EFFECT OF THYMECTOMY, HYPERTHYROIDISM AND HYPOTHYROIDISM ON NEUROMUSCULAR ATROPHY AND REGENERATION

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Abstract
A study of the effects of thymectomy, thy-roxin-induced hyperthyroidism and thiouracil-induced hy-pothyroidism on denervation atrophy and neuromuscular regeneration was carried out on albino rats. In thymectomized animals, studies made 4 wks. after denervation showed no influence of this condition on either normal muscle or neuromuscular regeneration. In animals made hypothyroid by thiouracil treatment, studies made at 10-14, 21, 28 and 42 days after denervation showed a significant delay in denervation atrophy and neuromuscular regeneration. Similar studies on animals made hyperthyroid by thyroxin admn. showed an acceleration of denervation atrophy and a facilitation of neuromuscular regeneration. The latter appeared to be due to an earlier and more successful reinnervation. It is believed that neuromuscular regeneration and growth phenomena have certain similarities, and that the effects of thyroxin and thiouracil are due, respectively, to acceleration and retardation of the components of the process.