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Aging Is Associated with Low Thyroid State and Organ-Specific Sensitivity to Thyroxine
Helena Rakov1, Meri De Angelis2, Kostja Renko3
1Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association
|August 24, 2019
Summary
Aging impacts thyroid hormone levels and organ response. Older mice showed lower thyroid hormones and altered T4 conversion, suggesting age-related thyroid decline and tissue-specific sensitivities.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Serum thyroid status in older adults is linked to longevity.
- Age may influence systemic and organ-specific thyroid hormone regulation and response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of aging on thyroid hormone (TH) levels and response to thyroxine (T4) in young versus old mice.
- To compare systemic and organ-specific (liver, heart) TH status and T4 metabolism in aged rodents.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of young (3 months) and old (23 months) male mice.
- Assessment of serum thyrotropin (TSH) and TH concentrations.
- Measurement of pituitary and thyroid gene expression, hepatic/cardiac TH content, and hepatic deiodinase 1 activity.
Main Results:
- Old mice exhibited lower circulating TH, hepatic, and cardiac TH content.
- T4 to triiodothyronine conversion was reduced in old mice; TH transport remained unaffected.
- Liver showed augmented TH response in old mice, while the heart did not, indicating tissue-specific sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Reduced aged thyroid activity likely causes the systemic low TH state in older mice.
- Aged organisms display divergent TH metabolism and tissue responses post-T4 treatment.
- Rodent data suggest a narrow therapeutic window for T4 substitution in older adults to prevent overtreatment.
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