Anti-goitrous effect of lecithin-bound iodine in propylthiouracil treated rats.

OBJECTIVE Excess iodine and some iodine-containing compounds are known to affect various parameters of thyroid function. Lecithin-bound iodine (LBI) is a compound which induces involution of an enlarged thyroid. LBI was tested for its ability to affect thyroid ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and apoptosis. METHODS LBI was given orally to propylthiouracil-pretreated rats and the changes in ODC activity and apoptosis were observed. The thyroid apoptosis was detected by DNA laddering and flow cytometry. RESULTS LBI suppressed the thyroid ODC activity within one hour after its administration and lowered slightly but significantly the thyroid putrescine levels at 3 h. The DNA cleavage ladder was evident at 3-6 h after LBI treatment. Propylthiouracil induced thyroid enlargement was reduced significantly at 3 days after chronic treatment with LBI. The thyroidal content of putrescine was also decreased after chronic treatment. These effects of LBI were essentially the same as those of excess iodide, while other iodinated compounds including amiodarone, iopanoic acid and erythrosine had no effect on the thyroid ODC activity. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that LBI may exert its anti-goitrous effects, consisting of the inhibition of ODC activity and apoptosis, in the form of inorganic iodide in vivo.