Inhibition by adenosine of thyroidal T4 release in vitro.

Adenosine, like catecholamines, inhibits the thyroidal T4 release in vitro, when stimulated by TSH,N,O'-dibutyryl cyclic AMP [(Bu) 2cAMP], and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Unlike catecholamines, the adenosine-induced inhibition is independent of adrenergic receptors. It is postulated that TSH stimulates thyroidal T4 release through a cAMP activated, adenosine-sensitive, protein kinase.

Acetylcholine and norepinephrine: compared actions thyroid metabolism.

Acetylcholine (ACh; 5 X 10(-4) M), like norepinephrine (NE; 6 X 10(-6) M), as shown previously, stimulated iodide organification by mouse thyroids in vitro, while at the same time it inhibited TSH- or (Bu)2cAMP-induced T4 release. However, thyroid cAMP was not changed by ACh, suggesting that ACh, like NE, exerted its effects at a step beyond cAMP production. Also, while ACh increased cGMP concentrations, (Bu)2cGMP and 8-bromo-cGMP were not effective on thyroid function in this system. Neurotransmitters, then, presumably do not exert their action through cyclic nucleotide stimulation ACh-induced stimulation of organification and inhibition of release was reversed by 10(-5) M atropine (ATR) but not by 10(-5) M d-tubocurarine, indicating that muscarinic receptors were involved. ATR also reversed inhibition of T4 release induced by NE, suggesting that the presynaptic cholinergic pathway may be responsible for stimulation of postsynaptic cholinergic and adrenergic neurotransmitters in the thyroid gland.

Calcium depletion stimulates thyroxine release from the thyroid.

Excised mouse thyroids incubated in Ca++-free medium were stimulated to release increased amounts of stable thyroxine. This stimulation of thyroxine release by incubated thyroid tissue was not additive with TSH or (Bu)2cAMP. It was reversed by norepinephrine through an alpha adrenergic receptor, similar to TSH or (Bu)2cAMP stimulation. Depletion of Ca++ did not result, however, in an increase in the concentration of cAMP in incubated thyroid glands, suggesting that its locus of action was subsequent to TSH stimulation or cAMP production.

Norepinephrine and thyrotropin effects on the thyroid in vitro: simultaneous stimulation of iodide organification and antagonism of thyroxine release.

Norepinephrine (NE), which has previously been shown to inhibit TSH-induced T4 release by mouse thyroids in vitro, was found to stimulate iodide organification. The concentration of NE (6 X 10(-7) M) necessary to stimulate organification of iodide was 10 times less than the concentration (6 X 10(-6) M) required for inhibition of TSH-induced T4 release. Both actions of NE were exerted through an alpha-adrenergic receptor, since they were inhibited by phentolamine but not by l-propranolol. One milliunit of TSH maximally stimulated T4 release only, but larger amounts (100 mU) also stimulated organification. TSH stimulation of T4 release and organification was not affected by adrenergic antagonists and therefore was not mediated by adrenergic receptors. N6, O2-Dibutyryl cAMP and isobutylmethylxanthine, like TSH, stimulated T4 release. Their actions were inhibited by NE. However, both compounds, unlike TSH, failed to enhance organification in mouse thyroids. The effects of TSH and NE on the cAMP content of incubated mouse thyroids were also studied. TSH induced a prolonged increase in thyroidal cAMP during the 90-min incubation; this increase was unaffected by alpha- or beta-adrenergic antagonists. In contrast, NE (6 X 10(-5) M) produced a transient but significant increase in cAMP only within the first 5 min. Unlike the action of NE on organification, this short term stimulatory effect on cAMP production was mediated by a beta-adrenergic receptor, since it was blocked by l-propranolol but not by phentolamine. The following conclusions were reached: 1) stimulation of iodide organification and thyroid hormone release involves different sensitivity thresholds for TSH and NE; 2) TSH stimulation of iodide organification, hormone release, and cAMP formation is not exerted through adrenergic receptors; 3) NE stimulates organification and inhibits TSH-stimulated T4 release through alpha-adrenergic receptors, but stimulates cAMP production through beta-receptors; and 4) cAMP may not be the mediator of all TSH actions on the thyroid.

Dopamine and L-dopa: inhibition of thyrotropin-stimulated thyroidal thyroxine release.

