The effect of one-time external gamma irradiation at different stages of ontogeny on the thyroid status of rats]

A single external gamma-irradiation (1 Gy) of rats on day 35 of their life causes stable structural and functional disturbances in the thyroid gland leading to the development of hypothyrosis at the remote times following irradiation which is demonstrated by the decrease in the concentration of thyroxine in the blood, increase in the thyrotropic function of the hypophysis and inhibition of the activity of tyrosine-dependent enzyme, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, in the liver. Disturbances induced by such exposure in the thyroid gland of adult rats are insignificant and compensatory in time.     

Complex estimation of thyroid gland state in tundra voles, inhabiting the natural radioactive polluted sites

Behow is presented the complex state of thyroid gland of tundra voles living in high level natural radioactivity conditions (Ukhta region of Komi Republic) by morphological and functional criteria. High sensitivity of thyroid gland under natural chronic irradiation of whole organism is noticed. The essential changes in the morphological structure and in the hormone level of the thyroid gland are found in animals, which live for a long time in the conditions of the radioactive pollution. It is determined, that the inside population processes influence on the structure and on the funcition of the thyroid gland.     

Effect of cultivation conditions on the functional activity of thyrocytes in the organ culture of the thyroid gland in newborn piglets

In new-born piglets' thyroid gland culture, thyrocytes were capable of synthesising thyroxine and triiodothyronine for over 12 days. A 48-hour decline of the medium pH to 6.45 did not affect further functional activity of the cells. Decrease in temperature to 26-28 degrees C augmented the thyroid hormones level as opposed to continuous cultivation at 37 degrees C. Degradation of the thyroid gland follicular structure induced a change in the hormones biosynthesis. The thyrocytes not arranged in the follicles mainly produced triiodothyronine in concentrations 5 to 8-fold higher than the T4 contents.     

Microbial adjuvant and autoimmunity. II. Production of lesions in mice immunized with syngeneic tissue extracts together with the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The target organs of mice immunized with the respective syngeneic tissue extracts together with the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPS-K) as a powerful adjuvant were examined for production of lesions. In 15 out of 24 mice injected three times or more with syngeneic eyeball extracts and CPS-K adjuvant at intervals approximately 30 days, severe eyeball lesions developed in which the normal structure was almost completely lost. A large part of the eyeball tissue of these mice was replaced by infiltration with cells such as lymphocytes, plasma cells and other mononuclear cells and by connective tissue. No definite eye lesions developed in mice injected with CPS-K alone, eyeball extracts alone or eyeball extracts emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). In all of mice injected four times with thyroid gland extracts and CPS-K at intervals of approximately 30 days, definite thyroid gland lesions were produced. In three out of five mice of this group, the thyroid lesions were so severe that the normal thyroid follicular structure was almost completely lost, and a large part of the thyroid gland was replaced by infiltration with lymphocytes, plasma cells and other mononuclear cells and in part by connective tissue. In only one out of five mice injected with thyroid gland extracts emulsified in CFA, definite but milder thyroid gland lesions developed. No definite thyroid lesions developed in the remaining four mice of this group and also in any of the mice injected with thyroid gland extracts alone or CPS-K alone. Repeated injections of lymphoid tissue extracts and CPS-K also induced pathological changes in the spleen and lymph nodes, although less marked than those in the cases of the eyes and thyroid gland. The most remarkable change was a decrease in numbers of small lymphocytes at the areas surrounding the central arterioles in the white pulp of the spleen and the post-capillary venules in the cortex of the lymph nodes. From these results it has been concluded that our system can provide new and useful models for autoimmune diseases in man.     

Changes in the thyrocytes to the administration of intermedin under conditions of the aminazine-altered functional state of the nervous system]

Histological and electron microscopial investigations of the thyroid gland were performed in white mice after exogeneous administration of intermedin (MSH) and intermedin against the background of aminasin. It may be concluded that while a prolonged injection of MSH results in the stimulation of the thyroid gland, the administration of the hormone in question against the background of aminasin results in the same ultramorphological structural changes of the gland which are observed after injection of aminasin alone, causing a decreased functional activity of the thyroid gland. The effect of intermedin upon the thyroid is supposed to be realized through those hypothalamus structures which are responsible for the regulation of the thyrotropic function of the hypophysis.     

Effects of lindane, an organochlorine insecticide, on the thyroid gland of larvae of Xenopus laevis Daudin in premetamorphosis

The effects of 0.5 ppm of lindane were studied on the morphogenesis and the initial functioning of the thyroid gland. Some disturbances were observed: the formation of the first follicles were delayed and ultrastructural changes were noted: increase in the number of mitochondria, reduction of the endoplasmic reticulum. This demonstrates a noxious effect of lindane at the beginning of the functional maturation of the thyroid gland.     

