Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid hormones are involved in the regulation of basal metabolic state and in oxidative metabolism [1]. They can cause many changes in the number and activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain components. This may result in the increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [2,3]. Oxidative stress is a general term used to describe a state of damage caused by ROS [4]. ROS have a high reactivity potential, therefore they are toxic and can lead to oxidative damage in cellular macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and DNA [5].