Dataset Information

Measures of thyroid function among Belarusian children and adolescents exposed to iodine-131 from the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear plant.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Thyroid dysfunction after exposure to low or moderate doses of radioactive iodine-131 (131I) at a young age is a public health concern. However, quantitative data are sparse concerning 131I-related risk of these common diseases.

Objective

Our goal was to assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in association with 131I exposure during childhood (≤ 18 years) due to fallout from the Chernobyl accident.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), serum concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and autoantibodies to thyroperoxidase (ATPO) in relation to measurement-based 131I dose estimates in a Belarusian cohort of 10,827 individuals screened for various thyroid diseases.

Results

Mean age at exposure (± SD) was 8.2 ± 5.0 years. Mean (median) estimated 131I thyroid dose was 0.54 (0.23) Gy (range, 0.001-26.6 Gy). We found significant positive associations of 131I dose with hypothyroidism (mainly subclinical and antibody-negative) and serum TSH concentration. The excess odds ratio per 1 Gy for hypothyroidism was 0.34 (95% CI: 0.15, 0.62) and varied significantly by age at exposure and at examination, presence of goiter, and urban/rural residency. We found no evidence of positive associations with antibody-positive hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, AIT, or elevated ATPO.

Conclusions

The association between 131I dose and hypothyroidism in the Belarusian cohort is consistent with that previously reported for a Ukrainian cohort and strengthens evidence of the effect of environmental 131I exposure during childhood on hypothyroidism, but not other thyroid outcomes.

SUBMITTER: Ostroumova E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3701991 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Introduction Iodine-131 (131I) is frequently used in nuclear medicine. Unbound or released 131I accumulate in the thyroid gland and may be detrimental to normal thyroid function. The aim of the present study was to identify biomarkers for 131I exposure in rat thyroid tissue and to assess the effect on thyroid function. Methods Thirty six male Sprague Dawley rats were i.v. injected with 150 µl saline solution containing 9.0, 88, 170, 260, 340, 760, 1300, or 4700 kBq (group A-H) 131I, or mock-treated with 150 µl saline solution only, and killed at 24 h after injection. Total RNA was extracted from individual thyroid tissue samples thyroids and mRNA levels were determined with the Agilent microarray platform. Results Estimated absorbed doses in treatment groups A-H was 0.0058, 0.057, 0.11, 0.17, 0.22, 0.5 Gy, 0.8 Gy, and 3 Gy. Totally, 429 transcripts were identified with a fold change fold change ≥ 1.5 and adjusted p-value ≤ 0.01. A trend with downregulation of thyroid hormone biosynthesis associated genes (e.g. thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase, the sodium-iodine symporter) was identified, but only statistically significant after 0.0058 and 0.22 Gy. Three transcripts coding for isoform 1 of the DBP protein showed a pattern with monotonous decrease in downregulation with absorbed dose between 0.0058-0.22 Gy. Changes in Dbp expression were not statistically significant between 0.5-3 Gy. However, a trend with downregulation at 0.5 and 0.8 Gy and upregulation and 3 Gy was identified. Previously, 131I (0.85-17 Gy) and 211At (0.023-32 Gy) exposure resulted in upregulation of Dbp in mice thyroid tissue 24 h after administrations. Additionally, a monotonous decrease in Dbp downregulation has been identified of in mouse kidney tissue at 8 and 12 months after 177Lu-octreotate administrations. Conclusion Conclusively, the Dbp gene is a promising candidate biomarker gene for exposure to 131I and possibly other internal radiation emitters. Further studies should be performed to establish how Dbp expression vary with dose-rate, absorbed dose, time after administration, different radiation qualities, and the function of Dbp.

Project description:Introduction Iodine-131 (131I) is frequently used in nuclear medicine. Unbound or released 131I accumulate in the thyroid gland and may be detrimental to normal thyroid function. The aim of the present study was to identify biomarkers for 131I exposure in rat thyroid tissue and to assess the effect on thyroid function. Methods Thirty six male Sprague Dawley rats were i.v. injected with 150 Âµl saline solution containing 9.0, 88, 170, 260, 340, 760, 1300, or 4700 kBq (group A-H) 131I, or mock-treated with 150 Âµl saline solution only, and killed at 24 h after injection. Total RNA was extracted from individual thyroid tissue samples thyroids and mRNA levels were determined with the Agilent microarray platform. Results Estimated absorbed doses in treatment groups A-H was 0.0058, 0.057, 0.11, 0.17, 0.22, 0.5 Gy, 0.8 Gy, and 3 Gy. Totally, 429 transcripts were identified with a fold change fold change â¥ 1.5 and adjusted p-value â¤ 0.01. A trend with downregulation of thyroid hormone biosynthesis associated genes (e.g. thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase, the sodium-iodine symporter) was identified, but only statistically significant after 0.0058 and 0.22 Gy. Three transcripts coding for isoform 1 of the DBP protein showed a pattern with monotonous decrease in downregulation with absorbed dose between 0.0058-0.22 Gy. Changes in Dbp expression were not statistically significant between 0.5-3 Gy. However, a trend with downregulation at 0.5 and 0.8 Gy and upregulation and 3 Gy was identified. Previously, 131I (0.85-17 Gy) and 211At (0.023-32 Gy) exposure resulted in upregulation of Dbp in mice thyroid tissue 24 h after administrations. Additionally, a monotonous decrease in Dbp downregulation has been identified of in mouse kidney tissue at 8 and 12 months after 177Lu-octreotate administrations. Conclusion Conclusively, the Dbp gene is a promising candidate biomarker gene for exposure to 131I and possibly other internal radiation emitters. Further studies should be performed to establish how Dbp expression vary with dose-rate, absorbed dose, time after administration, different radiation qualities, and the function of Dbp. Total RNA was isolated from fresh-frozen individual thyroid tissue samples (Sprague Dawley rats). Each sample was run once. Four rats received the same treatment. Control samples (from non-irradiated rats) are included.