid disorders, autoimmune thyroiditis, iodine intake, selenium intake, selenoproteins.

Abstract: Selenium and iodine are essential for thyroid hormone synthesis and function. Selenium, in form of selenocysteine, is found either in the catalytic center of enzymes involved in the protection of the thyroid gland from free radicals originating during thyroid hormone synthesis, and in three different iodothyronine deiodinases catalyzing the activation and the inactivation of thyroid hormones. Iodine is an essential constituent of thyroid hormones and its deficiency causes different disorders that include goiter, hypothyroidism, reduced fertility and alteration in growth, physical and neurological development. These two micronutrients could be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases, a spectrum of pathological conditions including Hashimoto’s thryoiditis, post-partum thyroiditis, the so-called painless thyroiditis, Graves’ disease and Graves’ ophtalmopathy. Aim of this paper is to review the role played by selenium and iodine in autoimmune thyroiditis.

Cite this article as:

Guastamacchia Edoardo, Giagulli Angelo Vito, Licchelli Brunella and Triggiani Vincenzo, Selenium and Iodine in Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets 2015; 15 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871530315666150619094242