Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
05:41
Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function
Published on: January 29, 2013
16.7K
Adipokine expression and endothelial function in subclinical hypothyroidism rats
Ningning Gong1,2, Cuixia Gao3, Xuedi Chen1
1Department of EndocrinologyGansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.
Endocrine Connections
|February 15, 2018
Summary
Subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) in rats alters adipokine expression and endothelial function, increasing harmful lipids. Levothyroxine (LT4) treatment effectively reverses these detrimental changes, improving metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) is associated with metabolic and cardiovascular risks.
- Adipokine dysregulation and endothelial dysfunction are implicated in sHT pathogenesis.
- The therapeutic effects of levothyroxine (LT4) on these parameters in sHT require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adipokine expression and endothelial function in a rat model of sHT.
- To determine the impact of levothyroxine (LT4) treatment on these sHT-induced alterations.
Main Methods:
- Induction of sHT in Wistar rats using methimazole (MMI).
- Administration of LT4 to a subset of sHT rats.
- Measurement of thyroid function, lipid profiles, adipokines (adiponectin, chemerin, TNF-α), and endothelial markers (ET-1, NO).
- Analysis of adipokine and inflammatory marker expression in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) via RT-PCR and Western blotting.
Main Results:
- sHT rats exhibited elevated TSH, TNF-α, chemerin, ET-1, total cholesterol, and LDL-C.
- sHT rats showed decreased adiponectin and nitric oxide levels.
- Positive correlations were observed between TSH and chemerin, TNF-α, ET-1, LDL-C, TC, and TG.
- Negative correlations were found between TSH and adiponectin and NO levels.
- LT4 treatment ameliorated the observed changes in adipokines and endothelial function.
Conclusions:
- Elevated TSH levels in sHT contribute to adipokine dysregulation and endothelial dysfunction.
- LT4 treatment effectively mitigates the adverse effects of sHT on adipokines and endothelial function.
- These findings highlight the importance of managing sHT to prevent metabolic and cardiovascular complications.
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