SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “THYROID HORMONES”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Evidence for extracellularly acting cathepsins mediating thyroid hormone liberation in thyroid epithelial cells.

Thyroglobulin (Tg) is the major secretory product of thyroid epithelial cells and is stored in the lumen of thyroid follicles at high concentrations. Thyroid hormone liberation is assumed to occur separately from this storage compartment within lysosomes. However, for the transfer of Tg to lysosomes, mechanisms to solubilize the luminal content must precede its endocytosis, because part of the luminal Tg occurs in a covalently cross-linked form. Here, by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting we show that the majority of procathepsin B or L and a fraction of mature cathepsin B are released from porcine thyrocytes in vitro. Released cathepsins were detectable on the cell surface of the thyrocytes by immunocytochemistry and amounted to 27% of the total cathepsin B. Cytochemical studies revealed the proteolytic activity of cathepsin B at neutral pH on the cell surface of thyrocytes. Therefore, the possibility of extracellular proteolysis by cathepsins was investigated by incubating plasma membrane preparations, conditioned media, or lysosomes with Tg. The liberation of thyroid hormones was quantitated by RIA, and the degradation of Tg was determined by SDS-PAGE. Extracellular and plasma membrane-associated proteases rapidly mediated up to 54% of the total T4 liberation by limited proteolysis of Tg at neutral pH under conditions where cysteine proteases were reactivated. We propose that released and proteolytically active cysteine protease i.e. cathepsins B and L, provide thyrocytes with a pathway of limited extracellular proteolysis of Tg before endocytosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Detection of a new de novo mutation at codon 251 of exon 8 of thyroid hormone receptor beta gene in an Italian kindred with resistance to thyroid hormone.

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is almost invariably associated with mutations of the thyroid hormone (TH) receptor beta (hTR beta) gene and is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease. Mutations of hTR beta identified in patients affected by RTH cluster generally at two spots of the ligand binding domain. We investigated whether an Italian kindred with RTH had a mutation in the thyroid hormone (TH) receptor beta gene. Blood samples were obtained from the available family members for biochemical and genetic analyses. Thyroid function tests in basal conditions, and in the case of the propositus also following incremental doses of T3, were performed. Exon 4 to 10 of hTR beta gene were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the mutation was identified by direct sequence analysis. The affinity constant of this mutated receptor for T3 was measured by in vitro transcription-translation and was then compared with that of wild type. We identified a heterozygous G to A transition at nucleotide 1037 of exon 8 at codon 251, resulting in a glycine (G) to glutamic acid (E) substitution (G251E) in the patient affected by RTH and in his affected offspring, but not in the normal family members. This novel mutation represents a de novo mutation since both parents of the index case were unaffected and did not have this genomic mutation. When expressed in vitro, the mutant protein (G251E) showed a marked decrease of the affinity for T3, suggesting an impaired ligand-dependent transactivation activity of this mutant receptor. In vivo studies with incremental doses of L-T3 demonstrated a reduced sensitivity to TH in the index case, in particular at the pituitary level where the thyrotrophs' activity was not completely inhibited even by 200 micrograms/day of L-T3. G251E mutation represents the fourth mutation described up to now in exon 8 of hTR beta among the subjects affected by RTH. A third cluster of mutations of the c-erbA beta gene located proximally with respect to the other two so far described begins to emerge in RTH patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Syndromes of thyroid hormone resistance.

Thyroid hormone resistance (RTH) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder, characterized clinically by goiter and biochemically by elevated circulating free thyroid hormone levels in the presence of measurable serum TSH concentrations. About 85% of patients with RTH are harboring mutations in thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRB). These mutations cluster in three different "hot spot" in the T3 binding domain of the receptor. When mapped to their homologous residues in the TR crystal structure, these three clusters of mutations border the T3-binding pocket. As a consequence, most TRB mutations impair the hormone binding to the receptor and interfere with the mechanism(s) of corepressor release and the consequent recruitment of coactivators. Thus, the remodeling of chromatin structure throughout the process of histone acetylation is prevented and the transcriptional activity of the mutant receptor on both positively and negatively regulated genes, severely disrupted. The lack of interaction with coactivators appears to be an additional mechanism for the dominant negative effects of mutant TRB on the transcriptional activity of the normal receptor.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMed1996

Thyroid hormone deiodinases--a selenoenzyme family acting as gate keepers to thyroid hormone action.

