Impact of lead exposure on the thyroid glands of individuals living in high- or low-lead exposure areas.

Ecuador was an endemic area for iodine deficiency; however, due to the population consumption of iodized table salt, the country is nowadays considered iodine sufficient. Despite the population consumption of iodized salt for more than 50 years, the prevalence of hypothyroidism has increased in recent years. A similar increment has been reported for thyroid cancer (TC) becoming the second most common cancer in women and seventh most common cancer in men.

Heart failure, micronutrient profile, and its connection with thyroid dysfunction and nutritional status.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a growing public health issue; its risk factors include inappropriate dietary intake of microelements such as iodine, selenium, zinc and iron, which may lead to thyroid dysfunction.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the correlation among the functional class stages of patients with HF, iodine, selenium, iron and zinc levels with the presence of thyroid dysfunction.

Methodology: One hundred nine patients from the HF outpatient clinic of the Clinics Hospital of Ribeirão Preto whose blood and urine were collected for micronutrient analysis and laboratory tests were selected.

Distribution of arsenic and oxidative stress in mice after rice ingestion.

This study evaluated the effects of rice naturally contaminated with arsenic (As) and the same As-species added as solubilized-salt on the redox state and the As distribution in male mice. The total As amount in the Brazilian polished rice used in this study was 169.81±6.

Selenium and mercury in the Brazilian Amazon: opposing influences on age-related cataracts.

Background: Age-related cataracts (ARCs) are an important cause of blindness in developing countries. Although antioxidants may be part of the body's defense to prevent ARC, environmental contaminants may contribute to cataractogenesis. In fish-eating populations of the lower Tapajós region, elevated exposure to mercury (Hg) has been reported, and blood levels of selenium (Se) range from normal to very high (> 1,000 microg/L).