17ß-oestradiol acts as a negative modulator of insulin-induced lactotroph cell proliferation through oestrogen receptor α, via nitric oxide/guanylyl cyclase/cGMP.

OBJECTIVES: 17ß-oestradiol interacts with growth factors to modulate lactotroph cell population. However, contribution of isoforms of the oestrogen receptor in these activities is not fully understood. In the present study, we have established participation of α and ß oestrogen receptors in effects of 17ß-oestradiol on lactotroph proliferation induced by insulin and shown involvement of the NO/sGC/cGMP pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell cultures were prepared from anterior pituitaries of female rats to evaluate lactotroph cell proliferation using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) detection, protein expression by western blotting and cGMP by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: In serum-free conditions, 17ß-oestradiol and α and ß oestrogen receptor agonists (PPT and DPN) failed to increase numbers of lactotroph cells undergoing mitosis. Co-incubation of 17ß-oestradiol/insulin and PPT/insulin significantly decreased lactotroph mitogenic activity promoted by insulin alone. Both ICI 182780 and NOS inhibitors (L-NMMA and L-NAME) induced reversal of the anti-proliferative effect promoted by 17ß-oestradiol/insulin and PPT/insulin. Moreover, 17ß-oestradiol, PPT and insulin increased sGC α1 protein expression and inhibited ß1, whereas co-incubation of 17ß-oestradiol/insulin or PPT/insulin induced increases of the two isoforms α1 and ß1. 17ß-oestradiol and insulin reduced cGMP production, while 17ß-oestradiol/insulin co-incubation increased this cyclic nucleotide. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that 17ß-oestradiol is capable of arresting lactotroph proliferation induced by insulin through ER α with participation of the signalling NO/sGC/cGMP pathway.

Growth hormone (GH) treatment reduces peripheral thyroid hormone action in girls with Turner syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Turner syndrome (TS) is an indication for GH therapy in spite of the modest growth response. Somatic growth depends not only on GH insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis but also on thyroid hormone (TH) status. We have previously reported that supraphysiological IGF-I levels diminished TH actions in rat tissues by reducing the nuclear TH receptor (TR). GH treatment to TS patients induces high IGF-I levels and therefore a reduction of TH action in tissues may be expected. We aimed at evaluating the effect of GH therapy in TS girls on peripheral TH action. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We set up a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for TR mRNA estimation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and compared TR mRNA levels from 10 normal, 10 TS and 10 TS girls under GH therapy (0.33 mg/kg/week for 0.5-2 years). MEASUREMENTS: After RNA extraction from PBMC, TR and beta-actin mRNAs were coamplified by RT-PCR. In addition serum biochemical markers of TH action were measured: thyrotropin (TSH), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), osteocalcin (OC), beta-crosslaps (beta-CL), iodothyronines by electrochemiluminescency and IGF-I by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) with extraction. RESULTS: TR mRNAs from PBMC were reduced in TS patients under GH treatment. In turn, serum TSH, OC, beta-CL and IGF-I were increased while SHBG was reduced by GH treatment in TS patients. CONCLUSIONS: GH treatment reduced TR expression in PBMC and biochemical serum markers of TH action. These results suggest that GH treatment in TS patients impair peripheral TH action at tissue level and prompt a role in the reduced growth response to the therapy.

Thyroid hormone receptor beta1 gene expression is increased by Dexamethasone at transcriptional level in rat liver.

Triiodothyronine (T3) exerts most of its effect through nuclear thyroid hormone receptors (TR) which bind mainly as heterodimers with retinoid-X receptors (RXR) to thyroid hormone response elements (TRE) in target genes. It is well known that the synergistic interaction of T3 and glucocorticoids has a role on the synthesis of growth hormone in rat pituitary cell lines and in the T3-induced metamorphosis in amphibians. Glucocorticoids increased mRNAs of T3-regulated hepatic genes. Our laboratory reported increased specific metabolic actions of T3 in rat liver by Dexamethasone (Dex) through a mechanism involving an up-regulation of the maximal binding capacity of TR. In this study we further explored the participation of TR in the molecular mechanism of the Dex-induced increase on liver T3-specific metabolic action. Dex administration to adrenalectomized rats induced an increase of liver TRbeta1 protein and mRNA. Nuclear run-on assay revealed that Dex up-regulated the TR gene transcriptional rate. Transfection assay in COS-7 cells indicated that Dex increased the transcriptional activity of the TRbeta1 promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that Dex induced the binding of additional proteins related to or neighboring the DNA sequence of a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding (GRE) half-site in the TRbeta1 promoter. Evidences for an interaction of GR on the TRbeta1 promoter have been obtained. Moreover, the specificity of the GR binding to GRE was determined not only by the GRE DNA sequence, but also by the interaction of the GR with other transacting factors bound to sequences flanking the GRE.

