Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 74, 1135-1139, Copyright © 1992 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Recombinant human thyrotropin stimulates thyroid function and radioactive iodine uptake in the rhesus monkey

LE Braverman, BM Pratt, S Ebner and C Longcope
Division of Endocrinology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655.

The administration of bovine TSH to stimulate thyroid radioactive iodine uptake to detect functioning thyroid tissue in man after surgery for thyroid cancer is rarely, if ever, used, due to allergic reactions and/or the development of TSH antibodies. Human (h) TSH would be far less likely to induce allergic reactions or TSH antibodies. Recombinant hTSH (rec-hTSH) was produced by a line of Chinese hamster ovary cells that had been transfected with cDNA for the two subunit proteins that comprise hTSH. The present study was carried out to determine the half- life of rec-hTSH in the monkey and its ability to stimulate thyroid function. The half-life of rec-hTSH after iv administration was approximately 63 min for the rapid phase and 326 min for the slow phase. After three daily im injections of 2 U rec-hTSH to two monkeys, serum T4 concentrations increased several-fold, and serum T3 increased 2-3 times above basal values. The 6 and 20 h thyroid 123I uptakes doubled after rec-hTSH administration. These results demonstrate the biological efficacy of rec-hTSH administered to the monkey and strongly suggest that rec-hTSH will be effective in stimulating thyroid function in man.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. J. Robbins and A. K. Robbins Recombinant Human Thyrotropin and Thyroid Cancer Management J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2003; 88(5): 1933 - 1938. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. David, A. Blotta, M. Bondanelli, R. Rossi, E. Roti, L. E. Braverman, L. Busutti, and E. C. d. Uberti Serum Thyroglobulin Concentrations and 131I Whole-Body Scan Results in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma After Administration of Recombinant Human Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone J. Nucl. Med., October 1, 2001; 42(10): 1470 - 1475. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. A. Huysmans, W.-A. Nieuwlaat, R. J. Erdtsieck, A. P. Schellekens, J. W. Bus, B. Bravenboer, and A. R. Hermus Administration of a Single Low Dose of Recombinant Human Thyrotropin Significantly Enhances Thyroid Radioiodide Uptake in Nontoxic Nodular Goiter J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 2000; 85(10): 3592 - 3596. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. E. Vargas, H. Uy, C. Bazan, T. A. Guise, and J. M. Bruder Hemiplegia after Thyrotropin Alfa in a Hypothyroid Patient with Thyroid Carcinoma Metastatic to the Brain J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 1999; 84(11): 3867 - 3871. [Full Text]

				P. L. Arscott, J. Knapp, M. Rymaszewski, J. L. Bartron, J. D. Bretz, N. W. T hompson, and J. R. Baker Jr. Fas (APO-1, CD95)-Mediated Apoptosis in Thyroid Cells Is Regulated by a Labile Protein Inhibitor Endocrinology, November 1, 1997; 138(11): 5019 - 5027. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. W. Ladenson, L. E. Braverman, E. L. Mazzaferri, F. Brucker-Davis, D. S. Cooper, J. R. Garber, F. E. Wondisford, T. F. Davies, L. J. DeGroot, G. H. Daniels, et al. Comparison of Administration of Recombinant Human Thyrotropin with Withdrawal of Thyroid Hormone for Radioactive Iodine Scanning in Patients with Thyroid Carcinoma N. Engl. J. Med., September 25, 1997; 337(13): 888 - 896. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Ramirez, L. E. Braverman, B. White, and C. H. Emerson Recombinant Human Thyrotropin Is a Potent Stimulator of Thyroid Function in Normal Subjects J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 1997; 82(9): 2836 - 2839. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Grossmann, B. D. Weintraub, and M. W. Szkudlinski Novel Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms of Human Thyrotropin Action: Structural, Physiological, and Therapeutic Implications for the Glycoprotein Hormone Family Endocr. Rev., August 1, 1997; 18(4): 476 - 501. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]