Adipokine expression and endothelial function in subclinical hypothyroidism rats

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to observe adipokine expression and endothelial function in subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) rats and to determine whether levothyroxine (LT4) treatment affects these changes. Sixty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: the control group; sHT A, B and C groups and the sHT + T4 group. The sHT rats were induced by methimazole (MMI) and the sHT + T4 rats were administered LT4 treatment after 8 weeks of MMI administration. Thyroid function and lipid levels were measured using radioimmunoassays and enzymatic colorimetric methods, respectively. Serum adiponectin (APN), chemerin, TNF-α, endothelin (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using ELISA kits and a nitric-reductive assay. The expression of APN, chemerin and TNF-α in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was measured in experimental rats using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining was used to observe changes in adipose tissue. The sHT rats had significantly higher levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), TNF-α, chemerin, ET-1, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lower levels of APN and NO than those in control and sHT + T4 rats. Based on Pearson correlation analysis, the levels of chemerin, TNF-α, ET-1, LDL-C, TC and triglyceride (TG) were positively correlated with TSH, but APN and NO levels were negatively correlated with TSH. These findings demonstrated that high TSH levels contribute to the changes of adipokines and endothelial dysfunction in sHT, but LT4 treatment ameliorates those changes.

The effect of thyroid dysfunction and treatment on fat tissue adiponectin levels in rats

“…We think that different results could be experimental and animals species differences. ADP mRNA expression affected by thyroid [31]. Luvizotto et al [32] experimental hyperthyroidism decrease gene expression and serum levels of adipokines in obesity.…”

Hypothyroidism-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (HIN): Mechanisms and Emerging Therapeutic Options

“…Low circulating levels of thyroid hormones influence certain adipocytokines levels such as adiponectin or leptin. Adiponectin can enhance fatty acid oxidation and inhibit DNL through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase [ 158 , 159 ]. Hypothyroid subjects have altered adiponectin levels that can contribute to IR development.…”

Adipocytokines and thyreopathies

“…Chemerín je proteín, ktorý stimuluje chemotaxiu dendritických buniek a makrofágov (36), lipolýzu, podieľa sa na diferenciácii tukových buniek (37) a pravdepodobne hrá dôležitú úlohu pri patogenéze chronického zápalu pri obezite a tým pádom pri vzniku inzulínovej rezistencie (38). Animálne štúdie vykonané na potkanoch, u ktorých bola primárne hypotyreóza indukovaná umelo, poukázali na nepriamo úmerný vzťah medzi tyreostimulačným hormónom (TSH) a hladinou chemerínu (39). Humánne štúdie zatiaľ chýbajú.…”