[The effect of thyrotropic hormone on processes mediating the cytotoxicity of antithyroid antibodies].

Administration of 3 units of thyrotropic hormone to rabbits with autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism led to reduction of the I131 absorption by the thyroid gland and to increase in the activity of proteolytic enzymes of the gland. Apparently, in autoimmune thyroiditis disturbances at the stages of the iodide incorporation into the gland were irreversible; proteolysis depression was apparently secondary. Possibly the mentioned disturbances were associated with the circulating antithyroid antibodies.