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Morphine induced thyroxine release from rat thyroid gland in vitro.
Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|April 1, 1986
Summary
Morphine increases thyroxine (T4) release and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in rat thyroid tissue. Naloxone, a morphine antagonist, blocked these effects, indicating opioid receptor involvement in thyroid hormone regulation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The thyroid gland regulates metabolism through thyroid hormones.
- Opioid receptors are known to modulate various physiological processes.
- The specific role of opioids in thyroid function is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of morphine on thyroid hormone (T4) release.
- To examine the impact of morphine on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in thyroid tissue.
- To determine the role of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, in modulating these effects.
Main Methods:
- Male rat thyroid glands were incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer.
- Tissues were exposed to varying concentrations of morphine and/or naloxone.
- Thyroxine (T4) concentration in the incubation medium and cAMP levels in the tissue were measured.
Main Results:
- Morphine (5 µg/ml) significantly increased T4 concentration in the incubation medium.
- Morphine administration led to a significant accumulation of cAMP within the thyroid tissue.
- Naloxone alone did not affect T4 release but blocked the morphine-induced increase in T4.
- Naloxone inhibited the morphine-induced accumulation of cAMP in thyroid tissue.
Conclusions:
- Morphine stimulates T4 release from the thyroid gland.
- Opioid receptor activation influences intracellular cAMP signaling in thyroid tissue.
- Naloxone antagonizes the effects of morphine on thyroid function, suggesting opioid receptor mediation.