Protective Effects of Liver in Immature Rats Fed Toxic Doses of Thiouracil

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Abstract
Some batches of commercial desiccated whole liver contain a factor (or factors) which will counteract the growth retardation and thyroid hyperplasia of immature rats fed toxic doses of thiouracil. The protective factor is apparently distinct from any of the known B vitamins and is not present in significant amounts in hot alcohol-extracted casein or kelp. Commercial batches of desiccated whole liver vary markedly in their content of this factor or factors. The protective effects of liver are correlated with its iodine content. Data are presented which indicate that some batches of desiccated whole liver and water-insoluble liver residue contain considerable amounts of thyroid hormone or some other thyroactive material and that the latter are responsible for the protective effects of these liver batches on immature rats fed toxic doses of thiouracil.