Atrial natriuretic peptide inhibits iodide uptake and thyroglobulin messenger ribonucleic acid expression in cultured bovine thyroid follicles.

The involvement of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the regulation of thyroid gland is supported by the presence of high-affinity ANP receptors and the identification of the peptide in thyroid follicular cells. The aim of this work was to study the action of ANP on parameters of thyroid hormone biosynthesis and analyze the intracellular mechanism of the ANP action in cultured bovine thyroid follicles. The addition of ANP (0.1-10 nM) to the culture medium for 24 h inhibited the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)-stimulated iodide uptake with a maximal inhibition at 1 nM ANP. When thyrocytes were incubated with 10 nM ANP the inhibitory effect slightly increased from 24 to 72 h. Thyroglobulin (Tg) mRNA expression was reduced by 1 and 10 nM ANP. After 24 h of treatment with the cGMP analogue, N(2),2'-O-dibutyrylguanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate [(Bu)(2)cGMP] (0.1 and 1 mM), an inhibition of iodide uptake and Tg mRNA expression was obtained, evidencing a cGMP-mediated inhibitory signal in the thyroid cell. A reduction of the cAMP production was induced by incubation of thyroid follicles with 1 and 10 nM ANP for 24 h. Under a similar treatment the cGMP accumulation was increased only by 10 nM ANP. The inhibitory effect of ANP on Tg mRNA level was reverted in the presence of pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of the G(i)-protein-mediated reduction of the adenylate cyclase activity. These results indicate an inhibitory action of ANP on parameters of thyroid hormone biosynthesis. A G(i)-protein-mediated reduction of the cAMP production seems to be the main factor involved in the ANP action although a role of the cGMP pathway should not be discarded specially at high ANP levels.

Tri-iodothyronine induces proliferation in cultured bovine thyroid cells: evidence for the involvement of epidermal growth factor-associated tyrosine kinase activity.

The effects of the tri-iodothyronine (T(3)) secreted by thyroid cells on the growth of the thyrocyte are poorly known. In this study we analyzed the effects of T(3) on the proliferation of bovine thyroid follicles in primary culture previously depleted of endogenous T(3). Cellular deoxiribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, determined by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, was stimulated by T(3) (0.1-5.0 nM) for 24 h in a concentration-dependent fashion with a maximal effect at 1.0 nM T(3) (P<0.01). This T(3) action was time-dependent when assayed from 12 to 72 h. The induction of mitogenic activity was corroborated by the increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) measured by Western blot analysis. PCNA increased after treatment with T(3) (0.1-5.0 nM) in a concentration-dependent manner. Since T(3) modifies the activity of growth factors whose actions are mainly mediated by tyrosine kinase (TK) activation in diverse cellular types, we assayed the effects of genistein, a general TK inhibitor, and tyrphostin A25, a specific epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor (EGFR)-dependent TK activity inhibitor, on the proliferative effects of T(3). The T(3)-induced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation was inhibited by both agents in a concentration-dependent manner. A significant increase in the total TK activity measured in cellular protein extracts was induced by 0.5 and 1.0 nM T(3) (P<0.001). Tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGFR was also stimulated by T(3) (P<0.001) with no change in the EGFR expression as determined by Western blot analysis. Both, the T(3)-stimulated [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and the TK activity were inhibited by a anti-mouse EGF antibody. These results lead us to propose that T(3) could operate as a proliferative agent in bovine thyroid cells through a mechanism involving an autocrine/paracrine EGF/EGFR-dependent regulation.

Insulin-like growth factor I reduces thyroid hormone receptors in the rat liver. Evidence for a feed-back loop regulating the peripheral thyroid hormone action.

