Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part A (2022)

Aim: Thyroid nodules (TN) are the most common endocrine disorder worldwide. Etiology and pathogenesis of thyroid benign and malignant nodules (TBN and TMN, respectively) are still not enough understood. The present study was performed to clarify the role of some trace elements (TEs) in the origination and development of TN. Methods: Contents of TEs such as silver (Ag), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), iodine (I), rubidium (Rb), antimony (Sb), scandium (Sc), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) were prospectively evaluated in thyroid tissue adjacent to TBN (79 patients) and to TMN (41 patients). Measurements were performed using non-destructive instrumental neutron activation analysis. Results of the study were additionally compared with previously obtained data for the same TEs in “normal” thyroid tissue. Results: I was observed that in thyroid tissue adjacent to TMN the mass fractions of I and Rb were 1.53 and 1.79 times, respectively, higher than those in thyroid tissue adjacent to TBN. The common characteristics of thyroid tissue adjacent to TBN and TMN were similar contents of Ag, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Sb, Sc, and Zn, as well as elevated levels of Ag, Co, Hg, I, and Rb, which overdrew those in “normal” thyroid approximately in 32.2, 1.8, 40.9, 1.4, and 1.9 times, respectively. Conclusions: Role of TEs in etiology and pathogenesis TBN and TMN is similar and exessive accumulation of Ag, Co, Hg, I, and Rb in thyroid tissue may be involved in the TN origination and development.