Carbamazepine affects triiodothyronine production and metabolization in rat hippocampus.

The effects of subchronic administration of carbamazepine on thyroid hormone metabolism were investigated in the hippocampus in adult male rats at two different measuring times (4 a.m. and 8 p.m.). Carbamazepine enhanced the activity of 5'II-deiodinase, which catalyzes the deiodination of the prohormone T4 to the active compound T3, at 8 p.m., but not at 4 a.m. The activity of 5III-deiodinase, which catalyzes the further deiodination of the active hormone T3 to its metabolite 3,3'T2, was inhibited at 4 a.m. but not at 8 p.m. These effects of carbamazepine on intracellular thyroid hormone metabolism in the hippocampus should theoretically lead to a rise in T3 production. It remains to be investigated whether they are somehow involved in the as yet unknown mechanisms underlying the anticonvulsant/mood-stabilizing effects of carbamazepine.