Age-related Changes of Br, Ca, Cl, I, K, Mg, Mn, and Na Contents in Intact Thyroid of Males Investigated by Neutron Activation Analysis - Abstract
A prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is higher in the elderly as compared to the younger population. An excess or deficiency of chemical element contents in thyroid may play important role in goitro- and carcinogenesis of gland. The variation with age of the mass fraction of eight chemical elements (Br, Ca, Cl, I, K, Mg, Mn, and Na) in intact (normal) thyroid of 72 males (mean age 37.8 years, range 2-80 years) was investigated by instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides. Mean values and standard error of mean for mass fractions (mg/kg, on dry-mass basis) of the chemical elements studied were: Br 13.7±1.0, Ca 1703±131, Cl 3449±219, I 1786±940, K 6289±329, Mg 306±19, Mn 1.31±0.07, and Na 6820±214. This work revealed that there is a statistically significant increase in Ca and I mass fraction, as well as a decrease in K and Mn mass fraction in the normal thyroid of male during a lifespan. Moreover, a disturbance of intrathyroidal chemical element relationships with increasing age was found. Therefore, a goitrogenic and carcinogenic effect of inadequate Ca, I, K, and Mn level in the thyroid of old males and a harmful impact of disturbance in intrathyroidal chemical element relationships with increasing age may be assumed.