Development and tissue-specific deiodination of thyroid hormone leads to both activation of the prohormone thyroxine to the thyromimetically active T3 as well as to inactivation of T3 and its conjugates or inactivation of T4 to yield potential regulatory active rT3. At least three deiodinase isoenzymes have so far been characterized and cloned, and the deiodinase isozymes represent a new family of eukaryotic selenoproteins for which an enzyme function could be assigned. Selenium status apparently regulates the expression of these deiodinase isozymes to different extent indicating that a hierarchy of selenium incorporation exists for those enzymes. Currently, it appears that selenium deficiency does not affect expression of type II 5'-deiodinase or 5-deiodinase to a marked extent in vivo whereas type I 5'-deiodinase at least in liver and kidney is reduced in severe selenium deficiency. However, daily selenium intake in normal mideuropeans already saturates the requirement for the expression of the deiodinase isoenzymes. So far, only reduced expression of 5'-D I and decreased T 3 production has been observed in specific diets such as for PKU or in cystic fibrosis, where transport of ions (iodide, selenite?) might be affected. Further alterations of T3 production by 5'-D I activity are observed under the conditions of the low T3 syndrome, which comprise a broad spectrum of clinical disorders from carbohydrate withdrawal to intensive care patients. It is not yet clear if selenium supplementation or T3 treatment is beneficial to these patients. The marked tissue-specificity of expression of the deiodinases requires more detailed examinations on the relation between these enzymes and the expression of thyroid hormone action, which is mediated by the nuclear T3 receptor family or receptors and signal transduction molecules in the mitochondria, plasma membrane, or cytoskeleton. The location of the deiodinase enzymes either at the inner side of the plasma membrane or the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticulum positions these enzymes to a strategically important location enabling them to act as gate-keepers to the nuclear receptors. Similar to other enzymes involved in the activation or inactivation of compounds with hormone or signalling function, the deiodinases are key elements in the intracrine regulation of hormone activation in target tissues or inactivation in non-target tissues. Therefore, a detailed molecular, cell biological and physiological analysis of the function, regulation and gene structure of these enzymes is required before a development of tissue- or enzyme-specific pharmacological intervention is possible. Nevertheless, first data indicate that reduced 5'-deiodinase type I expression in tumor tissues can be re-induced by treatment with retinoids at least in follicular thyroid carcinoma. Further studies are needed to prove that retinoids might be a useful therapeutic tool for re-differentiation therapy of thyroid carcinoma which are inaccessible to surgical intervention or lack radio-iodide uptake and storage. The important function and regio- and cell-specific expression of deiodinase isozymes in the central nervous system is far from being understood. Current first evidence suggests a close interaction between thyroid hormone deiodination, thyroid hormone concentration, and expression of thyroid hormone responsive genes in the adult brain as well as tight regulation and interaction between thyroid hormone metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis release and action.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Mechanisms of thyroid hormone action on the insulin-like growth factor system: all thyroid hormone effects are not growth hormone mediated.

