Isotopic ratios of129I/127I in mammalian thyroid glands in Japan

The isotopic ratios of¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I in cattle thyroid glands collected from various areas of Japan were measured by neutron activation analysis with combustion pre-treatment. Pig and human thyroid glands were also analyzed by the same method. The iodine isotopic ratio in cattle thyroid glands in Japan is comparable with that observed in Europe. The isotopic ratio in human thyroid glands in Japan is remarkably lower than that in Europe, which has been reported to be comparable to that of cattle. The isotopic ratio in pig thyroid glands is also lower than that in cattle.     

Long-Lived Radioiodine in Japanese Environment

The amount of long-lived radioiodine, ¹²⁹I (half-life 1.57·10⁷ y) in the Japanese environment has been studied by measuring thyroids of humans and animals. The collected samples were thyroids of (1) humans in Ibaraki Prefecture, in Kanto district, the central part of Japan, (2) cattle in Aomori Prefecture, north part of Japan, and (3) wild deer in Chiba Prefecture, in Kanto district. The measured mean isotopic ratio ¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I for thyroids of cattle in Aomori Prefecture is 3.5±1.8·10^-9. A higher value of 14±5·10^-9 has been obtained for thyroids of wild deer in Kanto district. On the other hand, the measured ratio for human thyroids in Kanto district is 1±0.2·10^-9. This value is significantly lower than that of cattle thyroids in Aomori and also those reported for human thyroids in Europe and USA. The higher mean ratio for cattle thyroid in Kanto district is possibly explained by the influence of nuclear reprocessing plant. Lower mean ratio for human thyroid might be due to higher dietary intake of algae.     

Preparation and evaluation of <Superscript>131</Superscript>I-quercetin as a novel radiotherapy agent against dedifferentiated thyroid cancer

Here we reported the radiolabeling and evaluation of a novel ¹³¹I-radiolabeled quercetin for the treatment of dedifferentiated thyroid cancers. The human thyroid cancer cell lines (FTC-133, TT and DRO) experienced much higher uptake of ¹³¹I-quercetin as compared to the free ¹³¹I. And the proliferation inhibition rate of ¹³¹I-quercetin on in vitro DRO cell line was 86.87 ± 7.15%. Biodistribution and SPECT analysis demonstrated that the injected radioactivity mainly accumulated in tumors. The tumor volume in the treatment group was dramatically inhibited in comparison with the control group.     

Determination of129I and127I in human thyroid blocks containing mercury as a preservative

A solvent extraction techniques has been developed to separate iodine from mercury contained in thyroid tissues for the determinations of¹²⁹I and¹²⁷I in human thyroid blocks by neutron activation analysis. The tissue samples are digested with a mixture of 5 ml HCl and 1 ml HNO₃ in a round-bottomed flask fitted with a condenser running with cold water to avoid any loss of iodine. Iodine is extracted into 0.1 M dihexyl sulfide solution in xylene leaving the majority of the mercury in the aqueous phase. Iodine is adsorbed on activated charcoal packed in quartz tubes either by heating the xylene containing iodine in the presence of oxygen or by heating the aqueous solution obtained after back extracting iodine from xylene using a saturated sulfur dioxide solution. Iodine is desorbed from the charcoal and trapped into a quartz ampule which is sent for neutron activation.     

A review on speciation of iodine-129 in the environmental and biological samples

As a long-lived beta-emitting radioisotope of iodine, ¹²⁹I is produced both naturally and as a result of human nuclear activities. At present time, the main part of ¹²⁹I in the environment originates from the human nuclear activity, especially the releases from the spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plants, the ¹²⁹I/¹²⁷I ratios have being reached to values of 10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻⁴ in the environment from 10⁻¹² in the pre-nuclear era. In this article, we review the occurrence, sources, inventory, and concentration level of ¹²⁹I in environment and the method for speciation analysis of ¹²⁹I in the environment. Measurement techniques for the determination of ¹²⁹I are presented and compared. An overview of applications of ¹²⁹I speciation in various scientific disciplines such as radiation protection, waste depository, and environmental sciences is given. In addition, the bioavailability and radiation toxicity (dose to thyroid) of ¹²⁹I are discussed.     

The Synthesis of 13C9-15N-Labeled 3,5-Diiodothyronine and Thyroxine

Thyroid hormones undergo extensive metabolism to regulate hormone activity. A labeled thyroid hormone would be useful to track hormone metabolism through various pathways. While radiolabeled thyroid hormones have been synthesized and used for in vivo studies, a stable isotope labeled form of thyroid hormone is required for studying thyroid hormone metabolism by LC-MS/MS, an analytical technique that has certain advantages without the complications of radioactivity. Here we report the synthesis of ¹³C₉-¹⁵N-T₂ and ¹³C₉-¹⁵N-T₄, two labeled thyroid hormone derivatives suitable for in vivo LC-MS/MS studies.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.     

