A potential role of activated NF-kappa B in the pathogenesis of euthyroid sick syndrome.
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Euthyroid sick syndrome, characterized by low serum 3,5, 3'-triiodothyronine (T(3)) with normal L-thyroxine levels, is associated with a wide variety of disorders including sepsis, malignancy, and AIDS. The degree of low T(3) in circulation has been shown to correlate with the severity of the underlying disorders and with the prognosis. Elevated TNF-alpha levels, which accompany severe illness, are associated with decreased activity of type I 5'-deiodinase (5'-DI) in liver, leading us to speculate that high levels of this factor contribute to euthyroid sick syndrome. Here we demonstrate that the activation of NF-kappa B by TNF-alpha interferes with thyroid-hormone action as demonstrated by impairment of T(3)-dependent induction of 5'-DI gene expression in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of NF-kappa B action by a dominant-negative NF-kappa B reversed this effect and allowed T(3) induction of 5'-DI. Furthermore, we show that an inhibitor of NF-kappa B activation, clarithromycin (CAM), can inhibit TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappa B and restore T(3)-dependent induction of 5'-DI mRNA and enzyme activity. These results suggest that NF-kappa B activation by TNF-alpha is involved in the pathogenesis of euthyroid sick syndrome and that CAM could help prevent a decrease in serum T(3) levels and thus ameliorate euthyroid sick syndrome. (+info)
Structure-expression relationships of the 15-kDa selenoprotein gene. Possible role of the protein in cancer etiology.
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Selenium has been implicated in cancer prevention, but the mechanism and possible involvement of selenoproteins in this process are not understood. To elucidate whether the 15-kDa selenoprotein may play a role in cancer etiology, the complete sequence of the human 15-kDa protein gene was determined, and various characteristics associated with expression of the protein were examined in normal and malignant cells and tissues. The 51-kilobase pair gene for the 15-kDa selenoprotein consisted of five exons and four introns and was localized on chromosome 1p31, a genetic locus commonly mutated or deleted in human cancers. Two stem-loop structures resembling selenocysteine insertion sequence elements were identified in the 3'-untranslated region of the gene, and only one of these was functional. Two alleles in the human 15-kDa protein gene were identified that differed by two single nucleotide polymorphic sites that occurred within the selenocysteine insertion sequence-like structures. These 3'-untranslated region polymorphisms resulted in changes in selenocysteine incorporation into protein and responded differently to selenium supplementation. Human and mouse 15-kDa selenoprotein genes manifested the highest level of expression in prostate, liver, kidney, testis, and brain, and the level of the selenoprotein was reduced substantially in a malignant prostate cell line and in hepatocarcinoma. The expression pattern of the 15-kDa protein in normal and malignant tissues, the occurrence of polymorphisms associated with protein expression, the role of selenium in differential regulation of polymorphisms, and the chromosomal location of the gene may be relevant to a role of this protein in cancer. (+info)
Altered chicken thyroid hormone metabolism with chronic GH enhancement in vivo: consequences for skeletal muscle growth.
(51/847)
In contrast to most vertebrates, GH reportedly has no effect upon somatic growth of the chicken. However, previous studies employed only one to two dosages of the hormone, and limited evidence exists of a hyperthyroid response that may confound its anabolic potential. This study evaluated the effects of 0, 10, 50, 100 and 200 microgram/kg body weight per day chicken GH (cGH) (0-200 GH) infused i.v. for 7 days in a pulsatile pattern to immature, growing broiler chickens (9-10 birds/dosage). Comprehensive profiles of thyroid hormone metabolism and measures of somatic growth were obtained. Overall (average) body weight gain was reduced 25% by GH, with a curvilinear, dose-dependent decrease in skeletal (breast) muscle mass that was maximal (12%) at 100 GH. This profile mirrored GH dose-dependent decreases in hepatic type III deiodinase (DIII) activity and increases in plasma tri-iodothyronine (T(3)), with bot! h also maximal (74 and 108% respectively) at 100 GH. No effect on type I deiodinase was observed. At the maximally effective dosage, hepatic DIII gene expression was reduced 44% versus controls. Despite dose-dependent, fold-increases in hepatic IGF-I protein content, circulating IGF-I was not altered with GH infusion, suggesting impairment of hepatic IGF-I release. Significant, GH dose-dependent increases in plasma non-esterified fatty acid and glucose, and overall decreases in triacylglycerides were also observed. At 200 GH, feed intake was significantly reduced (19%; P<0.05) versus controls; however, additional control birds pair-fed to this level did not exhibit any responses observed for GH-treated birds. The results of this study support a pathway by which GH impacts on thyroid hormone metabolism beginning at a pretranslational level, with reduced hepatic DIII gene expression, translating to reduced protein (enzyme) ex! pression, and reflected in a reduced level of peripheral T(3)-degrading activity. This contributes to decreased conversion of T(3) to its inactive form, thereby elevating circulating T(3) levels. The hyper-T(3) state leads to reduced net skeletal muscle deposition, and may impair release of GH-enhanced, hepatic IGF-I. In conclusion, GH has significant biological effects in the chicken, but profound metabolic actions predominate that may confound positive, IGF-I-mediated skeletal muscle growth. (+info)
Regulation of hepatocyte thyroxine 5'-deiodinase by T3 and nuclear receptor coactivators as a model of the sick euthyroid syndrome.
