Effect of hypothyroidism during gestation and in the suckling period on cholesterol and carnitine metabolism in the rat.
Propylthiouracil (PTU; 0.05%) was added to the drinking water of rats of various ages and their response was monitored. PTU resulted in reduced body weights in both fetuses and young rats 0-30 days old. Plasma cholesterol levels were elevated and the activities of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCoAR) and 7-alpha-hydroxylase were decreased if PTU was present in the water up to the time of death. However, if no PTU was present for some time before death, this effect was no longer observed. Plasma total carnitine levels were always suppressed by PTU and appeared the most sensitive indicator of PTU action. Intestinal acylcholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity was elevated nearly 5-fold, while intestinal HMGCoAR activity was only slightly and occasionally depressed.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D002790:Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D011441:Propylthiouracil; D002784:Cholesterol; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D002790:Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase; D002331:Carnitine