Effects of thyroid hormone and adrenalectomy on [Na+ + K+]ATPase in the ob/ob mouse

The absence of the thyroid stimulation of hepatic [Na+ + K+]ATPase in obese (ob/ob) mice has been investigated. A wide range of tri-iodothyronine (T3) concentrations failed to enhance the hepatic [Na+ + K+]ATPase of ob/ob mice made hypothyroid by methimazole treatment but glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity was maximally stimulated at low doses of T3. Adrenalectomy increased the basal activity of [Na+ + K+]ATPase to levels found in lean control mice and restored the response of this enzyme to T3. Body weight gain was unaffected by the induction of hypothyroidism in either lean or ob/ob mice. It is concluded that the adrenal steroids play an important role in the expression of [Na+ + K+]ATPase activity in the ob/ob mouse.