Thyroid Hormone Indices in Computer Workers with Emphasis on the Role of Zinc Supplementation

Authors

  • Ahmed Ibrahim Amin Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University
  • Noha Mohamed Hegazy Environmental & Occupational Medicine Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre
  • Khadiga Salah Ibrahim Environmental & Occupational Medicine Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre
  • Heba Mahdy-Abdallah Environmental & Occupational Medicine Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre
  • Hamdy A. A. Hammouda Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University
  • Eman Essam Shaban Environmental & Occupational Medicine Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2016.041

Keywords:

Electromagnetic field, computer, Zinc, thyroid hormones, TSH, FT3, FT4

Abstract

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effects of computer monitor-emitted radiation on thyroid hormones and the possible protective role of zinc supplementation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included three groups. The first group (group B) consisted of 42 computer workers. This group was given Zinc supplementation in the form of one tablet daily for eight weeks. The second group (group A) comprised the same 42 computer workers after zinc supplementation. A group of 63 subjects whose job does not entail computer use was recruited as a control Group (Group C). All participants filled a questionnaire including detailed medical and occupational histories. They were subjected to full clinical examination. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and zinc levels were measured in all participants.

RESULTS: TSH, FT3, FT4 and zinc concentrations were decreased significantly in group B relative to group C. In group A, all tested parameters were improved when compared with group B. The obtained results revealed that radiation emitted from computers led to changes in TSH and thyroid hormones (FT3 and FT4) in the workers.

CONCLUSION: Improvement after supplementation suggests that zinc can ameliorate hazards of such radiation on thyroid hormone indices.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Plum Analytics Artifact Widget Block

References

Ghodbane S, Lahbib A, Sakly M, Abdelmelek H. Bioeffects of static magnetic fields: oxidative stress, genotoxic effects, and cancer studies. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:602987.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/602987

PMid:24027759 PMCid:PMC3763575

Shckorbatov Y. The main approaches of studying the mechanisms of action of artificial electromagnetic fields on cell. J Electr Electron Syst. 2014;3:123.

http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2332-0796.1000123

Akbaba M. Gokdeniz M. Electromagnetic fields and possible harmful health effects. The Turkish Journal of Occupational/ Environmental Medicine and Safety. 2015;1(2):1-12.

IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Non-ionizing radiation, Part 1: static and extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 2002;80:1-395.

PMid:12071196

Koren G. Exposure to electromagnetic fields during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2003;49: 151–153.

PMid:12619736 PMCid:PMC2214186

Feychting M, Ahlbom A, Kheifets L. EMF and health. Annu Rev Public Health. 2005;2(6):165-189.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.26.021304.144445

PMid:15760285

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz). Health Phys. 1998;74;4:494– 522.

PMid:9525427

Akdag MZ, Dasdag S, Ulukaya E, Uzunlar AK, Kurt MA, et al., Effects of Extremely Low - Frequency Magnetic Field on Caspase Activities and Oxidative Stress Values in Rat Brain. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2010;138(1):238 – 249.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8615-3

PMid:20177816

Akpinar D , Ozturk N , Ozen S, Agar A, Yargicoglu P. The effect of different strengths of extremely low - frequency electric fields on antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation, and visual evoked potentials. Electromagn Biol Med. 2012;31(4):436 - 448

http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/15368378.2012.692342

PMid:23045992

Balci M, Namuslu M, Devrim E, Durak I. Effects of computer monitor-emitted radiation on oxidant/antioxidant balance in cornea and lens from rats. Molecular Vision. 2009;15:2521–2525.

