The effect of gentamicin (GM) on the thyroid function was investigated in relation with its stimulating action to the growth of rats at a very small dose level. The results may be summarized as follows:
(1) Changes in
131I-uptake of the thyroid after administration of GM were unremarkable. The change in wet weight of the thyroid was also unremarkable. Therefore, GM may not affect the thyroid itself.
(2) GM-treated rats clearly showed a decrease in
131I-triiodothyronine resine sponge uptake (triosorb test) as compared with the control animals,
viz., GM-treated rats indicated hypofunction of the thyroid.
(3) Thyroxin (T
4) levels in the serum, determined by
125I-Tr4e sine sponge uptake (tetrasorb test), were apparently lower in the GM-treated rats than in the control.
(4) The thyroid function test for synthesis of the hormones revealed an increase in diiodotyrosine (DIT) value and decreases in 3, 5, 3'-triiodothyronine (T
3) and T
4 values in the GMtreated groups as compared with the values in the control.
(5) In view of the above results it was obvious that GM does not cause abnormalities on iodine-uptake, iodine oxidation, organic conversion to iodinated tyrosines, deiodination and thyroglobulin. In contrast, GM may induce abnormality on coupling reaction from DIT to T
3 and T
4 because the increase in DIT value and decreases in T, and T
4 values are seen following administration of GM. The whole of these facts seems to play an important role in stimulation to growth of rats after administration of the drug.
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