The potentiation of ozone toxicity by thyroxine

In the presence of thyroxine, human erythrocytes exposed to ozone exhibit enhanced osmotic fragility and the association of radio-activity from 125I-labeled thyroxine with the major membrane glycoprotein, glycophorin. These events are accompanied by enhanced cation permeability in the absence of either measurable inhibition of ATPase activity or membrane lipid peroxidation. It is suggested that the thyroid hormones may play a role in the expression of ozone toxicity.