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Selenium involvement in mitochondrial function in thyroid disorders

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Abstract

Selenium (Se), an important oligoelement, is a component of the antioxidant system. Over the last decade, it has been ever more frequently discussed in the context of thyroid disorders. Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, differentiated thyroid cancer, and even endemic goiter may have common triggers that are activated by excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are involved in various stages of the pathogenesis of thyroid disorders. Most oxidative events occur in mitochondria, organelles that contain enzymes with Se as a cofactor. Mitochondria are responsible for the production of ATP in the cell and are also a major site of ROS production. Thyroid hormone status (the thyroid being the organ with the highest concentration of Se in the body) has a profound impact on mitochondria biogenesis. In this review, we focus on the role of Se in mitochondrial function in thyroid disorders with impaired oxidative stress, since both thyroid hormone synthesis and thyroid dysfunction involve ROS. The role of Se deficiency or its excess in relation to mitochondrial dysfunction in the context of thyroid disorders is therefore of interest.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Prof. Leonidas Duntas for his constructive criticism and scientific guidance in the elaboration of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

    Monica Livia Gheorghiu & Corin Badiu

  2. Department of Endemic Goiter and Its Complications, “C.I. Parhon” National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania

    Monica Livia Gheorghiu

  3. Department of Thyroid Related Disorders, “C.I. Parhon” National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest, Romania

    Corin Badiu

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  1. Monica Livia Gheorghiu
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Correspondence to Corin Badiu.

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Gheorghiu, M.L., Badiu, C. Selenium involvement in mitochondrial function in thyroid disorders. Hormones 19, 25–30 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-020-00173-2

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