Normal somatic growth requires that both the thyroid hormone axis and GH axis be intact. Thyroid hormone stimulates GH secretion, and many thyroid hormone actions on the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system can be explained by this mechanism. We have previously described distinct changes in IGF binding protein (IGFBP) expression in experimental hypothyroidism in the rat; these changes could be completely corrected by thyroid hormone replacement. To see if the effects of thyroid hormone on IGFBP expression are, in fact, indirect GH effects, we rendered both newborn and adult rats hypothyroid with methimazole treatment, and investigated whether we could correct the resulting IGF and IGFBP changes with GH replacement. The prolonged high expression of serum IGFBP-2 and liver IGFBP-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) during the perinatal period in hypothyroid rat pups could not be normalized by GH therapy, although serum IGF-I values (reduced to 54% of control levels in the hypothyroid animals) were brought up to control level. In adult hypothyroid rats, serum IGF-I concentrations (51% of control levels), were increased up to 79% of control levels, but not totally corrected, by GH therapy. Reduced IGFBP-3 expression (80% of control serum and 50% of control liver mRNA levels) in adult hypothyroid animals was normalized by GH, but there was no correction of the reduced IGFBP-4 serum levels (50% of control levels). Hepatic mRNA levels for the type 1 and 2 IGF receptors were not altered by hypothyroidism, or by thyroid or GH replacement. Somatic growth in hypothyroid pups and adults was only partially corrected by GH therapy. We conclude that GH treatment of hypothyroid animals normalized serum IGF-I levels in the hypothyroid rat pup, but did not correct their prolonged IGFBP-2 expression. In the mature animal, serum IGF-I levels were partially corrected and IGFBP-3 levels were normalized by GH, but no change could be induced in the reduced serum IGFBP-4 levels. All the above changes were normalized by thyroid hormone replacement. Thus, the effects of thyroid hormone on serum IGF levels and IGFBP-3 expression seem to be mediated indirectly via GH. The effects on IGFBP-2 ontogeny, and IGFBP-4 expression in the mature animal, however, are either direct thyroid hormone effects, or mediated by some other route, independent of GH, IGFs, or IGF receptors.

Aging↗

PubMed1980

[Action mechanism of the thyroid hormone in the heart cell--interaction of the thyroid hormone and catecholamines].

The thyroid hormones change the adrenergic reactivity of the myocardium. Since a series of cardiac functions, among others also ways of metabolism such as glycogenolysis and lipolysis underlie an adrenergic regulation, changes of the state of the thyroid gland manifest themselves on them. Investigations at the system of the beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate-cyclase have shown that in hyperthyreosis and the beta-adrenergic number of receptors is increased by more than double. Moreover, references were got that the thyroid hormones have an influence on the coupling of the receptor to the catalytic subunit of the adenylate cyclase and a regulatory subunit of the enzyme which is regulated by guanine nucleotides. These findings help in the clarification of the causes for the changed reaction to the beta-adrenergic stimulation of the heart.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed2006

The mitochondrion as a primary site of action of steroid and thyroid hormones: presence and action of steroid and thyroid hormone receptors in mitochondria of animal cells.

Mitochondria are key cellular organelles that regulate events related to energy production and apoptosis. These processes are modulated, in turn, by steroid and thyroid hormones in the course of their actions on metabolism, growth and development. In this context, a direct effect of these hormones on the mitochondrial-linked processes, possibly by way of cognate mitochondrial receptors, has been proposed. In this paper we review data from the literature and present new findings supporting this concept. Receptors for steroid hormones, glucocorticoids and estrogens, and for T(3), have been detected in mitochondria by immunofluorescence labeling and confocal laser microscopy, by Western blotting of mitochondrial proteins and by immunogold electron microscopy. Furthermore, the mitochondrial genome contains nucleotide sequences with high similarity to known hormone-responsive elements, which interact with the appropriate receptors to confer hormone-dependent activation of reporter genes in transfection experiments. Thus, thyroid hormone stimulates mitochondrial transcription mediated by the cognate receptor when added to an in organello mitochondrial system, capable of faithful transcription.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Resistance to thyroid hormone associated with autoimmune thyroid disease in a Turkish family.

The syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is characterized by impaired tissue responses to thyroid hormone. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common thyroid autoimmune disease. We present a Turkish family with both RTH and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. RTH was detected through the presence of point mutation in thyroid hormone receptor (TR), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis was diagnosed due to the presence of thyroid autoantibodies. The proposita, her affected mother as well as her unaffected sister have thyroid autoantibodies consistent with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and a heterozygous point mutation in exon 10 encoding the ligand (3,3',5-L-T3)-binding domain of the TRbeta gene was detected in both the proposita and the mother. The mutation is a replacement of cytosine for guanine in codon 453 (CCT->GCT) producing a missense mutation substituting a normal proline with an alanine (P453A), which reduces the affinity for T3 to 17% of that of the normal TRbeta. Both also have modest elevation of serum TSH levels. In severe RTH, marked elevation of thyroid hormone concentrations in the absence of suppressed TSH supports the laboratory diagnosis of RTH. However, when RTH is mild and associated with thyroiditis, even a modest thyroid gland insufficiency can obliterate the serum T4 and T3 elevations, typical of RTH. This will manifest as elevated serum TSH. Demonstration of TRbeta gene mutation is then necessary to establish the diagnosis. In addition, under these circumstances, treatment with thyroid hormone should be considered.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Regulation of expression of thyroid hormone receptor isoforms and coactivators in liver and heart by thyroid hormone.

