Starvation induced hypothyroidism involves perturbations in thyroid superoxide-SOD system in pigeons

This study investigated the influence of starvation over seven days on avian thyroidal superoxide radical levels and superoxide dismutase activity profiles in the Indian rock pigeon Columba livia intermeida, in relation with iodine metabolism. The serum thyroid hormone profile was assayed to correlate the thyroidal redox status with the circulating thyroid hormone levels. The spin-trapping results suggest a role for thyroidal superoxide anion (O2.-) in causing a hypothyroid state in pigeons during long term energy withdrawal. Pigeons starved for 1 day generated superoxide and iodide free radicals in their thyroids, with a significant decrease in SOD activity. Regain of SOD activity in 2nd- and 3rd-day starved birds is marked by complete scavenging of radicals in the thyroid, suggesting the significance of SOD in thyroid glands as a potential antioxidant sink against reactive oxygen species, O2.- Resurgence of O2.- radicals with a parallel decrease in SOD activity in the thyroid gland on 5th- and 7th-day of starvation provides evidence of disruption of homeostasis between pro-oxidant and antioxidant states, leading to oxidative stress in avian thyroid during long-term calorie crisis. Following starvation both thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) decreased, putting pigeons in a hypothyroid state. We argue that oxidative inactivation of thyroid peroxidase and other thyroid proteins by radical attack during starvation invoked oxidative stress, which could be one of the factors responsible for the hypothyroid state in pigeons.