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The lung as a target organ for thyroxine.
1Department of Medicine, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Thyroxine significantly increases glucose utilization in the rat lung, indicating enhanced oxidative metabolism. This study confirms the mammalian lung as a target organ for thyroxine.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Thyroxine (hormone) is crucial for metabolism.
- The lung's role in thyroxine's metabolic effects is not fully understood.
- Investigating chronic thyroxine exposure on lung metabolism is necessary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chronic effects of thyroxine on intermediary metabolism in the mammalian lung.
- To determine if the lung is a target organ for thyroxine.
Main Methods:
- Isolated perfused in situ rat lung preparation.
- Measurement of glucose utilization, lactate, alanine, and pyruvate output.
- Chronic thyroxine treatment administration.
Main Results:
- Thyroxine treatment significantly increased glucose utilization by 91 +/- 11 mumol/g dry weight/hr compared to controls (54 +/- 5 mumol/g dry weight/hr).
- Lactate, alanine, and pyruvate output remained unchanged, suggesting increased glucose oxidation rather than anaerobic metabolism.
- This indicates enhanced oxidative metabolism of glucose in the lung.
Conclusions:
- The mammalian lung is a target organ for thyroxine.
- Thyroxine influences intermediary glucose metabolism in the lung.
- Increased glucose oxidation is a key effect of chronic thyroxine exposure in the lung.