Effect of Thyroxin on the Gene Expression of Uncoupling Protein-2 in White Adipose Tissue of the Rat

Objective:To investigate the effect of thyroxin on the gene expression of uncoupling protein-2(UCP 2) in white adipose tissue(WAT) of the rat. Methods:30 normal male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, hyperthyroid group and hypothyroid group, with 10 rats per group. The hyperthyroid or hypothyroid status of the rats was made by administration of L-thyroxine or methimazole. The serum total T 3, T 4 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA). The mRNA levels in UCP 2 in WAT were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results:Compared with the normal control group, a 1.4 fold increase and a 1.2 fold decrease in UCP 2 mRNA were detected in hyperthyroid and hypothyroid groups respectively. The differences were both highly significant. Conclusion:Gene expression of UCP 2 in rat WAT was up-regulated by thyroxin.