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Horm Metab Res 1978; 10(6): 528-531
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1093385
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Thyroxine Inactivation by Starvation in Cultured Hepatocarcinoma Cells. Formation of Reverse Triiodothyronine

K.  Sorimachi , J.  Robbins
  • Clinical Endocrinology Branch National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism and Digestive Diseases National Institutes of Health Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A.
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Publication Date:
23 December 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The effect of starvation on thyroid hormone metabolism was studied in monkey hepatocarcinoma monolayer cultures. Nonphenolic ring monodeiodination of thyroxine, 3, 5, 3'-triiodothyronine and 3, 3'-diiodothyronine was accelerated. Since phenolic ring deiodination of 3, 3', 5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3) was unaffected, this metabolite accumulated in the medium during thyroxine metabolism. This suggests that increased serum reverse T3 in malnourished humans may be caused by enhanced deiodination of thyroxine rather than decreased rT3 catabolism.

Key words

Thyroxine - Inactivation - Starvation - Cultured Hepatocarcinoma Cells - Reverse Triiodothyronine