Effect of 3:5:3′-triiodothyroacetic Acid on the in vitro Oxygen Uptake of Leucocytes of Hypopituitary Patients

NEITHER L -3 : 5: 3′-triiodothyronine (T 3 ) nor 3 : 5 : 3′-triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) affect the uptake of oxygen by leucocytes from normal individuals studied in vitro with the direct method of Warburg with a modified Krebs's No. 2 buffer. When, however, these in vitro investigations are carried out with leucocytes from patients with primary hypothyroidism, an immediate stimulation of oxygen uptake can be demonstrated with TRIAC although no effect is produced by T 3 (ref. 1).