Effect of 3,3’-diiodo-L-thyronine and 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine on rat liver mitochondria

In the present study we report that 3,3',5-tri-iodothyronine (T3) as well as two iodothyronines (3,5-di-iodothyronine (3,5-T2) and 3,3'-di-iodothyronine (3,3'-T2)) significantly influence rat liver mitochondrial activity. Liver oxidative capacity (measured as cytochrome oxidase activity/g wet tissue) in hypothyroid compared with normal rats was significantly reduced (21%, P > 0.01) and the administration of T3 and both iodothyronines restored normal values. At the mitochondrial level, treatment with T3 stimulated respiratory activity (state 4 and state 3) and did not influence cytochrome oxidase activity. On the other hand, both the mitochondrial respiratory rate and specific cytochrome oxidase activity significantly increased in hypothyroid animals after treatment with 3,3'-T2 or 3,5-T2 (about 50 and 40% respectively). The actions of both iodothyronines were rapid and evident by 1 h after the injection. The hepatic mitochondrial protein content which decreased in hypothyroid rats (9.6 mg/g liver compared with 14.1 in normal controls, P < 0.05) was restored by T3 injection, while neither T2 was able to restore it. Our results suggest that T3 and both iodothyronines have different mechanisms of action. T3 acts on both mitochondrial mass and activity; the action on mitochondrial activity was not exerted at the cytochrome oxidase complex level. The action of the iodothyronines, on the other hand, is exerted directly on the cytochrome oxidase complex without any noticeable action on the mitochondrial mass.