Effect of Occupational Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on the Thyroid Gland of Workers:A Prospective Study

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effects of occupational extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field(ELF-EMF)exposure on the thyroid gland.Methods:We conducted a prospective analysis of 85 workers(exposure group)exposed to an ELF-EMF(100μT,10-100 Hz)produced by the electromagnetic aircraft launch system and followed up on thyroid function indices,immunological indices,and color Doppler images for 3 years.Additionally,116 healthy volunteers were randomly selected as controls(control group),the thyroid function of whom was compared to the exposure group.Results:No significant difference was observed in thyroid function between the exposure and control groups.During the follow-up of the exposure group,the serum free triiodothyronine(FT3)level was found to slowly decrease and free thyroxine(FT4)level slowly increase with increasing exposure time.However,no significant difference was found in thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)over the three years,and no significant difference was observed in the FT3,FT4 and TSH levels between different exposure subgroups.Furthermore,no significant changes were observed in thyroid autoantibody levels and ultrasound images between subgroups or over time.Conclusion:Long-term exposure to ELF-EMF may promote thyroid secretion of T4 and inhibit deiodination of T4 to T3.ELF-EMF has no significant effect on thyroid immune function and morphology.

Intervention and immune regulation of Fuzheng Xiaoying Decoction on experimental autoimmune thyroiditis model rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of Fuzheng Xiaoying Decoction on experimental autoimmune thyroiditis(EAT)model rats and explore its possible mechanism of immune regulation.Methods:Among the 40 female SD rats,10 were randomly selected as the blank group,and the rest were immunized with pig thyroglobulin and Freund's adjuvant combined with high iodine feeding to make the EAT model.After the model was established,they were randomly divided into three groups:the model group,the selenium yeast tablet group and the Fuzheng Xiaoying Decoction group,which were continuously gavaged for 2 months.The anti thyroid autoantibodies,thyroid function,IL-38 and Th17/Treg distribution were measured.The pathological changes of thyroid tissue were observed by HE staining.Results:Compared with the blank group,the levels of TPOAb and TGAb in the model group were significantly higher(P<0.05).Lymphocyte infiltration was seen in the thyroid tissue of the model group,and also the thyroid follicles were partially destroyed,the shape was irregular,and the colloid distribution was uneven,indicating that the modeling was successful.Compared with the model group,the levels of TPOAb and TGAb in the selenium yeast tablet group and the Fuzheng Xiaoying Decoction group decreased significantly(P<0.05).And the Fuzheng Xiaoying Decoction group had more significant improvement in thyroid follicle destruction and lymphocyte infiltration than the selenium yeast tablet group(P<0.05).Compared with the blank group,the levels of T3,T4,FT3 and FT4 in the model group increased,the level of IL-38 decreased,the proportion of Th17 increased,and the ratio of Th17/Treg increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,T4 level decreased,IL-38 level increased in the selenium yeast tablet group and the Fuzheng Xiaoying Decoction group(P<0.05).But there was no statistically significant difference in the reduction of Th17 proportion and Th17/Treg ratio between the above two groups and the model group(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in Treg ratio among the groups.Conclusion:Fuzheng Xiaoying Decoction can significantly reduce the level of anti thyroid autoantibodies in EAT rats by regulating the immunity of EAT rats,and improve the follicular destruction and lymphocyte infiltration of thyroid tissue in rats.

The analysis of the changes of maternal thyroid autoantibodies during early pregnancy

Objective To investigate the changes and related factors of maternal thyroid autoantibodies during early pregnancy.Methods Urinary iodine concentration（UIC）,serum thyroid stimulating hormone（TSH）,free thyroxine（FT4）,thyroid-peroxidase antibody（TPOAb）,thyroglobulin antibody（Tg Ab）concentrations were determined in 7 190 women during early pregnancy in an iodine-sufficient region of China.Results The prevalence of TPOAb positivity and Tg Ab positivity was 8.

Effects of mild insufficient iodine intake on thyroid function and autoantibodies in pregnant women

Objective To investigate the effects of mild insufficient iodine intake on thyroid function and autoantibodies in pregnant women,and to provide a basis for scientific supplementation of iodine to pregnant women.Methods From December 2015 to March 2016,Suixi County