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Biomedical subjects

P Rudas

Publications and source records attributed to P Rudas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is not thyrotropic but somatotropic in fed and starved adult chickens.

Adult fed and starved Warren chickens, 2 yr of age, and approaching the end of the second laying year, were injected iv with 1 of the following products: 10 micrograms of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH); 100 micrograms of bovine thyrotropin (bTSH); 100 micrograms of ovine growth hormone (oGH); saline. The influence on plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) or chicken GH (cGH) were followed. Prior to injection, it was clear from the control values that starvation for 3 d decreased plasma levels of T3 and increased cGH, whereas 7 d of fasting increased T4 and cGH. The plasma levels of cGH were elevated greater than 10-fold at 15 min following the TRH challenge in food-deprived chickens compared to a less than 4-fold increase in normal fed hens. This increase was followed by a rise in T3 after 1 h, which was also more pronounced in the starved animals, whereas T4 decreased or remained unaffected. Increases in T4 can, however, be obtained with 100 micrograms TSH in normal fed (2-fold) or starved animals (greater than 3-fold). Following injection of 100 micrograms oGH, a significant increase in T3 levels was observed which in fed animals was already present at 30 min, but the higher levels persisted for 1 and 2 h in fed and starved hens. At the same time, a decrease in T4 was observed in both groups of GH-treated chickens. It is concluded that TRH at the dose used is not thyrotropic but has a somatotropic effect and is responsible for the peripheral conversion of T4 into T3.

Animals

Effect of hypophysectomy and acute administration of growth hormone (GH) on GH-receptor binding in chick liver membranes.

The effects of hypophysectomy on GH binding to liver membranes of young chicks were studied 3 days and 1 week after surgery. Specific binding of 125I-labelled chicken GH (cGH) to MgCl2-treated liver microsomal fractions of hypophysectomized animals was two- to fivefold greater than to those of sham-operated or control (non-operated) birds. This effect was due to a rise in binding capacity rather than a change in binding affinity of the GH receptor. Two daily injections of cGH (20 micrograms/animal) returned the number of hepatic GH receptors from hypophysectomized chicks to the level of the sham-operated ones. Administration of GH to the latter group did not cause a significant lowering of specific binding or number of receptors. No positive correlation between GH binding and plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) was observed; although GH binding increased, IGF-I levels were lower for the hypophysectomized group. Since the number of hepatic GH receptors and the plasma GH levels were inversely correlated, it was concluded that the GH receptors in the liver of the chicken can be down-regulated by GH. This possibly explains why GH binding is low in posthatch and young chicks, because circulating GH concentrations are high during this period.

Animals

Effects of congenital hypothyroidism on microtubule-associated protein-2 expression in the cerebellum of the rat.

In view of the defective neurotubule assembly observed in congenital hypothyroidism and the striking morphological abnormalities of the cerebellum in this condition, we have investigated the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) in the cerebellum of rats with congenital hypothyroidism. Analysis included the measurement of immunoreactive MAP2 and its mRNA. In addition, the intracellular distribution of MAP2 was studied by immunostaining of the appropriate histological preparations. The results showed that the developmental increase in MAP2 is delayed in congenital hypothyroidism, but eventually the concentration of this protein reached normal levels in animals with this condition, even if untreated. These abnormalities in the immunoreactive protein are not paralleled by abnormalities in the abundance of MAP2 mRNA, which was not affected by the thyroid status of the animals. In spite of the normalization of the content of the protein, the distribution of MAP2 in the Purkinje cells of hypothyroid rats remained abnormal. Whereas in euthyroid rats the protein rapidly migrated into the dendrites, in the Purkinje cells of hypothyroid pups, MAP2 remained largely confined to the body and the most proximal part of the dendrites. These results suggest that thyroid hormone affects the expression of MAP2 at translation or posttranslational levels. The abnormality in distribution may result from some posttranslational abnormality of the protein itself or some underlying defect in the function of the neurons. These observations are probably relevant to the abnormalities in cerebellar function seen in animals and humans with untreated congenital hypothyroidism.

Animals

Correlation between thyroid hormone level and blood pH in cows and in their offspring.

Thyroid hormone levels in the plasma and blood pH were compared in 38 newborn calves and their dams immediately at parturition, then 24 and 72 h thereafter. Both thyroid hormone levels and pH exhibit much higher variation in calves than in cows. Applying a linear model at different sampling times, a weak (r = -0.112 to -0.397) but significant (P less than 0.05) negative correlation was found between thyroid hormone levels and blood pH in calves 24 and 72 h postpartum. At birth, when no correlation was found with linear approach, a polynomial regression model showed curvilinear relationship between thyroid hormone levels and blood pH in calves. Since these correlations could not be substantiated by comparing data of different sampling times, one can conclude that the possible relationship of thyroid hormone levels and blood pH is a complex one. Revealing the underlying mechanism of the above observations requires further study.

Animals

Effect of malabsorption syndrome on pancreatic function in broilers.

The effect of "malabsorption syndrome" on pancreatic function was studied in newly hatched broiler chicks orally inoculated during the first few hours of life with intestinal homogenates from birds with naturally occurring malabsorption syndrome. The control groups were treated with saline. Tissue samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 9, 13, 17, and 29 days of age from both groups. The BW of inoculated birds decreased significantly relative to that of controls as early as 9 days of age. Pancreatic amylase activity was significantly greater than that in controls by 2 days. Protease activity of inoculated birds increased significantly over that in controls on the 2nd day and decreased significantly on the 6th and 9th days. Reoviruses were detected in the fecal samples of inoculated birds on the 2nd and 3rd days and did not appear in control samples. Reoviruses were also isolated from the pancreatic tissue of two inoculated birds on the 3rd day. Symptoms characteristic of malabsorption syndrome may be elicited by maldigestion; in the present study, this probably resulted from reduced digestive enzyme production of the pancreas. Similarities of changes in plasma triiodothyronine and pancreatic protease levels suggested a possible relationship between thyroid and pancreatic dysfunction in the condition of the malabsorption syndrome.

