In this study, for the first time, we evaluated the effect of lettuce biofortified with iodine
on iodine content in various tissues and selected biochemical parameters in the serum of
Wistar rats. Significantly higher concentrations of iodine were measured in urine, faeces,
hearts, and kidneys of rats fed the control diet (C diet) and the diet containing biofortified
lettuce (BFL) compared to rats fed a diet containing non fortified-control lettuce or a diet
with a lower level of iodine (equal to the content in control lettuce). Significantly higher
concentrations of iodine were measured in the liver and femoral muscle of rats fed the BFL
diet compared to the other experimental groups. Thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating
hormone, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and selected genes’ mRNA
activities were not affected by the presence of biofortified lettuce in the diet compared to
the control group. Biofortified lettuce may be considered as a potential source of iodine in
the prevention of deficiency of this trace element.