Iodine, iodolipids, Antioxidants, Cancer & Evolution.

1. Corso di aggiornamento per MMG della AUSL di Rimini
Dr. Sebastiano Venturi
Pennabilli
AUSL-Rimini
Iodine, Iodolipids, Antioxidants,
Cancer & Evolution
Rimini, 16 Febbraio 2013
Lo IODIO
Un vecchio ma valido strumento terapeutico, per oltre un
secolo, nella TBC, arteriosclerosi, artropatie, linfatismo (deficit
immunitari), dermatiti, cataratta, BPCO, alcune tireopatie e come
estratto della tiroide nel cancro della mammella (Beatson,
1896) e nel cancro gastrico (Diesing,1911).

2. “PIANETA DONNA”
DONNA”
14 Febbraio 2013
Iodio
Secondo le ultime ricerche lo iodio avrebbe anche una
importantissima attività antiossidante ma sono necessari ulteriori
studi per comprendere esattamente il suo meccanismo d'azione.
Secondo queste “recenti” acquisizioni lo iodio sarebbe in grado di
proteggere l'organismo dai danni dell‘ ipercolesterolemia
e da molte malattie cardiovascolari :
aterosclerosi ed ipertensione.
Per i soggetti strettamente vegetariani o che non consumano pesce è
consigliata una supplementazione di 200 mcg di iodio al giorno

3. Dec. 25, 2012
More Pregnant, Nursing Women Iodine Deficient, Some Experts Say
A growing number of pregnant and nursing women in the U.S.
have iodine deficiencies,
according to a group of experts who wrote an opinion paper published
in the
Journal of the American Medical Association
JAMA
calling for potassium iodide to be included in all prenatal vitamins.
Iodine deficiency causes low thyroid hormone levels in mothers and can lead to
brain development disorders in babies.

4. JAMA Article
Released: 12/17/2012
Critical Need for Iodine
during Pregnancy and Nursing

5. •
•
Diet and academic performance ... a
national survey of schoolchildren in 2003-04
has confirmed the
re-emergence of iodine deficiency.
Professor of medicine at the University of Sydney,
Cres Eastman
•
The Sydney Morning Herald
January 9, 2013
Students may need more iodine

6. Tuesday 6 November 2012
HEALTH IS WEALTH
Iodine prevent
breast cancer

7. 7 agosto 2013
(ANSA) - ROMA, 7 AGO - 2013.
Una ricerca del Royal Free Hospital di Londra.
Secondo gli studiosi, che hanno notato come
la diminuzione iodio abbia portato a un aumento
dei deficit cognitivi nei bimbi britannici,
:
quello che verrebbe a mancare all'organismo e' una quantita' importante di
iodio, essenziale per la crescita. Una mancanza anche lieve di questo
prezioso minerale in gravidanza, come dimostrano alcune precedenti
ricerche, influisce negativamente sul quoziente intellettivo dei
bambini.
Infine, concludono gli studiosi del Royal Free Hospital, poco iodio potrebbe
essere responsabile anche di tumori al seno

9. Interdisciplinary studies demonstrate that :
Iodide constitutes the first
inorganic antioxidant in a living
system.
- Venturi S, Venturi M. (1999). Iodide, thyroid and stomach carcinogenesis:
evolutionary story of a primitive antioxidant? Eur J Endocrinol;140(4):371.
- Packer, L. (2008). Oxidants and Antioxidants in Biology. XIV Biennial Meeting of the
Society for Free Radical Research International; October 18-22, 2008. Beijing (China).
- Küpper, F.C., Carpenter, L.J., McFiggans, G.B., et al. (2008). "Iodide accumulation
provides kelp with an inorganic antioxidant impacting atmospheric chemistry".
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105
(19): 6954–8.

10. Le prime due reviews della letteratura medica internazionale
su
IODIO e CANCRO MAMMARIO.
Oggi su GOOGLE: 2.520.000 pagine
citano “Venturi S” : 1.390.000
Venturi S.
Is there a role for iodine in breast diseases?
Breast. 2001 Oct;10(5):379-82.
Venturi S, Donati FM, Venturi A, Venturi M, Grossi L, Guidi A.
Role of iodine in evolution and carcinogenesis of
thyroid, breast and stomach.
Adv Clin Path. 2000 Jan;4(1):11-7. Review.

