Effect of lithium on the development of iodine-deficiency goitre / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

125 Wistar rats were divided into five groups randomly. The experimental period was 20 weeks. The results showed that both in the rats drinkcd water containing 6mM Li_2CO_3. and the rats with iodine-deficiency alone, their thyroid gland increased in weight and showed a pattern of hyperplatic goitre; their serum T, dropped which T_3 was increased. These changes were more marked in the rats with iodine deficiency and the activity of thyroid superoxidas strengthened. But in the rats that drinked water containing 6mM Li_2CO_3 there was more colloid in the follicular lumens of the thyroid. Under the condition of iodine deficiency, the rats that drinkcd water containing 3mM and 6mM Li_2CO_3 had larger and heavier thyroid gland, and their serum T_4 dropped which T_3 remained normal. Compared with the rats which had iodine deficiency along, their thyroid glands showed a typical picture of colloid goitrc. In the iodine deficiency rats which drinked water containing 3mM Li_2CO_3 the change of the thyroid gland was even more marked.