RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE THYROID HORMONE AND MINERAL METABOLISM IN THE RAT

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
SUMMARY The effect of thyroid activity on the distribution of magnesium, potassium and calcium between plasma, soft tissues and bone was investigated in adolescent rats. Administration of thyroxine or propylthiouracil produced variable effects on their concentrations in tissues, but the total amounts of all three metals in the complete liver and a single femur showed consistent changes that were similar to changes in the nitrogen content of the liver and the dry weight of bone. It is concluded that the influence of thyroid hormone on mineral metabolism is secondary to its action on tissue anabolism and catabolism. Magnesium deficiency decreased thyroid activity, and loading with magnesium salts increased the activity of the gland, a very close relationship being observed between the plasma magnesium concentration and the activity of the thyroid. Deficiency or loading with potassium salts produced changes that were qualitatively similar to those with magnesium, but less well-defined, and it appears that potassium may have an indirect effect on the gland. A hypothesis is advanced to explain how, in the absence of a homeostatic relationship, the availability of magnesium could modulate thyroid activity.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: