Abstract
It is widely accepted that thyroid hormones (THs), secreted from the thyroid, play important roles in energy metabolism. It is also known that THs also alter the functioning of other endocrine glands; however, their effects on pancreatic function have not yet been reviewed. One of the main functions of the pancreas is insulin secretion, which is altered in diabetes. Diabetes, therefore, could be related to thyroid dysfunction. Earlier research on this subject focused on TH regulation of pancreas function (such as insulin secretion) or on insulin function through TH-mediated increase of energy metabolism. Afterwards, epidemiological investigations and animal test research found a link between autoimmune diseases, thyroid dysfunction, and pancreas pathology; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that THs also play important roles in pancreas development and on islet pathology, both in diabetes and in pancreatic cancer. Therefore, an overview of the effects of thyroid and THs on pancreas physiology and pathology is presented. The topics contained in this review include a summary of the relationship between autoimmune thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune pancreas lesions and the effects of THs on pancreas development and pancreas pathology (diabetes and pancreatic cancer).
Highlights
their nuclear receptors (TRs) can bind to specific cis elements called thyroid hormone response elements (TREs), which are located in the promoter of target genes and form homodimers or heterodimers with retinoid X receptor (RXR) [11] and other receptors [12]
More research regarding the role of Thyroid hormones (THs) in the pancreas has been carried out, which has increased the understanding of TH physiological function in the mechanisms governing the pathology of diabetes
The findings done in this study indicated the other striking extreme effect of THs in pancreas development when compared with previous understanding that TH deficiency in prenatal, postnatal, or even infancy was closely related with glucose intolerance and reduced glucosestimulated insulin secretion contributing to diabetes development in adulthood
Summary
A deeper knowledge of the mechanisms needs to be developed in order to understand the complex physiological effects of THs. THs include 3,5,3′,5′-tetraiodo-L-thyronine (T4) and 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3); both hormones are synthesized and secreted from the thyroid gland. TRs can bind to specific cis elements called thyroid hormone response elements (TREs), which are located in the promoter of target genes and form homodimers or heterodimers with retinoid X receptor (RXR) [11] and other receptors (such as estrogen receptor) [12]. It is well known that THs can affect the action of other hormones (such as retinoid by RXR) and have effects on other endocrine glands. One of these glands is the pancreas, which is involved in chronic and prevalent diseases, such as diabetes. A better understanding of the mechanisms governing metabolic diseases which considers the involvement of thyroid and THs could begin the development of a new way of tracking pancreas diseases
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