Tri-iodothyronine (T3) is known to be involved in the regulation of the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis. In previous studies we demonstrated that IGF-I and GH reduced the metabolic response to T3 measured as the activity of two T3-dependent enzymes, mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPD) and cytosolic malic enzyme (ME) in cultured rat liver cells. In this study we analysed in vivo the effect of IGF-I administered to rats on the activity of alpha-GPD and ME. IGF-I (240 micrograms/100 g body weight (BW) every 12 h for 48 h) significantly diminished alpha-GPD (P < 0.01) and ME (P < 0.05) activities. Serum basal glucose concentration was not significantly modified 12 h after the administration of recombinant human IGF-I (240 and 480 micrograms/100 g BW every 12 h for 48 h). Under similar conditions, no significant change in serum total thyroxine (TT4) concentration was observed, although free thyroxine (FT4) was diminished (P < 0.02) and total T3 (TT3) was increased (P < 0.03). To explore the participation of the nuclear thyroid hormone receptor (THR) in the mechanism of IGF-I action we measured the maximal binding capacity and the affinity constant (Ka) of THR by Scatchard analysis, and concentrations of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that code for the isoforms of THR present in the liver (beta 1, alpha 1 and alpha 2) by Northern blot. IGF-I (240 micrograms/100 g BW every 12 h for 48 h) significantly reduced maximal binding capacity to 37% of the control value (P < 0.01) without changes in the Ka. beta 1, alpha 1 and alpha 2 THR mRNAs were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) by 120-480 micrograms/100 g BW IGF-I administration every 12 h for 48 h. Time-course studies indicated that this effect was obtained 12 h after the administration of 240 micrograms/100 g BW IGF-I (P < 0.05). These results indicate that IGF-I administration to rats diminishes the metabolic thyroid hormone action in the liver by a mechanism that involves, at least in part, a reduction in the number of THRs and in their level of expression.

Biochemical and functional changes during the bovine fetal thyroid development.

To establish biochemical and functional relations during thyroid development, the activity of thyroid peroxidase (TPO), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-cytochrome c reductase and monoamine oxidase (MAO) in a particulate fraction and the iodide transport and organification in slices of bovine fetal thyroid were examined throughout gestation. The cytochemical localization of TPO, H2O2 generating sites and MAO was also studied. Fetal glands were grouped in stages I to V according to increasing developmental features; adult tissues were also analyzed. TPO activity in each of the fetal stages was higher than in the adult; a marked increase was observed in stages IV and V. Iodide transport (T/M) was similar in stages I to V and the adult. Iodide organification in fetal thyroids showed a similar pattern to that of TPO activity. When compared with the adult, at midgestation (stages II to III), a lower iodination coexisted with a higher TPO activity. The activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and MAO, two enzymes previously proposed to participate in thyroid H2O2 generation, did not parallel the level of iodide organification. Cells from stages II to V exhibited a positive cytochemical reaction for TPO in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the perinuclear cisternae (PC). In stages IV, V, and adult, TPO was occasionally found in apical vesicles and microvilli, whereas H2O2 was detected within the RER and the PC. MAO reaction was positive in adult, but not in fetal thyroid. These results indicate that a high TPO activity accompanied the onset of the organification process during fetal thyroid development. The level of iodination was associated with the presence of TPO at a proper site rather than to the level of TPO activity. Evidence against a role of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and MAO in the iodide organification was obtained.

