Elevated plasma levels of VWF:Ag in hyperthyroidism are mediated through beta-adrenergic receptors.
Thyroid dysfunction influences the levels of Von Willebrand factor (VWF:Ag). Plasma VWF:Ag levels in 35 hyperthyroid patients were significantly elevated, which had a positive correlation with both T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine) levels. A follow-up study of seven hyperthyroid patients undergoing anti-thyroid therapy showed that the elevated VWF:Ag levels returned to normal range with the normalization of thyroid function. On the other hand, after administration of 160 mg/day of propranolol, a specific blocker of beta-adrenergic receptors, to five hyperthyroid patients for twenty-eight days, plasma VWF:Ag levels returned to normal range, while T3, T4 levels remained high without significant alteration. These results demonstrated that the elevation of plasma VWF:Ag by thyroid hormone is mediated through beta-adrenergic receptors, which may be useful to further understand the physiological and pathological roles of thyroid hormone in the regulation of VWF:Ag levels.
Liu
L
L
Department of Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hunan Medical University, P.R. China.
Wang
X
X
Lin
Z
Z
Wu
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000941:Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000276:immunology*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000502:physiology*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; C029417:Von Willebrand antigen; D014841:von Willebrand Factor