PMid:19960068 PMCid:PMC2787304

Karasek M and Woldansk-Okonska M. Electromagnetic fields and human endocrine system. Scientific World Journal. 2004;4(2):23-28.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2004.175

PMid:15517099

Sinha, RK. Chronic non-thermal exposure of modulated 2450 MHz microwave radiation alters thyroid hormones and behavior of male rats. Int J Radiat Biol. 2008;84(6):505-513.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09553000802085441

PMid:18470749

Bauer M, Goetz T, Glenn T, Whybrow PC. The thyroid-brain interaction in thyroid disorders and mood disorders. J Neuroendocrinol. 2008;20(10):1101 – 1114.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.2008.01774.x

PMid:18673409

Koyu A, Cesur G, Ozguner FAkdogan, M.; Mollaoglu, H et al. Effects of 900 MHz electromagnetic field on TSH and thyroid hormones in rats. Toxicol Lett. 2005;157(3):257-262.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2005.03.006

PMid:15917150

Johnsen O And Eliasson R. Evaluation of a commercially available kit for the colorimetric determination of zinc in human seminal plasma. International Journal of Andrology. 1987;10(2): 435–440.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2605.1987.tb00216.x

PMid:3610354

Lalloz MRA, Byfield PGH, Himsworth RL. Hyperthyroxinaemia: abnormal binding of T4 by an inherited albumin variant. Clin Endocrinology. 1983;18(1): 11–24.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.1983.tb03181.x

Young DS, Pestanger LC, Giberman U. Effects of drugs on clinical laboratory tests. Clin Chem. 1975;21(5):1D-432D.

PMid:1091375

Fisher DA. Physiological variations in thyroid hormones: physiological and pathophysiological considerations. Clin Chem. 1996;42(1):135-139.

PMid:8565215

Alghamdi MS, El-Ghazaly NA. Effects of exposure to Electromagnetic field on some hematological parameters in mice. Open Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2012;2:30-42.

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojmc.2012.22005

El-Helaly M, Abu-Hashem E. Oxidative stress, melatonin level, and sleep insufficiency among electronic equipment repairers Indian. J Occup Environ Med. 2010;14(3): 66–70.

http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0019-5278.75692

PMid:21461157 PMCid:PMC3062017

Ozturk A, Baltaci AK, Mogulkoc R, Oztekin E. Zinc prevention of electromagnetically induced damage to rat testicle and kidney tissues. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2003;96(1-3):247-54.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1385/BTER:96:1-3:247

Bediz CS, Baltaci AK, Mogulkoc R, Oztekin E. Zinc supplementation ameliorates electromagnetic field-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat brain. Tohoku J Exp Med. 2006;208(2):133–140.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1620/tjem.208.133

PMid:16434836

Zagorskaya EA, Klimovitsky VY, Melnichenko VP, Rodina GP, Semyonov SN. The effect of low frequency electromagnetic fields on physiological systems: a review. Kosm Biol Aviokosm Med. 1990;24:3–11.

Rajkovic V, Matavulj M, Johansson O. Light and electron microscopic study of the thyroid gland in rats exposed to power-frequency electromagnetic fields. J Exp Biol. 2006;209:3322–3328.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.02375

PMid:16916968

Ergüder IB, Durak I. Effects of computer use on human salivary oxidant/antioxidant status. J Biol Sci. 2006;6:14–7.

http://dx.doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2006.14.17

Rajkovic V, Matavulj M, Gledik D, Lazetic B. Evaluation of rat thyroid gland morphophysiological status after three months exposure to 50 Hz electromagnetic field. Tissue & Cell. 2003 ;35(3):223-31.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0040-8166(03)00029-6

Matavulj M, Rajkovic V, Uscebrka G, Gudovic R, Stevanovic D, et al., Structural and stereological analysis of rat thyroid gland after exposure to an electromagnetic field. Acta Veterinaria (Belgrade). 1996;(5-6):285-292.

