Antithyroid Activity of Goitrin in Chicks

Abstract

Antithyroid activity of orally administered goitrin was assessed by parallel-line assay in chicks using four indices. The relative potency of goitrin in chicks was estimated to be approximately 0.31 times the potency of PTU in causing enlargement of thyroid gland, 0.06 times in effect on depression in plasma thyroid hormone, and 0.08 times in inhibitory effects on biosynthesis of thyroid hormone in the gland. It might be concluded that thyroid hormone synthesis is not so much suppressed to the degree expected from the enlargement of thyroid gland when goitrin is administered orally to the chick.

Analysis of thyreostats: A history of 35 years

“…As such, concerns were expressed of this 'goitrogenic milk', especially for children, due to the reports of endemic goiter in Tasmania [110] and Finland [111][112][113], presumed attributed to Brassica containing diet of cows. In poultry high intake of progoitrin, resulted in reduced synthesis of thyroid hormones [114], which is translated to a reduced basal metabolism and to growth retardation [115]. Other adverse effects like lower fertility and eggs with fishy odor ('egg taint') were also reported [116,117].…”

Glucosinolates and Glucosinolate Derivatives: Implications for Protection Against Chemical Carcinogenesis

“…This goitrogen, very potent even at low doses (Krusius & Peltola, 1966;Langer & Michajlovskij, 1969;Akiba & Matsumoto, 1976), can induce decreased uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland in humans (Astwood et al 1949) and in rats, modify the triiodothyronine : thyroxine ratio and alter the histological pattern of the thyroid in rats (Lo &Hill, 1971 ;Bell et al 1972;Lo & Bell, 1972). It seems that goitrin interferes with organic iodination of thyroxine precursors in the gland, thus leading to compensatory goitre (Akiba & Matsumoto, 1976;Elfving, 1980). Isothiocyanates and thiocyanates were held responsible for similar thyroid disorders (Langer, 1964cited in Duncan & Milne, 1989Langer & Stolc, 1965).…”

Broccoli sprout beverage is safe for thyroid hormonal and autoimmune status: Results of a 12-week randomized trial

“…Regarding animal models, in decades-old studies the effect of goitrin on the thyroid has been investigated using rats (Faiman et al, 1967) and chicken (Akiba and Matsumoto, 1976); goitrin administration was shown to inhibit iodide uptake and to increase the weight of thyroid gland, causing goiter, hence the name of the substance. In another, more clinically relevant study, rats were administered over 4 weeks test diets with 15% or 30% of the dry food matter as uncooked or cooked Brussels sprouts and control diets with or without 0.2% potassium thiocyanate (a known thyroid function inhibitor) for comparison; it also administered diets with 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20% of the cooked vegetable, as well as diets with 0 and 20% of the cooked vegetable with extra iodine (de Groot et al, 1991).…”