THE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL, 3,5,3'-TRIIODOTHYRONINE (T-3) AND ESTRADIOL (E(2)) ON THYROID-HORMONE NUCLEAR RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN HUMAN HEPATOCYTE PRIMARY CULTURES

The possibility that ethanol regulated the expression of thyroid hormo ne receptor mRNA levels 1 was explored in a model involving human hepa tocyte primary culture. Ethanol (20, 50 and 100mM for 24h was found to have no effect on the steady-state levels of either triiodothyronine (T-3) receptor a(1) or a(2) mRNAs. In contrast both T-3 (1, 10 and 100 nM) and oestradiol (0.1, 1 and 10ng/ml) treatments affected either on e or both of these mRNA levels in a complex manner, showing that the m odel was capable of responding to other stimuli. Triiodothyronine rece ptor beta 1 mRNA was not assayed. The hypermetabolic effects of long-t erm ethanol consumption in humans appears not to be due to the direct effect of ethanol on the regulation of these receptors.