Improving detection sensitivity of amino acids in thyroid tissues by using phthalic acid as a mobile phase additive in hydrophilic interaction chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

In this work, 0.08 mmol L⁻¹ of phthalic acid was introduced as a mobile phase additive to quantify free amino acids (AAs) by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The addition of phthalic acid significantly increased the signal intensity of protonated AA ions, resulting from the decrease of the relative abundance of AA sodium adducts. Meanwhile, the chromatographic peak shapes of AAs were optimized. As a consequence, there was a noticeable increase in the sensitivity of detection for AAs. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of the AAs ranged from 0.0500 to 20.0 ng mL⁻¹ and from 0.100 to 50.0 ng mL⁻¹, respectively, which were 4–50 times lower compared to the values measured without the addition of phthalic acid. The enhanced detection and separation of AAs were obtained by merely adding phthalic acid to the mobile phase without changing other conditions. Eventually, this simple method was validated and successfully applied to the analysis of twenty-four kinds of free AAs in human thyroid carcinoma and para-carcinoma tissues, demonstrating a significant increase of most AAs in thyroid carcinoma tissues (p < 0.05).     

Determination of thyroid hormones and their metabolites in tissue using SPE UPLC-tandem MS

A solid‐phase liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SPE LC‐MS/MS) method was developed to determine thyroid hormones and their metabolites in tissue samples. The separation was achieved using reversed‐phase ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC); the mass spectrometric detection was achieved by positive electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring. Prior to the UPLC separation a sample cleanup with a cation exchange was performed. ¹³ C₆ labeled internal standards were used for the thyroid hormones and their metabolites. The method was linear over a range from 0.23 to 90 nmol/L for thyroxine and from 0.23 to 9 nmol/L for the metabolites. The lower limit of quantification ranged from 0.98 to 1.73 pg on column. Intra‐ and total assay variation were <10 and <15%, respectively. This method enables us to link thyroid hormone tissue concentrations to local iodothyronine deiodinase expressions, which will enhance our understanding of the regulation of thyroid hormone metabolism on the tissue level. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid radiochemical analysis of 131I in environmental samples using a well-type Ge-detector

Large-scale production of ¹³¹I in a nuclear reactor, the gaseous nature of ¹³¹I, and its selective uptake by the human thyroid gland, make this radioisotope a health hazard in the event of a nuclear accident. The maximum concentration of ¹³¹I in drinking water has been set at 1 pCi/l. Human ingestion of ¹³¹I through the grass-cow-milk pathway makes milk an environmentally significant matrix to be monitored for. In this paper, we report a simple and a rapid radiochemical procedure for the analysis of ¹³¹I in water and milk samples. A quick single-step separation on anion-exchange resin concentrates radioiodine from large sample volumes. The resin is then directly counted in the cavity of a low-background well-type HPGe detector that has high counting efficiency for X-rays and low-energy -radiation. Chemical recovery is evaluated from the intensity of the 29.6 keV X-rays of the ¹²⁹I spike, and ¹³¹I is assayed through the intensity of its 364.5 keV g-peak. The method's minimum detection limit is 0.5 pCi ¹³¹I based on a 1 liter sample and a 200-minute count.     

Mechanisms of the hydrogen atom and the phenyl group migration in the molecule of heptaphenylcycloheptatriene

In terms of the density functional theory using the B3LYP functional, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7-heptaphenylcycloheptatriene was shown to be the most stable in the boat conformation of the cycloheptatriene ring with the H atom in the equatorial position. 1,5-Sigmatropic shifts of the H atom along the seven-membered ring perimeter take place when it is in the axial position through the asymmetric transition state with the barrier ΔE ^≠ _ZPE = 28.7 kcal mol^?1. The H atom can attain the axial position upon inversion of the seven-membered ring, which is accompanied by the orthogonal turn of the phenyl group at the sp³-hybridized C atom (ΔE ^≠ _ZPE = 22.6 kcal mol^?1). The energy barrier to the circular rearrangement of the H atom (ΔE ^≠ _ZPE = 32.2 kcal mol^?1) explains formation of isomers during the high-temperature synthesis of di(p-tolyl)pentaphenylcycloheptatriene. The barrier to the 1,5-sigmatropic shifts of the phenyl group is 19.7 kcal mol^?1 higher than that for the competing shifts of the H atom.     

