Vol 57, No 2 (2006)
Review paper
Published online: 2006-05-26
Thyroid hormones and the cardiomyocytes
Endokrynol Pol 2006;57(2):144-148.
Abstract
The authors present the current knowledge on the intracellular
mechanisms of thyroid hormone action in the cardiomyocytes.
Many of the clinical manifestations of thyroid
diseases are due to the ability of thyroid hormone to alter
cardiovascular hemodynamics. Triiodothyronine affects
the hemodynamic state mainly by its influence on the
expression of cardiomyocyte genes. These genes encode
both structural and regulatory proteins in the heart (myosin
heavy chains, sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-activated
ATP-ase, phospholamban). The impaired myocardium
contractile activity in hypothyreosis reminds findings in
heart failure and may warrant further exploration of therapeutic approaches using thyroid hormone to improve
cardiac function in heart failure.
Keywords: thyroid hormonecardiomyocytecontractilityheart failure