The state of stress-responsive systems andlevel of molecular damage in patients with unilateral nodular colloid endemic goiter

Abstract

The authors have studied the subcellular distribution of iodine, state of stress-responsive systems and level of molecular damage in nodules, paranodular tissue (PT),  and contralateral lobe tissue (CLT) unaffected by thyroid nodule. A lower concentration of organified iodine (by 23 and 15%, respectively) and a higher concentration of  inorganic iodine (by 46 and 32%, respectively) in the nodule and PT versus CLT have been established. In the nodule and PT a decreased glutathione content,  increased metallothioneins level and their metal-binding ability, and an increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase and cathepsin D were observed. However, the  number of nodule characteristics were different from the counterpart in PT. It has been noted in the nodule a coherent activation of superoxide dismutase (by 81%),  catalase (by 99%), and glutathione-transferase (by 212%) simultaneously with an increased content of oxyradicals and an increased DNA fragmentation. The specific  characteristics of the PT included a low level of oxyradicals and cholinesterase activity inhibition. Thus, we may suggest an exhaustion of compensatory capability of  hypertrophied thyrocytes in the nodule - compared with PT - despite some compensatory changes in stress-responsive systems.