This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by BASSO, A. Articles by MASERA, N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by BASSO, A. Articles by MASERA, N.

Role of Triiodothyronine in Down-Regulation and Recovery of Lymphocyte β-Adrenoceptors in Thyroidectomized Patients

Centre of Biochemistry INRCA Hospital Ancona, Italy
Centre of Surgical Research INRCA Hospital Ancona, Italy
Gerontology Research Department, IN RCA Ancona; and the Clinical Laboratory INRCA Hospital Ancona, Italy
Surgical Division INRCA Hospital Ancona, Italy

Address requests for reprints to: Dr. L. Piantanelli, Centre of Biochemistry, Gerontology Research Department, INRCA, Via Birarelli 8, 1-60121 Ancona, Italy.

Thyroid function modulates β-adrenergic sensitivity through the regulation of β-adrenoceptor density. In particular, thyroidectomy decreases and thyroid hormone injections increase β-adrenoceptor density on human lymphocytes. In the present paper the relationship between receptor modifications and thyroid hormone levels has been studied in human lymphocytes from patients after thyroidectomy. The patterns of early changes as well as recovery trends have been investigated. Results show a statistically significant fall in receptor density, parallelled by a decrease in T₃ levels, 1–3 days after thyroidectomy. Recovery of receptor density is observed 5–8 days after surgical intervention and is accompanied by increased T₃ levels. There is a positive correlation between receptor density and T₃ levels. On the contrary, no statistically significant correlation was observed for receptor density and T₄ levels. The time course of disappearance and recovery of receptor density and that of T₃ levels have also been analyzed with the aid of a mathematical model fitting experimental data. On this basis, the hypothesis that both down-regulation and subsequent recovery of β-adrenoceptor density are driven by the fall and rise of T₃ is suggested. Data are also discussed in relation to experimental results we have obtained in animal studies

Received January 24, 1991.