Thyroid Hormone Metabolism During Liver Regeneration in Rats

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Abstract
The metabolism of thyroid hormones was studied during the prereplicative period of liver regeneration. After partial hepatectomy, serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels progressively fell, and reached a nadir at 12 h proportional to the quantity of liver tissue excised. The diminution (60-80%) in serum iodothyronines was related specifically to partial hepatectomy, because laparotomy, ether anesthesia and other stressful surgical procedures did not induce similar changes. At least 3 phenomena appear to be involved: increased utilization and turnover of thyroid hormone by the regenerating liver remnant, diminished hormone secretion by the thyroid gland between 6-12 h after surgery and a slightly reduced concentration of serum iodothyronine carrier proteins. The liver participates probably in the metabolic regulation of T3 and T4 which in turn, control hepatocellular growth. Additional unknown factors may control increased hepatic thyroid hormone turnover after partial hepatectomy.