Characteristics of the compensatory repair processes in the thyroid of 1-month-old rats as affected by sympathectomy

A considerable decrease in the amount of sympathetic nervous cells in neonatal rats injected guanethidine resulted in the depression of thyroid gland functional activity in 1-month-old animals, there was an apparent parallel increase in the proliferative activity of the gland. A 2/3 thyroidectomy led to the functional tension of the remaining part of the organ. A comparison of compensatory-reparative processes after thyroidectomy has shown similarity of reparative changes in experimental and control rats, however, the degree of repair potential was much higher in the sympathectomized thyroid gland.     

Morphological changes in the thyroid gland of rats during various phases of the estral cycle]

The functional state of the thyroid gland and the concentration of thyroid hormones in the peripheral blood were studied in 20 mature female albino rats during their estral cycle. Evaluation of the thyroid functional state was made according to data of histological, morphological (the diameter of folliculi, the height of the thyroid epithelium) and histochemical analysis (determination of NAD and NADP-dehydrogenase, succinatedehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, peroxydase, acid and alkaline phosphatase) as well as biochemical determination of iodine bound with protein (IBP) in the blood plasma and investigation of the ratio of the parameters in question under conditions of the sex cycle. The cyclic changes of the morphological state of the thyroid gland attended by the phases of the estral cycle were revealed. The activation of the organ was observed in proestrus and estrus which was evidenced by high levels of activity of the enzymes under study, high concentration of IBP in the blood and increased height of thyreocytes. A decreased function of the thyroid parenchyma was observed at the period of metaestrus-diestrus.     

Relationship of biochemical and morphological changes in rat thyroid and proton spin-relaxation of the tissue water.

The effect was studied of biochemical and morphological changes induced by antithyroid substances (PTU, C10(-4)) on proton spin-relaxation properties of rat thyroid gland. It was found that thyroid stimulated by PTU (0.05%) or C10(-4) (1.0%) exhibit marked morphological changes (hyperplasia and epithelial hypertrophy) with alteration of the soluble iodoprotein pattern (content and composition.). Both relaxation times spin-lattice (T1) and spin-spin (T2) were increasing with the lenght of treatment with antithyroid drugs. Reversibility of the process was noted in accordance with biochemical and morphological data. The relaxation rate (formula: see text) for thyroid tissue water was in positive correlation with the suluble protein concentration and particularly with the TG content in the gland. There was no difference in relaxation times between normal thyroid and gland of rats treated chronically with excess iodide. The observed difference in T1 between normal glands and glands of PTU,-C10(-4)--treated rats was comparable with that found in cases of human thyroid cancer. This finding is of importance when the diagnostic potential of NMR in the detection of malignancy is considered. In conclusion, a strong correlation was found between microstructural and biochemical changes of the thyroid gland and proton magnetic relaxation of tissue water. The striking difference between the proton spin-relaxation times in normal and in goiter thyroid glands of rats suggests that pulsed NMR spectroscopy could be a method for evaluation of some disturbances in thyroid gland.     

The functional state of the thyroid gland following partial pancreatectomy]

In Wistar rats a study was made of a functional condition of the thyroid gland 1, 6 and 24 hours after partial pancreatectomy. The following signs-served as criteria of a functional condition of the gland: the amount of neutrone-activated iodine in iron, iodine-absorptive capacity of the gland by I131, the amount of protein-bound stable and radioactive iodine in the blood, a morphological condition of the gland structures. It was demonstrated that, despite the initial intensification of the process of synthesis and secretion in the thyroid gland, its secretory activity fell by the end of the experiment. This reduction is regarded as an adaptive response to partial insulin deficiency.     

Extracorporeal biological perfusion of isolated canine thyroid glands

A model of extracorporeal biological perfusion of the isolated thyroid gland in dogs has been developed. The experiments on dogs were performed to analyse the functional state of the perfused gland. It has been shown that the functional state parameters in 6-hour perfusion were comparable to the control values. It is concluded that the model suggested creates physiologic conditions and can be employed as a model for studying the influence of various factors on the isolated thyroid gland, as well as for investigating problems related to thyroid gland transplantation.     

Energy and plastic metabolism of the heart muscle in rabbits undergoing thyroid irradiation with decimeter waves

The functional state of myocardial mitochondria, the glycogen and nucleic acid contents in myocardium, and morphometry of structural elements of cardiomyocytes and myocardial capillary network were investigated in order to select the optimal regimen of decimeter wave exposures with power density of 10, 120 and 240 mW/cm2 on the area of thyroid gland. It was shown that the thyroid gland exposure to decimeter waves at these intensities resulted in functional shifts in energy and plastic processes in myocardium and capillary blood supply. These changes increased to a considerable extent as the intensity of exposure was increasing and reached the maximum at power density of 240 mW/cm2 but event at this intensity there was not found the injurious effect of decimeter waves on the myocardium.     

