Occupational noise exposure and thyroid health: The role of oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT/Foxo3 signaling.

Mohammed, Rateba Said; Ramadan, Mona Abdallah; Abdelgwad, Marwa Mohamed; Khalifa, Eman Mahmoud · J Occup Environ Med · 2026

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Abstract

The study investigated thyroid function, oxidative stress and PI3K/AKT/FoxO3 pathway in employees occupationally exposed to a noise. Environmental noise levels were measured along with assessment of Serum levels of T3, T4, TSH, MDA, and TAC and gene expression of NOXO3, PI3K, AKT, and FoxO3. The mean noise level was 90.50 ± 4.43 dB. The serum levels of MDA and TSH were statistically higher, while TAC, T3, and T4 were lower among noise-exposed workers. PI3K and AKT were downregulated in noise-exposed workers, whereas FoxO3 and NOXO3 were upregulated, with a significant correlation between them. The noise-exposed workers had thyroid dysfunction issues linked to high oxidative stress. Downregulation of PI3K and AKT and upregulation of FoxO3 might reflect a cellular defense against oxidative stress. Collectively, noise should be considered as a systemic health risk.