[Prostaglandins and the thyroid]

Prostaglandins (PG), PGE in particular, exert an effect similar to the stimulating one of thyroidotropic hormone (TTH), a basic regulator of the thyroid function, on the thyroid gland cells. Specific finding of the above compounds with plasma membranes of the gland cells is the first stage of their action. In most cases formation of the PGE-receptor complexes, is followed by the corresponding increase in the intracellular content of cAMP due to adenylate cyclase activation. PGE can be regarded as original extracellular local regulating agents formed in neighbouring (or the same) cells under the TTH effect and modulating the action of the latter on the regulated gland. In this case the regulating action of the hormone and PGE can be realized through the same mechanisms. Under conditions of the thyroid gland pathology against the background of the thyrotropic control weakening it is impossible to exclude the possibility of the independent PGE action on different parameters of the thyroid function or their participation in realization of the effects of other regulating agents.