Abstract

The background level of lead (Pb) in drinking water in Serbia represents a significant health issue. The aim of study was to examine the content of significant toxic and essential trace metals (Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Pb, Th, and U) in the thyroid tissues with diagnosed colloid goiter (CG). Different variables were investigated (sex, age, smoking habits, goiter size, and previous history of any thyroid disease). The study was designed to compare the goiter tissues (GTs) to sex- and age-matched healthy- and malignant-thyroid tissues (HTTs and MTTs, respectively). All trace metals were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The reduced content of essential elements (Mn and Se) and increased content of toxic metals (Pb, Th, and U) were found in GTs compared with HTTs. The increased content of the same toxic metals separated GTs from MTTs, as well as reduced content of Mn and Cd. Our results indicated that Pb acts as the main goitrogen, which could highlight its role in the unknown etiology of CG disease. Pb/Se ratio could be considered as a relevant parameter for the tissue separation of GTs from HTTs and/or MTTs. This research also provides novel data on the effects of metal pollutants on thyroid health hazards.

Graphical Abstract

中文翻译：

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甲状腺组织中有毒和必需微量金属对甲状腺健康的风险评估：铅和硒对胶体甲状腺肿病的意义

摘要

塞尔维亚的饮用水中铅（Pb）的背景水平代表着重大的健康问题。研究的目的是检查诊断为胶体甲状腺肿（CG）的甲状腺组织中重要的有毒和必需的微量金属（Mn，Ni，Cu，Zn，As，Se，Cd，Pb，Th和U）的含量。调查了不同的变量（性别，年龄，吸烟习惯，甲状腺肿大和任何甲状腺疾病的既往史）。该研究旨在比较甲状腺肿组织（GTs）与性别和年龄相匹配的健康甲状腺组织和恶性甲状腺组织（分别为HTTs和MTTs）。所有痕量金属均通过电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）进行定量。与HTTs相比，GTs中必需元素（Mn和Se）的含量降低，而有毒金属（Pb，Th和U）含量增加。相同毒性金属含量的增加使GTs与MTTs分离，而Mn和Cd含量降低。我们的结果表明，Pb是主要的甲状腺原素，这可能突显了其在CG疾病的未知病因中的作用。Pb / Se比可被视为GT从HTT和/或MTT组织分离的相关参数。这项研究还提供了有关金属污染物对甲状腺健康危害影响的新数据。

图形概要