Use of <Superscript>82</Superscript>Br and <Superscript>131</Superscript>I radionuclides in studies of goitrogenic effects of exogenous bromide

The interference of excessive bromide intake with iodine metabolism in the rat was studied using ⁸²Br and ¹³¹I radionuclides. Mainly lactating rat dams and their pups were used, in addition to adult male rats, in the present studies. Particularly, the influence of high bromide intake in lactating rat dams on the transfer of iodine and bromide to suckling young through breast milk was evaluated. The induction of hypothyroid status in the pups by high bromide intake in the mothers was proved unambiguously. Excessive bromide in lactating rat dams caused a marked decrease in plasma levels of thyroid hormones both, in the mothers and in their sucklings. The effects of an enhanced bromide intake on the thyroid function in relation to iodine status in the animals were also followed. Marked goitrogenic and thyrotoxic effects of excessive bromide in adult rats were significantly enhanced under the conditions of simultaneous iodine deficiency in the experimental animals.     

Theoretical study of the polarized electronic absorption spectra of vanadium-doped zircon

The polarized electronic absorption spectra of a blue vanadium-doped zircon single crystal, grown by the flux method, has been studied by quantum chemical (CI) calculations in order to determine the position of the V⁴⁺ dopant in the zircon host structure. Particularly, the excitation energies and polarizations of V⁴⁺ occupying alternate positions, either the zirconium or silicon position or the interstitial site 16g, have been considered. It is concluded that the observed electronic absorption spectra and the color of zirconblue can only be explained if the V⁴⁺ chromophore is placed on the respective interstitial position.     

Radioiodine tracers as useful tools in studies of thyrotoxic effects of exogenous bromide and perchlorate ions

With the use of ¹²⁵I and ¹³¹I radionuclides, we followed the effects of exogenous bromide and perchlorate ions on the metabolism of iodine and of thyroid hormone in the rat. The presumed thyrotoxic effects of bromide and perchlorate have been confirmed and quantified. Correct assay conditions for the radiometric determination of the enzyme activity of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) have been established. The use of the adapted radiometric assay revealed a divergent influence of bromide and perchlorate ions on the TPO activity in the rat thyroids. Excessive bromide exerted a biphasic effect, depending on the extent of bromide intake in the animals. In contrast, in all the rats that were administered with high amounts of perchlorate were found elevated TPO activities.     

A facility for the production of iodine-123 by spallation of caesium

A facility for the continuous production of iodine-123 by spallation of elemental caesium by 482 MeV protons has been in operation at a TRIUMF beam dump for about 2 years. Radioxenon from the target is efficiently trapped on alumina which is subsequently used to remove the¹²¹Te decay product. The yield is 100 mCi/h from a 20 gm/cm² target at 10 μA. Impurities are¹²⁵I<2% and¹²¹Te<0.2% at 27 hours after end of production. The¹²³I consists mainly of iodide along with significant iodate impurity. The product is used extensively in Canadian clinics for thyroid analyses and for labelling radiopharmaceuticals.     

Rapid method for the measurement of circulating thyroid hormones in low volumes of teleost fish plasma by LC-ESI/MS/MS

Thyroid hormones are critical regulators of normal development and physiological functioning in all vertebrates. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) approaches have been the method of choice for measuring circulating levels of thyroid hormones in vertebrates. While sensitive, RIA-based approaches only allow for a single analyte measurement per assay, can lack concordance across platforms and laboratories, and can be prone to analytical interferences especially when used with fish plasma. Ongoing advances in liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) have led to substantial decreases in detection limits for thyroid hormones and other biomolecules in complex matrices, including human plasma. Despite these advances, current analytical approaches do not allow for the measurement of native thyroid hormone in teleost fish plasma by mass spectrometry and continue to rely on immunoassay. In this study, we developed a new method that allows for the rapid extraction and simultaneous measurement of total T4 (TT4) and total T3 (TT3) in low volumes (50 μL) of fish plasma by LC/MS/MS. Methods were optimized initially in plasma from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and applied to plasma from other teleost fishes, including fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus), sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Validation of method performance with T4- and T3-spiked rainbow trout plasma at 2 and 4 ng/mL produced mean recoveries ranging from 82 to 95 % and 97 to 105 %, respectively. Recovery of ¹³C₁₂-T4 internal standard in plasma extractions was: 99?±?1.8 % in rainbow trout, 85?±?11 % in fathead minnow, 73?±?5.0 % in mummichog, 73?±?1.7 % in sockeye salmon, and 80?±?8.4 % in coho salmon. While absolute levels of thyroid hormones measured in identical plasma samples by LC/MS/MS and RIA varied depending on the assay used, T4/T3 ratios were generally consistent across both techniques. Less variability was measured among samples subjected to LC/MS/MS suggesting a more precise estimate of thyroid hormone homeostasis in the species targeted. Overall, a sensitive and reproducible method was established that takes advantage of LC/MS/MS techniques to rapidly measure TT4 and TT3 with negligible interferences in low volumes of plasma across a variety of teleost fishes.     