11. Su “PIANETA DONNA”
DONNA”
14 Febbraio 2013
Iodio
Secondo le ultime ricerche lo iodio avrebbe anche
un'importantissima attività antiossidante ma sono necessari
ulteriori studi per comprendere esattamente il suo meccanismo
d'azione.
Secondo queste recenti acquisizioni lo iodio sarebbe in grado di
proteggere l'organismo dai danni dell‘ ipercolesterolemia
e da molte malattie cardiovascolari :
aterosclerosi ed ipertensione.
Per i soggetti strettamente vegetariani o che non consumano pesce è
consigliata una supplementazione di 200 mcg di iodio al giorno

12. In 1883, Kocher observed that atherosclerosis,
frequently appeared following thyroid extirpation
and suggested that hypothyroidism may be
causally associated with atherosclerosis.
In 1930-50’s, potassium iodide has long been used
empirically in patients with arteriosclerosis and
cardiovascular diseases by European physicians,
and Turner reported the efficacy of iodine and
desiccated thyroid in preventing the
development of atherosclerosis in rabbits.

15. L’atomo di iodio (costituito da 53 elettroni e 53 protoni + 74 neutroni)
rappresenta una “cenere nucleare”. Infatti deriva da un processo di
nucleo-sintesi avvenuto più di 10 miliardi di anni fa’ in una stella-
supernova, che esplodendo lo ha disperso nel pulviscolo primordiale che,
circa 5 miliardi di anni fa’, ha formato il nostro pianeta-Terra.

16. Storia del 54° elettrone dello ioduro
• Ioduro 54 elettroni • Iodio 53 elettroni

18. Thermodynamic History of Life = H2O and of first Antioxidant = IODIDE and IODATE
The the iodate anion, IO3−
weight ofKIO3 = 214.00097
Il radicale idrossilico •OH, ha 1 elettrone in meno
Formula weight: 18.015

19. The sea is rich in iodine, about 60 micrograms per liter, since most of the
iodine was removed and washed away from the soil accumulated due to
rains and the glacial ages.

20. Lo iodio “difende” i doppi legami c=c dei PUFAs delle membrane
dallo OSSIGENO e li protegge dalla perossidazione lipidica,
per cui si chiama "Numero di iodio“ il numero di doppi legami.
The Canadian Government has recognized the importance of
DHA omega-3:
"DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, supports the normal
development of the brain, eyes and nerves."
Importante nella evoluzione dell’ Homo Sapiens:
Savana o Litorale?

21. Recently Aceves et al. (2005) reported that the
percentage of radiolabeled iodide in cellular
homogenate of breast tissue is
40 % in lipid fraction,
50 % in protein fraction
and 8 % in nuclear fraction.
Aceves also reported that in mammary gland
homogenates from virgin rats, the addition of iodine
significantly decreases lipoperoxidation measured
by the thiobarbituric acid reaction and expressed as
malondialdehyde (MDA).

