Skip to main content
PMC home page
The Canadian Veterinary Journal logoLink to The Canadian Veterinary Journal
. 1999 Jun;40(6):411–415.

Short-term influence of prednisone and phenobarbital on thyroid function in euthyroid dogs.

S Daminet 1, M Paradis 1, K R Refsal 1, C Price 1
PMCID: PMC1539734  PMID: 10367157

Abstract

The short-term effects of prednisone and phenobarbital on serum total thyroxine (tT4), free thyroxine (fT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were evaluated in euthyroid dogs. Twenty-six beagles were randomly divided into 3 groups receiving, respectively, a placebo, prednisone (1.2 to 2 mg/kg body weight, per os, every 12 hours for 3 weeks), or phenobarbital (1.8 to 3 mg/kg body weight for 1 week, then 2.7 to 4.5 mg/kg body weight, per os, every 12 hours for 2 weeks). Blood samples taken over a 6-week period were assayed for serum tT4, fT4, and TSH. Phenobarbital therapy in our study did not affect serum tT4, fT4, or TSH concentrations. Prednisone therapy, however, significantly decreased serum tT4 and fT4, but did not affect serum TSH concentrations.

Full text

PDF

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Ahlquist J. A., Franklyn J. A., Ramsden D. B., Sheppard M. C. The influence of dexamethasone on serum thyrotrophin and thyrotrophin synthesis in the rat. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1989 Jun;64(1):55–61. doi: 10.1016/0303-7207(89)90064-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Al-Tahan F., Frey H. H. Absorption kinetics and bioavailability of phenobarbital after oral administration to dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 1985 Jun;8(2):205–207. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1985.tb00946.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Azukizawa M., Mori S., Ohta H., Matsumura S., Yoshimoto H., Uozumi T., Miyai K., Kumahara Y. Effect of a single dose of glucocorticoid on the diurnal variations of TSH, thyroxine, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine, 3,3'5'-triiodothyronine and cortisol in normal men. Endocrinol Jpn. 1979 Dec;26(6):719–723. doi: 10.1507/endocrj1954.26.719. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Barter R. A., Klaassen C. D. Reduction of thyroid hormone levels and alteration of thyroid function by four representative UDP-glucuronosyltransferase inducers in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1994 Sep;128(1):9–17. doi: 10.1006/taap.1994.1174. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Benker G., Raida M., Olbricht T., Wagner R., Reinhardt W., Reinwein D. TSH secretion in Cushing's syndrome: relation to glucocorticoid excess, diabetes, goitre, and the 'sick euthyroid syndrome'. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1990 Dec;33(6):777–786. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1990.tb03915.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Brabant G., Brabant A., Ranft U., Ocran K., Köhrle J., Hesch R. D., von zur Mühlen A. Circadian and pulsatile thyrotropin secretion in euthyroid man under the influence of thyroid hormone and glucocorticoid administration. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1987 Jul;65(1):83–88. doi: 10.1210/jcem-65-1-83. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Curran P. G., DeGroot L. J. The effect of hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs on thyroid hormones and the thyroid gland. Endocr Rev. 1991 May;12(2):135–150. doi: 10.1210/edrv-12-2-135. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Dayrell-Hart B., Steinberg S. A., VanWinkle T. J., Farnbach G. C. Hepatotoxicity of phenobarbital in dogs: 18 cases (1985-1989). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1991 Oct 15;199(8):1060–1066. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. De Sandro V., Chevrier M., Boddaert A., Melcion C., Cordier A., Richert L. Comparison of the effects of propylthiouracil, amiodarone, diphenylhydantoin, phenobarbital, and 3-methylcholanthrene on hepatic and renal T4 metabolism and thyroid gland function in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1991 Nov;111(2):263–278. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(91)90030-i. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Deda G., Akinci A., Teziç T., Karagöl U. Effects of anticonvulsant drugs on thyroid hormones in epileptic children. Turk J Pediatr. 1992 Oct-Dec;34(4):239–244. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Degroot L. J., Hoye K. Dexamethasone suppression of serum T3 and T4. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1976 May;42(5):976–978. doi: 10.1210/jcem-42-5-976. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Dussault J. H. The effect of dexamethasone on TSH and prolactin secretion after TRH stimulation. Can Med Assoc J. 1974 Dec 7;111(11):1195–1197. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Ferguson D. C., Peterson M. E. Serum free and total iodothyronine concentrations in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism. Am J Vet Res. 1992 Sep;53(9):1636–1640. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Ferguson D. C. Thyroid function tests in the dog. Recent concepts. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1984 Jul;14(4):783–808. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(84)50081-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Frey H. H., Löscher W. Pharmacokinetics of anti-epileptic drugs in the dog: a review. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 1985 Sep;8(3):219–233. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1985.tb00951.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Hangaard J., Andersen M., Grodum E., Koldkjaer O., Hagen C. Pulsatile thyrotropin secretion in patients with Addison's disease during variable glucocorticoid therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996 Jul;81(7):2502–2507. doi: 10.1210/jcem.81.7.8675567. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Johnson S., McKillop D., Miller J., Smith I. K. The effects on rat thyroid function of an hepatic microsomal enzyme inducer. Hum Exp Toxicol. 