title: Effects of oral administration of levothyroxine sodium on concentrations of plasma lipids, concentration and composition of very-low-density lipoproteins, and glucose dynamics in healthy adult mares.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate glucose and lipid metabolism in healthy adult horses administered levothyroxine sodium (L-T4).
  
  
  METHODS
  12 healthy adult mares.
  
  
  METHODS
  8 horses received an incrementally increasing dosage of L-T4 (24, 48, 72, or 96 mg of L-T4/d) for weeks 1 to 8. Each dose was provide between 7 AM and 8 AM in the morning grain meal for 2 weeks. Four additional horses remained untreated. Serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were measured and composition of VLDL examined in samples obtained between 8 AM and 9 AM at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Glucose dynamics were assessed by use of a combined IV glucose-insulin tolerance test (IVGITT) conducted before and at the end of the 8-week treatment period. Data for each combined IVGITT were interpreted by use of the minimal model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma TG, TC, and VLDL concentrations significantly decreased over time in treated horses. At the completion of the 8-week treatment period, mean plasma VLDL concentration was 46% of the mean value for week 0 in treated horses. Insulin sensitivity significantly increased (> 2-fold) in treated horses, but glucose effectiveness and net insulin response were not affected. Levothyroxine sodium significantly increased the rate of insulin disposal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of L-T4 decreases blood lipid concentrations, improves insulin sensitivity, and increases insulin disposal in horses. Levothyroxine sodium may have potential as a treatment for horses with reduced insulin sensitivity.
authors: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Frank
authors: Carla S
authors: CS
authors: Sommardahl
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: Eiler
authors: Latisha L
authors: LL
authors: Webb
authors: Joseph W
authors: JW
authors: Denhart
authors: Ray C
authors: RC
authors: Boston
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test / Q000662:veterinary; D006736:Horses / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D005947:Glucose; D013974:Thyroxine