Reversal of difluoromethylornithine effects by the administration of putrescine in rats

Objective: To assess the reversal of Di-fluoromethyl ornithine (DFMO) effects by administration of putrescine on thyroid glands in rats. Methods: The study was conducted on female rats weighing 248 to 320 grams at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad in November end 2006. They were divided into three groups namely control group I treated with normal saline, DFMO treated group II at a dose of 50 mg/rat and DFMO and Putrescine group III received a combination of 50mg/rat of DFMO and 150<g of Putrescine, subcutaneously for five consecutive days. On sixth day, blood was collected by cardiac puncture and radioimmunoassay was performed to measure Serum T3, T4 and TSH levels in all groups. Results: In group II there was a fall in T3, T4 concentration with significant rise in TSH concentration as compared to the control group. The combined administration of Putrescine and DFMO resulted in a rise in serum T3 and T4 with negligible fall in TSH. Conclusion: DFMO induced hypothyroidism was reversed by the administration of Putrescine. It is thus concluded that hormone mediated response in thyroid tissue can be altered by altering ODC responsiveness of target tissue of female rats.