Eventual study of ultraviolet B radiation and their peril on thyroid gland of female Wistar rat

Background : The present study was carried out to estimate the effect of Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation on the thyroid gland of female Wistar rats. Materials and Methods : Female rat (n=24) of 12-16 weeks with body weight of 130-150gm were housed in standard cages, fed sterilized food and water ad libitum. Animals were divided into four groups. Ist group was control, IInd group was exposed to 280 nm of UVB radiation for 2 h/day. IIIrd group was exposed to 280 nm of UVB radiation for 2 h/day and 25 mg/kg body weight curcumin orally. IVth group was given 25 mg/kg body weight curcumin orally. All treatments last for 15 days. Results : The results showed that UVB radiation decreased body and thyroid gland weight. However at the same time increased T3, T4, FT3, and FT4 levels (p<0.01: p<0.001; p<0.05) and decreased the level of TSH (p<0.001) significantly. Histologically, UVB radiation-damaged follicular cells and disappeared colloid fluid, and decreased follicle diameter significantly (p<0.01). Conclusion : It is concluded that UVB radiation generates imbalance in thyroid hormones and induced hyperthyroidism on female Wistar rat and curcumin play protective role in hyperthyroidism against UVB radiation.