Previous studies had suggested that norepinephrine (NE) and its precursors dopamine (DA) and L-DOPA acted similarly on iodine metabolism of isolated thyroid cells. Present studies indicate that this similarity extends to the inhibition by catecholamines of TSH-stimulated T4 release by mouse thyroids incubated in vitro. DA (5 X 10(-4) M), like NE, shown previously, inhibits TSH-stimulated T4 release. This inhibition was reversed by the alpha-blockers phentolamine, prazosin, and yohimbine, but not by the beta-blocker L-propranolol. DU-18288 and diethyldithiocarbamate, inhibitors of DA beta-hydroxylase, did not reduce DA inhibition, suggesting that prior conversion to NE was not a condition for DA activity. Apomorphine, a dopaminergic agonist but not a NE precursor, acted like DA, and its inhibition was also reversed by alpha-blockers. Furthermore, sulpiride, a dopaminergic blocker, reversed DA and apomorphine inhibition of TSH stimulation. These results suggest that DA inhibits TSH-stimulated T4 release through both adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors. On the other hand, L-DOPA, exerting an inhibition like that of DA, was also reversed by alpha-blockers, but its activity was greatly diminished by carbidopa, an inhibitor of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, the enzyme converting L-DOPA to DA. This indicated that L-DOPA had to be converted to DA for activity. Both DA and L-DOPA inhibited stimulation of T4 release induced by (Bu)2cAMP, suggesting that their effect was exerted at a locus distal to cAMP generation. Indirect confirmation of a cAMP-independent pathway was obtained when DA inhibited TSH-stimulated cAMP formation, but, contrary to T4 release, this inhibition was not reversed by dopaminergic or adrenergic blockers. Presumably, therefore, DA inhibition of TSH-stimulated cAMP production was not related to T4 release. We conclude that 1) DA inhibits TSH-stimulated T4 release in mouse thyroids via alpha-adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors; 2) L-DOPA has to be converted to DA to produce inhibition; and 3) cAMP is unlikely to be an intermediary in DA inhibition.

Identification of C-cells in normal and goitrous rat thyroid tissues using antiserum to rat thyrocalcitonin and the immunoperoxidase bridge technique.

Application of the immunoperoxidase bridge technique to the light microscopic localization of C-cells in rat thyroid tissue is described. Guinea pig antisera to rat thyrocalcitonin (TCT) were produced by the injection of highly purified rat TCT (100-300 MRC U/mg) emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. A 1:1000 dilution of the antiserum used in this study gave a strong positive reaction with rat C-cells, and 1 ml of undiluted antiserum provided sufficient material for staining approximately 5000 slides. The substitution of nonimmune guinea pig serum for the anti-rat TCT serum or the prior absorption of anti-rat TCT serum with increasing amounts of highly purified rat TCT both eliminated the staining of thyroid C-cells. Likewise, no staining was observed in tissue sections from rat parathyroid, ovary, pituitary gland, and skeletal muscle. Antiserum to synthetic human TCT also could be used to identify rat thyroid C-cells. The method revealed abundant C-cells in goiters from rats fed a low-iodine diet for more than 1 year. This finding was supported by electron microscopic evaluation of goitrous tissue and by the detection, by radioimmunoassay, of TCT in thyroid tissue and in peripheral blood from goitrous rats.

Inhibition of thyrotropin- and dibutyryl cyclic AMP-induced secretion of thyroxine and triiodothyronine by catecholamines.

Thyrotropin (TSH), 1 MU/ml and N6, O2'-dibutyryl adenosine 3',5-cyclic monophosphoric acid (dbcAMP) greatly enhanced the release of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) from mouse thyroids incubated in vitro. L-Epinephrine (E) and L-norepinephrine (NE) strongly inhibited the TSH and dbcAMP-stimulated release of thyroid hormones; L-isoproterenol (IPNE) exerted a relatively weak inhibition. The inhibition by catecholamines was prevented by the alpha-adrenergic blocker, phentolamine; L-propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, had no effect on the inhibition. The TSH-induced release of thyroid hormones was not affected by adrenergic blockers. Epinephrine did not affect the increase in thyroidal cAMP content induced by TSH. These results indicate that catecholamines act by way of an alpha-adrenergic receptor to suppress TSH-stimulated release of thyroid hormones at a point beyond cAMP formation.

Iodoamino acid content and distribution in normal and abnormal human thyroids.

Iodoamino acid content and distribution were measured in adenomas, nodular goiters, thyroiditis and carcinomas and compared to thyroids from patients who died suddenly and normal thyroid tissues originally adjacent to diseased tissue. Tissues were hydrolyzed with Pronase, derivatized and analyzed by gas chromatography as had previously been reported for rat thyroids. Considerable overlap in values was found among adenomas, nodular goiters and papillary and follicular carcinomas as compared to values in normal thyroid tissue, but low values were also found in several diseased tissues. MIT/DIT and T3/T4 ratios were essentially constant in most tissues, even when T4 values were low. MIT/DIT ratios were, however, high and iodothyronines undetectable in all Hurthle cell neoplasms, clearly differentiating them from other thyroid conditions.

Catecholamine inhibition of thyrotropin-induced secretion of thyroxine: mediation by an alpha-adrenergic receptor.

