Biochemical and stereological analysis of rat liver mitochondria in different thyroid states

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · J. Cell Biol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.77.3.887· OSTI ID:5127463

Jakovcic, S; Swift, H H; Gross, N J; Rabinowitz, M

The concentrations of the inner mitochondrial membrane markers cardiolipin and cytochrome a have been measured in liver homogenates and in purified mitochondria after thyroxine administration to thyroidectomized and normal rats. The biochemical results have been correlated with stereological electron micrographic analyses of hepatocytes in liver sections, and of isolated mitochondrial pellets. There were progressive and parallel increases in homogenate and mitochondrial cardiolipin concentration, and in mitochondrial cytochrome a concentration, after administration of 20 ..mu..g of thyroxine on alternate days to thyroidectomized rats, and of 300 ..mu..g on alternate days to normal rats. Electron microscope measurements showed marked differences in the shape of the mitochondria and in the number of cristae in different thyroid states. Hypothyroid mitochondria were shorter and wider than controls, and hyperthyroid mitochondria longer but of similar width. Mitocondrial volume per unit cell volume was virtually unchanged in hypo- and hyperthyroid animals. The most striking changes were a decrease in the area of the inner membrane plus cristae in thyroidectomized rats, and a substantial increase in membrane area after thyroxine administration. The biochemical and electron micrographic results indicate that, in rat liver, thyroid hormone administration leads to a selective increase in the relative amount of mitochondrial inner membranes, with little or no change in the mitochondrial volume per unit cell volume, or in total mitochondrial protein per unit total cell protein.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Chicago, IL
• OSTI ID: 5127463
• Journal Information: J. Cell Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Cell Biol.; (United States) Vol. 77; ISSN JCLBA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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550300 -- Cytology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINO ACIDS
ANIMALS
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CARDIOLIPIN
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CHEMISTRY
CYTOCHROMES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ESTERS
GLANDS
HOMOGENATES
HORMONES
LIPIDS
LIVER
MAMMALS
MEDICINE
MEMBRANES
MICROSCOPY
MITOCHONDRIA
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
MORPHOLOGY
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC IODINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
ORGANOIDS
ORGANS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PHOSPHOLIPIDS
PIGMENTS
RATS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
RODENTS
SURGERY
THYROID HORMONES
THYROIDECTOMY
THYROXINE
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES