Effect of thyroid on gastric secretion and metabolism

Abstract

The effect of administration of thyroid products on gastric acid secretion and metabolism was studied in dogs with gastric pouches and in gastric mucosa from rats and frogs. Whole thyroid, thyroxin, triiodothyronine, and iodinated casein generally reduced secretion in thyroidectomized dogs and in dogs with intact thyroids. The thyroid substances elevated BMR above euthyroid levels in normal dogs but not always in thyroidectomized dogs. In dogs with intact thyroids 2,4-dinitrophenol raised oxygen consumption but did not affect secretion. Whole thyroid elevated BMR in rats and frogs but did not change resting mucosal oxygen consumption. During spring and early summer thyroid feeding reduced histamine-stimulated acid secretion and mucosal oxygen consumption during secretion in frogs, but the acid-to-oxygen ratio was unaffected. These findings suggest that elevated tissue concentrations of thyroid hormones reduce the ability of the gastric mucosa to mobilize secretory energy in response to a stimulus. This effect of the thyroid hormones is apparently not directly correlated with their calorigenic properties.