[Functional morphology of peripheral endocrine glands after thymic polypeptide administration in secondary...

The state of thyroid, adrenal cortex and testicular endocrine cells during the course of thymalin administration was studied. Morphological signs of transitory inhibition of steroidogenic gland function and thyroid stimulation were revealed in rats with intact immune system. Hyperplastic changes in thyroid epithelium were associated with decreased levels of total T3 and T4 and increased serum level of TTH. Regressive changes in the thyroid parenchyma and hyperplasia of steroid-producing elements of the testis and adrenal cortex in the thymectomized guinea pigs could not be corrected by the thymalin administration 45 days after the operation. Our data suggest the search of possible means of control and correction of the patient endocrine status during the administration of immunomodulators.