Antibody responses in hyperthyroid rats

This study evaluated antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in hyperthyroid rats during treatment with triiodothyronine (T3). The immune response was evaluated by measuring plaque forming cells (PFC) in the spleen and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum of male Wistar rats (180 ± 10 g) treated with 25 μg/day of triiodotironine (T3) during 7–12 days and immunized with SRBC at the 8th day of treatment. The results showed that anti-SRBC antibody production was significantly decreased in animals treated for 12 days when compared to normal rats immunized with the same antigen, as evaluated by the two assays. These results show that in this experimental model hyperthyroidism decreases antibody response. We previously observed the opposite effect, that is, an increase in this response in hypothyroid rats resulting from the treatment with propylthyouracil, a blocker of thyroid hormone biosynthesis. It is suggested that antibody production is affected by thyroid hormone levels.