1993 Mar;12(2):153–158. doi: 10.1177/096032719301200210. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Kaptein E. M., Moore G. E., Ferguson D. C., Hoenig M. Effects of prednisone on thyroxine and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine metabolism in normal dogs. Endocrinology. 1992 Mar;130(3):1669–1679. doi: 10.1210/endo.130.3.1537315. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Liu J., Liu Y., Barter R. A., Klaassen C. D. Alteration of thyroid homeostasis by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase inducers in rats: a dose-response study. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1995 May;273(2):977–985. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. McClain R. M., Levin A. A., Posch R., Downing J. C. The effect of phenobarbital on the metabolism and excretion of thyroxine in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1989 Jun 15;99(2):216–228. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(89)90004-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Moore G. E., Ferguson D. C., Hoenig M. Effects of oral administration of anti-inflammatory doses of prednisone on thyroid hormone response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone and thyrotropin in clinically normal dogs. Am J Vet Res. 1993 Jan;54(1):130–135. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Ohnhaus E. E., Bürgi H., Burger A., Studer H. The effect of antipyrine, phenobarbitol and rifampicin on thyroid hormone metabolism in man. Eur J Clin Invest. 1981 Oct;11(5):381–387. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1981.tb02000.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Peterson M. E., Ferguson D. C., Kintzer P. P., Drucker W. D. Effects of spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism on serum thyroid hormone concentrations in the dog. Am J Vet Res. 1984 Oct;45(10):2034–2038. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Ranta T. Effect of dexamethasone on the secretion of thyrotropin in the rat: dose and time relations. Endocrinology. 1975 Jun;96(6):1566–1570. doi: 10.1210/endo-96-6-1566. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Re R. N., Kourides I. A., Ridgway E. C., Weintraub B. D., Maloof F. The effect of glucocorticoid administration on human pituitary secretion of thyrotropin and prolactin. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1976 Aug;43(2):338–346. doi: 10.1210/jcem-43-2-338. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Reimers T. J., Lawler D. F., Sutaria P. M., Correa M. T., Erb H. N. Effects of age, sex, and body size on serum concentrations of thyroid and adrenocortical hormones in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 1990 Mar;51(3):454–457. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Reimers T. J., Mummery L. K., McCann J. P., Cowan R. G., Concannon P. W. Effects of reproductive state on concentrations of thyroxine, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine and cortisol in serum of dogs. Biol Reprod. 1984 Aug;31(1):148–154. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod31.1.148. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Rubello D., Sonino N., Casara D., Girelli M. E., Busnardo B., Boscaro M. Acute and chronic effects of high glucocorticoid levels on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in man. J Endocrinol Invest. 1992 Jun;15(6):437–441. doi: 10.1007/BF03348767. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Samuels M. H., Luther M., Henry P., Ridgway E. C. Effects of hydrocortisone on pulsatile pituitary glycoprotein secretion. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1994 Jan;78(1):211–215. doi: 10.1210/jcem.78.1.8288706. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Scott-Moncrieff J. C., Nelson R. W., Bruner J. M., Williams D. A. Comparison of serum concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone in healthy dogs, hypothyroid dogs, and euthyroid dogs with concurrent disease. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998 Feb 1;212(3):387–391. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Surks M. I., Sievert R. Drugs and thyroid function. N Engl J Med. 1995 Dec 21;333(25):1688–1694. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199512213332507. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Theodoropoulos T. J., Zolman J. C. Effects of phenobarbital on hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in the rat. Am J Med Sci. 1989 Apr;297(4):224–227. doi: 10.1097/00000441-198904000-00005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Torres S. M., McKeever P. J., Johnston S. D. Effect of oral administration of prednisolone on thyroid function in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 1991 Mar;52(3):416–421. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Verma N. P., Haidukewych D. Differential but infrequent alterations of hepatic enzyme levels and thyroid hormone levels by anticonvulsant drugs. Arch Neurol. 1994 Apr;51(4):381–384. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1994.00540160079010. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Williams D. A., Scott-Moncrieff C., Bruner J., Sustarsic D., Panosian-Sahakian N., Unver E., el Shami A. S. Validation of an immunoassay for canine thyroid-stimulating hormone and changes in serum concentration following induction of hypothyroidism in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996 Nov 15;209(10):1730–1732. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Woltz H. H., Thompson F. N., Kemppainen R. J., Munnell J. F., Lorenz M. D. Effect of prednisone on thyroid gland morphology and plasma thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations in the dog. Am J Vet Res. 1983 Nov;44(11):2000–2003. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The Canadian Veterinary Journal are provided here courtesy of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

RESOURCES