title: Goitrogenic activity of p-coumaric acid in rats.
abstract: The effects of three natural phenolic acids (caffeic, ferulic, and p-coumaric) on the rat thyroid gland were examined in a 3-week oral-treatment study. Forty male Wistar albino rats, divided into groups of 10 rats each and fed iodine-rich diet, were administered by gastrointestinal tube saline (control), caffeic acid, ferulic acid, or p-coumaric acid at a dose level of 0.25 micromol/kg/day for 3 weeks. The mean absolute and relative thyroid weights in caffeic, ferulic, or p-coumaric acid groups were significantly increased to 127 and 132%, 146 and 153%, or 189 and 201% compared to control value, respectively. Histological examination of the thyroids of p-coumaric acid group revealed marked hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia of the follicles. Caffeic or ferulic groups showed slight to moderate thyroid gland enlargement. Thyroid lesions in p-coumaric acid group were associated with significant increases in cellular proliferation as indicated by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. In addition, the goitrogenic effect of p-coumaric acid was further confirmed by significant decreases (50%) in serum tri-iodothyronine (T(3)) and thyroxine (T(4)), and a parallel increase (90%) in serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) compared to control group. These results indicate that administration of p-coumaric acid at relatively high doses induces goiter in rats.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Natural and Life Sciences, Mentouri University, Constantine, Algeria.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khelifi-Touhami
authors.forename: Ragia A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Taha
authors.forename: Osama A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Badary
authors.forename: Alkassem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lezzar
authors.forename: Farid M A
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Hamada
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000633:toxicity; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000633:toxicity*; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006042:Goiter / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011422:Propionates; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002109:Caffeic Acids; D003373:Coumaric Acids; D011422:Propionates; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D004247:DNA; C004999:ferulic acid; C495469:p-coumaric acid; D013974:Thyroxine; C040048:caffeic acid; D013936:Thymidine