Degradation of Thyroid Hormones by Phagocytosing Human Leukocytes

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Abstract

Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T9) are rapidly degraded by a purified preparation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and H2O2 with the formation of iodide and material which remains at the origin on paper chromatography. Deiodination by MPO and H2O2 occurs more readily at pH 7.0 than at pH 5.0 in contrast to iodination by this system which is known to occur more readily at pH 5.0 than at pH 7.0. Degradation is inhibited by azide, cyanide, ascorbic acid, and propylthiouracil. Methimazole stimulates deiodination by MPO and H2O2 but inhibits this reaction when MPO is replaced by lactoperoxidase or horseradish peroxidase.

Authors

Seymour J. Klebanoff, William L. Green