Reactivity in the gas phase. Behaviour of isoxazoles under negative ion chemical ionization conditions

[M ? H⁺]^? ions of isoxazole (la), 3-methylisoxazole (1b), 5-methylisoxazole (1c), 5-phenylisoxazole (1d) and benzoylacetonitrile (2a) are generated using NICI/OH^? or NICI/NH₂^? techniques. Their fragmentation pathways are rationalized on the basis of collision-induced dissociation and mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectra and by deuterium labelling studies. 5-Substituted isoxazoles 1c and 1d, after selective deprotonation at position 3, mainly undergo N ? O bond cleavage to the stable α-cyanoenolate NC ? CH ? CR ? O^? (R = Me, Ph) that fragments by loss of R? CN, or R? H, or H₂O. The same α-cyanoenolate anion (R = Ph) is obtained from 2a with OH^?, or NH₂^?, confirming the structure assigned to the [M ? H⁺]^? ion of 1d, On the contrary, 1b is deprotonated mainly at position 5 leading, via N? O and C(3)? C(4) bond cleavages, to H? C ≡ C? O ^? and CH₃CN. Isoxazole (1a) undergoes deprotonation at either position and subsequent fragmentations. Deuterium labelling revealed an extensive exchange between the hydrogen atoms in the ortho position of the phenyl group and the deuterium atom in the α-cyanenolate NC ? CD = CPh ? O^?.     

Density functional theory study of the reaction mechanism of the DNA repairing enzyme alkylguanine alkyltransferase

The reaction mechanism of human O⁶-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) is studied using density functional theory. AGT repairs alkylated DNA by directly removing the alkyl group from the O6 position of the guanine. A quantum chemical model of the active site was devised based on the recent crystal structure of the AGT–DNA complex. The potential energy curve is calculated and the stationary points are characterized. It is concluded that the previously proposed reaction mechanism is energetically plausible. In this mechanism, His146 first acts as a water-mediated general base to activate Cys145, which then performs a nucleophilic attack to dealkylate the guanine base.     

Phototherapeutic Effect of Low‐Level Laser on Thyroid Gland of Gamma‐Irradiated Rats

One inescapable feature of life on the earth is exposure to ionizing radiation. The thyroid gland is one of the most sensitive organs to gamma‐radiation and endocrine disrupters. Low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used to stimulate tissue repair, and reduce inflammation. The aim of this study was to gauge the value of using Helium–Neon laser to repair the damaged tissues of thyroid gland after gamma‐irradiation. Albino rats were used in this study (144 rats), divided into control, gamma, laser, and gamma plus laser‐irradiated groups, each group was divided into six subgroups according to time of treatment (total six sessions). Rats were irradiated once with gamma radiation (6 Gy), and an external dose of laser (Wavelength 632.8 nm, 12 mW, CW, Illuminated area 5.73 cm², 2.1 mW cm^?2, 120 s, 1.4 J, 0.252 J cm^?2) twice weekly localized on thyroid region of the neck, for a total of six sessions. Animals were sacrificed after each session. Analysis included thyroid function, oxidative stress markers, liver function and blood picture. Results revealed improvement in thyroid function, liver function and antioxidant levels, and the blood cells count after LLLT.     

Positron Emission Tomography Radiopharmaceuticals in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), arising from thyroid follicular epithelial cells, is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Despite the well-known utilization of radioiodine treatment in DTC, i.e., iodine-131, radioiodine imaging in DTC is typically performed with iodine-123 and iodine-131, with the current hybrid scanner performing single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) provides superior visualization and quantification of functions at the molecular level; thus, lesion assessment can be improved compared to that of SPECT/CT. Various types of cancer, including radioiodine-refractory DTC, can be detected by 2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([¹⁸F]FDG), the most well-known and widely used PET radiopharmaceutical. Several other PET radiopharmaceuticals have been developed, although some are limited in availability despite their potential clinical utilizations. This article aims to summarize PET radiopharmaceuticals in DTC, focusing on molecular pathways and applications.