Serum Irisin Level Changes after Propylthiouracil Treatment of L-Thyroxine Induced Hyperthyroidism in Rats, KHALED A.A. ABUL-FADLE
Abstract
Background: Thyroid hormones play an essential role in lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism; and they regulate thermogenesis and basal metabolic rate. Irisin is a myokine that is secreted as a product of fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5) was shown to be present in many tissues, including the thyroid tissue.
Objective: To investigate the possible changes in serum levels of irisin that occurred in a rat model of hyperthyroidism and the effects of use of propylthiouracil (PTU) in its treatment.
Design: 18 male albino rats were divided into 3 groups. Group I was the intact control. Rats of group II and III received daily 0.3mg/kg subcutaneous injection of L-thyroxine (LT4) for 12 consecutive days. On the thirteenth day, animals of group III (Hyperthyroid PTU treated) received 5ml/kg i.p. injection of propylthiouracil (PTU) along with an equivalent amount of LT4 as administered to group II animals for more 15 days. Animals of group II (Hyperthyroid control) continued to receive LT4. On the day of termination (28th day of starting LT4 treatment), overnight (12hrs) fasted animals were sacri-ficed by decapitation under ether anesthesia.
Results: In the hyperthyroid control group, there was a significant decrease in serum level of TSH (p<0.001) and BMI (p<0.001), but, a significant increase in serum levels of T4 (p<0.001), T3 (p<0.001), and irisin (p<0.001) in comparison to that in the intact control group. On the other hand, there were insignificant changes (p>0.05) in serum levels of TSH, T4, T3 & irisin, and, BMI in hyperthyroid PTU group in comparison to that in the intact control group. In the hyper-thyroid control group, there was a significant increase in the serum level of both glucose (p<0.001) and insulin (p<0.001), and, the value of HOMA-IR (p<0.001) in comparison to that of the intact control group. On the other hand, there were no significant changes in their values (p>0.05) in the hyperthyroid PTU treated group in comparison to that in the intact control group. In the hyperthyroid control group, there was a significant decrease in serum levels of both TC (p<0.001) and HDL-C (p<0.001) but, there were insignificant changes (p>0.05) in serum levels of both TG and LDL-C in comparison to that in the intact control group.
Conclusion: This study showed a significant increase in serum levels of irisin in L-thyroxine induced hyperthyroidism in rats. On using PTU, serum levels of irisin, thyroid hormones, metabolic parameters and BMI were significantly changed in comparison to the hyperthyroid control group.