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Horm Metab Res 2008; 40(4): 276-280
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1046799
Humans, Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Maximum Acute Exercise Tolerance in Hyperthyroid and Hypothyroid Rats Subjected to Forced Swimming

G. Casimiro-Lopes 1 , S. B. Alves 1 , V. P. Salerno 2 , M. C. F. Passos 3 , P. C. Lisboa 1 , E. G. Moura 1
  • 1Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
  • 2Departamento de Biociências da Atividade Física, Escola de Educação Física e Desportos, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
  • 3Departamento de Nutrição Aplicada, Instituto de Nutrição, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Further Information

Publication History

received 08.05.2007

accepted 20.09.2007

Publication Date:
05 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Thyroid dysfunction can compromise physical capacity. Here, we analyze the effects of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism on maximum swim time in rats subjected to acute forced swimming, as an indicator of anaerobic capacity. Animals were forced to swim against a load (5% of body weight) attached to the tail and were killed 48 hours after the last test. Hyperthyroid rats were treated with thyroxine (50 μg/100 g body weight, i. p. for 7 days). The hypothyroid group received 0.03% methimazole in the drinking water for 4 weeks. Thyroid state was confirmed by alterations in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and liver mitochondrial glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPD) activity. Hyperthyroid rats presented significantly lower visceral fat mass (VFM) and higher food intake (p<0.05) with unchanged body weight. Maximum swim time (MST), glycogen content (skeletal muscle and liver), and leptin levels were lower while corticosterone was higher (p<0.05). In hypothyroid rats body weight was lower (p<0.05), without changes in VFM. Tested at 7-day intervals, MST was lower for tests 2, 3, and 4 (p<0.05). Muscle glycogen was higher in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (p<0.05), without changes in liver. Serum corticosterone was lower, while leptin was higher (p<0.05). These results suggest that in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid rats, thyroid hormones together with corticosterone and/or leptin may impair exercise capacity differently through its known effects on glycogen metabolism.

Key words

thyroid hormones - physical capacity - glycogen - leptin - corticosterone

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Correspondence

Dr. P.C. Lisboa

Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas

5o andar

Instituto de Biologia

Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Av. 28 de setembro 87

Rio de Janeiro 20551-030

Brazil

Phone: +21/258/76 13 4

Fax: +21/258/76 12 9

Email: pclisboa@uerj.br

Email: patricialisboa@pesquisador.cnpq.br