Evidence suggesting that cadmium induces a non-thyroidal illness syndrome in the rat.

The effect of in vivo administration of cadmium chloride on the pituitary-thyroidal axis was assessed in 200 g body weight Wistar rats. A dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight was injected i.v. 24 h before the experiments were initiated. Plasma thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) concentrations in cadmium-treated rats were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased, whereas plasma TSH failed to increase in response to low T4 and T3. However, the TSH response to TRH and the pituitary content of TSH in these rats were both normal. Cadmium induced a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in 4-h thyroidal 131I uptake and in thyroid/plasma radioactivity ratio. The in vitro conversion of T4 to T3 in the pituitary was significantly (P < 0.01) blocked by cadmium whereas there was no in vivo effect. Parameters of peripheral T4 kinetics in cadmium-treated rats, such as metabolic clearance rate (P < 0.01), fractional turnover rate (P < 0.01), absolute disposal rate (P < 0.05), urinary clearance (P < 0.05) and faecal clearance (P < 0.05), were all decreased by cadmium. The lack of response of TSH to low plasma T4 and T3 and the normal response to exogenous TRH in this and in other non-thyroidal illness syndromes produced by other pathologies suggest a decreased stimulation of pituitary thyrotrophs by endogenous TRH.

Relative roles of the thyroid hormones and noradrenaline on the thermogenic activity of brown adipose tissue in the rat.

We have assessed the relative contribution of the thyroid hormones and noradrenaline (NA) on the calorigenic function of brown adipose tissue (BAT) as indicated by GDP binding and O2 consumption of BAT mitochondria. Male Wistar rats of 200 g body weight were made hypothyroid with 131I. Groups of animals were injected s.c., in divided doses, daily for 10 days, with thyroxine (2 micrograms/100 g body weight) or tri-iodothyronine (T3; 0.3 microgram/100 g body weight). Animals were used 7 days after bilateral or unilateral sympathetic nerve excision of BAT (Sx). Sham-operated rats were used as controls. In normal rats kept at 22 degrees C, GDP binding reached 94 +/- 24 pmol/mg protein; untreated hypothyroid rats had normal binding values whereas the T3-treated group showed an increased binding. Sx induced a sharp fall in the three groups (P < 0.01). After 24-h exposure to 4 degrees C GDP binding increased in normal rats to about 410% (P < 0.01) whereas binding failed to increase in response to cold in the untreated hypothyroid and the T3-treated groups. Sx reduced GDP binding in the three groups significantly (P < 0.01). The consumption of O2 by BAT mitochondria showed similar variations in response to Sx and to cold exposure as did GDP binding. The data indicated that, at room temperature, BAT calorigenesis can function without the thyroid hormones, though not without the catecholamines. The findings in rats exposed to cold showed that the lack of NA was significantly more effective than the lack of thyroid hormones in preventing the BAT hyperactive response. This does not negate an active role for T3 in BAT calorigenesis.

Changes induced by zinc on thyroxine deiodination by rat liver in vivo and in vitro.

The effects of in vivo administration or in vitro addition of zinc on 5'-deiodination of thyroxine (T4) and the concentration of nonprotein sulfhydryl groups (NPSH) in rat liver were studied in 200-240 g body weight male Wistar rats. Twelve rats were injected i.p. with zinc sulphate 2 mg/kg body weight 24 h before the experiments were started. Animals were killed by cervical dislocation and the liver was immediately removed and homogenized. Dithiothreitol (DTT) (0, 2.5, 5 or 10 mM, final concentration) and 1 microCi 125I-T4 were added to homogenates. For the in vitro studies, animals were killed by cervical dislocation and the liver removed and added zinc or cadmium (2.5 or 5 mM) plus DTT and labelled T4. Homogenates were incubated for 90 min at 37 degrees C and thereafter chromatographed in Whatman 1 paper. Zinc-injected rats had a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in T4 deiodination and in the generation of iodine (P < 0.02) and T3 (P < 0.05). In the in vitro studies, both zinc and cadmium reduced (P < 0.02) the deiodination of T4, and the generation of iodine (P < 0.02) for zinc and P < 0.05 for cadmium) as well as the generation of T3 (p < 0.05). The NPSH in zinc-injected rats were within normal levels. Serum T4 and T3 in zinc-treated rats were normal, whereas in cadmium-treated rats were both significantly decreased (P < 0.01 for T4 and P < 0.02 for T3). The data indicate that zinc blocks the activity of liver 5'-deiodinase through a mechanism probably related to its binding to the sulfhydryl groups of the enzyme.

