Opposite effects of zinc and melatonin on thyroid hormones in rats

Toxicology. 2004 Jan 15;195(1):69-75. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2003.09.001.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate how thyroid function in rats is affected by administration of 3 mg per kg per day of zinc and/or melatonin. The study was conducted with 40 Sprague-Dawley adult male rats equally divided into four groups: 1 (controls), 2 (zinc-only), 3 (melatonin-only) and 4 (zinc- and melatonin-supplemented). The supplementation was continued for 4 weeks after which the animals were sacrificed and plasma samples were obtained for determination of zinc, melatonin, free- and total triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. The free T3, T4 and TSH levels were lower in the melatonin group than in all other groups (P<0.01), while free- and total T3 levels were higher in the zinc group (P<0.01). The group that received zinc and melatonin combined had free thyroid hormone levels higher than the only melatonin group. These results show that melatonin has a thyroid function suppressing action, just the opposite to the actions of zinc. When zinc is administered along with melatonin, its thyroid function suppression is diminished.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Male
  • Melatonin / administration & dosage
  • Melatonin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Melatonin / blood
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Thyroid Hormones / blood
  • Thyroid Hormones / metabolism*
  • Zinc / administration & dosage
  • Zinc / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Zinc / blood

Substances

  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Zinc
  • Melatonin