propylthiouracil and Anorexia

Sickness behavior is an expression of a motivational state triggered by activation of the peripheral innate immune system, whereby an organism reprioritizes its functions to fight infection. The relationship between thyroid hormone and immune cells is complex, and additional insights are needed about the involvement of the cross-talk between thyroid hormone, the central nervous system and immune function, as demonstrated by the consequences to sickness behavior. The aim of this work was to evaluate sickness behavior in hypothyroid mice. Control mice and mice treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) for 30days (0.05%; added to drinking water) received a single dose of LPS (200μg/kg; i.p.) or saline, and the behavioral response was assessed for 24h. We provide evidence that thyroid status acts a modulator for the development of depressive-like and exploratory behaviors in mice that are subjected to an immunological challenge because the PTU pretreatment delayed the LPS-induced behavioral changes observed in an open field test and in a forced swimming test. This response was observed concomitantly with a lower thermal index until 4h after the LPS administration. This result demonstrates that thyroid status modifies behavioral responses to immune challenge and suggests that thyroid hormones are essential for the manifestation of sickness behavior during endotoxemia.

Topics: Animals; Anorexia; Antithyroid Agents; Endotoxemia; Exploratory Behavior; Fever; Hypothyroidism; Illness Behavior; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; Propylthiouracil

The side effects of propylthiouracil, including cytopenia and vasculitis, are well established.  We present an interesting case in which cytopenia and cutaneous vasculopathy occurred concomitantly in a critically ill patient.  The patient was initially treated for suspected infection until dermatologic and rheumatologic workup revealed ANCA-positivity and vasculopathy on histopathology, most consistent with an atypical presentation of ANCA-positive vasculitis.  Upon initiation of immunosuppressive therapy, the patient's condition rapidly improved emphasizing the importance of early recognition of this condition.

Topics: Adult; Anorexia; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis; Antithyroid Agents; Blister; Eyelid Diseases; Fatigue; Female; Graves Disease; Hemorrhage; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Methylprednisolone; Pancytopenia; Pharyngitis; Prednisone; Propylthiouracil; Respiratory Insufficiency

Topics: Abdomen; Anorexia; Body Weight; Dexamethasone; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Middle Aged; Pain; Potassium Iodide; Propranolol; Propylthiouracil; Vomiting