Changes induced by zinc on thyroxine deiodination by rat liver in vivo and in vitro

Se estudió el efecto de la administración in vivo o del agregado in vitro de zinc sobre la deiodinación 5'de la tiroxina (T4) por el hígado de rata y sobre la concentración hepática de grupos sulfhidrilos libres (NPSH). Se usaron ratas Wistar macho de 200-240g de peso corporal. A un grupo de 12 ratas se les inyectó i.p. sulfato de zinc 2mg/Kg de peso, 24h antes de iniciar el estudio. Se sacrificaron los animales por dislocación cervical y el hígado fue inmediatamente homogeneizado. Se agregó a los homogenatos dithithreitol (DTT) (0,2.5,5 o 10mM concentración final) y 1µCi de 125I-T4. Para los estudios in vitro en animales sin tratar, se agregó al homogenato de hígado sulfato de zinc o cloruro de cadmio (2.5 o 5mM) más DTT y T4 marcada. Todos los homogenatos fueron incubados durante 90 min a 37ºC y luego cromatografiados en papel Whatman 1. Las ratas inyectadas con zinc tuvieron una disminución significativa (p<0.01) de la deiodinación de T4, de la producción de 125 iodo (P<0.02) y de triiodotironina (T3) (P<0.05). En los estudios in vitro, el agregado de zinc o cadmio disminuyó significativamente la degradación de T4 (P<0.02) y la producción de iodo (P<0.02 para el zinc y P<0.05 para el cadmio) y de T3 (P<0.05). La concentración hepática de NPSH en los animales inyectados con zinc fue normal. La concentración sérica de T4 y T3 en los animales inyectados con zinc fue normal pero en los inyectados con cadmio se redujo significativamente (P<0.01 para T4 y P<0.02 para T3). Los resultados indican que el zinc inhibe la actividad de la 5'-deioidnasa hepática, por um mecanismo probablemente relacionado con la unión del metal a los grupos sulfhidrilos de la enzima

Changes induced by zinc on thyroxine deiodination by rat liver in vivo and in vitro

Se estudió el efecto de la administración in vivo o del agregado in vitro de zinc sobre la deiodinación 5de la tiroxina (T4) por el hígado de rata y sobre la concentración hepática de grupos sulfhidrilos libres (NPSH). Se usaron ratas Wistar macho de 200-240g de peso corporal. A un grupo de 12 ratas se les inyectó i.p. sulfato de zinc 2mg/Kg de peso, 24h antes de iniciar el estudio. Se sacrificaron los animales por dislocación cervical y el hígado fue inmediatamente homogeneizado. Se agregó a los homogenatos dithithreitol (DTT) (0,2.5,5 o 10mM concentración final) y 1ACi de 125I-T4. Para los estudios in vitro en animales sin tratar, se agregó al homogenato de hígado sulfato de zinc o cloruro de cadmio (2.5 o 5mM) más DTT y T4 marcada. Todos los homogenatos fueron incubados durante 90 min a 37ºC y luego cromatografiados en papel Whatman 1. Las ratas inyectadas con zinc tuvieron una disminución significativa (p<0.01) de la deiodinación de T4, de la producción de 125 iodo (P<0.02) y de triiodotironina (T3) (P<0.05). En los estudios in vitro, el agregado de zinc o cadmio disminuyó significativamente la degradación de T4 (P<0.02) y la producción de iodo (P<0.02 para el zinc y P<0.05 para el cadmio) y de T3 (P<0.05). La concentración hepática de NPSH en los animales inyectados con zinc fue normal. La concentración sérica de T4 y T3 en los animales inyectados con zinc fue normal pero en los inyectados con cadmio se redujo significativamente (P<0.01 para T4 y P<0.02 para T3). Los resultados indican que el zinc inhibe la actividad de la 5-deioidnasa hepática, por um mecanismo probablemente relacionado con la unión del metal a los grupos sulfhidrilos de la enzima (AU)

Changes induced by zinc on thyroxine deiodination by rat liver in vivo and in vitro.

The effects of in vivo administration or in vitro addition of zinc on 5-deiodination of thyroxine (T4) and the concentration of nonprotein sulfhydryl groups (NPSH) in rat liver were studied in 200-240 g body weight male Wistar rats. Twelve rats were injected i.p. with zinc sulphate 2 mg/kg body weight 24 h before the experiments were started. Animals were killed by cervical dislocation and the liver was immediately removed and homogenized. Dithiothreitol (DTT) (0, 2.5, 5 or 10 mM, final concentration) and 1 microCi 125I-T4 were added to homogenates. For the in vitro studies, animals were killed by cervical dislocation and the liver removed and added zinc or cadmium (2.5 or 5 mM) plus DTT and labelled T4. Homogenates were incubated for 90 min at 37 degrees C and thereafter chromatographed in Whatman 1 paper. Zinc-injected rats had a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in T4 deiodination and in the generation of iodine (P < 0.02) and T3 (P < 0.05). In the in vitro studies, both zinc and cadmium reduced (P < 0.02) the deiodination of T4, and the generation of iodine (P < 0.02) for zinc and P < 0.05 for cadmium) as well as the generation of T3 (p < 0.05). The NPSH in zinc-injected rats were within normal levels. Serum T4 and T3 in zinc-treated rats were normal, whereas in cadmium-treated rats were both significantly decreased (P < 0.01 for T4 and P < 0.02 for T3). The data indicate that zinc blocks the activity of liver 5-deiodinase through a mechanism probably related to its binding to the sulfhydryl groups of the enzyme.