Autoregulation of thyroid hormone (TH) receptors (TRs) is a mechanism whereby a cell can regulate its responsiveness to TH. Nuclear coactivators (NCoAs) modulate TH action and may also be important for regulation of TR expression. We have determined the effect of TH withdrawal and treatment on the expression of different isoforms of TR as well as expression of the NCoAs SRC-1, TIF-2 and SRC-3 using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. In order to identify the effect that each TR isoform exerts over the expression of the other, NCoA and TR transcripts were measured in liver and heart tissue from wild type mice or mice with deletion of either TR isoform or SRC-1 genes. In liver, regulation of TR beta1 and TR alpha2 subtype expression is inversely related to TH levels and the regulation of TR beta expression is, in part, controlled by TR alpha. In the heart, the opposite is the case, regulation of TR alpha2 and TR beta1 isoform expression is directly related to TH levels and this regulation is primarily controlled by TR alpha. Although NCoAs are, in general, increased in response to hypothyroidism or in states of TH resistance, SRC-1 specifically does not regulate TR isoform expression. We have demonstrated that TR isoforms and NCoAs are autoregulated transcription factors with tissue specificity.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Resistance to thyroid hormone caused by a new mutation (V336M) in the thyroid hormone receptor beta gene.

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH), usually caused by an inherited defect of the thyroid hormone receptor, (TRbeta), results in a reduced responsiveness of target tissues to thyroid hormone. Until now, more than 600 cases with RTH have been identified. Although usually linked to the TRbeta gene, located on chromosome 3, RTH may also occur in the absence of mutations in the coding region of this gene. We report a 10-month-old boy who had laboratory findings typical of RTH. He was born prematurely on the 34th week of gestation and his thyrotropin (TSH) during neonatal screening was 121 microU/mL, a value very high for RTH or prematurity. Direct sequencing of the TRbeta gene from the patient's genomic DNA revealed a heterozygous substitution of the normal valine with a mutant methionine in codon 336 (V336M) that has not been previously reported. In vitro expression studies showed that this mutant TRbeta has an impaired triiodothyronine (T3)-dependent transactivation that reduces the activity of the wild-type TRbeta (dominant negative effect). While the functional impairment of V336M is not unusual compared to other TRbeta gene mutations, the very high TSH value in this prematurely born infant suggests that fetuses with RTH have altered maturation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis or actually may suffer from hypothyroidism.

Adenine↗

PubMed2002

The quantity of thyroid hormone in human milk is too low to influence plasma thyroid hormone levels in the very preterm infant.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormone is crucial for brain development during foetal and neonatal life. In very preterm infants, transient low levels of plasma T4 and T3 are commonly found, a phenomenon referred to as transient hypothyroxinaemia of prematurity. We investigated whether breast milk is a substantial resource of thyroid hormone for very preterm neonates and can alleviate transient hypothyroxinaemia. Both the influence of breast feeding on plasma thyroid hormone levels and the thyroid hormone concentration in preterm human milk were studied. METHODS: Two groups were formed from the placebo group of a randomized thyroxine supplementation trial in infants born at < 30 weeks' gestational age on the basis of the mean breast milk intake during the third, fourth and fifth weeks of life. One group received more than 50% breast milk (mean breast milk intake 84%, n = 32) and the other group less than 25% breast milk (mean breast milk intake 3.3%, n = 25). Plasma thyroid hormone concentrations were compared between the two groups. Breast milk was collected from mothers of infants participating in the same trial and the thyroxine concentration in breast milk was measured with RIA after extraction. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between both groups in plasma concentrations of T4, free T4, T3, TSH, rT3 and thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), which were measured once a week. Thyroxine concentration in breast milk ranged between 0.17 microg/l and 1.83 microg/l (mean 0.83, SD 0.3 microg/l) resulting in a maximum T4 supply of 0.3 microg/kg via ingested breast milk. In formula milk, the T4 concentration was equally low. Protease treatment did not influence the measured T4 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: No differences in plasma thyroid hormone between breast milk-fed and formula-fed infants were found. The amount of T4 present in human milk and formula milk is too low to alter the hypothyroxinaemic state of preterm infants.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Nontranscriptional modulation of intracellular Ca2+ signaling by ligand stimulated thyroid hormone receptor.

