The effects of the thiols DTT (dithiothreitol) and GSH (reduced glutathione) on hepatic in vitro and in vivo T4 (L-thyroxine) deiodination by rainbow trout held at 11 °C were studied. Hepatic deiodination increased progressively over the DTT range of 0.02–20 mM. GSH was less potent than DTT at low concentrations and strongly inhibited deiodination at high concentrations (> 1 mM). Hepatic deiodination was not increased by 1 mM NADPH or anaerobic conditions and was enhanced and not inhibited by the GSH inhibitor, diamide (2.5 mM), indicating that the low T4 deiodination in the absence of DTT is not due to endogenous GSH deficiency. Intraperitoneally injected GSH consistently increased plasma levels of 125I and [125I]-3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) in fed or starved [125I]T4-injected trout, suggesting a GSH stimulation of extrahepatic T4 deiodination. However, injected GSH did not elevate plasma T3 concentrations. This was probably due to a demonstrated GSH stimulation of plasma T4 and T3 clearance. Force-fed GSH did not increase [125I]T4 deiodination. It is concluded that exogenous thiols can enhance T4 deiodination both in vitro and in vivo. However, availability of neither endogenous nor dietary GSH appears to regulate T4 deiodination under physiological conditions, including altered nutritional state.
An in vitro and in vivo study of the distribution of ammonia between plasma and red cells of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)