The effect and mechanism of excessive iodine on the endothelial function of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Abstract Iodine excess (IE) can cause thyroid dysfunction, thyroid diseases can adversely affect cardiovascular function. Accordingly, this study was to explore the direct and indirect effects of IE on endothelial function. Nthy‐ori 3‐1 and HUVECs cells were treated with potassium iodide (KI). CCK‐8, LDH leakage, Elisa, RT‐PCR and Western blotting were used to detect relevant indicators. Results showed that a certain level of KI can directly and indirectly reduce the viability of HUVECs and increase cytotoxicity. KI decreased the expression of ET‐1 and VWF in HUVECs, inhibited the secretion of ET‐1 in culture medium, and increased the expression of IL‐6 and TNFα in HUVECs or Nthy‐ori 3‐1 cells alone. In the co‐culture system, KI decreased the expression of ET‐1 and THBD and increased the expression of TNFα and IL‐6. Collectively, IE can directly and indirectly inhibit endothelial function of endothelial cells, which may be related to its induced inflammatory response.