22. Human Evolution: Past, Present & Future: Anthropological, Medical & Nutritional Considerations. London, 8-10th May 2013
Iodine, PUFAs and Iodolipids in Health and Diseases: an evolutionary perspective (1)
Sebastiano Venturi - Servizio di Igiene AUSL - Pennabilli (RN), Italy - Phone: 0541 928205 - E-mail: venturi.sebastiano@gmail.com
The structural, metabolic and synergic CHEMISTRY
actions of iodine and polyunsaturated Iodide and T4 trigger the amphibian
fatty acids (PUFAs) are of crucial metamorphosis that transforms Membrane chemistry
About 3.5 billion years ago (BYA) in the
importance for life evolution on the sea, primitive oxygenic and the vegetarian tadpole in an adult
earth and for the “membrane lipid carnivorous frog, with better Phospholipids contain 2 fatty acids one saturated
photosynthetic algae, the basis of the
neurological, visuospatial, olfactory and one unsaturated (shown by the double bond)
language” of the cells (2) (FIG.8) . marine food chain, accumulated iodine And cognitive abilities for hunting, linked to a glycerol.
and selenium as protective trace- as seen in other predatory animals.
Iodide (I-), acts in marine and elements of their fragile membrane Similarly happens in the neotenic
terrestrial organisms as an electron- PUFAs against peroxidation. Fishes do amphibian salamanders, which,without
donor through peroxidase enzymes not produce omega-3 fatty acids but introducing iodine, don’t transform in
and it is the most primitive inorganic only accumulate them by eating algae. terrestrial adult and live and reproduce in
antioxidant in all iodide-concentrating the larval form of aquatic axotolt.
cells from primitive marine algae to In amphibians metamorphosisn environ-
Antioxidant mechanism of iodides:
more recent vertebrates. mental iodine and T4stimulate the
iodide acts as a primitive electron-donor,
spectacular apoptosis (programmed cell
through peroxidase.
death) of the cells of the larval gills, tail and
About 500 million years ago, thyroid
fins trans -forming the aquatic tadpole into
cells (which had their origin in the a “more advanced” terrestrial frog (6).
primitive vertebrate foregut) migrated 2 I- I2 + 2 e- (electrons) = - 0.54 Volt
Fig. 1
and they specialized in the uptake and 2 I- + Peroxidase + H2O2 + 2 Tyrosine
storage of iodo-compounds in the 2 Iodo-Tyrosine + H2O + 2 e-
“membrane lipid language” (FIG.8)
Arachidonic Acid Pathway
thyroid, a new follicular organ.
and Leukotriene, Prostaglandin, Thromboxane Synthesis
At the same time, ectodermic cells
differentiated into neuronal cells and 2 e- + H2O 2 + 2 H+ ( of physiological Fig. 2
water-solution) 2 H 2O
became the primitive nervous system
and brain. (2, 3). and
2 I- + Peroxidase + H 2O 2 + Tyrosine, Histidine,
Both these cells types synthesize Lipids, Carbons Iodo-Compounds + H2O +
iodolipids, as a novel “words” of the 2 e- (antioxidants)
chemical “lipid language” that
developed among cell membranes as Iodocompounds: Iodotyrosine, Iodohistidine, Contrary to the amphibian metamorphosis,
an adaptation to the terrestrial Iodolipids, Iodocarbons in mammals and humans the thyroidectomy and
environment. The study of iodo-lipids iodine deficient hypothyroidism might be
might be a new study area for considered as a sort of metabolic and
IODIDE is the most ancient and the most phylogenetic regression to our antecedent
research on apoptosis, carcinogenesis
powerful natural antioxidant (4, 5). reptile stage.
and degenerative diseases as well as
on the so-called Packer L, 2008 ; Küpper F et al., 2008 ; Venturi S, 2011
Indeed, many symptoms of the hypothyroid
DHA - iodolactone (5-iodo-4-hydroxy-7,10,13,16,19-
humans seem to be reptile-like: dry, hairless, docosapentaenoic acid, gamma-lactone) and
“littoral/waterside/(semi)aquatic In chemistry, the amount of unsaturation scaly, cold skin with a general slowdown of AA – iodolactone (6-iodo-5-hydroxy-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid,
theory of human evolution ”. (double bonds) in PUFAs is called the metabolism, digestion, heart rate, nervous delta-iodolactone).
iodine value or iodine number. reflexes, lethargy and hypothermia (6) (Fig. 2).
Structure of some best known iodolipid molecules
Fig.3. Iodine in Evolution
Over three billion years ago in the primitive sea, blue-green algae were the first living
Prokaryota to produce oxygen and halocarbons (such as CH3I) in the atmosphere, and
also PUFAs in lipid membranes. About 500 million years ago, when the primitive brain
evolved in marine animals, thyroid cells originated from the primitive fore-gut in
vertebrates, migrated and specialized in uptake and storage of iodocompounds in a
novel follicular “thyroidal” structure, as a reservoir for iodine. 350 Mya some
vertebrates evolved into amphibians and reptiles when they colonized the I-deficient
land. In vertebrates, thyroid hormones became active in the metamorphosis
and thermogenesis as an adaptation to the terrestrial environment. (Venturi, 2000).
Figs. 6, 7. Distribution of 131-iodine ( half-life: 8 days) in radioautographies of the body of the rats
after subcutaneous injection of radioiodine. High I-concentration is evident in iodo-compounds and iodo-lipids
of choroid plexus, retina, hypothalamus, gastric mucosa and epidermis, where it is detectable up to 5 days
after injection. (Courtesy of Path Biol. 1961 and Acta Radiol Ther Physics Biology, 1964 )
REFERENCES
1- Venturi S. (2013). Iodine, PUFAs and iodolipids in health and diseases: an evolutionary perspective.
Accepted for publication in Nutrition & Health.
2- Crawford, M. A. (2010). The language of lipids. In: Cunnane S, Stewart K, Eds. Human Brain Evolution,
The Influence of Freshwater and Marine Food Resources. Wiley-Blackwell, NJ, 2010, 13-28.
3- Cunnane, S. (2010). Brain-Selective Nutrients. In: Cunnane S, Stewart K, Eds. Human Brain Evolution,
Figs. 4, 5. Sequence of 123-iodide total-body scintiscans of a woman after intravenous The Influence of Freshwater and Marine Food Resources, Wiley-Blackwell , NJ, 2010: 33-61.
4- Küpper, F.C., Carpenter, L.J., McFiggans, G.B., et al. (2008). "Iodide accumulation provides kelp with an
injection of 123-iodide (half-life: 13 hours); (from left) respectively at 30 minutes, and at 6, 20 and 48 hours. inorganic antioxidant impacting atmospheric chemistry". Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences of the United States of America, 105 (19): 6954–8.
The highest and rapid concentration of radio-iodide is evident in stomach, salivary glands, peri-encephalic liquor, 5- Packer, L. (2008). Oxidants and Antioxidants in Biology. XIV Biennial Meeting of the Society for Free
choroid plexus and oral mucosa. In the thyroid, the iodide-concentration is more progressive, as in a reservoir Radical Research International; October 18-22, 2008. Beijing (China).*
[ from 1% (after 30 minutes) to 5.8 % (after 48 hours) of the total injected dose ]. (Venturi, 2011; Ahn, 2011). 6- Venturi, S. (2011). Evolutionary Significance of Iodine. Current Chem. Biol., 5 ,3 :155-162.

