[Effect of degree of experimentally induced hypothyroidism on changes in serum albumin spectra in rats].

Extreme rat hypothyreosis of identical degree was induced by radiothyroidectomy (group R-HT) and feeding of thyreostatics (groups MTU-HT and MMI-HT). External signs, growth kinetics, serum cholesterol, thyroid weight, and the iodothyrosine pattern of the thyroid glands served as references for the quality of the hypothyreotic state. Determinations of following changes (all changes significant for p less than 0.001): 1. Higher total serum protein levels in hypothyreotic rats 4 and 7 weeks after beginning the experiemnts as compared to the controls (KT). 2. After 4 weeks the relative albumin content was diminished, the relative gamma-globulin content was elevated as compared to the KT. The absolute values of albumines did not change, alpha-1-globuline and gamma-globuline contents were increased in all hypothyreotic groups. 3. After 7 weeks normal albumine values, increase of the relative and absolute alpha-1-globuline content, and decrease of the relative beta-globuline concentrations were measured. Elevated gamma-globulins were found in MMI-HT and R-HT only, and an increased absolute albumine content in MTU-HT alone. The results confirm both hyperproteinemia and dysproteinemia as characteristics of the rat hypothyreotic state. Dynamic changes of absolute and relative contents of different serum protein fractions are demonstrated in relation to the duration of hypothyreosis. This fact can possibly explain contradictory findings on type of dysproteinemia by several authors.