Effect of thyroidectomy and thyroxine on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced immunotoxicity.

Radiothyroidectomy protected against 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced immunotoxicity in rats as assessed by the spleen anti-SRBC plaque-forming cell assay. Thyroxine (T4) replacement therapy partially reversed the effects of thyroidectomy on T4 and triiodothyronine (T3) serum levels, body weight and immune function as well as restored TCDD-induced immunotoxicity. Thus, hypothyroidism induced by TCDD exposure can be viewed as a protective response of the organism to reduce the insult caused by TCDD.