23. Sequence of I-123 total-body scintiscans of a woman after intravenous injection of I-
123 (half-life: 13 hours); (from left) respectively at 30 minutes, and at 6, 20 and 48 hours.
It is evident the highest and rapid concentration of radio-iodide (in white) in gastric
mucosa of the stomach, salivary glands, peri-encephalic liquor and oral mucosa. In
gastric mucosa of the stomach, 131-I (half-life: 8 days) persists in scintiscans for more
than 72 hours. In the thyroid I-concentration is more progressive, as in a reservoir [from
1% (after 30 minutes) to 5.8 % (after 48 hours) of the total injected dose].(Venturi, 2000)

24. Scintiscans that show (white, at left), the significant presence in peri-encephalic liquor
in human brain of 123-radio-iodine at 30 minutes after intravenous injection.

26. • Secondo S. Cunnane (2005)
lo iodio è stato il nutriente cerebrale
più importante, assieme ai PUFA,
nella evoluzione del cervello umano.
• Secondo J. Dobson (1998) la
minore efficienza del NIS e l’ habitat
nell’ entroterra carente di iodio
avrebbero favorito ca. 35.000 anni fa’
la scomparsa dell’ Uomo di
Neanderthal (che ha caratteristiche
osse dei cretini-iportiroidei).
• Secondo L. Cordain (2005) il rapido
sviluppo della agricoltura ca. 10.000
anni fa’ e la conseguente dieta ricca
di amidi e carboidrati avrebbero
favorito lo sviluppo delle malattie
cronico-degenerative attuali su base
carenziale.
Le malattie degenerative sarebbero
state più rare negli uomini
raccoglitori-cacciatori-pescatori
che possedevano un genoma già
adattato alla dieta carnivora e
pescivora da alcuni milioni di anni.

28. Assunzione giornaliera di iodio, secondo la Food and Nutrition Board, Istituto
di Medicina, U.S.A. 2001. Si noti che un apporto di iodio ottimale per la mammella di 6,0
mg è stato riportato da Kessler in Breast J. 2004, 10:328-36

29. Living organisms were confined to the sea-water for more than 3 billion years.
When about 500 million years ago plants and animals began to transfer from the
sea to estuaries, rivers and land, environmental deficiency of antioxidant minerals
(and iodine) was a challenge to the evolution of terrestrial life.

30. Algae contain the highest amount of iodine (1-3 % of dry weight)
and were the first living cells to produce oxygen in the
atmosphere.
About 80% of the Earth's oxygen is now produced by marine
planktonic algae.
Brown algae accumulate iodine more than 30,000-70,000 times
the concentration of this element in seawater.
Algal phytoplankton is the basis of marine food-chain and
acts as a biological accumulator of iodides, selenium (and
n-3 fatty acids).
Therefore, we suggested that algal cells required a protective
antioxidant action, in which iodides, seem to have had this
specific role.

