EFFECTS OF AMPHENONE “B” ON THYROID AND ADRENAL FUNCTIONS1

Abstract

Amphenone "B" was shown to inhibit the incorporation of I131 into thyroid protein both in vivo and in vitro. This effect was present when molar conens. of the inhibitor were as low as 10-6, and the compound was shown to be equally as potent an anti-thyroid substance in vitro as propylthiouracil. Neither amphenone "B" nor propylthiouracil was shown to have any effect on the rate of release of radio-iodine from the rat thyroid. Prolonged admn. of amphenone "B" to rats produced adrenomegaly which was associated with increases in adrenal ascorbic acid and cholesterol conens. Detns. of liver glycogen, circulating eosinophiles and thymus wt. indicated that the enlarged adrenals were capable of responding to ACTH or cold stimulus by secreting an increased quantity of steroids. The response in amphenone "B" treated animals was even greater than that of the controls. It is concluded that amphenone "B" has a direct antithyroid "blocking" action but that the effect on the adrenal is stimulatory in nature.