[Gas exchange and blood indices in thyroid gland dysfunction]

An exposure of intact rats to a hyperoxic atmosphere of 2 atm for one hour a day during 20 days induced no changes in the gas exchange or hemoglobin and red blood cells content. The concentration of free radicals tended to decline. Thyroidectomized rats kept in a normoxic atmosphere showed anemia and gas exchange decrease. The concentration of free radicals in the tissues declined slightly. These parameters returned to the norm after the hyperoxybaric exposure. During a normoxic exposure thyroxine injections accelerated gas exchange, producing no significant changes in the red blood composition. The free-radical activity tended to increase. After a hyperoxybaric exposure similar changes took place.