propylthiouracil and Atrophy

This study addressed the influence of propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism on postnatal and adult neurogenesis. PTU was administered from birth to postnatal day 10 (P10) or P21, leading to decreased neural stem cell/progenitor proliferation in the dentate gyrus, as well as significantly fewer granule cells and reduced hippocampal volume. Upon P22 PTU withdrawal, plasma thyroid hormone levels were normal by P90, there was no difference in the number of dentate gyrus or subventricular proliferating cells, but brain weight was smaller. In addition, dentate gyrus density of surviving BrdU-labeled cells increased, with no changes to the olfactory bulb. Quantitative PCR revealed decreased FGF-2, NGF, Wnt3a, and VEGF-A hippocampal expression during PTU treatment, with recovery in adulthood. Pro-apoptotic Bax was up-regulated, and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was down-regulated, during PTU treatment, both of which were normalized in the adult brain. In contrast, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) was down-regulated in the adult. These results suggest that mechanisms in the adult brain attempt to compensate for decreased neurogenesis due to postnatal hypothyroidism.

Topics: Aging; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Antithyroid Agents; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; Atrophy; Brain; Cell Count; Cognition Disorders; Dentate Gyrus; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; Hypothyroidism; Neurogenesis; Neurons; Organ Size; Propylthiouracil; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Thyroid Hormones

Propylthiouracil is a drug used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism for more than 60 years. Adverse side effects are seen in 1-5% of patients. Renal complications of the drug including glomerulonephritis and vasculitis are rarely seen. Cases of propylthiouracil-induced rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and vasculitis are reported in association with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies. Here we report a case of positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) associated with propylthiouracil treatment.

Topics: Aged; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; Atrophy; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Kidney; Kidney Glomerulus; Male; Propranolol; Propylthiouracil; Ramipril; Vasculitis

This study was performed to investigate the effect of propylthiouracil (PTU) on rat testis, and to compare the results of the different treatment regimens of levothyroxine and zinc. Twenty sexually mature Wistar albino rats were subjected to PTU for 14 days intraperitoneally to make them hypothyroidic. The effect of PTU on testicular function was assessed histopathologically after unilateral orchiectomy on day 15, and treatment was evaluated by measuring serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, T4, and zinc levels on days 0, 7, and 15. The rats were then divided into five groups which were given levothyroxine and/or zinc treatment for 15 days. Orchiectomies were repeated on day 30, and specimens were evaluated histopathologically. Although serum T3, T4 and zinc levels decreased, serum TSH levels increased in PTU-treated rats, and the difference to the control group was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Maturation arrest of spermatogenesis, a reduced number of Sertoli and Leydig cells, a decreased tubular diameter, interstitial oedema, and thickening of basal membrane were observed in hypothyroidic testicles. After treatment, testicular histology and spermatogenesis gradually recovered in all groups with hypothyroidism, but maximum improvement was achieved in the levothyroxine + zinc sulphate replacement group, indicating a possible role of zinc in testicular function.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Hypothyroidism; Leydig Cells; Male; Propylthiouracil; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sertoli Cells; Spermatogenesis; Testis; Thyrotropin; Thyroxine; Triiodothyronine; Zinc

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; Atrophy; Female; Fetal Diseases; Goiter; Guinea Pigs; Hyperplasia; Hypertrophy; Pituitary Gland; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Propylthiouracil; Thyroid Gland

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Aldosterone; Atrophy; Growth Hormone; Heart Rate; Human Growth Hormone; Hyperthyroidism; Liver; Myxedema; Pharmacology; Potassium; Propylthiouracil; Rats; Research; Respiration; Sodium; Spleen; Thyroxine; Urine