# Iodoquinoline-Biofortified Lettuce as a Safe and Bioavailable Dietary Iodine Source: In Vivo Study in Rats

## TL;DR

This study shows that iodine-fortified lettuce is a safe and effective dietary source of iodine in rats, with no harmful effects and better absorption than traditional iodine sources.

## Contribution

The first in vivo study demonstrating the safety and bioavailability of iodine from iodoquinoline-biofortified lettuce in rats.

## Key findings

- Iodoquinoline-fortified lettuce at adequate iodine levels had no significant impact on thyroid hormones or gene expression in rats.
- Supranutritional iodine intake from iodoquinolines did not cause liver toxicity and maintained hormone levels within physiological ranges.
- Iodoquinolines showed better iodine bioavailability and thyroid hormone synthesis efficiency compared to potassium iodate.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Iodine plays a key role in thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolic regulation in vertebrates. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo bioavailability of iodine and assess selected biochemical parameters and thyroid-related gene expression in male Wistar rats fed lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) biofortified with iodoquinolines (8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic acid or 5,7-diiodo-8-quinolinol) or potassium iodate. Methods: Two iodine intake levels were applied, a nutritionally adequate iodine level and a supranutritional level, to evaluate the nutritional safety of iodine obtained from biofortified vegetables. Results: A diet containing lettuce biofortified with iodoquinolines at the adequate level had no significant effect on thyroid hormone concentrations, the expression of Dio1, Dio2, Slc5a5, and Tpo genes, or thyroid morphology. While supranutritional iodine intake led to increased levels of T4, fT4, T3, and fT3, all hormone concentrations remained within the physiological range. No elevation in liver enzyme activity (ALT, AST, ALP) was observed, indicating the absence of hepatotoxic effects from high-iodine diets based on biofortified lettuce. Compared to potassium iodate, iodoquinolines demonstrated superior bioavailability, as evidenced by enhanced iodine accumulation in tissues and more efficient thyroid hormone synthesis. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in vivo nutritional study assessing the physiological effects of supranutritional iodine intake from a biofortified plant source. These findings confirm the nutritional safety and efficacy of iodine biofortification using iodoquinolines and highlight the need for further research, including human nutritional clinical trials.