Nickel as a potential disruptor of thyroid function: benchmark modelling of human data

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Endocrinology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Nickel (Ni) is an environmental toxicant with under-explored effects on thyroid function.
• Thyroid hormones and homeostasis are critical for overall health.
• Understanding environmental impacts on endocrine systems is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between blood nickel concentration and thyroid function parameters.
• To explore the potential of nickel to disrupt thyroid homeostasis.
• To analyze dose-response relationships and identify at-risk populations.

Main Methods:

• Blood nickel levels measured using ICP-MS.
• Serum thyroid hormones (TSH, T4, T3, fT4, fT3) determined by CLIA.
• Thyroid homeostasis parameters (SPINA-GT, SPINA-GD) calculated using SPINA Thyr software.
• Benchmark dose (BMD) analysis performed with PROAST software.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant correlation between nickel and fT4/SPINA-GT was observed in males.
• A dose-response relationship was established between nickel and thyroid parameters across the entire population and both sexes.
• Men showed narrower BMD intervals for Ni-SPINA-GT and Ni-fT3, indicating a higher risk of alterations.

Conclusions:

• Nickel exposure influences the secretory function of the thyroid gland, especially in men.
• Findings suggest a potential role for nickel in thyroid function disturbances.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these associations and elucidate mechanisms.