(1) Research Institute of Life Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 660-701, Korea;(2) Department of Physical Therapy, International University of Korea, Jinju, 660-759, Korea;
Abstract:
Polychlorinated biphenyls are environmental pollutants that are toxic to many biological systems. This study examined whether
or not PCB126 and PCB114 have adverse effects on the serum thyroxine level and the serum proteome in rats. The results showed
a lower serum total thyroxine level in the PCB126 and PCB114-treated groups than the control. Western blotting showed that
the levels of transthyretin expression were significantly higher in the PCB-treated group than the control group. These results
suggest that the PCB-mediated hypothyroidism is caused by the displacement of thyroxine from transthyretin.