ABSTRACT
The goitrogenic effect of cabbage in rabbits was first observed by Chesney et al. in 1928 and later confirmed in several laboratories. The main source of such goitrogenic substances appear to be sedimentary rocks rich in organic matter. Thiocyanate and Glucobrassicin—Goitrogenic effect of thiocyanate in rats was found after high or low doses. Growing evidence shows that some waters may contain organic compounds with thionamide-like goitrogenic activity. The thiocyanate formed in the animal organism from sulfur donors and cyanide donors through the enzymatic action of rhodanese may be called endogenous thiocyanate in contrast to exogenous thiocyanate originating from foods. The thiocyanate originating from plants of Brassica family and playing a special role in acute changes of the level of this ion in blood and urine has been called exogenous preformed thiocyanate. The plasma thiocyanate level was found to be significantly increased in rats after a long-term or single administration of allylisothiocyanate, but not after methylisothio-cyanate.
