Efficacy of vitamin B12 treatment on the adrenal gland of propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroid rats.

BACKGROUND

Hypothyroidism is characterized by insufficient production of thyroid hormones, which are crucial for metabolism. It often causes adrenal gland disturbances.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of vitamin B12 supplementation on adrenal gland disturbance in propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroid rats.

METHODS

Forty female rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 received normal saline. Group 2 received only vitamin B12 supplementation. Group 3 received 50 mg/kg of propylthiouracil (PTU). Group 4 received PTU and 25 µg/kg of vitamin B12. At the end of the experiment and after the animals' dissection, serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), cortisol, epinephrine, and vitamin B12 were analyzed. The adrenal gland and thyroid glands were examined histologically.

RESULTS

The results of the present study revealed a significant increase in TSH hormone (2.23 ± 0.44) and epinephrine hormone (371.74 ± 24.29) in the hypothyroid group compared with the control group, while there is a significant decrease in cortisol hormone (88 ± 17.97) and vitamin B12 (297.52 ± 12.51) in the hypothyroid group compared with the control group, where the level of hormones in the (hypothyroid rats +B12) group became close to the level of hormones in the control group as well as significantly decreased TSH and epinephrine levels and increased cortisol and vitamin B12 serum levels. Histopathology examination showed that vitamin B12 reversed the adrenal gland damage caused by hypothyroidism, restoring the normal tissue structure.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin B12 mitigates hypothyroidism-induced adrenal gland damage by restoring hormonal balance and tissue integrity.