Impact of Thyroid Dysfunction on Antioxidant Capacity, Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase Activity

Background: In hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, disturbance of oxidant/antioxidant balance leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The aim of this study is assaying total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in patients with hypo-and hyperthyroidism in order to control the progression of its pathology and health care. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 85 patients with hypothyroidism, 66 patients with hyperthyroidism and 74 normal individuals as control that referred to the clinic of the Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences of Shahid-Beheshti University in year 2010. Serum enzymatic activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity was measured in the fasting state. Data was described as mean±SD and data means of the two groups was compared by independent t-test. Data was analyzed by SPSS-18 application. Results: The total antioxidant capacity in individuals with hyperthyroidism decreased compared to healthy controls, but individuals with hypothyroidism compared to the healthy control group showed no significant difference. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in hypo-and hyperthyroidism were significantly increased compared with healthy controls (p=0.005). Conclusion: Decreasing of antioxidant capacity in hyperthyroid patients is probably because of increased production of free radicals. There was not observed significant difference in total antioxidant capacity in hypothyroid patients. Also in hypo-and hyperthyroidism patients, increasing of enzymes activity is probably due to increasing of the production of ROS.