The effect of microwave irradiation on the status of the thyroid gland

Multiple irradiation of rats with microwaves of continuous generation (2450 MHz, 1 mW/cm2) increased and of pulsed generation (3000 MHz, 0.1 to 2.5 mW/cm2) decreased the functional activity of the thyroid gland with no changes in the triiodothyronine and thyroxin in blood serum. The role of the thyroid gland in inducing behaviour effects of microwaves was demonstrated by the method of extirpation.     

Postradiation changes in the thyroid gland and skeletal muscle after exposure to iodine-131

The functional status of rat skeletal muscles was studied at dormancy and during the intensive muscular work under conditions of repeated administration of iodine 131 in doses causing reversible and irreversible damages to thyroid gland (the absorbed doses were from 0.27 to 266 Gy). The biochemical changes in muscles were transient; they correlated with the thyroid gland status and lifetime of animals and were displayed during the first 15 days and 2-12 months after the start of the isotope injection.     

Characteristics of the recovery processes in the resected thyroid of adult rats after sympathectomy

The investigation was carried out on 65 adult white male rats (12-month-old) after normal development or chemical sympathectomy by guanethidine and subtotal thyroidectomy. By means of electronic microscopic, autoradiographic and radioimmunological methods the increased functional activity in thyroid gland of chemically sympathectomized rats was found. This is mainly due to thyrotropin hyperproduction and intensification of proliferative potential of the organ. Partial resection of sympathectomized rats thyroid gland leads to exhaustion of adenohypophysis compensatory potential manifested in disjunction of integrative connections in hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyroid gland system and delay of thyroid status normalization.     

Effect of lithium chloride on the thyroid gland of white rats]

The morphological and functional changes in the thyroid tissue of white rats injected lithium chloride at doses 0.5 mekv/kg and 1.0 mekv/kg (groups 1 and 2, respectively) during three weeks were studied by the radiometric, histological and biochemical methods. The radiometric, histological and biochemical methods. The inhibitory action of lithium chloride on hormonogenesis in the thyroid gland and secretion of thyroid hormones into the blood was proved to be directly related to the lithium dose and concentration in the blood. The data of intravital radiometric and morphological analysis of the organs of the 1st group animals suggest some activization of the gland function, with the secretion of the hormones into the blood being suppressed. Increased concentration of the drug inhibits hormonogenesis and secretion of thyroid hormones into the blood.     

Morphofunctional characteristics of the thyroid gland in intact and partially sympathectomized rats of different age groups

The morphological and functional age-dependent changes have been studied in the thyroid gland of infantile (1-month-old), immature (2- and 3-month-old) and sexually mature (6-month-old) male rats. The decrease in thyroid functional activity with ageing was proved. Chemical sympathectomy (guanethidine at a dose of 15 mg/kg intramuscularly for 14 days after birth) was accompanied not only by morphological reconstruction of the thyroid tissue, but also (especially in 1-month-old rats) by a delay in transport-organic phase of iodine metabolism and a decline in thyroid hormone serum level. Later on, the compensatory hormonogenesis reinforcement occurs as a result of partial adrenergic innervation recovery.     

Effects of thyroidectomy and administration of propylthiouracil (PTU) or thyrotropin (TSH) to pregnant rats on the functional development of the fetal thyroid gland an immunohistochemical study

In order to elucidate the maternal factors influencing the functional development of the fetal rat thyroid gland, pregnant rats were subjected to either thyroidectomy or administration of PTU or TSH and the thyroid glands of the fetuses were examined chronologically by immunohistochemistry to detect thyroglobulin (Tg), T4 and T3. In the group undergoing thyroidectomy, the occurrence of immunoreactive Tg, T4 and T3 was the same as in the control group in spite of slight retardation of the development of the thyroid gland. On the other hand, PTU administration caused remarkable degeneration of the hyperplastic epithelium of the follicles, where immunoreactivity of T4 and T3 was barely detectable, suggesting a transplacental effect of PTU on the fetal thyroid gland. However, Tg remained unaffected and was stained as well as in the controls. Injection of TSH led to a delay in the occurrence of T4 and T3 by one day, probably due to increased levels of thyroid hormone from the stimulated thyroid gland of the mother rats.     

The effect of small doses of ionizing radiation on the cAMP system in the thyroid gland of chick embryos

Adenylate cyclase activity and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content were studied in the thyroid gland of intact and irradiated (0.029 Gy given before incubation) embryos and chickens. The enzyme activity was stimulated and the nucleotide content increased on the 18th day of the embryo development. It is suggested that the observed stimulation of the cAMP system is associated with the increased secretion of the thyrotropic hormone which controls the functional activity of the thyroid gland.