Cardio-protective role of terazosin is possibly mediated through alteration in thyroid function.

An investigation was made to reveal the possible involvement of thyroid hormones, if any, in terazosin (an alfa-1 adrenergic receptor blocker) induced alterations in tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO) and in the concentration of different serum lipids. We determined the impact of terazosin on the changes in hypercholesterolemic (CCT) diet induced thyroid dysfunction; cardiac, renal and hepatic LPO and on serum glucose concentration in female Wister rats. Simultaneously levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, hepatic glycogen synthesis and total daily food consumption were studied as supporting parameters. While a decrease in the level of serum thyroid hormones, HDL-C and in hepatic glycogen content, was observed in CCT diet fed animals; it increased the concentration of other serum lipids, glucose and creatinine; ALP activity; tissue and serum LPO. However, following terazosin administration for 15 days to CCT diet fed animals, status of thyroid hormones and all other thyroid dependent parameters were reversed suggesting that the drug might be acting through an alteration in the thyroid functions.