Reproduction of rat models of iodine deficiency and iodine excess and the observation on their iodine metabolism

Objective To reproduce animal models of iodine excess(HI) and iodin e deficiency(LI) compared with iodine adequate group(NI) and to observe their io dine metabolism. Methods Wistar stain rats were fed with diet of different level s of 5,10,50,100 folds of adequate iodine (potassium iodide) as iodine excess gr oups(5?10?50?100 HI). The animals were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 12 months later af ter intervention and their iodine metabolism were observed. Results Physical ret ardation, lower urinary iodine and iodine content in the thyroid glands were rev ealed in LI group compared with NI group. The iodine excess groups showed signi ficantly high urinary iodine, parallel to the iodine intake, however increased i odine content in thyroid tissues within 2 folds of iodine of NI group is not par allel to the iodine intake. Conclusions The experimental animal models of iodine deficiency and iodine excess are successful. Wistar rats with an excess of a lo ng term iodine intake demonstrate a strong tolerance to iodine excess through th e adaptation mechanism.