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Effects of selenium and vitamin C on the serum level of antithyroid peroxidase antibody in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis

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Abstract

Purpose

Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, has been implicated in pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). Most studies attributed the immune modulating effects of Se to its antioxidant properties. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of selenium supplementation or other antioxidants in patients with AIT. This clinical trial was designed to investigate the impact of Se and vitamin C supplementation on antithyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) level in patients with AIT.

Methods

One hundred and two subjects aged 15–78 years were randomized into three groups. Group one (GI) (n = 38) was treated with 200 μg/day sodium selenite, group two (GII) (n = 36) received 500 mg vitamin C/day, and group three (GIII) (n = 28) received placebo over a 3-month period. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), TPO-Ab, antithyroglobulin antibody (Tg-Ab) and Se concentrations were once measured before treatment and at the end of the study.

Results

After 3 months, TPO-Ab concentrations decreased within Se and vitamin C-treated groups, but did not change in the placebo subjects. In this regard, there was no significant difference between the groups. We also did not find any statistically significant difference in TSH and Tg-Ab levels within and between the groups. At the end of the study, Se level was significantly higher in GI compared with GII and GIII.

Conclusion

Our findings supported the hypothesis of antioxidant beneficial effects of Se in AIT. However, it was not superior to vitamin C, regarding its effects on thyroid-specific antibodies.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the staff at Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences for their collaboration. The authors wish to thank Mr. H. Argasi at the Research Consultation Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences for his invaluable assistance in editing this manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by the research Vice Chancellor of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Grant Number 33-3100).

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  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Namazee Hospital, Shiraz University, Zand Street, Namazee Square, Shiraz, Iran

    F. Karimi & G. R. Omrani

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  1. F. Karimi
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Correspondence to F. Karimi.

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This study involving humans have been approved by the local Ethics Committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All procedures have been performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Karimi, F., Omrani, G.R. Effects of selenium and vitamin C on the serum level of antithyroid peroxidase antibody in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. J Endocrinol Invest 42, 481–487 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-018-0944-7

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