Mechanisms of Disruptive Action of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) on the Function of Thyroid Follicular Epitheliocytes.

The mechanism of disruptive action of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) on the function of thyroid follicular epitheliocytes was examined in mature male Wistar rats administered with a daily dose of DDT (2 μg/kg) for 6 or 10 weeks. In 6 weeks, the serum level of Na(+)/I(-) symporter responsible for the transport of iodides into follicular thyrocytes decreased, while serum concentration of thyroperoxidase increased. In 10 weeks, both the number of follicles in the thyroid gland and serum level of Na(+)/I(-) symporter increased. In circulating blood, the concentrations of thyroglobulin as well as α and β receptors of the thyroid hormones did not change. DDT down-regulated the iodine-accumulated function of follicular thyrocytes by suppressing Na(+)/I(-) symporter synthesis. Recovery of Na(+)/I (-) symporter production resulted from up-regulation of the proliferative processes in thyroid gland.