Nitric oxide donors inhibit iodide transport and organification and induce morphological changes in cultured bovine thyroid cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed as an intracellular signal in the thyroid. The NO effect on function and morphology of bovine thyroid follicles in culture was analyzed by using the NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Both NO donors induced a concentration-dependent NO release measured by the nitrite accumulation in the culture medium. The SNP (10 to 500 micromol/L) treatment for 24 hours significantly inhibited the uptake, organification and transport of iodide in a concentration-dependent manner. When SNP (50 micromol/L) was withdrawn from the culture medium after 24 hours' incubation, iodide uptake and organification were partially recovered at 24 hours and reached the control value at 48 hours, indicating a reversible effect of SNP. A possible involvement of cyanide in the SNP inhibitory effect was excluded because incubation of follicles with potassium cyanide (KCN) at concentrations estimated to be present in the medium (40 and 80 micromol/L) for 24 hours did not modify iodide uptake and organification. The GSNO (10 to 500 micromol/L) treatment for 24 hours also reduced the iodide uptake, organification and transport in a concentration-dependent manner. A significant inhibition of iodide organification was induced after incubation with 1000 micromol/L of N2, 2'-O-dibutyrylguanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate ([Bu]2cGMP). Morphological evaluation by light microscopy revealed that the incubation with NPS or GSNO (500 micromol/L) produced cellular dispersion with loss of follicular cell aggregates that was evident at 96 hours exposure. Cell viability was not altered by 10-500 micromol/L SNP or GSNO (80% to 85%). We concluded that long-term NO exposure induces functional and morphological modifications compatible with a loss of differentiation in thyroid follicles. These observations further support a role of NO in the regulation of the thyroid function.

A new point mutation (M313T) in the thyroid hormone receptor beta gene in a patient with resistance to thyroid hormone.

Sequence analysis of the TR beta gene from a patient with the syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone revealed a novel missense mutation in exon 9, changing thymidine in position 1123 to cytosine. The corresponding amino acid alteration is a substitution of a methionine (ATG) for a threonine (ACG) at codon 313 being the patient heterozygous for the mutation. In contrast, his parents had only the wild-type sequence, suggesting a de novo mutational event.

Response of triiodothyronine-dependent enzyme activities to insulin-like growth factor I and growth hormone in cultured rat hepatocytes.

Triiodothyronine (T3) is involved in the regulation of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor I (GH-IGF-I) axis. In this study we investigated the effect of GH and IGF-I on the metabolic response of T3 in target tissues by evaluating the activity of two T3-dependent liver enzymes: mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPD) and cytosolic malic enzyme (ME) in rat hepatocytes in primary culture. Growth hormone (35 nmol/l) as well as IGF-I (0.5 mumol/l) reduced alpha-GPD and ME activities (p < 0.01) compared to the control group. Timecourse studies indicated that IGF-I (1.5 mumol/l) significantly decreased alpha-GPD and ME activities (P < 0.01) after 24 h, whereas the effect of GH (35 nmol/l) was recorded only after 36 h (p < 0.01). This delayed effect of GH compared to IGF-I suggested the possibility that the effect of GH could be mediated by IGF-I synthesis. To test this hypothesis, the effect of GH on the two enzyme activities was studied in the presence of anti-IGF-I antibodies. A gradual recovery of alpha-GPD and ME activities (p < 0.01) was observed in the presence of GH (35 nmol/l) plus increasing concentrations of anti-IGF-I antiserum. The maximal alpha-GPD and ME activities attained after the incubation of the liver cells with 1 mumol/l T3, a concentration high enough to fully saturate the nuclear T3 receptors for 24 h, were lowered significantly by 1.0 mumol/l IGF-I (p < 0.01). This finding suggests that the IGF-I effect might be independent of the saturation of the nuclear T3 receptors. In conclusion, in cultured rat hepatocytes, GH and IGF-I reduced the metabolic response of T3 evaluated by two liver T3-dependent enzyme activities. The effect of GH was mediated at least in part by IGF-I.

Thyroid iodide transport is reduced by administration of monoamine oxidase A inhibitors to rats.

The present work was addressed to study a possible relationship between monoamine oxidase (MAO) and the thyroid iodide transport mechanism. Normal rats treated with clorgyline (a selective MAO-A inhibitor) or tranylcypromine (a non-selective MAO inhibitor) showed a significantly diminished thyroid MAO activity, while deprenyl and pargyline (MAO-B inhibitors) did not modify the thyroidal enzyme activity with respect to the control group. Under these conditions, in vivo iodide transport was reduced both by clorgyline and tranylcypromine administration whereas it remained unchanged after treatment with MAO-B inhibitors. The effect of MAO inhibitors on thyroid MAO activity and in vivo iodide transport was also evaluated in rats treated with exogenous thyrotrophin (TSH) after endogenous TSH secretion blockade produced by T4 administration. In this condition, thyroid MAO activity was significantly lowered by clorgyline and was not modified by deprenyl. In contrast to the results observed in normal rats, in vivo iodide transport in TSH-treated rats remained unaltered after treatment either with clorgyline or deprenyl. MAO activity evaluated in bovine thyroid follicles in primary culture was highly sensitive to low concentrations of clorgyline (< 10 nmol/l) and relatively insensitive to deprenyl, a finding that indicates a predominance of the MAO-A isoform in the follicular cells in culture. When clorgyline (0.1 and 1 mumol/l) or deprenyl (1 mumol/l) were added to the culture medium, no modifications in the active transport of iodide were observed. These results indicate the absence of a direct linkage between thyroid MAO activity and the active iodide transport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dissociation of thyrotropin-dependent enzyme activities, reduced iodide transport, and preserved iodide organification in nonfunctioning thyroid adenoma and multinodular goiter.