Thyroxine secretion by mouse thyroid gland incubated in vitro was measured. Thyrotropin or dibutyryl cAMP increased thyroxine secretion several-fold. l-Epinephrine and l-norepinephrine strongly inhibited this stimulated release; l-isoproterenol was relatively ineffective. Phentolamine prevented the inhibition by catecholamines of thyroxine release; l-propranolol had no effect. These findings indicate that stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors opposes the action of thyrotropin in the regulation of thyroxine secretion.

Norepinephrine and TSH: effects on thyroidal radioiodine and thyroxine release.

Norepinephrine (NE) failed to increase thyroid hormone release in mice when endogenous TSH secretion had been greatly reduced by a variety of means. This was demonstrated by radioiodine release in mice pretreated with 131I and with thyroxine (T4) or 3,5,3' triiodothyronine (T3). by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in mice pretreated with 131I and T3, and in mice which had been hypophysectomized, or where TSH secretion had been decreased by prolonged administration of exogenous TSH. T4 could not be measured by RIA in mice pretreated with T4.

Transplantable thyroid tumour in rats: iodoamino acid distribution in successive tumour generations.

All first generation thyroid tumours in rats, produced by 3 micronc 131I followed by LID, were uniformly functional containing MIT, DIT, T4, T3, and in some cases, T'3. All fourth generation tumours were nonfunctional as tested. Second and third generation tumours were biochemically unpredictable, some containing all IAA including T'3, others only MIT, I-and a trace DIT. Degree of dedifferentiation and of autonomy did not necessarily correlate with loss of function. Results could be explained by postulating nodules with differing biochemical properties within individual tumours.

Iodoamino acids in abnormal and grossly normal thyroids: Comparison between 125I and 127I distribution.

Patients with thyroid cyst (TC), non-toxic nodular goiter (NNG), follicular adenoma (FA) and papillary carcinoma (PC) were given a tracer dose of 125I 40h prior to surgery. Tissue specimens were hydrolysed with Pronase and their labeled iodocompound distribution determined by paper or thin layer chromatography; they were then derivatized and their stable iodoamino acids (IAA) determined by gas liquid chromatography (GLC). Specific activity (SA) of MIT, DIT and T4 was within the same range in TC, FA and grossly normal part of a PC, and was markedly lower in two NNG. SA of T3 was very high in a TC, and higher than that of other IAA, in one NNG, indicating preferential synthesis. SA of MIT and DIT was very high in grossly normal part of a second PC but stable iodothyronines were undetectable. Specimen therefore was biochemically abnormal though grossly normal. In the two abnormal specimens of PC stable IAA were undetectable, even though type of distribution of labeled IAA in one specimen closely approximated that found in TC, FA and NNG. In a second abnormal PC specimen RAI uptake was too low for analysis to be carried out. By combining labeled and stable IAA measurements new parameters for studying human thyroids have been obtained.

An in vitro procedure for the estimation of thyroid hormone releasing factors in sera of thyrotoxic patients.

LATS containing sera and a number of Graves' disease sera stimulated T4 release from mouse thyroids in vitro as determined by RIA, thus confirming the presence of a thyroid hormone releasing factor in sera of thyrotoxic patients. The pattern of stimulation was similar to that previously shown for TSH in terms of T4 release time sequence. cAMP increase and catecholamine inhibition via alpha-adrenergic receptors. In the same in vitro system, neutralization with a human thyroid homogenate showed presence of LATS-Protector (LPA) in LATS negative thyrotoxic sera. The present study describes a simpler procedure for estimating LATS or similar activity, as compared to the McKenzie assay, and suggests identical receptor sites for TSH and other thyroid stimulators.

Thyroid uptake of 201thallium and its control by TSH.

Patients injected with 201Thallium (201Tl) for myocardial scanning present good thyroid visualization. Determinations in mice injected with 201Tl indicated a high thyroid/serum concentration ratio (T/S). The 201Tl biological half-life (t 1/2) in serum (30 - 135 s) was much shorter than in thyroid (53 - 55 h) for human subjects and experimental animals. The 1 h 201Tl T/S ratio was comparable to that of 131I and 99mTc, indicating presence of a gradient for 201Tl also. Increase of endogenous TSH induced by propylthiouracil led to a significant rise in in T/S for 99mTc, 131I and 201Tl, whereas TSH inhibition by feeding l-thyroxine led to decrease in T/S for 99mTc and 201Tl. In vitro thyroid/medium concentration ratio (T/M) of 99mTc and 201Tl was decreased after 20' incubation with ouabain, an inhibitor of the Na+, K+, activated ATP-ase. However, perchlorate in vitro or in vivo failed to diminish the 201Tl T/M ratios or to affect the t 1/2 of 201Tl in human subjects, whereas T/M of 201Tl was depressed by KCl addition to the medium.