Neuroendocrinology
Original Paper
Effects of Growth Hormone and Thyroxine on Thymulin Secretion in Aging RatsGoya R.G.a · Gagnerault M.-C.b · Sosa Y.E.a · Bevilacqua J.A.a · Dardenne M.baNeuroendocrine Gerontology Laboratory, IMBICE, La Plata, Argentina; bCNRS URA 1461, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: April 08, 2008
Issue release date: 1993
Number of Print Pages: 6
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0028-3835 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0194 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/NEN
Abstract
It is well-established that the activity of the endocrine thymus is under neuroendocrine control. In particular, growth hormone (GH) and thyroxine (T4) have been shown to be capable of reconstituting thymus function in hormone-deficient animals. It was therefore of interest to assess the effect of combined administration of ovine GH (0.1 mg/100 g BW/day) and T4 (10 µg/100 g BW/ day) on serum thymulin levels in young (5 months), old (21 months) and senescent (29-30 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats. Age-matched controls received 0.1 mg bovine serum albumin/100 g BW daily during the same period (14 days). Prolactin (Prl), GH, T4 and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured in serum by radioimmunoassay, whereas serum thymulin was determined by rosette bioassay. As expected, GH and T4 were lower in the old and senescent controls whereas serum Prl displayed a slight age-related increase. No age changes were detected in serum T3. Hormone-treated animals showed supra-physiologic levels of both T4 and T3, but serum levels were comparable among the three treated age groups for each thyroid hormone. Endogenous GH levels were moderately elevated in the treated rats. In the control rats serum thymulin showed a marked reduction from 5 to 21 months of age but no further reduction was observed between 21 and 29-30 months. Hormone treatment induced a mean relative increase (% increase relative to age-matched controls) in serum thymulin of 44, 38 and 48% in young, old and senescent rats, respectively. Despite this stimulation, thymulin levels in the old and senescent treated groups were still significantly lower than the corresponding values in the young controls. It is concluded that (a) the activity of the endocrine thymus declines with age in male rats, and (b) in relative terms, aged rats possess a preserved capacity to increase thymulin secretion in response to combined administration of GH and T4.
© 1993 S. Karger AG, Basel
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: April 08, 2008
Issue release date: 1993
Number of Print Pages: 6
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 0028-3835 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0194 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/NEN
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Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
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