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The syndrome of nonthyroidal illness, also known as the sick euthyroid syndrome, is characterized by a low plasma T3 and an "inappropriately normal" plasma thyrotropin in the absence of intrinsic disease of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. The syndrome is due in part to decreased activity of type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase (5' D-I), the hepatic enzyme that converts thyroxine to T3 and that is induced at the transcriptional level by T3. The hypothesis tested is that cytokines decrease T3 induction of 5' D-I, resulting in decreased T3 production and hence a further decrease in 5' D-I. The proposed mechanism is competition for limiting amounts of nuclear receptor coactivators between the 5' D-I promoter and the promoters of cytokine-induced genes. Using primary cultures of rat hepatocytes, we demonstrate that interleukins 1 and 6 inhibit the T3 induction of 5' D-I RNA and enzyme activity. This effect is at the level of transcription and can be partially overcome by exogenous steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1). The physical mass of endogenous SRC-1 is not affected by cytokine exposure, and exogenous SRC-1 does not affect 5' D-I in the absence of cytokines. The data support the hypothesis that cytokine-induced competition for limiting amounts of coactivators decreases hepatic 5' D-I expression, contributing to the etiology of the sick euthyroid syndrome. (+info)
Possible activation of auto-immune thyroiditis from continuous subcutaneous infusion of genapol-containing insulin.
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A case of a type 1 diabetic woman with auto-immune thyroiditis is reported, in whom repeated exposure to insulin containing Genapol(R) (polyethylen-polypropylenglycol) over 3 years reproducibly parallels with an increase of serum TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) above the normal limit. Previously, adverse effects of Genapol(R) insulin have been related to its intraperitoneal application, and thought to be restricted to anti-insulin-immunity; activating effects on thyroid auto-immunity have been repeatedly disputed. We suggest that Genapol(R) insulin should be replaced by other insulin preparations with a better safety record. (+info)
Characterization of the subunit structure of the catalytically active type I iodothyronine deiodinase.
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Type I iodothyronine deiodinase is a approximately 50-kDa, integral membrane protein that catalyzes the outer ring deiodination of thyroxine. Despite the identification and cloning of a 27-kDa selenoprotein with the catalytic properties of the type I enzyme, the composition and the physical nature of the active deiodinase are unknown. In this report, we use a molecular approach to determine holoenzyme composition, the role of the membrane anchor on enzyme assembly, and the contribution of individual 27-kDa subunits to catalysis. Overexpression of an immunologically unique rat 27-kDa protein in LLC-PK1 cells that contain abundant catalytically active 27-kDa selenoprotein decreased deiodination by approximately 50%, and > 95% of the LLC-PK1 derived 27-kDa selenoprotein was specifically immune precipitated by the anti-rat enzyme antibody. The hybrid enzyme had a molecular mass of 54 kDa and an s(20,w) of approximately 3.5 S indicating that every native 27-kDa selenoprotein partnered with an inert rat 27-kDa subunit in a homodimer. Enzyme assembly did not depend on the presence of the N-terminal membrane anchor of the 27-kDa subunit. Direct visualization of the deiodinase dimer showed that the holoenzyme was sorted to the basolateral plasma membrane of the renal epithelial cell. (+info)
Pax8 has a key role in thyroid cell differentiation.
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Transformation of rat thyroid cells with polyoma virus middle T antigen results in loss of the thyroid-differentiated phenotype, measured as the expression of the thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroperoxidase (TPO), and sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) genes. Among the transcription factors involved in the regulation of these genes, TTF-1 and TTF-2 were still detected at nearly wild-type levels, while a specific loss of the paired domain transcription factor Pax8 was observed. In this study, we used the PCPy cell line as a model system to study the role of Pax8 in thyroid differentiation. We demonstrate that the reintroduction of Pax8 in PCPy cells is sufficient to activate expression of the endogenous genes encoding thyroglobulin, thyroperoxidase, and sodium/iodide symporter. Thus, this cell system provides direct evidence for the ability of Pax8 to activate transcription of thyroid-specific genes at their chromosomal locus and strongly suggests a fundamental role of this transcription factor in the maintenance of functional differentiation in thyroid cells. Moreover, we show that Pax8 and TTF-1 cooperate in the activation of the thyroglobulin promoter and that additional thyroid-specific mechanism(s) are involved in such a cooperation. To identify the Pax8 domain able to mediate the specific activation of the thyroglobulin promoter, we transfected in PCPy cells three different Pax8 isoforms. The results of such experiments indicate that for the transcriptional activation of thyroid-specific genes, Pax8 uses an as yet unidentified functional domain. (+info)
Prevalence of thyroid disease, thyroid dysfunction and thyroid peroxidase antibodies in a large, unselected population. The Health Study of Nord-Trondelag (HUNT).
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OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of thyroid disease and dysfunction including thyroid autoimmunity in Norway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All inhabitants 20 years and older (94009) in Nord-Trondelag were invited to participate in a health survey with a questionnaire and blood samples. RESULTS: The prevalence of former diagnosed hyperthyroidism was 2.5% in females and 0.6% in males, hypothyroidism 4.8% and 0.9%, and goitre 2.9% and 0.4% respectively. In both sexes the prevalence increased with age. In individuals without a history of thyroid disease the median, 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles for TSH (mU/l) were 1.80 and 0.49-5.70 for females and 1. 50 and 0.56-4.60 for males. The TSH values increased with age. When excluding individuals with positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) (>200U/ml), the 97.5 percentiles dropped to 3.60 mU/l and 3. 40 mU/l respectively. The prevalence of pathological TSH values in females and males were TSH >/=10mU/l 0.90% and 0.37%; TSH 4.1-9. 9mU/l 5.1% and 3.7%; and TSH200U/ml) was 13.9% in females and 2.8% in males. In females the lowest percentage (7.9%) of positive TPOAb was seen with TSH 0.2-1.9mU/l and increased both with lower and higher levels of TSH. The percentage of males with positive TPOAb was lower than in females in all TSH groups except for those with TSH>10mU/l (85% TPOAb positive). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of a high prevalence of recognised thyroid disease in the population a considerable number of inhabitants have undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction and also positive TPOAb. (+info)