The effects of chronic exposure to supraphysiological concentrations of 3, 5, 3' triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) on cultured GC cells.

We have characterized the effects of supraphysiological concentrations of T3 on GC cells, a cultured cell line in which physiologic concentrations of T3 regulate cell growth, protein content, and growth hormone (GH) production. GC cells were exposed to 3 times (1.0 nM) and 80 times (25.0 nM) the physiologic concentration of T3 (0.3 nM) for either 4 d or for greater than 3 months. Both short and prolonged exposure to supranormal T3 concentrations supported maximal cell growth rate and induced significant increases in total protein (P less than 0.025) and GH production (P less than 0.01) per cell when compared to measurements in control GC cells. In addition, exposure to 1.0 nM and 25.0 nM T3 for greater than 3 months enhanced the toxicity of heat shock in a manner similar to previously described effects on GC cells due to T3 exposure of shorter duration. Thus, initial responses to raised T3 concentrations in cultured GC cells persisted without alteration when hormone exposure was prolonged for greater than 3 months.