Metabolic effects of 3,5-dimethyl-3'-isopropyl-L-thyronine and 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine in the brain and liver of hypothyroid rats. Similarities and differences

The metabolic effects of 3,5-dimethyl-3'-isopropyl-L-thyronine (DIMIT) on subcellular activities in brain and liver, have been compared to those of T3. Thyroidectomized hypothyroid rats were treated for 10 days with DIMIT (8 micrograms/100 g/day) or T3 (0.25 microgram/100 g/day). In liver mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, succinate cytochrome c reductase activities and nuclear RNA polymerases I and II activities were restored to normal level by DIMIT as well as by T3 treatment. In brain T3 treatment normalized both nuclear and mitochondrial activities. On the other hand daily injection of DIMIT restored like T3 nuclear activities whereas that of brain mitochondria were unaffected. We have also examined the early effects of a single injection of T3 (2.5 micrograms/100 g) or DIMIT (80 micrograms/100 g), 20 minutes prior sacrifice. DIMIT is as active as T3 in stimulation of oxidative phosphorylation and succinate cytochrome c reductase activity in liver mitochondria. However DIMIT treatment does not affect the properties of brain mitochondria. On the basis of these observations, it is suggested that there is a tissue specificity of mitochondrial receptors to DIMIT administration as it was shown at the nuclear level.