Multicompartmental analysis of triiodothyronine kinetics in hypothyroid patients treated orally or intravenously with triiodothyronine.

Kinetic studies were performed with i.v. 125I T3 in four athyreotic women on two occasions each, once while they were taking oral T3 (30 micrograms T3 every 12 h) and again while on i.v. T3 replacement (same dosage schedule). The kinetic data were analyzed by a 7-compartment model, representing the plasma volume, the fast and slow peripheral exchange compartments, the iodide pool (as a delay compartment prior to appearance in the urine), the intestine (as a delay compartment before appearance in the feces), and the urine and feces. Modeling was done by the SAAM methodology. All data sets, and also the mean data treated as though they were data from a single subject, were fitted for the two limit solutions in which all metabolism was assumed to be in one or the other of the exchange compartments. The mean data set was also fitted to a solution in which limits were imposed on the excretion parameters and the partition of metabolism between the 2 peripheral exchange compartments was estimated. We found that steady-state parameters for removal of T3 from the circulation (the MCRs and DRs) were increased during the i.v. T3 replacement period compared with the oral replacement period, especially in the fast exchange compartment. Measured serum stable T3 levels (RIA) were lower in the i.v. than in the oral study, both at 8 and at 12 h after the most recent T3 dose. These values corresponded to similar differences in the circulating T3 levels projected from the model, although the T3 values projected from the model were greater than the measured T3 levels for unknown reasons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes induced by cadmium administration on thyroxine deiodination and sulfhydryl groups in rat liver.

The effects of cadmium on 5'-deiodination of thyroxine (T4) by rat liver and on the hepatic concentration of non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NPSH) were studied in Wistar rats of 200-250 g body weight. A group of ten rats was injected with cadmium chloride (300 micrograms/100 g body weight i.p.) daily for 4 days. Another group of six rats received, in addition, dithiothreitol (DTT; 1 mg/100 g body weight i.p.) daily for the same period. A group of eight normal untreated rats served as control. T4 deiodination was also determined in aliquots of liver from untreated rats, with cadmium (2 or 5 mmol/l) and with or without DTT (0, 2.5, 5 or 10 mmol/l) plus 1 microCi 125I-labelled T4. Hepatic NPSH were measured by a colorimetric method employing dithioldinitrobenzoic acid. Homogenates were incubated for 90 min at 37 degrees C and chromatographed in a tertiary amyl alcohol:hexane:ammonia (2 mol/l) (10:1:12) system. Cadmium-injected rats showed a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in T4 deiodination and in the generation of 125I (P < 0.01) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) (P < 0.02). NPSH were also decreased (P < 0.02). Administration of DTT restored T4 deiodination and NPSH to normal. In-vitro addition of cadmium or DTT to normal rat liver homogenates induced similar effects on the degradation of T4. Serum concentrations of T4 (P < 0.01) and T3 (P < 0.01) declined significantly in cadmium-injected rats, whereas DTT administration failed to normalize serum hormone levels. The data suggest that cadmium may have decreased 5'-deiodinating activity through binding to sulfhydryl groups of 5'-deiodinase as it does in other enzymes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of ICAM-1 (CD54) on normal and leukaemic B cells: implication for the mixed lymphocyte reaction.

Peripheral blood normal B lymphocytes were found to be poor stimulators in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), in contrast to normal activated B cells which were strong stimulators. This increased capacity to stimulate a strong MLR correlated with an increased expression of the ICAM-1 (CD54) molecule on the surface of these cells. Similarly, the capacity of leukaemic B cells to induce an allogenic stimulation in the MLR was limited to the ICAM-1 (CD54) positive leukaemic cells. The ability of normal activated or leukaemic B cells to induce an MLR was blocked by antibodies directed against ICAM-1.

Analysis of CD1 molecules on haematological malignancies of myeloid and lymphoid origin. II. Intracellular detection of CD1 antigens.

The surface and cytoplasmic expression of CD1a molecules was analysed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and dot blot assay (DBA) in a panel of 40 acute and chronic leukaemias. Thirty-two per cent of the samples were positive by IIF but, surprisingly, 72 per cent of the patients were positive by DBA, suggesting the intracellular presence of these molecules, CD1b and CD1c were also detected by DBA at similar percentages. Immunocytochemical staining of cytocentrifuge preparations confirmed the intracellular presence of CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c in leukaemic cells of pre-B, B, T, and non-lymphoid lineages.