Iodine-induced autoimmune thyroiditis in NOD-H-2 mice

Excess Iodine ingestion has been implicated in induction and exacerbation of autoimmune t by r old 11 Is (AT) In animal Models. We studied the time course and gender differences in. the inducing effect of iodine ingestion on AT in NOD-H-2 mice. This strain, derived from a cross of MOD with BIO.A£4R) spontaneously develops AT but not diabetes. NOD-H-2 mice were given plain water or water with 0.05Z iodine (I) for 8 weeks. Serum was collected at biweekly intervals and thyroglobulin (Tg) antibody levels were measured by ELISA. After 8 weeks mice were sacrificed, thyroids were removed and stained with H&E, and the degree of lymphocytic infiltration in the thyroids was quantltated. About 65Z of both aale and female I-treated mice developed thyroid lesions whereas only one of the control animals had thyroiditls at this time. There was no significant difference betweeen the male and female treatment groups. Levels of Tg antibodies increased throughout the 8 week I ingestion period, however, no correlation was seen between the levels of Tg antibodies and the degree of thyroid infiltration at the time of autopsy. Twenty percent of male control mice had low levels of Tg antibodies but no lesions.