Thyroid hormone (TH) regulates many cardiac genes via nuclear thyroid receptors, and hyperthyroidism is frequently associated with atrial fibrillation. Electrical activity propagation in myocardium depends on the transfer of current at gap junctions, and connexins (Cxs) 40 and 43 are the predominant junction proteins. In mice, Cx40, the main Cx involved in atrial conduction, is restricted to the atria and fibers of the conduction system, which also express Cx43. We studied cardiac expression of Cx40 and Cx43 in conjunction with electrocardiogram studies in mice overexpressing the dominant negative mutant thyroid hormone receptor-beta Delta337T exclusively in cardiomyocytes [myosin heavy chain (MHC-mutant)]. These mice develop the cardiac hypothyroid phenotype in the presence of normal serum TH. Expression was also examined in wild-type mice rendered hypothyroid or hyperthyroid by pharmacological treatment. Atrial Cx40 mRNA and protein levels were decreased (85 and 55%, respectively; P< 0.001) in MHC-mt mice. Atrial and ventricular Cx43 mRNA levels were not significantly changed. Hypothyroid and hyperthyroid animals showed a 25% decrease and 40% increase, respectively, in Cx40 mRNA abundance. However, MHC-mt mice presented very low Cx40 mRNA expression regardless of whether they were made hypothyroid or hyperthyroid. Atrial depolarization velocity, as represented by P wave duration in electrocardiograms of unanesthetized mice, was extremely reduced in MHC-mt mice, and to a lesser extent also in hypothyroid mice (90 and 30% increase in P wave duration). In contrast, this measure was increased in hyperthyroid mice (19% decrease in P wave duration). Therefore, this study reveals for the first time that Cx40 mRNA is up-regulated by TH acting in cardiac atria via the TH receptor and that this may be one of the mechanisms contributing to atrial conduction alterations in thyroid dysfunctions.

Class GST (Gsta) represents an essential component of cellular antioxidant defense mechanisms in both the liver and the kidney. Estrogens and thyroid hormones (TH) play central roles in animal development, physiology, and behavior. Evidence of the overlapping functions of thyroid hormones and estrogens has been shown, although the molecular mechanisms are not always clear. We evaluated an interaction between TH and estradiol in regulating kidney Gsta expression and function. First, we observed that female mice expressed greater amounts of Gsta compared with males and showed an opposite pattern of expression in TR␤ knock-in mice. To further investigate these sex differences, hypothyroidism was induced by a 5-propyl-2-thiouracil diet, and hyperthyroidism was induced by daily T 3 injections. Hypothyroidism increased kidney Gsta expression in male mice but not in female mice, indicating that sex hormones could be influencing the regulation of Gsta by thyroid hormones. To analyze this hypothesis, ovariectomized females were subjected to hypo-and hyperthyroidism, which led to a male profile of Gsta expression. When hypo-or hyperthyroid ovariectomized mice were treated with 17␤-estradiol benzoate, we were able to confirm that estradiol was interfering with TH modulation; Gsta expression is increased by T 3 when estradiol is present and decreased by T 3 when estradiol is absent. Using proximal tubule cells, we also showed that estradiol and T 3 worked together to modulate Gsta expression in an overlapping fashion. In summary, 1) the sex difference in the basal expression of Gsta impacts the detoxification process, 2) kidney Gsta expression is regulated by TH in males and females but in opposite directions, and 3) T 3 and estradiol interact directly in renal proximal cells to regulate Gsta expression in females.triiodothyronine; proximal tubule; cross-talk; ovariectomy; estrogen GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASES (GSTs) are a superfamily of ubiquitous dimeric detoxification isoenzymes that conjugate many substrates to reduced glutathione (GSH), including several xenobiotic and endogenous electrophiles (26). Mammalian cytosolic GSTs represent the largest family of such transferases and have been divided into seven different classes (␣, , , , , , and ) (2, 27, 28). The ␣-class of GST (GST␣) is found in several organs, such as the liver, kidney, lung, stomach, and gonads, some of which exhibit sexual dimorphism (35). In the liver, the important role played by GST in cellular detoxification and in many other known functions has already been well described (26). However, in other tissues, the role of GST is still not well characterized.It has been established that GST␣ is a biomarker of renal toxicity that aids in the detoxification of endogenous and exogenous compounds and in drug metabolism (2). Renal GST isoforms are differentially expressed along nephron segments; expression also depends on species. In the human kidney, GST␣ is found predominantly in the proximal convoluted tubule, and low levels of GST␣ have been detected in the...