PMid:8999289

Matavulj M, Rajkovic M, Uscebrka V, Zikic G, Stevanovic D, et al. Magnetic effects on the morphology of rat thyroid gland. In Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine (ed. F. Bersani), New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum, 1999:pp.489 -492.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-4867-6_115

De seze R, Peray PF, Miro L. Gsm radiocellular telephones do not disturb the secretion of antepituitary hormones in humans. Bioelectromagnetics. 1998;19:271–278.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1521-186X(1998)19:5<271::AID-BEM1>3.0.CO;2-Z

Shahryar HA, Lotfi A, Ghodsi MB, Bonary ARK. Effects of 900MHz electromagnetic fields emitted from acellular phone on the T3, T4 and cortisol levels in syrian hamsters. Bull Bet Inst Pulawy. 2009;53:233–236.

Hosseini E, Nafisi S, Zare S. The effects of electromagnetic fields on plasma levels of corticosterone, free-T3, free-T4 malonyldialdehyde in white male rabbit with normal diet and hyperchlostrol diet. Veterinary Research Forum. 2011;2(4):222 – 225.

Matavulj M, Rajkovic V, Uscebrka G, Lukac T, Stevanovic D, et al. Studies on the possible endocrinological effects of an 50 Hz electromagnetic field. Centr Europ J Occup Environ Med. 2000;6:183-188.

Ertek S, Cicero AFG, Caglar O, Erdogan G. Relationship between serum zinc levels, thyroid hormones and thyroid volume following successful iodine supplementation. Hormones. 2010;9(3):263–268.

http://dx.doi.org/10.14310/horm.2002.1276

PMid:20688624

Kelly GND. Peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones: A Review. Altern Med Rev. 2000; 5(4):306–333.

PMid:10956378

Kralik A, Eder K, Kirchgessner M. Influence of zinc and selenium deficiency on parameters relating to thyroid hormone metabolism. Horm Metab Res. 1996;28(5):223-226.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-979169

PMid:8738110

Civitareale D, Saiardi A, Falasca P. Purification and characterization of thyroid transcription factor 2. Biochem J. 1994;304:981-985.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/bj3040981

PMid:7818505 PMCid:PMC1137428

Fujimato S, Indo Y, Higashi A, Matsuda I, Kashiwabara N, Nakashima I. Conversion of thyroxine into tri-iodothyronine in zinc-deficient rat liver. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1986;5:799–805.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00005176-198609000-00023

Nishiyama S, Futagoishi-Suginohara Y, Matsukura M, Nakamura T, Higashi A, et al. Zinc supplementation alters thyroid hormone metabolism in disabled patients with zinc deficiency. J Am Coll Nutr. 1994;13:62-67.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07315724.1994.10718373

PMid:8157857

Maxwell C, Volpe SL. Effect of zinc supplementation on thyroid hormone function. A case study of two college females. Ann Nutr Metab. 2007;51:188–194.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000103324

PMid:17541266

Anselmo CWSF, Pereira PB, Catanho MTJA, Medeiros MC. Effects of the electromagnetic field, 60Hz, 3T, on the hormonal and metabolic regulation of undernourished pregnant rats. Braz J Biol. 2009;69:397–404.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1519-69842009000200024

Sechman A, Niedziólka J, Lis M, Rzasa J. Changes in thyroid hormone levels in chicken embryos exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field. Arch Geflügelk. 2006;70 (1). S. 41–47.

Selmaoui B , Lambrozo J, Touitou Y. Endocrine functions in young men exposed for one night to a 50-Hz magnetic field. A circadian study of pituitary, thyroid and adrenocortical hormones. Life Sci. 1997;61(5):473–486.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0024-3205(97)00407-4

Lafreniere GF, Persinger MA. Thyroid morphology and activity does not respond to ELF electromagnetic field exposures. Experientia. 1979;35(4):561–562.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01922772

PMid:437061

Published

2016-03-15

How to Cite

1.
Amin AI, Hegazy NM, Ibrahim KS, Mahdy-Abdallah H, Hammouda HAA, Shaban EE. Thyroid Hormone Indices in Computer Workers with Emphasis on the Role of Zinc Supplementation. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2016 Mar. 15 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];4(2):296-301. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/oamjms.2016.041

Issue

Section

E - Public Health

Most read articles by the same author(s)