The Influence of Protoiod on Biochemical Parameters and Morphological Structure of the Thyroid Gland in Experimental Hypothyroidism in Rats

Introduction. Iodine deficiency remains a pressing issue in the modern world. According to the WHO, approximately 2 billion people live in regions with insufficient iodine levels in the environment. Traditional methods of food fortification with iodine have several significant limitations: instability of inorganic compounds, low bioavailability, and the risk of overdose. Therefore, the development of new forms of iodine-containing compounds is a priority area of biotechnology. The creation of protein complexes with iodine, which ensure the controlled release of the microelement, is of particular importance. One of the latest products developed based on this approach is ‘Protoiod’, which contains iodinated micellar casein in a readily soluble form. 

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to investigate the functional efficacy of ‘Protoiod’ in the prevention and treatment of experimental hypothyroidism in comparison with traditional iodine sources. 

Materials and Methods. To evaluate the effectiveness of the study, we used histological assessment methods for thyroid gland structure after administration of iodine-containing preparations in a model of experimental hypothyroidism, as well as determination of thyroid hormone levels in the blood serum of rats. Sections of the rat thyroid gland were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and the relative area of the tissue components of the thyroid gland was calculated on digitised images of the sections using One Cell software. Thyrotropin and thyroid hormone levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 

Results. The study results showed that Protoiodine, a fully soluble substance containing covalently bound iodine, significantly outperforms reference drugs currently used to prevent iodine deficiency, which is likely due to its high bioavailability. High doses of Protoiodine do not inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis. 

Conclusion. The obtained experimental data allow us to conclude that the biologically active supplement Protoiodine is highly effective in correcting iodine deficiency conditions.

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