The Influence of Oxidative Stress on Thyroid Diseases

1Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules capable of independent existence, which contain an oxygen atom and unpaired electrons. ROS arise mainly as by-products in a series of bioenergetic processes of ATP synthesis in mitochondrial respiratory chains. Inflammatory processes are an additional source of ROS. The most common reactive oxygen species include radicals derived from the electron reduction of molecular oxygen–superoxide anion (O2•−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the more reactive hydroxyl radical (HO•), released in reactions involving metal ions.

2The body’s antioxidant defence against the negative effects of ROS works across a number of different platforms. It involves preventing the formation of radicals, scavenging them and repairing ROS-induced damage. The leading role in the body’s defence system is played by antioxidant enzymes, breaking down ROS molecules and thus protecting cells from excessive exposure to ROS. The repair system of ROS-induced damage partly relies on autophagy and apoptosis processes, eliminating damaged cells. In spite of the range of internal mechanisms of enzymatic regulation, the antioxidant defence system should also be supported by non-enzymatic mechanisms. The latter include the action of molecules with powerful antioxidant properties, notably including glutathione, coenzyme Q10, as well as exogenous substances—polyphenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, retinol, β-carotene and tocopherol. Exogenous substances with confirmed antioxidant properties reinforce the body antioxidant defence, increasing total antioxidant capacity.

3Oxidative stress is an effect of redox imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defence. It may be caused both by the excessive production of ROS and by an inefficient antioxidant system, resulting in molecular damage. Additionally, ROS generation in different subcellular compartments likely involves a positive feedback mechanism, creating a vicious circle of pathological conditions related to oxidative stress. Redox homeostasis requires an equilibrium of ROS production and scavenging. Even though the concept of oxidative stress was introduced in the 1980s, its definition and scope of research have been continually elaborated and expanded.

4Thyroid diseases are a common health problem worldwide, especially among women. The occurrence of subclinical thyroid disorders, which often remain undiagnosed, is also significant. Thyroid diseases are increasingly linked to oxidative stress. It has been shown that thyroid dysfunction can co-occur with metabolic disorders, including obesity. Obesity is a metabolic disease involving mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic oxidative stress, as in several metabolic disorders. Since the incidence of thyroid diseases is increased in individuals with increased body weight, the related substrate of metabolic disorders and thyroid dysfunction seems relevant. However, current reports do not distinguish between the causes and consequences of metabolic abnormalities, so there is a need to develop research on the pathogenesis of thyroid disorders.

5Signalling functions in immune responses are initiated when molecular oxygen is oxidised to the reactive superoxide anion radical by the NADPH oxidase (NOX) complex, itself an additional source of ROS. Subsequently, the superoxide is converted by superoxide dismutase (SOD) to H2O2. Hydrogen peroxide is associated with a signalling function regulating cellular processes, due to its capacity to reversibly modify cysteine residues. The process alters redox signalling. Accumulation of excessive concentrations of H2O2 activates thiolate anion (Cys-S-) oxidation pathways. This is an irreversible process, resulting in permanent protein damage. Antioxidant systems serve a protective function, preventing intracellular accumulation of ROS by reversing the modification of cysteine residues.

6The role (physiological or pathological) played by ROS depends largely on their concentration and the conditions accompanying biochemical transformations. The initial concentration dictates downstream responses. Excessive amounts of ROS at the subcellular level activates pathways leading to damage in particularly susceptible cell structures or apoptosis. In turn, at low physiological levels, ROS play a signalling role, essential for normal cellular processes. Reactive oxygen species also serve as intracellular mediators produced in phagocytic cells, controlling the inflammatory response and antimicrobial defence.

7ROS play an important role in normal thyroid function. Thyroid cells release oxidases, which catalyse ROS production. Inositols are also involved in thyroid hormone synthesis and normal thyroid function, activating a cascade of processes including regulating TSH-dependent signalling (as a TSH transmitter) and generating H2O2 production used for iodination and coupling of iodotyrosine and iodothyronine. Inositol deficiency or impairment of inositol cascades may result in insufficient synthesis of thyroid hormones, leading to hypothyroidism, which may be further compounded by an increased need for inositols in response to high TSH levels. Myoinositol supplementation in hypothyroid patients effectively lowers TSH levels. Its effect has been demonstrated in combination with metformin and selenium compared to treatment without inositol.

8The synthesis of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) catalysed by thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in thyroid follicles is a very complex process involving ROS, notably, H2O2 (Figure 1). ROS are already essential in the initial stages of thyroid hormone production, during iodide oxidation. Additionally, thyroid hormones perform a metabolic regulatory function by affecting mitochondrial activity. Because of the reliance on ROS in its function, the thyroid is particularly exposed to oxidative damage. Therefore, the antioxidant defence system of the thyroid must effectively regulate ROS production and scavenging.