Thyroid hormone 3,5,3'-tri-iodothyronine (T3) binds and activates thyroid hormone receptors (TRs). Here, we present evidence for a nontranscriptional regulation of Ca2+ signaling by T3-bound TRs. Treatment of Xenopus thyroid hormone receptor beta subtype A1 (xTRbetaA1) expressing oocytes with T3 for 10 min increased inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-mediated Ca2+ wave periodicity. Coexpression of TRbetaA1 with retinoid X receptor did not enhance regulation. Deletion of the DNA binding domain and the nuclear localization signal of the TRbetaA1 eliminated transcriptional activity but did not affect the ability to regulate Ca2+ signaling. T3-bound TRbetaA1 regulation of Ca2+ signaling could be inhibited by ruthenium red treatment, suggesting that mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake was required for the mechanism of action. Both xTRbetaA1 and the homologous shortened form of rat TRalpha1 (rTRalphaDeltaF1) localized to the mitochondria and increased O2 consumption, whereas the full-length rat TRalpha1 did neither. Furthermore, only T3-bound xTRbetaA1 and rTRalphaDeltaF1 affected Ca2+ wave activity. We conclude that T3-bound mitochondrial targeted TRs acutely modulate IP3-mediated Ca2+ signaling by increasing mitochondrial metabolism independently of transcriptional activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Thyroid hormone receptor binds to a site in the rat growth hormone promoter required for induction by thyroid hormone.

Transcription of the rat growth hormone (rGH) gene in pituitary cells is increased by addition of thyroid hormone (T3). This induction is dependent on the presence of specific sequences just upstream of the rGH promoter. We have partially purified T3 receptor from rat liver and examined its interaction with these rGH sequences. We show here that T3 receptor binds specifically to a site just upstream of the basal rGH promoter. This binding site includes two copies of a 7-base-pair direct repeat, the centers of which are separated by 10 base pairs. Deletions that specifically remove the T3 receptor binding site drastically reduce response to T3 in transient transfection experiments. These results demonstrate that T3 receptor can recognize specific DNA sequences and suggest that it can act directly as a positive transcriptional regulatory factor.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Compensatory role of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) alpha 1 in resistance to thyroid hormone: study in mice with a targeted mutation in the TR beta gene and deficient in TR alpha 1.

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is caused by mutations of the thyroid hormone receptor beta (TR beta) gene. Almost all RTH patients are heterozygous with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. That most are clinically euthyroid suggests a compensatory role of the TR alpha1 isoform in maintaining the normal functions of thyroid hormone (T3) in these patients. To understand the role of TR alpha1 in the manifestation of RTH, we compared the phenotypes of mice with a targeted dominantly negative mutant TR beta (TR betaPV) with or without TR alpha1. TR betaPV mice faithfully recapitulate RTH in humans in that these mice demonstrate abnormalities in the pituitary-thyroid axis and impairment in growth. Here we show that the dysregulation of the pituitary-thyroid axis was worsened by the lack of TR alpha1 in TR betaPV mice, and severe impairment of postnatal growth was manifested in TR betaPV mice deficient in TR alpha1. Furthermore, abnormal expression patterns of T3-target genes in TR betaPV mice were altered by the lack of TR alpha1. These results demonstrate that the lack of TR alpha1 exacerbates the manifestation of RTH in TR betaPV mice. Therefore, TR alpha1 could play a compensatory role in mediating the functions of T3 in heterozygous patients with RTH. This compensatory role may be especially crucial for postnatal growth.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Nutritional and hormonal regulation of thyroid hormone deiodinases.

