THE EFFECT OF THIOURACIL ON THE SUCCINOXIDASE AND CYTOCHROME OXIDASE OF RAT LIVER1

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Abstract
THERE is considerable evidence that thiouracil depresses the ability of the thyroid gland to form or release hormone. In the course of our studies on the thyroid and adrenal glands and the relation of their hormones to oxidation enzyme systems (Tipton, Leath, Tipton and Nixon, 1946) we noted that after oral administration of thiouracil the activities of the succinoxidase and the cytochrome oxidase of liver homogenates from rats were less than those from control rats. We thought it of interest to determine whether this depression was a direct action of the drug on the enzyme systems of the liver or an indirect one acting through the level of circulating thyroid hormone. The present study seemed especially important since there is still considerable question about the nature of the action of thiouracil in tissues.