title: Iodine increases and predicts incidence of thyroiditis in NOD mice: Histopathological and ultrastructural study.
abstract: Prolonged intake of large amounts of iodine has been reported to increase the incidence of hypothyroidism in humans, as well as in animals which are prone to spontaneously developing autoimmune thyroiditis. We sought to investigate the histopathological consequences of large amounts of dietary iodine on the thyroid gland and observe the occurrence of lymphocytic infiltration associated with the time of exposure to iodine. An experimental model using non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice was analyzed. A potassium iodide intake of 0.2 mg/animal/day was administered via drinking water, in experimental groups of 60 and 90 days (EG60 and EG90). Distended rough endoplasmic reticulum, degenerated mitochondria, debris and amorphous spaces or 'ill-defined' spaces were observed with electron microscopy (EM). Lymphocyte infiltration was observed in the two groups and the time of exposure to iodine did not increase the appearance of lymphocyte infiltration but significantly associated with the development of necrosis. The results of the present study demonstrated that the NOD mouse is a feasible experimental model for thyroiditis induced by iodine administration and may represent an opportunity to analyze the steps and factors associated with genetic autoimmune thyroiditis. High doses of ingested iodine were observed to precdict and increase the incidence of the thyroiditis process.
authors: Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo,  Brazil ; ; Endocrinology Service of Municipal Hospital of São Paulo, University of São Paulo, São Paulo,  Brazil ;
authors: Stella Maria Pedrossian
authors: SM
authors: Vecchiatti
authors: Maria Luisa
authors: ML
authors: Guzzo
authors: Elia Garcia
authors: EG
authors: Caldini
authors: Hélio
authors: H
authors: Bisi
authors: Adhemar
authors: A
authors: Longatto-Filho
authors: Chin Jia
authors: CJ
authors: Lin
keywords: autoimmunity; experimental autoimmune thyroiditis; iodine; iodine-induced thyroiditis; lymphocytic infiltration; non-obese diabetic mice; thyroiditis