Effect of endotoxin challenge on hepatic 5'-deiodinase activity in cattle

Thyroid status is compromised in a variety of acute and chronic infections and toxin-mediated disease states. Conversion of thyroxine (T4) into the metabolically active hormone, triiodothyronine (T3), is catalyzed by 5'-deiodinase (5'D). Our objective was to determine the effect of endotoxin (LPS) challenge with and without L-arginine (Arg) infusion on hepatic activity of 5'D and plasma concentrations of T4 and T3. In a 2 x 2 factorial, beef heifers (275-310 kg b.wt.) were fed low (8% CP; 6.5 kg/d) or high (14% CP; 7.2 kg/d) isocaloric protein diets (1.96 Mcal/kg DM) for 10 d before LPS challenge. L-Arginine in saline (0.5 g/kg b.wt.) or saline alone was infused i.v. throughout an 8 hr period starting 2 hr before bolus LPS injection (Escherichia coli, 055: B5; 0.2 microg/kg; i.v.). Blood samples were collected at -2, 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr relative to LPS injection. Liver samples were obtained 20 hr before, and then 6 and 24 hr after LPS challenge using a biopsy needle. Plasma T4 and T3 concentrations were not affected by dietary CP or Arg. Compared with levels at 0 hr, LPS challenge decreased plasma T4 (P < 0.01) and T3 (P < 0.001), respectively, 8.4% and 28.9% at 6 hr and 19.7% and 31.3% at 24 hr. Consistent with these changes, the T3:T4 ratio was lower than that at 0 hr (P < 0.001) 22.0% at 6 hr and 13.5% at 24 hr. Hepatic 5'D activities 20 hr before LPS injection were 2.80 +/- 0.11 nmol I- x hr(-1) x mg protein(-1) and decreased 24 hr after LPS, respectively, 45.4% (P < 0.01) and 17.6% (P < 0.05) in saline- and Arg-infused heifers. The results indicate that mild LPS challenge in cattle inhibits hepatic generation of T3 and decreases plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones. The data also suggest that the impact of LPS on 5'D activity in liver can be altered by Arg supplementation.