The bone marrow stromal cell line S17 has been used to study hematopoiesis in vitro. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of calcium and chloride currents in cultured S17 cells. Calcium currents were of low amplitude or barely detectable (50-100 pA). Hence to amplify the currents, we have used barium as a charge carrier. Barium currents were identified based on their distinct voltage-dependence, and sensitivity to dihydropyridines. S17 cells also exhibited a slowly activating outward current without inactivation, most commonly seen when the sodium of the extracellular solution was replaced either by TEA (TEA/Cs saline) or NMDG (NMDG saline), or by addition of amiloride to the extracellular solution. This current was abolished either by 500 microM SITS (4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2-2'-disulfonic acid) or 500 microM DPC (diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid) a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel blocker, identifying it as a Cl(-) current. RT-PCR identified the presence of ENaC and CFTR transcripts. CFTR blockade reduced cell proliferation, suggesting that this channel plays a physiological role in regulation of S17 cell proliferation.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) inhibits TRH neurons in fed state, and hypothalamic NPY higher expression during fasting has been proposed to be involved in fasting-induced suppression of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. We investigated the role of central Y5 receptors in the control of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid hormone (TH) secretion. Fed and fasting rats received twice daily central injections (3rd ventricle) of Y5 receptor antagonist (CGP71683; 15nmol/rat) for 72h. Fasted rats also received a single central injection of CGP71683 (15nmol/rat) at the end of 72h of fasting. In fed rats, Y5 receptor blockade reduced total food intake by 32% and body mass by almost 10% (p<0.01), corroborating the role of this receptor in food intake control. 72h-fasted rats exhibited a 4-fold increase in serum TSH (p<0.001), 1h after a single injection of Y5 antagonist. Also with multiple injections during 72h of fasting, Y5 blockade resulted in activation of thyroid axis, as demonstrated by a 3-times rise in serum T4 (p<0.001), accompanied by unchanged TSH and T3. In fed rats, the chronic central administration of CGP71683 resulted in reduced total serum T4 without changes in free T4 and TSH. Serum leptin and PYY were not altered by the NPY central blockade in both fed and fasted rats, suggesting no role of these hormones in the alterations observed. Therefore, the inhibition of central Y5 neurotransmission resulted in activation of thyroid axis during fasting suggesting that NPY-Y5 receptors contribute to fasting-induced TSH and TH suppression.

Low levels of PYY3–36, TSH and thyroid hormones are adaptative mechanisms to fasting state. Serum TSH increased after PYY3–36 peripheral administration in fasted rats. Since PYY3–36 is secreted by intestinal cells after a meal, it could be involved in refeeding‐induced TSH secretion. Thus, we aimed to investigate how PYY3–36 stimulates TSH secretion and its role in TSH secretion after refeeding. Pituitary glands of fasted rats showed no change in TSH secretion when incubated during 2h in presence of PYY3–36 at different concentrations (10−10, 10−8 and 10−6 M). Serum TSH decreased 15 minutes after PYY3–36 injection (0.1nmol/rat) into the 3rd ventricle of 72h fasted rats (2.02±0.29 vs 1.03±0.1 ng/mL, P<0.01). Reduced dose (0.01nmol) did not modify serum TSH (1.67±0.20 vs 1.95±0.16 ng/mL; control vs PYY3–36). Anyway, if PYY3–36 has a role in refeeding‐induced TSH secretion, TSH level should increase quickly after refeeding. While 1h refeeding did not modify serum TSH (0.98±0.18 ng/mL), 3h increased it, relatively to fasted group (2.99±0.40 vs 1.15±0.23 ng/mL, P<0.001). Therefore, it is possible that PYY3‐36 may play a role in refeeding‐induced TSH increase. However, PYY3–36 does not act directly at the pituitary to modulate TSH secretion of fasted rats. In addition, data do not support the hypothesis that PYY3–36 stimulates TSH secretion by direct hypothalamic action.CNPq, FAPERJ.