Histologic changes to olfactory epithelium in hypothyroid rats.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to immunohistochemically evaluate the effects of thyroid hormones on the olfactory epithelium (OE) in adult rats. Study design and setting Hypothyroidism was induced in rats by propylthiouracil (PTU) administration. Animals were grouped into 5 consisting of a control group, and 4 groups that had been treated with PTU for 3, 6, 9, or 12 weeks, respectively. The thickness and cell densities of the OE were examined according to the duration of PTU treatment. Changes to OE cell properties were investigated with immunohistochemical stains.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were found in the thickness and cell densities of the OE among the 5 groups. The number of olfactory receptor neurons positive for neuron-specific enolase or protein gene product 9.5, however, decreased with increasing duration of PTU treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid hormones play an important role in the maturation of olfactory receptor neurons.
Dhong
Hun-Jong
HJ
Department of Otorhinolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Korea. hjdhong@smc.samsung.co.kr
Kim
Hyo Yeol
HY
Ha
Byung Suk
BS
D000818:Animals; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D023421:Models, Animal; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D018034:Olfactory Receptor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000378:metabolism; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D011441:Propylthiouracil; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D011441:Propylthiouracil; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase