Exogenous T3 administration provides neuroprotection in a murine model of traumatic brain injury

[helvella]

It feels as if I have posted more abstracts about uses of T3 other than for treating hypothyroidism. Almost feels as if every other specialty than endocrinology is aware, and becoming ever more aware, of the potential benefits of appropriate use of T3.

Perhaps the irony is especially strong with respect to head injury - which can itself lead to hypothyroidism due to damage to the pituitary, etc.

Pharmacol Res. 2013 Apr;70(1):80-9. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2012.12.009. Epub 2013 Jan 8.

Exogenous T3 administration provides neuroprotection in a murine model of traumatic brain injury.

Crupi R1, Paterniti I, Campolo M, Di Paola R, Cuzzocrea S, Esposito E.

Author information

1 Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Italy.

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces primary and secondary damage in both the endothelium and the brain parenchyma. While neurons die quickly by necrosis, a vicious cycle of secondary injury in endothelial cells exacerbates the initial injury. Thyroid hormones are reported to be decreased in patients with brain injury. Controlled cortical impact injury (CCI) is a widely used, clinically relevant model of TBI. Here, using CCI in adult male mice, we set to determine whether 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) attenuates posttraumatic neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in an experimental model of TBI. Treatment with T3 (1.2μg/100g body weight, i.p.) 1h after TBI resulted in a significant improvement in motor and cognitive recovery after CCI, as well as in marked reduction of lesion volumes. Mouse model for brain injury showed reactive astrocytes with increased glial fibrillary acidic protein, and formation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Western blot analysis revealed the ability of T3 to reduce brain trauma through modulation of cytoplasmic-nuclear shuttling of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Twenty-four hours after brain trauma, T3-treated mice also showed significantly lower number of TUNEL(+) apoptotic neurons and curtailed induction of Bax, compared to vehicle control. In addition, T3 significantly enhanced the post-TBI expression of the neuroprotective neurotrophins (BDNF and GDNF) compared to vehicle. Our data provide an additional mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effects of thyroid hormone with critical implications in immunopathology at the cross-roads of the immune-endocrine circuits.

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PMID: 23313345

DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2012.12.009

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/233...

[stiltzski]

The ultimate irony! Thanks for posting.

[Hillwoman]

Fascinating. Much food for thought in this.

Thanks for posting.

[BadHare]

The poor wee mice!

Need to get my pathophysiology books out for this post.

[Snowmassbunny]

Fascinating article! I wonder what we learn T1 & T2 do for us in the future too... so many of the docs I've told about my US Armour protocol reply with, "We only prescribe T4 in this country. It's all you need if you're hypo"!! I will whip this study out next time!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Snowmassbunny]

I am absolutely convinced of the importance of T3 and probable need for at least some to be given to most of us. I am less convinced that delivering T2 and T1 by tablet is needed or even effective. Mind, I do not doubt their importance at all. Nor am I convinced that there is enough in desiccated thyroid to have any effect. That is genuine ignorance and questioning - not dismissal.

[silverfox7]

Think it interesting that people with dementia have low T3 though I suspect no one has had a light bulb moment and thought let's give it a go!

Every cell in our bodies needs T3 to function so it makes sense that it has other uses. May be everyone should be tested at say fifty for at least FT4 and T3 if necessary to start the ball rolling. Modern medicine doesn't work like that sadly. I subscribe to Mediguard to hopefully let me know of things that I react badly to but one day my thyroid meds flashed up and apparently I should lower my dose as I'm now 65+!!!!!! Medicine still has a lot to learn and I worry that money is the reason holding many back and at the same time causing money to be spent because of the damage of not being treated properly at the right time.