Amylases

Adaptation of 5'-deiodination to hypothyroid conditions following surgical and/or radiothyroidectomy in chickens.

The effect of thyroidectomy on serum levels of thyroid hormones (thyroxine, T4; triiodothyronine, T3) and on tissue levels of T3 as well as on 5'-deiodination (5'-DI) in liver, kidney and brain of chickens was investigated. The most effective way of thyroidectomy was a combined surgical (Tx) plus radiothyroidectomy (RTx) with low amounts of 131-I (NaI). The latter destroyed extra-thyroidal hormone production. It was found that even if after Tx and RTx the serum levels of T4 and T3 were close to the detection limit, the tissue T3 level was only half of normal in liver and kidney and remained normal in the brain. It is suggested that lowered 5'-deiodination is an important but not exclusive factor contributing to this adaptation of cells to hypothyroid conditions.

Animals

Restricted feed intake influences thyroid hormone production and peripheral deiodination in chickens.

Thyroid hormones are of major importance in determining metabolic state both in mammals and in birds. Whether or not feed intake itself has an autoregulatory role in adjusting the setpoint of thyroid hormone activity is yet not well understood. The present work investigates the effects of restricted feed intake on the serum levels and on the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones. Also, the sensitivity of the pituitary-thyroid axis was looked at by means of thyrotropin releasing hormone provocation test. Several groups of Hunniahybrid chickens aged 2-6 weeks were used. Restriction was made by providing the experimental animals 70 and 85 percent of the amount of food consumed in the ad libitum fed control group. It was found that feed restriction lowers circulating concentration of triiodothyronine probably by inhibiting the activity of liver deiodinase and also decreases the sensitivity of the pituitary-thyroid axis meaning that both central and peripheral regulatory mechanisms of thyroid economy are affected by feed restriction.

Animals

Comparison of type I 5'-deiodination of thyroxine and of reverse-triiodothyronine in rat and chicken liver homogenates.

The characteristics of 5'-deiodination in the chicken liver have been compared to those in the rat. Using 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) at 1 mM in vitro, it was shown that, in accordance with former in vivo studies, only type I 5'-deiodinase exists in the liver of the chicken. When PTU was used in a concentration (10 microM) close to its Ki species differences could be demonstrated as for PTU sensitivity. 5'-Deiodinase in the chicken liver was more susceptible against the inhibitor. The early thiol-independent phase of deiodination was longer in the chicken than in the rat. Reverse-triiodothyronine (r-T3) seemed to be a more suitable substrate for this enzyme in the chicken when compared to either T4 degradation or r-T3 degradation in the rat. It is concluded that major characteristics of 5'-deiodination in the chicken are similar to those in the rat; however, the slight variances observed might explain some species differences found earlier.

Animals

Acute changes of the conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine in hypophysectomized and thyroidectomized chickens exposed to mild cold (10 degrees).

The effect of acute cold (10 degrees) exposure on the tissue level of triiodothyronine (T3) and on the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine, both in vitro and in vivo, has been investigated in young chickens previously thyroidectomized or hypophysectomized. It was found that cold exposure stimulates T4 to T3 conversion both in vivo and in vitro not only in intact animals but also in hypophysectomized and thyroidectomized ones. It is concluded that peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones represents a self-standing but not sole route of adaptation to changes in environmental temperature.

Animals

Thyroxine, triiodothyronine, reverse-triiodothyronine, and other physiological characteristics of periparturient cows fed restricted energy.

Eighty-six cows were assigned to two equal groups with group A fed according to National Research Council recommendations for total digestible nutrients for the 8 wk before parturition and group B was fed 21% higher energy in the first 6 wk and 15% higher in the last 2 preparturient wk. Thyroxine in blood serum decreased in both groups 14 days before and on the day of delivery. It was significantly lower in group A. Findings were similar with triiodothyronine. Blood serum concentrations of reverse-triiodothyronine of group A was significantly higher in group A on day 28 and 14 than group B before delivery. Energy intake had little influence on the serum concentrations of other constituents (albumin, total protein, immunoglobulin G, total and free cholesterol, nonesterified fatty acids). Restricted energy intake that does not alter thyrotropin-thyrotropin-releasing hormone secretion results in higher rate of production of reverse-triiodothyronine and in decreased serum concentration of triiodothyronine. Slight changes of energy balance might be indicated readily by reverse-triiodothyronine concentration in blood serum.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

Rapid decrease of the peripheral deiodination of thyroxine in malabsorption syndrome in artificially inoculated broilers.

Thyroid function of broilers inoculated with the intestinal homogenate from birds from a field case of malabsorption syndrome was investigated during the first 2 days postinoculation. In one experiment, different amounts of the inoculum were applied to see if there exists a dose-response relationship. As early as 3 hours after inoculation, there was a significant drop in the serum level of triiodothyronine and in the activity of the liver 5'-deiodinase (type I). Type II deiodinase activity was less impaired. A minimum of 0.3 ml of inoculum was effective, whereas 0.05 ml of the same homogenate elicited a significant (P less than 0.01) drop in liver deiodinase activity. These findings underline the importance of thyroid impairment in the pathogenesis of malabsorption syndrome.

Animals