open access

Vol 25, No 1 (2022)
Research paper
Submitted: 2021-08-13
Accepted: 2021-11-30
Published online: 2022-01-27
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The efficacy of melatonin against radiotoxicity of iodine-131 and its response to treatment in hyperthyroid patients: a randomized controlled trial

Soudabe Alidadi12, Ali Shabestani Monfared3, Mehrangiz Amiri4, Ebrahim Zabihi2, Ehsan Assadollahi2, Amir Gholami4, Zoleika Moazezi5, Zeinab Abedian2
·
Pubmed: 35137935
·
Nucl. Med. Rev 2022;25(1):31-36.
Affiliations
  1. Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran
  2. Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran
  3. Cancer Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran
  4. Department of Radiology and Radiotherapy, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran
  5. Department of Endocrinology, Rohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

open access

Vol 25, No 1 (2022)
Original articles
Submitted: 2021-08-13
Accepted: 2021-11-30
Published online: 2022-01-27

Abstract

Background: Since melatonin is a non-toxic compound with proven radioprotective effects, we aimed to investigate its efficacy in an in-vivo setting in hyperthyroid patients who are treated with iodine-131. This double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on hyperthyroid patients referred to nuclear medicine centers in Babol, Iran. We excluded patients suffering from hypertension treated with warfarin, autoimmune diseases, genetic diseases, cancers, smokers, chemical wounded, radiology and radiotherapy workers, and those who were treated with chemotherapy agents. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a capsule containing 300 mg of melatonin powder or a placebo. Just before receiving iodine-131, blood samples were taken from individuals. All 52 female patients received 10 to 20 mCi iodine-131 for treating hyperthyroidism. A second blood sample was taken one hour after the administration of iodine-131. Material and methods: To determine the chromosomal damages before and after receiving radioiodine, we performed the cytokinesis- block micronucleus assay. Also, at phase 2, 6 months follow-up was performed, in which patients’ positive responses to treatment were compared. Results: The findings of this study indicate that the difference in micronucleus formation between the placebo and melatonin groups is not significant. However, a significant difference in the 6 months follow-up revealed that 61.5% and 85.7% of patients had a positive response to treatment in the placebo and melatonin groups, respectively. Conclusions: As one of the first studies dealing with the human in-vivo assessment on the radioprotective effects of melatonin, it was concluded that melatonin has a non-significant positive impact on reducing the rate of chromosomal damages in hyperthyroid patients treated with iodine-131. Nevertheless, the outcome of treatment was significantly higher by melatonin compared to the placebo group.

Abstract

Background: Since melatonin is a non-toxic compound with proven radioprotective effects, we aimed to investigate its efficacy in an in-vivo setting in hyperthyroid patients who are treated with iodine-131. This double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on hyperthyroid patients referred to nuclear medicine centers in Babol, Iran. We excluded patients suffering from hypertension treated with warfarin, autoimmune diseases, genetic diseases, cancers, smokers, chemical wounded, radiology and radiotherapy workers, and those who were treated with chemotherapy agents. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a capsule containing 300 mg of melatonin powder or a placebo. Just before receiving iodine-131, blood samples were taken from individuals. All 52 female patients received 10 to 20 mCi iodine-131 for treating hyperthyroidism. A second blood sample was taken one hour after the administration of iodine-131. Material and methods: To determine the chromosomal damages before and after receiving radioiodine, we performed the cytokinesis- block micronucleus assay. Also, at phase 2, 6 months follow-up was performed, in which patients’ positive responses to treatment were compared. Results: The findings of this study indicate that the difference in micronucleus formation between the placebo and melatonin groups is not significant. However, a significant difference in the 6 months follow-up revealed that 61.5% and 85.7% of patients had a positive response to treatment in the placebo and melatonin groups, respectively. Conclusions: As one of the first studies dealing with the human in-vivo assessment on the radioprotective effects of melatonin, it was concluded that melatonin has a non-significant positive impact on reducing the rate of chromosomal damages in hyperthyroid patients treated with iodine-131. Nevertheless, the outcome of treatment was significantly higher by melatonin compared to the placebo group.

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Keywords

hyperthyroidism; melatonin; radiation

About this article
Title

The efficacy of melatonin against radiotoxicity of iodine-131 and its response to treatment in hyperthyroid patients: a randomized controlled trial

Journal

Nuclear Medicine Review

Issue

Vol 25, No 1 (2022)

Article type

Research paper

Pages

31-36

Published online

2022-01-27

Page views

6330

Article views/downloads

896

DOI

10.5603/NMR.a2022.0007

Pubmed

35137935

Bibliographic record

Nucl. Med. Rev 2022;25(1):31-36.

Keywords

hyperthyroidism
melatonin
radiation

Authors

Soudabe Alidadi
Ali Shabestani Monfared
Mehrangiz Amiri
Ebrahim Zabihi
Ehsan Assadollahi
Amir Gholami
Zoleika Moazezi
Zeinab Abedian

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