Thyroid hormone function

The range of potato manganese content has been reported from 0.73-3. 62 p,g/g FW (Rivero etal., 2003) to 9-13 p,g/g DW (Orphanos, 1980). Manganese has a role in blood sugar regulation, metabolism, and thyroid hormone function. Recommended daily intake in the USA is 2-10 mg. 

As in insects, a complex interaction of hormones in the amphibian larva precipitates metamorphosis. Ultimately, two major classes of hormones act together to control amphibian metamorphosis the thyroid hormones (made by the thyroid gland) and prolactin (made by the pituitary gland). Thyroid hormones function somewhat like the molting hormones of insects, in that an increase of their concentration relative to prolactin leads to metamorphosis of the larva into the adult. Prolactin functions somewhat like the juvenile hormones of insects, in that it tempers the action of the thyroid hormones. In most species, thyroid hormones increase dramatically in concentration during metamorphosis and this stimulates resorption of certain larval organs and differentiation of new adult organs. 

Toxic effects on thyroid hormonal function due to Pb exposure typically occur at relatively high Pb exposure levels usually associated with lead workers (Table 19.1). While more recent reports took advantage of more sophisticated methods for quantifying relatively low-level changes in hormonal levels, there appears to have been little downward shift of... 

Thyroid-stimulating hormone can be used clinically to test thyroid function but has not found practical apphcation in the treatment of human thyroid insufficiency. Direct replacement therapy with thyroid hormone is easy and effective, owing to a simple molecular stmcture. TSH has been used in the veterinary treatment of hypothyroidism, and preparations of TSH ate produced by Cooper Animal Health, Inc. and Armour Pharmaceuticals. 

Metabolic Functions. The functions of the thyroid hormones and thus of iodine are control of energy transductions (121). These hormones increase oxygen consumption and basal metaboHc rate by accelerating reactions in nearly all cells of the body. A part of this effect is attributed to increase in activity of many enzymes. Additionally, protein synthesis is affected by the thyroid hormones (121,122). 

Among vertebrate species, the neuro-endocrine-immime system is responsible for many complex, inter-related physiological processes including neuronal, homeostatic, reproductive and immune functions. There are four main types of hormone polypeptides, eicosanoids, steroids and thyroid hormones. Reflecting the inter-dependency of the neiiro-endocrine and immune systems, hormones, neuropeptides and other neiirotransmitters are known to be produced by some immune cells and play a role in the regulation of the immune system, while endocrine and nervous tissues express receptors for many substances produced by the immune system. The major focus of interest in endocrine disruption has... 

Disruption of thyroid functions in vertebrates has been suggested to constitute a potential threat to many vital functions. For example, there is a possibility that disruption to the thyroid hormone levels during embryogenesis could result in disturbed behaviour patterns in the adult form, possibly interfering with migration in certain species and sonar functions in cetaceans. In anurans, thyroid hormones are essential for initiating metamorphosis. ... 

Thyroid autonomy appears as a solitary toxic nodule or toxic multinodular goitre. In toxic thyroid, the nodule s synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones is autonomous from the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced in the pituitary gland. Accordingly TSH is suppressed and the extranodular thyroid tissue is functionally downregulated. Thyroid autonomy occurs frequently in iodine-deficient countries, whereas it is much less common in iodine-sufficient areas. Constitu-tively activating mutations in the TSH receptor and in the Gs a protein are the major molecular aetiology of toxic thyroid nodules. 

Cellular functions are controlled by extracellular signals such as hormones, neurotransmitters, odorants, light and other chemical or physical stimuli. Only a few of these signal molecules, e.g., the highly lipid-soluble steroids or thyroid hormones, can diffiise across the... 

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