9Enzymatic mechanisms of antioxidant defence constitute the internal system for maintaining ROS homeostasis (Figure 2). Superoxide dismutases (SOD1, SOD2, SOD3) are antioxidant enzymes, neutralising O2•−. The key enzyme responsible for neutralising hydrogen peroxide is catalase (CAT), which converts it to water and oxygen. Likewise, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) scavenges and detoxifies H2O2. Glutathione serves as an intracellular buffer against oxidation. In response to excessive ROS release, it forms an oxidised dimer structure by bridging two glutathione molecules. Glutathione reductase (GR) then restores the reduced form of glutathione, lowering its reactivity. Measurement of antioxidant enzyme activity in serum makes it possible to evaluate the condition of the antioxidant defence system. Lower levels of this activity, compared to the control, may be a sign of inadequate defence against free radicals.

10Biomarkers of oxidative stress also include prooxidant enzymes—NADPH oxidases (NOX), which are an endogenous source of ROS, especially in thyroid tissue. Their increased activity is associated with elevated concentrations of reactive oxygen species in pathological conditions. Direct measurement of ROS concentrations may be a helpful marker in the evaluation of medical conditions, yet its utility may be limited given the short half-life of these molecules.

11Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a product of lipid peroxidation by ROS. The marker can be used to evaluate oxidative damage and measure whole-body or tissue-specific oxidative stress. Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are believed to be associated with the onset and progression of metabolic disorders, notably diabetes and obesity, due to their formation both through lipid peroxidation and glycoxidation reactions; that is, in response to an increased intake of simple carbohydrates. Elevated levels are observed in ROS-damaged tissues, as the final product of peroxidation, making them markers of oxidative stress in the body. Among DNA bases, guanine is the most easily oxidised, due to its relatively low redox potential. Its oxidised form (8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine) may therefore serve as a measurement of DNA damage in cells exposed to oxidative stress and in carcinogenesis. 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine has mutagenic potential.

12Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is a parameter indicative of the body’s overall ability to neutralise oxidants. It takes into account all the antioxidants contained in bodily fluids, including exogenous and endogenous compounds. In turn, total oxidant status (TOS) is based on the oxidation of ferrous ion to ferric ion in the presence of various oxidants. It reflects the oxidation state of bodily fluids, represented by the level of radicals. Oxidative stress index (OSI) is a measure of oxidative stress, calculated as the ratio of total oxidant status to total antioxidant status and therefore represents the overall oxidation state of the body.

13All the biomarkers employed in the determination of the role of oxidative stress in thyroid diseases in this review are listed in Table 1.

14Ref in hypothyroidism, including its subclinical form, elevated levels of MDA have been noted, compared to healthy individuals. Apart from inadequate antioxidant defence, this may be related to altered lipid metabolism in thyroid cells. The treatment of hypothyroidism, despite lowering lipid peroxidation levels, does not bring serum MDA concentrations down to the levels observed in healthy individuals, but it may significantly boost SOD activity. The relationship between hypothyroidism and oxidative stress is probably based on the lower activity of the internal antioxidant system, which does not provide adequate protection to cells against free radical accumulation, leading to oxidative damage. Similarly, a mutation in the gene encoding NOX activity may contribute to excessive stimulation of ROS production. Accumulation of oxygen free radicals may inhibit TPO activity, consequently interfering with thyroid hormone production and leading to the development of hypothyroidism.

15Thyroid hormones also stimulate mitochondrial respiration, leading to an increase in ROS release in the respiratory chain. Overproduction of thyroid hormones therefore causes oxidative stress through the overproduction of free radicals, unlike in hypothyroidism, where redox imbalance can be attributed to an inefficient antioxidant defence system. Consequently, overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism) may be associated with oxidative damage to cell structures. Individuals with hyperthyroidism present higher rates of lipid peroxidation than euthyroid individuals, which is indicative of oxidative damage to membrane lipids. In addition, in a study investigating the effects of lead exposure on the parameters of thyroid function and antioxidant markers, thyroid hormones were shown to be positively correlated with MDA, with a positive relationship between TSH and glutathione. These findings suggest a close relationship between hyperthyroidism and the progression of oxidative stress.

16Elevated MDA levels were observed in tissues collected from patients with toxic and non-toxic multinodular goitre, with reduced activity of SOD, GPx and selenium content, compared to adjacent, non-pathologic tissue. Patients did not unequivocally demonstrate hyperthyroidism before surgery, as their thyroid parameters were stabilized in a euthyroid state before sampling. Moreover, tissues of benign thyroid nodules show significantly reduced TAS and reduced OSI. In addition, it was demonstrated that the size of thyroid nodules may decrease as a result of supplementation with extracts of plants with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of elevated oxidative stress parameters and levels of SOD and CAT activities in toxic multinodular goitre with hyperthyroidism and decreased plasma GPx and GR activities, compared with the control group, were also demonstrated. These findings suggest an impaired redox status and antioxidant defence in patients with thyroid nodules and nodular goitre.

17Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune thyroid disease which presents with inflammatory cell infiltration of the thyroid gland and is characterised by the production of autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (anti-TG) and thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO). Inflammatory lesions in the thyroid gland result in the destruction of follicular cells and fibrosis, leading to hypothyroidism. NOX participation in the production of hydrogen peroxide for the purposes of thyroid hormone synthesis may be associated with the pathophysiology of autoimmune thyroid diseases, through interacting with thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin (TG) and altering their activity, promoting immunogenicity. Excessive iodine intake is regarded as an additional risk factor for the development of autoimmune thyroid disease due to enhancing ROS production and, at the same time, reducing internal antioxidant levels. Anti-TPO antibodies show a dependence on glutathione levels, demonstrating an inverse relationship in individuals with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Additionally, both antibodies (anti-TG and anti-TPO) show a positive correlation with TOS and OSI. Decreased glutathione levels appear to be a distinctive parameter related to the activation and development of oxidative stress in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, as oxidative stress is associated with thyroid hormone deficiency, inflammation and autoimmune parameters. Patients also present with elevated AGE levels. In addition, increased TOS and OSI parameters were shown to precede findings of hypothyroidism in autoimmune thyroiditis and could therefore be treated as predictors of thyroid cell damage.

18Graves’ disease (GD) is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and oxidative DNA damage appears to play an important role in its pathogenesis. Enhanced inflammatory response modulates the upregulation of autoimmune response. Oxidative stress, in inducing and augmenting inflammation in the thyroid, disrupts self-tolerance, consequently leading to autoimmune thyroid dysfunction. The antibodies found in GD (TSAb, thyroid stimulating antibodies) are involved in oxidation processes. The degree of DNA damage in individuals with untreated GD was shown to be significantly higher than in patients with toxic nodular goitre and individuals without thyroid dysfunction. At the same time, lipid peroxidation markers were higher than in the control. The above-mentioned parameters of oxidative stress, as well as prooxidant enzyme activity, showed a positive correlation with TSAb, suggesting their involvement in the disruption of redox homeostasis.

19Oxidative genetic damage caused by the interaction between ROS and DNA, disrupting genomic integrity, leads to mutagenesis. Thus, oxidative stress may cause DNA damage, initiating neoplastic processes. A simplified chart of the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, including the free-radical background, is presented in Figure 3. In murine models, oxidative damage is observed much more often in the thyroid gland than in other organs. Patients with different thyroid conditions, in particular neoplasms, present higher baseline genome damage compared with healthy controls.

20Patients with different types of thyroid cancer have higher serum ROS levels than healthy individuals. Apart from increased whole-body oxidation, they also present with lower activity of internal antioxidants belonging to the antioxidant defence system. Because of the reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes in thyroid cancer cells, the inefficient defence system is not able to neutralise ROS overproduction, resulting in oxidative stress. In a study evaluating the change in biomarkers of oxidative stress in individuals with thyroid cancer before and after thyroidectomy, a significant difference was demonstrated between the study and the control group in terms of glutathione peroxidase activity and MDA levels. Surgical removal of the thyroid had a significant effect on the parameters under analysis, improving oxidative status in favour of antioxidants; however, lipid peroxidation levels remained significantly higher than in healthy individuals. In addition, thyroid tissues in cancer patients have altered metabolic pathways, aimed at improving cancer cell adaptation to unfavourable conditions. Metabolic pathways are shifted to promote glycolysis, more resistant to the conditions of high oxidative stress in cells. This might be an additional target for therapies aimed at processes related to cancer cell metabolism. Apart from higher rates of oxidative processes in cancer patients compared to healthy individuals, those with papillary thyroid cancer had a worse oxidative profile than patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. Obese patients were also found to be at an increased risk for thyroid cancer. There are many reports identifying metabolic links between obesity and mitochondrial dysfunction, excessive ROS generation and oxidative stress. The relationship between the development of thyroid diseases and obesity, as well as the mechanisms involved, are nevertheless unclear and require in-depth analysis and more detailed research.

21It is most likely that many of the mechanisms participating in the development of thyroid pathologies are still unknown. However, there is a notable connection of increased ROS generation and findings of oxidative damage with the development of thyroid cancer and other diseases described here. In addition, thyroid disorders may also initiate or increase ROS release and oxidative stress, enhancing oxidative damage. The most recent studies suggest a close link between thyroid diseases and oxidative stress.

22Taking into consideration research findings to date, it would appear that preventive nutrition therapy against redox imbalance, in enriching the daily diet in products with a high antioxidant value and supporting the internal antioxidant defence systems, may constitute a promising approach to preventing the development of many chronic thyroid diseases. This creates a prospect for developing measures precisely targeted at the free-radical background, which can be used in the treatment and prevention of thyroid diseases as well as other oxidative diseases.