Influence of experimentally induced endotoxemias on the thyroid function of rats.

The general membrane-damaging effect of endotoxins (LPS) may be also demonstrated on the follicular cells of thyroid gland. Serum T4 level significantly decreased and the response of thyroid gland to exogenous THS was markedly inhibited in experimental endotoxin and other so-called enteroendotoxemic shocks (e.g. intestinal ischemia, tourniquet shock, intestinal syndrome of radiation disease). A single subtoxic dose of LPS given to newborn rats decreased the T4 level, the response of thyroid to TSH in adulthood and caused a somatic retardation. The radio-detoxified endotoxin (TOLERIN) did not inhibit the thyroid response to TSH. TOLERIN pretreatment protected the rats against LPS and other enteroendotoxemic shocks.