31. When about 500-300 Mya some living plants and animals began
to transfer from the sea to rivers and land,
in marine-fishes, plants and animals the terrestrial diet became
deficient in many essential marine minerals, including iodine,
selenium, etc.
Terrestrial plants, in replacement of marine antioxidants,
optimized the production of other new endogenous
antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, polyfenols, carotenoids,
flavonoids, tocoferols etc., some of which became “essential
vitamins” in the diet of terrestrial animals and humans (as
vitamins C, A, E, etc.)
Chordates (the primitive vertebrates) began to use
the “new” thyroidal follicles, as reservoir of antioxidant iodine.

32. In “Evolution of Dietary Antioxidant Defences” (2007)
we have recently suggested that it possible differentiate
3 chronologic stages:
1) The primitive antioxidants, which are active in seawater from
more than 3.5 billion years.
2) The middle-aged antioxidants ( as ascorbic acid, and some
carotenoids, flavonoids, tocoferols etc.), which are active,
firstly, in estuary-waters from about 500 million years ago.
3) The more recent antioxidants ( as some pigmented
polyfenols, carotenoids, flavonoids,etc.), which appeared,
firstly, in fruits and flowers of Angiosperm Plants from about
200-50 million years ago.

33. In “Evolution of Terrestrial Antioxidants” we have recently suggested
that it possible differentiate 3 chronologic stages.

34. 500 million years ago, new endogenous antioxidants
appeared in plants as ascorbic acid, polyfenols, carotenoids,
flavonoids, etc.
A few of these appeared more recently, about 200-50 million
years ago in fruits and flowers of angiosperm plants.
In the wide range of antioxidants, we hypothesise an
“evolutionary hierarchy”,
where the most ancient antioxidants might be more essential
than the modern ones in the developing stages of animal and
human organisms.
(Venturi, 2007)

35. Bjelakovic G, Nikolova D, Gluud LL, Simonetti RG, Gluud C.
JAMA. 2007 Feb 28;297(8):842-57.
Mortality in randomized trials of antioxidant supplements for primary and
secondary prevention: systematic review and meta-analysis.
The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit
CONTEXT: Antioxidant supplements are used for prevention of several diseases.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of antioxidant supplements on mortality in randomized primary
and secondary prevention trials.
CONCLUSIONS:
Treatment with beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E
may increase mortality.
The potential roles of vitamin C and selenium on mortality
need further study.

36. In terrestrial ( and fresh-water) animals
a new kind of diseases appeared:
mal-nutritional diseases,
as goiter, Keshan's disease,
and probably cancer, atherosclerosis, etc.

37. In iodine-deficient mainland, the two types of animal and plant cells
have followed two different and opposite paths :
the animal cell has used the " thyroid follicle " as reservoir of iodine:

38. On the contrary, plant cells eliminated iodine from its own metabolism and used
"anti-iodine" substances as cyanide, thiocyanate and cyanogenic glycosides (-CN), such as
pesticides for defense against animal cells of parasites and herbivores:
(Meccanismi biochimici dei vegetali terrestri, che hanno eliminato lo iodio dal loro metabolismo ed usano sostanze
gozzigene ad azione “anti-iodio” come di difesa antiparassitaria (cianuri e glicosidi cianogenici) contro la CELLULA
ANIMALE )

39. Evolution of iodine from non-hormonal to hormonal functions
was made in 3 steps:
1) Formation of the thyroidal-follicle as reservoir of iodine.
2) Utilization of the thyroxine as an iodide transporter.
3) The new hormonal action was made possible by the formation
of T3-Receptors (proteins and genes) in the cells of vertebrates.
Firstly, about 500 Mya, in marine chordates, the primitive T3-Rs
with a metamorphosing action appeared.
Then, about 250-200 Mya, in the birds and mammalians, others
more recent T3-Rs with metabolic and thermogenetic actions
were formed.

42. Cultured freshwater salmons showing nutritionally induced spinal
curvature (scoliosis and lordosis) by vitamin C deficiency.
If these fishes are housed in iodine-rich sea-water with algae and marine
phytoplankton, symptoms of vitamin C deficiency improved , probably
because of the presence of other antioxidants in sea-water.

43. Cancerous Lesions in South River Fish
Skin cancer. These catfish from the South River have the highest skin tumor
rate and second highest liver tumor rate."

