Background: Thyroid hormones are known to help in weight loss by stimulating metabolism, and they can help decrease cholesterol too. The activity of these hormones is regulated by chemicals called hormone receptors. Selective activation of these receptors may be able to effectively treat obesity, hypercholesterolemia; really a novel way of looking at obesity.
Aim of work: To measure the expression levels of thyroid hormone receptors in adipocytes of obese patients versus lean
subjects, pointing out the effect of obesity on thyroid receptors and that of thyroid on burning fat and in turn forming an idea about thyroid regulatory status. Patients and Methods: Case control study .Visceral adipose tissue samples will be provided from patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. This study will be conducted on two groups: Group ob: comprises 20 obese subjects (BMI>30kg/m2) Group ln: comprises 20 lean subjects (BMI<25kg/m2). Results: Comparison between obese and lean groups regarding THR expression level in visceral adipocytes, it was statistically higher in the lean group. Correlation of THR expression in visceral adipocytes with TSH was highly significant and positive. The correlation of THR expression in visceral adipocytes was inversely with BMI, waist circumference, age, fasting blood glucose and fasting plasma insulin. Conclusion: Thyroid hormone receptor expression level in visceral adipocytes decreased with age, fat belly, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia in the presence of high thyroid hormones in blood. Opposite to decreased TSH level in the blood according to our results, suggesting a role for adipocytes in the regulation of TSH and thyroid hormones.