Several biochemical and functional modifications demonstrated in goitrous tissues could reflect the effect of goitrogenic factors. Growth-enhancing agents, including TSH itself, have been involved in goitrogenesis. To study comparatively the variation patterns of some TSH-dependent enzymes within single goitrous tissues, we measured the activities of peroxidase (TPO), NADPH-cytochrome-c (cyt-c) reductase, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) in tissues from cold follicular adenoma and multinodular goiter. Iodide transport and organification were also evaluated. Perinodular and necropsy tissues were used as controls. The mean TPO activity measured by guaiacol as well as triiodide assays was significantly increased in multinodular goiter, whereas a nonsignificant increment was observed in cold adenoma. NADPH-cyt-c reductase and MAO were markedly increased in the two types of pathological tissues. The individual activities of the three enzymes showed dissimilar modifications within single samples and among different tissues. There was no correlation in the activities of the enzymes within single specimens from cold adenoma and multinodular goiter, except for MAO and NADPH-cyt-c reductase in multinodular goiter, for which a significant correlation was obtained. In this tissue, MAO and TPO measured by guaiacol assay were weakly correlated. TPO activity evaluated by guaiacol oxidation was correlated with that measured by triiodide formation in cold adenoma, but not in multinodular goiter. The mean iodide organification values assayed by iodotyrosine formation in the absence of exogenous H2O2 in particulate fractions from cold adenoma and multinodular goiter were within the normal range. A reduced iodide transport, evaluated as the thyroid/medium ratio, was observed in slices from these tissues. The dissociation of the three enzyme activities in single specimens from cold adenoma and multinodular goiter along with the reduced iodide transport in these tissues support the hypothesis that factors other than TSH or with TSH-like effects could be involved in the abnormal thyroid growth.

Rat thyroid monoamine oxidase (MAO) is regulated by thyrotrophin: evidence that the main form of the enzyme (MAO-A) is not directly involved in iodide organification.

The characteristics and regulation of monoamine oxidase (MAO) were studied in rat thyroid tissue. A measured Michaelis constant (Km) value of 102 mumol/l was similar to the Km values found in other tissues. Maximal velocity (Vmax) was 1.028 nmol/mg protein per min. It is known that MAO is present as two isoenzymes, A and B, which are sensitive to clorgyline and deprenyl respectively. The in-vitro effect of graded concentrations of these selective MAO inhibitors was used to estimate the relative proportion of A and B isoenzymes. Clorgyline strongly decreased thyroid MAO activity at concentrations as low as 1 pmol/l while the effect of deprenyl was observed only at concentrations higher than 10 mumol/l. These results indicated that MAO-A is the main form of the enzyme in the rat thyroid. In-vivo administration of L-thyroxine (5.6-224 nmol/kg) significantly reduced thyroid MAO activity at doses equal to or greater than those which have been reported to inhibit iodine output from the thyroid. Increased TSH levels, induced either by exogenous TSH or methimazole administration, resulted in a significant increase in thyroid MAO activity. Theophylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and dibutyryl cyclic AMP were also able to stimulate MAO activity when administered in vivo. Iodide organification (protein-bound 131I) in vivo as well as the relative proportion of the different thyroid iodo-compounds were not affected in animals with reduced or increased thyroid MAO activity induced by clorgyline or theophylline respectively. It was concluded that rat thyroid MAO activity is under the influence of TSH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Monoamine oxidase A mediates iodotyrosine formation induced by monoamines in bovine thyroid particulate fraction.

