Investigating the Serum Levels of Glutathione and Iron and the Activity of Caspase 3 in Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Abstract

Background: Considering the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease in the Dezful city, Iran, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of Hashimoto's thyroiditis on serum levels of glutathione and iron and the activity of caspase-3. Methods: In this case-control study, 44 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 44 healthy controls were studied. The serum levels of glutathione and iron and the activity of caspase-3 were measured. The results were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test via SPSS software. Findings: The amount of serum Fe was significantly lower in patients (P = 0.041). The glutathione level in healthy people was lower; but tests showed no significant difference (P = 0.502). The caspase-3 enzyme activity in healthy subjects was lower; but Mann-Whitney test showed no significant difference (P = 0.089). Conclusion: In patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in hypothyroidism phase, the serum iron level was significantly lower than the control group. In addition, the mean serum glutathione level wsa not significantly different between the groups.

Keywords

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• Glutathione
• Iron
• Caspase-3