Differences between Trace Elements of Thyroid Benign Nodules and Thyroid Tissue Adjacent To Nodules Investigated Using Neutron Activation Analysis

Zaichick V

Published on: 2022-06-10

Abstract

Thyroid benign nodules (TBNs) are the most common diseases of this endocrine gland and are common worldwide. The etiology and pathogenesis of TBNs must be considered as multifactorial. The present study was performed to clarify the role of some trace elements (TEs) in the etiology of these thyroid disorders. For this purpose thyroid tissue levels of silver (Ag), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), iodine (I), rubidium (Rb), antimony (Sb), scandium (Sc), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn)  were prospectively evaluated in nodular tissue and tissue adjacent to nodules of 79 patients with TBNs. Measurements were performed using non-destructive instrumental neutron activation analysis. Results of the study were additionally compared with previously obtained data for the same TEs in “normal” thyroid tissue. It was observed that Ag, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Rb, Sc, and Zn contents in “nodular” tissue were higher, while I content was lower in comparison with contents of these TEs in normal gland  Mass fractions of Ag, Hg, and Rb in “adjacent” group of samples were approximately 31, 32, and 1.4 times, respectively, higher than in “normal” thyroid. Contents of Ag, Co, Rb, Sb, and Zn found in the “nodular” and “adjacent” groups of thyroid tissue samples were very similar. However, levels of Cr, Fe, Sc, and Se were lower, while contents of Hg and I in “adjacent” group of samples were higher than in nodular tissue. Level of I in “adjacent” group of samples almost equals the normal value. Finally, this study provides evidence on many TEs level alteration in nodular and adjacent to nodule tissue and shows the necessity to continue TEs research of TBNs. The little reduced content of me in nodular tissue could possibly be explored for differential diagnosis of TBNs and thyroid cancer.