THE EFFECT OF METHIMAZOLE ON THE OXIDANT AND ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTHYROIDISM

The present study was designed to evaluate the changes in the plasma l ipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in 15 adult volunteer patient s in hyperthyroid and euthyroid states. In these patients, plasma conc entrations of lipid peroxides were decreased and, ascorbic acid and vi tamin E levels were significantly increased in euthyroid status in com parison to hyperthyroid status. A significant increase in the plasma G Px activity (P < 0.01) and a decrease in GST (P < 0.001) was observed after euthyroidism was sustained with methimazole therapy. In conclusi on, hyperthyroidism tends to enhance lipid peroxide content and an inc rease in GST and decreases in GPx, vitamin E and ascorbic acid levels accompany to this change in the plasma. The achievement of euthyroidis m led an improvement in these parameters. (C) 1998 The Italian Pharmac ological Society.