Time course of the T3- and T4-induced increase in rat soleus muscle mitochondria.

Citrate synthase and cytochrome c increase in soleus muscle of rats in response to excess thyroid hormones. The half times of the increase in the levels of citrate synthase and cytochrome c in soleus muscle during induction are greater than the half times of the decline in enzyme levels after cessation of treatment (15 days vs. 7 days for citrate synthase). Denervation of the soleus does not prevent the increase in citrate synthase in response to thyrotoxicosis. This provides evidence that thyroid hormones affect the muscle directly and not via the motor nerves. ATP concentration is reduced in liver, but not in soleus muscle in response to thyrotoxicosis. Creatine phosphate is not significantly altered in soleus muscle. Cyclic AMP is slightly lower in thyrotoxic soleus muscle. Simultaneous treatment with thyroid hormones and propranolol does not affect the increase in citrate synthase in response to excess thyroid hormones. It is concluded that the increase in muscle mitochondria associated with thyrotoxicosis is not mediated via the nervous system or by a cAMP-regulated process.