Selenocysteine has been identified in the active center of types 1 and 3 iodothyronine deiodinases, two important enzymes regulating the formation and degradation of the active thyroid hormone, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3). Selenium is thus required for such complex processes as normal growth, brain development, and metamorphosis, all of which are thyroid hormone dependent. Structural and functional analyses of the type 1 deiodinase mRNA allowed identification of the selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element, a stem-loop structure in the 3' untranslated region of the mRNA. SECIS elements with conserved sequence and structural features are also present in the 3' untranslated regions of the mRNAs encoding selenoprotein P and the glutathione peroxidase family of selenoproteins. These elements are necessary and sufficient for directing selenocysteine incorporation into the deiodinases and the other mammalian selenoproteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Development of contrast sensitivity in infants with prenatal and neonatal thyroid hormone insufficiencies.

Thyroid hormone is essential for normal brain development including structures critical for visual processing. While chick and rodent models have demonstrated abnormal visual development following prenatal thyroid hormone loss, comparable data do not exist in the human. To determine whether human infants with intrauterine and early postnatal thyroid hormone insufficiencies have compromised visual abilities, we investigated contrast sensitivity and visual acuity development in 13 infant offspring of women with hypothyroidism during pregnancy (HYPO), 16 preterm infants born between 32 and 35 weeks gestation, 12 infants with congenital hypothyroidism (CH), and 20 typically developing infants. All were assessed with the sweep visual evoked potential technique at 3, 4.5, and 6 months (corrected) age. Results showed significantly reduced contrast sensitivity but normal visual acuity in HYPO and CH groups relative to controls (p < 0.003 and p < 0.05 respectively). Stratification of the HYPO group into subgroups based on maternal TSH levels during the first half of pregnancy revealed lower contrast sensitivities for infants whose mothers' TSH values were above than below the median (p < 0.05). In the CH group, those with an absent thyroid gland and/or a newborn TSH value above 200 mIU/L had lower contrast sensitivities than did those with other etiologies or TSH levels below 100 mIU/L (p < 0.05). There were no significant effects involving the preterm group. These results indicate that thyroid hormone is important for human visual development.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Thyroid hormone action: identification of the mitochondrial thyroid hormone receptor as adenine nucleotide translocase.

A preliminary report from our laboratory suggested that the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) is bound with an association constant (Ka) approximating 2 x 10(11) M-1 by adenine nucleotide translocase (AdNT) purified from beef heart mitochondria. We now report that [125I]T3 is capable of photoaffinity labeling not only purified AdNT but also the carrier in intact beef heart mitochondria. Photoaffinity labeling in intact mitochondria was appreciably greater than that observed with purified AdNT. The covalently labeled AdNT was identified by 2-dimensional electrophoresis with pI of 10 on electrofocusing and M(r) of 31,000 on SDS gel. Identification of the covalently labeled protein as authentic AdNT was substantiated by its interaction with a specific monoclonal antibody preparation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Effects of thyroid status on bone metabolism: a primary role for thyroid stimulating hormone or thyroid hormone?

Thyroid hormones are essential for normal skeletal growth and the maintenance of bone mass in adulthood, although their mechanism of action in bone is poorly understood. Hypothyroidism causes impaired bone formation and growth retardation whereas thyrotoxicosis results in accelerated growth, advanced bone age and decreased bone mass. Adults with thyrotoxicosis or a suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from any cause have an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture. Conventionally, bone loss in thyrotoxicosis has been regarded as a direct consequence of thyroid hormone excess acting locally on bone. Recently, however, it has been proposed that TSH may be a direct negative regulator of bone turnover acting via the TSH receptor on both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Thus, TSH deficiency could be partly responsible for the skeletal loss seen in thyrotoxicosis. Here we provide an overview of the molecular actions of thyroid hormone in bone and discuss in detail the current evidence relating to a possible role for TSH in bone metabolism.

Animals↗