Antioxidants in the treatment of Graves disease

An antioxidant mixture (LAROTABE) was evaluated in the treatment of Graves disease. Fifty-six hyperthyroid patients were treated with methimazol (MMI) (A), LAROTABE (B), or MMI plus LAROTABE (C). According to a clinical score, improvement was obtained at 8 weeks in A and 4 weeks in B and C. Group A diminished their thyroid hormone concentration to normal levels, while patients with LAROTABE did not reduce T-3 and T-4 unless MMI was introduced. Hyperthyroid patients had increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and SOD activity and decreased catalase activity compared to controls. Within group A, MDA decreased to control values while SOD was reduced 38.3% and catalase increased 21.6%. Similar results were obtained for MDA and for both enzymes after treatment with LAROTABE. Signs and symptoms of Graves disease might be related to an increase in free radicals; antioxidants could be a new therapeutic tool to improve the clinical manifestation of this illness.