44. October 7, 1999
“U.S.A. Committee of the House and
Senate regarding Marine Research”
encourages basic research through the study of the
immune system of these marine animals and the
examination of bioactive molecules from shark, skate,
and ray cells and tissues that have the potential to
inhibit disease processes in humans".
In fact, iodine-deficient fresh-water fishes suffer of higher
incidence of infective, parasitic, and in particular of
neoplastic, and atherosclerotic diseases than marine fishes.

45. Various tumors that developed spontaneously in freshwater fishes.
(a,b) thymic lymphoma. (c,d) Adenocarcinoma found in the right gill (e,f) Retinoblastoma in the
right eye (g,h) A germ cell tumor found in the anterior upper part of the peritoneal cavity.
Arrowheads indicate tumors. Note the exophthalmos

46. Iodide and T4 trigger the amphibian metamorphosis that transforms
the vegetarian tadpole in an adult carnivorous frog, with better neurological,
visuospatial, olfactory and cognitive abilities for hunting, as seen in other predatory
animals.
Similarly happens in the neotenic amphibian salamanders, which,without
introducing iodine, don’t transform in terrestrial adult and live and reproduce in the larval
form of aquatic axotolt. In amphibians metamorphosisn environ-mental iodine and
T4stimulate the spectacular apoptosis (programmed cell death) of the cells of the
larval gills, tail and fins transforming the aquatic tadpole into a “more developed”
terrestrial frog.

47. We reported that, on the contrary way to amphibian
metamorphosis, in the mammals
hypothyroidism might be considered like a sort of
phylogenetical and metabolical regression
to a former stage of reptilian life.
In fact, many disorders, similar to reptilian features,
such as a dry, hair-less, scaly, cold skin and a general
slowdown of metabolism, digestion, heart rate, nervous
reflexes with lethargic cerebration, hyperuricemia, and
hypothermia afflict hypothyroid humans.

48. Contrary to the amphibian metamorphosis, in mammals and humans the
thyroidectomy and iodine deficient hypothyroidism might be considered as a sort of
metabolic and phylogenetic regression to our antecedent reptile stage.

50. Iodine
and
Gastric
Carcinogenesis

52. World map of prevalence of iodine-deficient goitre (1920), before iodine-prophylaxis (Ip).
Oblique lines show areas of iodine-deficient endemic goitre before Ip. and
blue areas show chains of mountains: n shows the % of gastric cancer mortality from
all cancers (1977), and (n) shows the % of GC mortality in nations where a satisfactory
iodine intake was been reached. Some coastal regions of Japan and China have iodine-
excess endemic goitre. (from WHO, 1960).

54. The thyroid gland is, embryogenetically and phylogenetically, derived
from primitive stomach, in fact,
Stomach and Thyroid share:
1) Iodine-concentrating ability,
2) cell polarity and apical microvilli,
3) similar organ-specific antigens and associated
autoimmune diseases,
4) secretion of similar mucinous glycoproteins
(thyroglobulin and mucin) and peptide hormones,
5) the digesting and reabsorbing ability and,
6) similar ability to form iodotyrosines by peroxidases.

55. Fig. 7. A sinistra, la mappa italiana della distribuzione provinciale per mortalità da
cancro gastrico (1975-1977, da Cislaghi e al.) è pressoché sovrapponibile alla
mappa dei territori con gozzo a destra

56. Mucosa from hamster’s stomach. Autoradiographs showed selective concentration
of iodide in the cells of surface epithelium and gastric pits of the fundus and
pyloric part of the stomach (in lower part).
In upper part, the correspondent section stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin.
Selective iodide-concentration was not observed in the fore-stomach gastric glands,
duodenum, jejunum, ileum or colon.
(Modified, reproduced with permission from Logothetopoulos and Myant, 1956; Courtesy of J. Physiol.)

58. Different national trends of gastric cancer mortality in relation to the beginning
(arrows) of iodine prophylaxis (Ip.) and to the percentage of the population in which
Ip. is used. Japan and most of Chile and Italy never used iodized salt.
In the USA iodized salt has been used since 1920-30 and is the most iodine-
concentrated (100 mg of potassium iodide per kg).
Canada, Australia and New Zealand show similar trends to the USA, since they have
used similar iodized salt during the same period of time. (Venturi et al. 1993)

59. Gastric cancer mortality trend in Italy compared with the trends of the near
endemic provinces of Cuneo and Aosta (M+F, crude rates).
Only Aosta had carried out iodine-prophylaxis since 1930-35, but it was
interrupted in 1975. After some years, its trend started to reverse and increase.
The same happened in Guatemala after 1976. ( From Venturi et al. 1993).