Monoamines are able to increase the thyroid iodine organification in vitro. A predominance of the A form of monoamine oxidase (MAO) has been previously demonstrated to exist in bovine thyroid tissue. In the present study we have investigated the form of MAO that could be involved in the iodotyrosine formation induced by tyramine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) in a bovine thyroid subcellular fraction. The relative capacity of these monoamines to generate H2O2 and to incorporate iodine into tyrosine has also been studied. The MAO A inhibitor clorgyline (10(-9) M) produced a strong inhibition on the iodotyrosine formation induced by tyramine, 5-HT and PEA. In contrast, only a slight reduction was observed with deprenyl as MAO B inhibitor. Among the three monoamines, tyramine produced the highest H2O2 generation and iodotyrosine formation. The lowest Km value obtained was for 5-HT and the highest for PEA. Regarding the Vmax, the lowest value was for 5-HT and the highest for tyramine. The amount of iodine incorporated to tyrosine was not equivalent to the H2O2 generated by the monoamines nor to that exogenously added. Our results indicate that in bovine thyroid tissue mainly the A form of MAO is involved in the monoamine metabolism.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and its forms in normal and pathological human thyroid tissues.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and its forms were measured in normal human thyroid glands (39 samples from necropsy and four from perinodular tissues) and in pathological thyroid glands (13 multinodular goitres, three carcinomas, seven chronic thyroiditis, five Graves' disease and seven follicular, seven foetal and five embryonal adenomas). MAO activity in carcinomas was lower than in normal perinodular thyroid control tissue; in Graves' disease, foetal and embryonal adenomas it was significantly higher than in the normal control. The use of clorgyline (a selective MAO A inhibitor) and deprenyl (selective MAO B inhibitor) allowed estimation of the relative proportion of MAO forms. A high proportion of MAO A (more than 90%) was observed, both in normal and in pathological thyroid tissues. Changes in total thyroid MAO activity, but not in its forms, were found in different pathologies of the thyroid gland.

Monoamine oxidase in bovine thyroid tissue.

Two functional forms of monoamine oxidase (MAO) defined as MAO A and MAO B have been described in several tissues. In this study the characteristics of MAO present in a particulate subcellular fraction of bovine thyroid tissue were investigated. The selective inhibitors of MAO, clorgyline (A form) and deprenyl (B form) were used. The monoamines 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (preferred of the A form), tyramine (both forms) and beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) (B Form) were used as substrates. MAO activity towards 5-HT was markedly inhibited by clorgyline. Tyramine oxidation was very sensitive to clorgyline and the curve obtained was in accordance with the presence of a high proportion of the A form. MAO activity towards PEA was also markedly inhibited by clorgyline. Deprenyl was not able to induce modifications in the MAO activity except when it was used at very high concentrations. According to these results the bovine thyroid tissue contains predominantly the A form of MAO. In this tissue PEA was deaminated by the A form of the enzyme.

Effect of epinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine on in vitro thyroid iodine organification.

The effect of epinephrine (E) and 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT) on some elements involved in thyroid iodine organification was studied using a bovine thyroid subcellular fraction sedimented at 30 000 g. 131I-incorporation into particulate proteins and into tyrosine ws increased by 10(-3) M and 10(-5) M E and 5-HT. This effect was inhibited by 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil and by catalase. In the presence of these amines the activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was not modified. Both E and 5-HT were able to generate H2O2 when added to the particulate fraction as measured by the oxidation of o-dianisidine. H2O2 generation and [131I]iodotyrosine formation were inhibited by pargyline, a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. Tyramine, a specific substrate for thyroid MAO, produced H2O2 and increased [131]iodotyrosine formation. This effect was higher when compared to the effect elicited by E or 5-HT. The stimulatory effects of tyramine were blocked by pargyline. The action of tyramine on H2O2 generation and [131I]iodotyrosine formation was diminished when E or 5-HT were incorporated to the system. From these results it suggested that E and 5-HT serving as MAO substrates would generate H2O2 and in this way increase the thyroid iodine organification. On the other hand, these amines would be able to reduce the increased H2O2 generation induced by tyramine and thus decrease the iodination process. These findings could explain the stimulatory or inhibitory effects of biogenic amines on thyroid function which are dependent on the previous thyroid activity.