The aim of the research is to explore the relationship between hyperthyroidism, iodine, antithyroid drugs (propylthiouracil) and vascular endothelial injury. In total, 136 SD rats were randomly allocated into the control group, the hyperthyroidism group, the hyperthyroidism propylthiouracil group, the hyperthyroidism low iodine group, the high iodine group, and the endothelial injury group. Rats were raised for 60 days. Afterward, indicators concerning endothelial damage were determined, including the von Willebrand Factor (vWF), thrombomodulin (TM), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin 1 (ET-1), and P-selectin, as well as the plant hemagglutinin sample type oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1) from the aorta and the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in whole blood. The hyperthyroidism group had significantly higher values for vWF, TM, NO, ET-1, and P-selectin in serum and a higher number of EPCs in whole blood compared with the control group, similar to the LOX-1 expression in abdominal aorta. The hyperthyroidism low iodine group had significantly higher values for vWF, ET-1, and P-selectin in serum and a higher number of EPCs in whole blood compared with those of the control group, as was the case for LOX-1 expression in the abdominal aorta. The hyperthyroidism propylthiouracil group had significantly higher values for FT 4 in the serum compared with those in the control group. the electron microscope showed that hyperthyroidism caused a certain degree of endothelial injury to the abdominal aorta in rats. Hyperthyroidism can damage the vascular endothelium and is a high-risk factor for cardio-cerebrovascular disease. Propylthiouracil could be used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, thus protecting endothelial cells from damage. Hyperthyroidism is caused by the synthesis and release of excessive thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a serious endocrine disease in the population and includes symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, increased appetite, diarrhea and weight loss. Most patients experience exophthalmos, eyelid edema, vision loss and other symptoms 1. Patients with hyperthyroidism usually have faster heart rates and strong metabolism; when these symptoms are left untreated, they might give way to vascular endothelial dysfunction and eventual damage to vascular endothelial cells, according to previous research 2. The potential effect of hyperthyroidism on the development of rat adrenal glands is mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, angiogenesis, and apoptosis 3. When treating hyperthyroidism, it is usually required that patients reduce their iodine intake, and antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil (PTU) are administered. This treatment might also damage endothelial cells as the thyroid hormone changes due to the reduced intake of iodine and the use of PTU to treat hyperthyroidism, which might induce anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-related vasculitis, can cause some damage to the endothelial cells. Moreover, research has shown that ...

Epidemiologic studies have focused on the effects of iodine intake on the risk of thyroid cancer. However, their relationship is still obscure. The objective of this study was to examine the association in the Chinese population. A new ecological study which combined the Annual Report of Cancer, the Survey of Iodine Deficiency Disorder Surveillance and the water iodine survey were conducted to analyze the relationship between iodine intake and the thyroid cancer incidence in China. In total, 281 counties were included. Thyroid cancer incidence was negatively correlated with the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt (CRQIS) and positively correlated with goiter prevalence (GP) of children aged 8˜10 years, residents’ annual income and coastal status. Areas with a low CRQIS and areas with a high GP had a relatively high incidence of thyroid cancer. Regression models showed that a low CRQIS and a high GP in children aged 8˜10 years (both reflecting iodine deficiency status) play a substantial role in thyroid cancer incidence in both males and females. Additionally, living in coastal areas and having a high annual income may also increase the risk of thyroid cancer. These findings suggest that mild iodine deficiency may contribute to the exceptionally high incidence of thyroid cancer in some areas in China. Maintaining appropriate iodine nutrition not only helps to eliminate IDD, but also may help to reduce the occurrence of thyroid cancer.