60. Fig. 7. A sinistra, la mappa italiana della distribuzione provinciale per mortalità da
cancro gastrico (1975-1977, da Cislaghi e al.) è pressoché sovrapponibile alla
mappa dei territori con gozzo, a destra

61. In Italy gastric cancer is more frequent in farmers than
in fishermen, whose diet is richer in iodine.
Comparing the years 1980 to 1995, we found that
Italians, whose gastric cancer mortality has
decreased, have increased their yearly fish
consumption (from 8.7 to 14.4 kg per person),
and decreased their consumptions of fruit
(from 86.6 to 84.9 kg per person) and vegetables (from
111.4 to 108.2 kg per person).

62. Gołkowski F, Szybiński Z, Rachtan J, Sokołowski A, Buziak-
Bereza M, Trofimiuk M, Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Przybylik-
Mazurek E, Huszno B.
Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, Krakow, Poland.
Iodine prophylaxis:
the protective factor against stomach
cancer in iodine deficient areas.
Eur J Nutr. 2007 Aug; 46(5):251-6.

63. Trend of Gastric Cancer Mortality per 100,000 in the city of Urbino (in blue)
(M+F standardized rates), compared with Italian Gastric Cancer Mortality
after iodine- prophylaxis started in 1984.

66. Goiter (thyroid hyperplasia) in fresh-water salmon
When about 400 Mya some animals began to transfer from the sea to rivers and land,
terrestrial diet became deficient in many marine trace-elements (as iodine, selenium, etc.).
In terrestrial iodine-deficient fresh-waters some salmonids suffer of
thyroid hypertrophy or related metabolic disorders.

70. Carenza iodica congenita nell’agnello nato da pecora carente di iodio (sopra), confrontato con
l’agnello normale (sotto). Si notano danni (cerchiati) di alcuni organi iodio-captanti: l’epidermide
con assenza del vello, lesioni osteo-scheletriche, microcefalia con riduzione delle cellule
nervose cerebrali ed inoltre importanti deficit immunitari. Questo quadro è assimilabile a quello
del cretinismo endemico nell’uomo. ( Da Hetzel, modificata )

72. Nutr Health. 2009;20(2):119-34.
Iodine in Evolution of Salivary Glands and in Oral Health
Sebastiano Venturi and Mattia Venturi
Sequence of 123-I total-body scintiscans of a thyroidectomized woman (for thyroid cancer) after
intravenous injection of 123-I; (from left) respectively at 1, 6 and 24 hours. The highest and rapid
concentration of radio-iodide in oral mucosa and salivary glands and in gastric mucosa of the
stomach and urinary I-excretion is evident. Upper right: I-concentration in salivary glands and oral
mucosa after 1 hour. Bottom right: I-concentration in salivary glands and oral mucosa after 24
hours. ( From Venturi, 2000).

73. Iodine, thymus, and immunity.
Venturi S, Venturi M. Nutrition. 2009 Sep;25(9):977-9.
Distribution of I-131 (white) in the abdomen of a pregnant mouse 24h after intravenous injection.
Two fetuses with a high concentration of I-131 in the thyroid gland, thymus, placenta, and gastric
mucosa [6]. The concentration is also high in the milk gland of the mother. (Reproduced with
permission from Acta Radiologica.)

74. Sebastiano Venturi
Pennabilli
La carenza iodica in Romagna
Rimini, 16 Febbraio 2013

75. Fig. 7. A sinistra, la mappa italiana della distribuzione provinciale per mortalità da
cancro gastrico (1975-1977, da Cislaghi e al.) è pressoché sovrapponibile alla
mappa dei territori con gozzo, a destra

76. Dr. Sebastiano Venturi
Corrispondenza tra territori geologici della EMILIA-ROMAGNA soggetti a
maggiore dilavamento (anche dello iodio) e quindi con maggiore franosità ed
aree con maggiore ENDEMIA di GOZZO da carenza iodica (in viola e arancio)

77. La figura n. 4 mostra la correlazione in Romagna tra territori (USL) di montagna e di
pianura affetti da gozzo endemico (in nero e grigio) comparati con la provincia costiera
di Rimini, dove la mortalità per cancro gastrico (G.C.) era minore e c’era una più bassa
prevalenza di gozzo (Venturi, 1985).

78. Nel 1984-85 il dott. Pietro Riva,
allora primario di medicina nucleare nell’ospedale di Cesena, per conto
dell’Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo, svolse una vasta indagine
epidemiologica, su tutti gli scolari dell’entroterra romagnolo
(Forlì, Cesena e Rimini) in cui rilevò una prevalenza di
gozzo nel 30-70% di bambini
con valori medi di ioduria di 57,5 microgrammi/litro.
In particolare nell’entroterra riminese
comprendente anche il comune di Bellaria-Igea arina,
su 2.396 bambini esaminati delle scuole elementari e medie
il gozzo era presente nel 49,8%
con punte di 71,4% nel comune di Saludecio.

79. Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo
Studio della endemia di gozzo in Romagna _ (palpabile) _
Bambini delle scuole elementari e medie (numero)
Dr. Pietro RIVA (IOR- Cesena). Anni: 1984-5
Valle del RUBICONE IODURIE medie (mcg/L)
Valle del SENIO (504 )- GOZZO % 32,3
Mercato Saraceno 58,11
Valle del RABBI (561)- GOZZO 63,3 Sarsina 55,8
Ranchio 37,2
Valle del MONTONE (486)-GOZZO 24,5 S. Piero in Bagno 67,5
Verghereto 56,9
Valle del SAVIO (1119)- GOZZO 44,5 Alfero 63,9
Longiano 101,2
Valle del RUBICONE (927 )-GOZZO 37,4 Sogliano 74,9
Borghi 85,8
Valle del BIDENTE (779 )- GOZZO 43,2 Roncofreddo 78,7
Bassa-ValMarecchia (1797) – GOZZO 44,8 Valle del CONCA
Mondaino 70,1
Montegridolofo 49,8
Alta-ValMarecchia - GOZZO 55,0 Saludecio 40,8
Morciano 57,5
Montefiore Conca 68,4
Valle del CONCA (599 )- GOZZO 60,6
Alta-ValMarecchia - 47,2
Dati in rosso del Venturi – Anni 1980-82

80. In population of Montefeltro, a mountainous and
iodine-deficient in Romagna-Marche regions of
central Italy, in 1970’s, we have reported a
significant high rates of :
1. iodine-deficient endemic goiter
2. cretinism and mental deficit
3. gastric cancer mortality
4. immune-deficiencies
5. oral and dental pathologies
6. cardio-vascular diseases

81. “I Dati della Regione Emilia-Romagna _2011 " per uso- FARMACI
disaggregati per Nucleo di Cure Primarie della AUSL di Rimini",
sembrano confermare la correlazione tra carenza iodica e talune patologie
degenerative croniche ( malattie tiroidee, gastriche, cardiovascolari e
neuropsichiche) delle quali,
nella Alta Valmarecchia, noi, come "NCP Alta Valmarecchia", abbiamo il
triste primato nella media AUSL e nella media REGIONALE:
N.C.P. “Alta Val Marecchia” RIMINI REGIONE E-R
Pat. cardio-vascolari: A. V.M- = 331 _ AUSL= 312 _ RER= 310
Disordini gastrici : A. V.M- = 182 _ AUSL= 151 _ RER= 145
Malattie psichiatriche: A. V.M- = 93 _ AUSL= 70 _ RER= 74
Malattie della TIROIDE : A. V.M- = 71 _ AUSL= 55 _ RER= 63

82. 7 agosto 2012
Lo iodio è importante per combattere problemi di sviluppo cerebrale, infertilita' e
cancro.
La ricerca del Royal Free Hospital di Londra afferma che
:
aumento dei
la diminuzione iodio abbia portato a un
deficit cognitivi nei bimbi britannici,
influendo negativamente sul quoziente intellettivo dei bambini.
Infine, concludono gli studiosi del Royal Free Hospital, poco iodio
potrebbe essere responsabile anche dei tumori al seno.

84. IN CONCLUSIONE,
spero che quando si parlerà di IODIO non si parlerà più solo di
TIRODE, ma anche di altri non meno importanti organi!
GIOPPINO: famosa ed emblematica maschera BERGAMASCA

85. BIBLIOGRAFIA
in
scholar.google.com/citations?
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
in
https://sites.google.com/site/iodinestudies/home